Lowering Prius IV on stock 15's

Electric...

why would you even comment on a modified thread. We get it...you dont like modified cars. We do what we want...dont come on here and criticize each guy or gal for personal taste.

 

Yes, stock suspension doesn't look too bad with factory wheels (15" or 17"), but change to most aftermarket rims and it's liable to look funky if you don't lower it. This is especially true with 18" wheels.

 

Geesh....did you read my post? Or just become so insulted that you couldn't handle it?

I think I prefaced the WHOLE thing admitting it was an "Old Man Rant" and also saying if you want to do it?- Do it.

It was only 1 comment...and it IS my opinion.

You so insecure you can't handle someone saying they don't get the fascination with lowering a vehicle?

 

I'm an "old guy" too (44). People have been lowering cars since at least the 50s. They were "chopping and channeling" them back then too. I don't like a car that is "slammed", and I value function over form, but many cars have a LARGE gap between the top of the tire, and the lip of the fender, and that is the part that people who are into aesthetics are obsessing about, not the ground clearance.

The factory lowering springs lower the car about an inch all around, which should leave plenty of ground clearance, while hopefully reducing the car's vulnerability to cross winds. They have the added benefit of eliminating some of the "TRD Off-Road" look that the stock ride height gives. They will probably have a slightly higher spring rate too, which will firm up the ride. Some people prefer a firmer ride, others don't. (to each their own)

 

Know what you mean being a cranky old fart myself. Like those super low small trucks that can't even leave half the parking lots without scraping, sparking or leaving something behind, don't know whether to laugh or call a wrecker!

RAL

 

COM'R,

I hear you Bro' , most of it is all about the Style.

With some lowering springs there could be a performance gain, that could be measured.
I'm using TRD springs, ~1 inch lower. So I now have a lower C/G,, it may be quicker around a skid pad,, I don't know...but his could be measured.
The suspension travel remains the same. I'm just now starting at a 1 in. lower spot on the same struts/shocks.
1" less compression - 1" more rebound.
But the spring rate is probably higher,, it resists compressing at progressively higher rate.

So stock is better with the speed bumps and such, (and comfort).
Lowered with higher spring rates may be quicker on the streets and track when you are pushing it. And more fun!

So Bro' , believe it or not ,, we're not all Style Punks !!

 

Sweet supra! If you don't mine me for asking, what are the specs?

 

Thank you!
Original stock (unopened) 150k mile engine, GT4088R with AEM and methanol injection. 465RWHP @17PSI on 92 octane, 612RWHP on pump+methanol @27PSI.

 

Regarding the handling of the stock Prius suspension : last summer we were headed from 101 over 199 to I 5 ( nor Cal to southern Ore ). There were 4 adults in the car and we were doing 55 on cruise. As you enter the big trees area the road abruptly changes from relatively straight to tight / sharp low speed twisties. I was not paying the attention I should have and the curves caught me by surprise. I entered the twisties way too fast. What really surprised me was how well the Prius handled the challenge. There was no wobble or wiggle and the car held the line like it was on rails.
I like to modify cars like anyone else but for me the stock suspension works pretty good !

 

ePrius,

At what point in you suspension mods did you add your front sway bar?
Or did you add all your suspension goodies at once?
I'd like to hear some thoughts on what adding the front sway does after having TRD springs and rear sway bar.

Thanks, B

 

I'm in on this thread!

If you'd like to ride along....

And if you'd like to ride in the Prius...

 

Good to see some 1320 freaks on a prius forum...

Why do you have it so nutered Ken? I was never a fan of playing the "pump gas" game. Especially now that everyone throws E99 in and claims "pump gas numbers". I would imagine with a good tune and race gas that 40R should push that motor to 900+ easily.

I did 599 Hp/500 Tq on pump gas @ 15psi with 11 degrees timing and a leaking fitting on the bottom of my gate causing the boost to surge. All on a GTK 650 (66 mm). Sold the car shortly after because it was just to much for here in California. Prior to that I Pulled the motor out of the car i crew chiefed. The motor did 9.45 @ 155 through a Precission 72mm and an auto trans (later 8.89 @ 166). We could never dyno that setup at full boost (45 psi, no nitrous) it would just destroy the tires. But at 30psi, no nitrous we got a few clean 900 hp dyno's out of it (through the Auto).

 

Joe, what track is that? I've raced at Gainsville and Moroso.

 

I never ran it in that trim. Did all the work back on the east coast, moved here to SoCal, AKA the deathplace of Drag Racing. Stock motor + Mopar's stage 3 + typical bolt on's and It would go consistant 11.4's @ 127 (Wife would go 12.1 @ 118 on BFG drag radials). Finally I got thrown off the 4 close tracks to us for good (Virginia Motorsports park, Maryland International Raceway, Englishtown & Richmond) for not having a roll bar. I told myseld If I was going to have to put a bar in it I would just do a cage and go all out drag setup. But by the time I finished it we moved back to Cali. Also around that time is when I started Chiefing the NHRA/NOPI SFWD car. So the car sat for about a year before I finally caved in and parted it out. Sold the motor to one of my good friends, we will be putting it into his car this summer.

 

Quite impressive man. You definitely have some wrenching skillz!

 

It's Palm Beach International, formerly Moroso. The 1/8 mile run in my Prius is Countyline Dragway at the Dade/Broward line.

They allow you to run at that PBIR. My Vette is a convertible.

We have a great Neon shop/Tuner here...Nemo is his name, Ragetek is the shop name. I use his dyno to tune my Vette. He's got a bunch of Neons in the low 10's, seems I've seen some in the 9's. Impressive. I wouldn't drive them every day though like I do my Vette...and I doubt their OE clutch will go 72000 miles and 494 passes. But they are impressive nonetheless.

 

I know Nemo! he knows me as Totmacher. He is easily one of the two best builders when it comes to that platform. The shop I worked for/raced out of was his big rivalry. Lot of history with Nemo, awesome and brilliant guy.

 

What a small world! He is a great guy.

We have hacked this thread beyond belief....but it's fun finding out that I'm not the only Prius guy who likes to go fast too.

Different horses for different courses.

 

Yes, you can get rear spacers for the car. There's plenty of ppl here that have done and posted some pics. It should come up if you do a search.