Suspension Parts --If you could only buy one?

I would GUESS strut tower brace, but only because the arguments for it are more convinicing. A l-o-o-o-o-o-ng thread on the BT plate left me unconvinced, and I own one.

 

I agree with Doc Willie.

From the many posts on the Stiffening Plate and Strut Tower Brace, and from what I've read about strut tower braces on other cars, you will notice the most improvement in handling -- especially on turns -- with the Strut Tower Brace.

Why don't you pose the question on the Strut Tower Brace Install thread?

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-m...-strut-tower-brace-install-pictures-text.html

 

Swaybars would be my choice, but nobody makes them.

 

Brian/BT Tech is currently working on a beefed up front sway bar. He should be formally announcing it soon.

 

Yeah, I read one of Brian's posts from earlier this month saying that we should expect to see it towards the end of June. One more toy to add on!

 

Reopening this one (and adding to the list...)

I've had my pre-owned 2008 for 6 weeks now and am mostly happy but for the cornering response compared to my previous 2 German sedans. If my primary goal were to resist body roll taking freeway off-ramps in glide mode:

a) which would be more effective?
b) which would give more bang-for-the-buck?

among:

• stiffening plate
• strut tower brace
• rear sway bar
• front sway bar
• wider tires
• springs/struts

 

Springs or coilovers, as no placebo bar can match the physics of a lower center of gravity.

 

Ok in all fairness I'll rank your list.

1. Springs or coilovers - less body roll and can take the car faster through corners.
2. Wider tires - very close tie with springs/coils in terms of improved stability, but more expensive; wider tires usually means wider/new rims. Plus, even with new rims and tires you still have to drop the car.
3.Rear sway bar - Less body roll but IMO not as dramatic as springs.
4. Strut tower brace - more precise steering control - good for highways.
5. Front sway bar - Does the front even have sway?
6. Stiffening plate - practically useless compared to the above. Cheap and easy to install, but you get out what you put in.

 

Can't speak for Gen II but for Gen III it would be:

1. rear anti-sway bar (the only one you really need)
2. STB (marginal steering feel improvement)

yes
- coilovers could be alternative to rear sway bar
- springs and
- bigger tires would make huge difference
- bigger front swaybar
- stiffening lower braces would help

if you plan to autocross.

 

I completely agree with mac. The springs/struts had the biggest impact on handling. If you do not want to deal with a lowered car then you may look into running 17" wheels. They had nearly the same impact. The two together makes for a sporty ride indeed. The BT brace made very little difference for my car.

If you are interested in springs there are a few threads with reviews on different brands floating around here.

 

As an avid audiophile
Upgrading an audio system can be so much fun, vibration dampening devices, power cleaners and conditioners, room treatments, and all the different hardware(tubes, transducers and wires ) you can change out in the system.

Kinda like the suspension parts you can change out on a Prius
I agree, springs/shocks make the biggest impact, then a larger diameter rear sway bar, then 17"rims(excellent tires are required)(wider wheels are nice but increasing the OD of the rear sway bar does so much to alleviate the roll in corners it comes first), then upper front strut bar, then replacing the factory rear chassis stiffening plate with a beefier one.
I'd look at my wallet, price all the parts and pick away at them.
Rear sway bar, chassis stiffening plate and front upper strut bar are not that expensive and slip right on, shocks/springs/wheels are pricey, as is the labor.

But it's all relative, the Prius works fine from the factory, as does an off the shelf stereo unit, thing is the Prius gets much safer as you upgrade it, your audio system simply sounds better to you, might not sound any different to someone else, and it gets more dangerous as you upgrade (it can get really, really loud and it's so clean you don't notice)

 

Good points ursle.

The other thing is to set some goals or you will never know when you are done

 

On my last ride ('03 Passat) I did ECU reprogramming, larger wheels, rear sway bar and Eibach Pro Kit to get the "riding on rails" effect of my prior A4. I actually wasn't a fan of the lowering on the Passat, though the Prius seems awfully tall to me and might benefit (aerodynamically too?)

For the Prius, I'm not expecting equivalent performance nor handling. I'm just looking to keep my passengers from sliding across their seats when taking turns "too fast" (I can hang on to the wheel ) Autocross is not in the cards.

 

I think you meant "I'm just looking to keep my passengers from toppling over in their seats when taking turns "too fast" (I can hang on to the wheel )" because that is what happens during the extreme body sway of the stock Prius. Once you have springs, wheels and a sway bar they will be sliding across their seats. I blame the bland OEM seats. They don't hug you.

VWs with mods are another story. I watch the prepped VWs in autocross events and it's so cool to see them with 3 wheels in the air as they take a corner hard. lol Here is a BWM doing the same thing but only 2 are up. It's pretty flat!

 

I'll bet they don't have LRR tires

 

Nope but they overinflate! Hahaha