Why would you Mod a Prius?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

The only mods I'm planning in the future are for better highway MPG's. I'm looking at going after the low hanging fruit as they say, lowering springs and nice set of Bonneville salt flat type wheel covers for long trips on the highway. Rear wheel well covers may be an option but I'm not that thrilled with the look.

If it would get me over sixty miles per gallon at 65 mph I might be motivated to make myself a set. Maybe we'll see.

By cleaning out the fuel system and going to top tier only fuel (Shell) I've been able to keep my fuel mileage at around 56 mpg's on the highway at 65 mph. I'm running Michelin Defenders at 42F and 40R.

With those two future mods lower springs and wheel covers hopefully I can squeeze another two or three mpg's out of her.

After accidentally breaking the fuel inlet disk, I found that my gas tank holds up to at least 14 gallons of fuel.
It will easily take another two gallons of gas after the first click during refueling. Not recommended filling to the top unless you're on a road trip. It probably eliminates any fuel expansion space built into the fuel system.

After my future mods I'll probably have at a minimum a 750 -775 mile per tank Prius, running at 65 mph. WOO-HOO.
Think about the idea if I could get her up to 60 mpg at 65 mph, I'd have a Gen three Prius that could run for up to 12 hours without having to stop for fuel.

Also looking at better lighting options for running long distances on the highway.

Yes I have experience at this, I took a 1987 Volvo 740 Turbo wagon, that got 325-340 miles per tank and pushed it up to a 425 plus miles per tank. It had a 60 liter 15.8 gallon tank. When I refueled it would take around 14 gallons. I made a 24 mpg car into a 30 mpg car, a 25% improvement.
It is a lot easier to get big gains on an older car verses a fairly new Prius that already has outstanding drive train efficiency and aerodynamics to start with.

 

Why mod?

Personalization....make your car stand out from like cars.
I'll ask why get a personalized license plate?

Tires, Shocks, etc...better handling.
Some say it is more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

Exhaust muffler ...well even on a Prius, some may like to hear a "roar".

Intakes, camshafts, turbos, headers...there you got me, a Prius seems like the wrong base car to do these types of mods too.

So that's my two cents to add to this thread.

 

These are the Bonneville type, full moon hub caps I was talking about above that I want for long road trips.

For less than $27 each, they'll look much better than crappy Pizza pans some people are using.

Full Moon Racing Disc Hubcaps, Stylish Look, Great Prices, AutoAmenity.com

 

I guess you mod if you want something nobody makes

My favorite mod is below

1946 Chevy Prius Truck - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com

 

Except for one thing you've overlooked: those covers don't fit the Prius' alloy wheels (I know, because I kept the ones I had on my Civic to try on the Prius. Pizza pans don't look so bad, and are a lot cheaper to replace if you dent or lose one).

 

Well that is nice to know. I was going to inquire with the company before ordering them if they would fit on the Prius Alloy's.
The other option I had was to fill in the open spaces on the OEM hubcaps with plastic inserts that I could make so they're totally flush.

 

A few upgrades on my 2014 Prius, Package 3 so far, a set of 2014 Toyota Corolla S alloy wheels, Window Tint, OEM leather steering wheel and blacked-out emblems. The 2014 Corolla wheels are the most dramatic and easiest change. Very simple to upgrade your Gen 3 Prius very quickly and makes a major impression right off the bat (its the first thing most people notice). The 2nd most dramatic change is tinting the car. Got all windows except for front windshield (not legal in CA). SunTek CXP 70 on the front windows and SunTek CXP 35 on the rest. Why modify? Love the look...

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Still goofy people with Gen 4 too.


From Pimping the Prius | Page 9 | PriusChat

 

The 2005 "Pruck" is apparently at Tampa Hybrids and has been restored. I guess it may be for sale soon.



See 2005 Prius to Light Duty Pickup Truck Conversion | Page 5 | PriusChat

 

The last 2 cars I've purchased, I thought I was purchasing a car that I "couldn't" mod.. I never in a million years thought I would even be driving a Prius, let alone mod one. You mean I can cruise 75-80 and still get 50 mpg's? And there is a ton of JDM parts for it? Yes please! (Tho the wife isn't all too happy about it) Is it weird that I have a hard time saying my Prius is "cool" LOL