1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

BT Tech Stiffening plate

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by BethlehemPrius, Feb 4, 2007.

  1. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2005
    1,250
    7
    0
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ken Stewart @ Apr 10 2007, 03:57 PM) [snapback]420977[/snapback]</div>
    Ken, I'm not sure if you visit the link to the event, http://www.lipog.org/huntington_clinic_4407.htm. See toward the bottom of the page.

    This engineer was the same one that fix Horacio(mrbigh)'s hybrid ECU problem couple of years ago. So he is definitely not just a customer service rep.
     
  2. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2007
    6,050
    205
    0
    Location:
    S.F. Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Here is one possible way to prove or disprove the effectiveness of the BT Tech Stiffening Plate - get the actual CAD file for the Prius chassis. Add the BT Tech plate to the file and run stiffness, flex, etc. tests against the file. Then you will have your answer. What are the chances of getting the file from Toyota? You probably have a better chance of getting a neocon to admit that global warming is real. :)
     
  3. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    6,280
    378
    0
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Apr 10 2007, 03:07 PM) [snapback]420988[/snapback]</div>
    That could be true scotty, but it still doesn't mean he knows what he is talking about on the structual issues for three reasons.
    1. He never actually tested the part.
    2. If the area is not structual, then why the need for the stock plate?.. Why don't you just toss yours?
    3. Even if they are an engineer... I don' t take what they know or "think they know" about the prius over my experience of what I know.

    I can guarantee you, one engineer did not create the prius.... many with different areas of expertise had a play.... each one did not know all that the other did.

    Do you always let yourself get talked out of what you know, just because someone intimidates you with thier knowledge?... is there anything you really "know" or not?........ and if you do "know" it...... you really don't if you can be talked out of it!

    I don't know all the reasons it works... but it does.......

    I have one installed on my car and know... do you?
     
  4. fboyle

    fboyle New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2006
    21
    0
    0
    I can't believe that this thread is still going and going and going, just like the Energizer bunny rabbitt.

    There is definately one thing for sure. 99 percent of those that have the plate seem to love them and the ones that don't have it doubt that it works so they question the other 99 percent that say they feel the improvements that the BT plate makes.

    Call me crazy but I would chose to believe the 99 percentile of those that have tried the plate and liked it enough to make their opinions known on this forum. Of course this is all academic since I already own the plate and noticed right away the improvement in the ride and handlin that it made in my Prius.

    Frank Boyle


    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(windstrings @ Apr 10 2007, 06:26 PM) [snapback]421118[/snapback]</div>
     
  5. Tyrin

    Tyrin New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2007
    272
    0
    0
    On the other hand, since it's been pointed out ad nauseum that 99% of owners love the plate, if someone were actually trying to bash the plate (like trolls bash the Prius), all they'd have to do is to claim that they bought it, put it on, and they didn't notice anything! Since I haven't seen anyone say that (except Darrell, who has pics with the plate, so we know he has one), obviously the people questioning the workings of the plate actually do want to know, are interested, and are not just out to make trouble.
     
  6. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2005
    1,326
    24
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    People can claim anything they like, but they'd better be prepared to substantiate their claims. People ask questions and we gladly help them answer it. It's when they start shooting off that the plate doesn't work when they haven't actually tried it, and that's when these threads start. With any mod, YMMV, and if people don't feel a diff, they can return the plate to Brian. I don't believe there have been any returns thus far from the hundreds of plates sold.
     
  7. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2005
    1,250
    7
    0
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I just want to add this. Some PC members did tests and concluded that the OEM plate does not affect chassis flex before the LIPOG meeting took place. After the meeting, the Toyota engineer and technical adviser pointed to the same conclusion. Coincident? Some of you ask, then why is the OEM plate there? I can be sure that this question will be asked next time when we have a meeting with them.

    All we know is that this engineer fixed one of our member’s hybrid ECU in the past. You can argue that he knows absolutely nothing other than the hybrid ECU. You can discredit him all you want. I'm just sharing the information, it's up to you to interpret it. That's why I propose that we have this information included in the PC shop along with 99.99% positive experience that the BT plate users have, and let potential buyers decide on their own.
     
  8. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2005
    1,326
    24
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Apr 10 2007, 07:16 PM) [snapback]421247[/snapback]</div>
    Ah, but at the same time, the OEM plate is pretty weaksauce. I'm sure it's effect is minimal, if any. All that can be determined from the conlcusions is that the OEM plate doesn't do squat, and then we're back to the beginning where we have another person who just "knows" the BT plate can't work without an acutal test. Are people too scared of the possibility of being wrong that they don't actually go out and try a drive with the plate on?
     
  9. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    6,280
    378
    0
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Apr 10 2007, 09:16 PM) [snapback]421247[/snapback]</div>
    yea... It sounds like your sold "not".. you better not buy the plate..... so that ends that right?

    No, you want to try and prove something doesn't work that you don't even own..... many call that trolling.

    If you think its crap.. just don't buy it..... pretty simple.

    But you want both sides.. you want someone to try and convince you because you really want to buy it but are just afraid right?
     
  10. Tyrin

    Tyrin New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2007
    272
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Apr 10 2007, 09:30 PM) [snapback]421256[/snapback]</div>
    Your logic is endlessly circular. People don't buy things if they don't think they would work. People who DO buy it, 99.99% of the time (except Darrell and Allannde), already assume it's going to work. Either way, they will fulfill their own expectations. Telling someone that they can't question something until they buy it is ridiculous. What's the point of questioning AFTER you buy it? You've already shelled out the bucks and are sure as hell going to hope it works. The ONLY logical time to make a decision about what you feel the plate can/can't do is BEFORE you buy it, just like with any other purchase.

    In addition, you've misunderstood the point about the OEM plate not affecting flex twice now. The point is not that the plate (either) doesn't affect the flex, but that no serious flex occurs in this location. I'm pretty sure that's what they're getting at.
     
  11. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    6,280
    378
    0
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tyrin @ Apr 10 2007, 09:48 PM) [snapback]421264[/snapback]</div>
    That grey line between "serious" flex verses "even less flex" can make the difference between a so so ride to a more superior ride.

    No one faults you for questioning all you want before you buy... but to make conclusions based on nothing more than deductive reasoning and then accusing those who have purchased as being deluded by mass hypnosis and prejudice of expecting it to work beforehand as the reason for its success is also ludicrus?

    If you can't accept the report of so many and can't find any test that satisfy you, then prob not good for you go buy it if you can't stomach chancing.

    When I bought the prius in the first place, it was a chance.
     
  12. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2005
    1,326
    24
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tyrin @ Apr 10 2007, 07:48 PM) [snapback]421264[/snapback]</div>
    You are assuming that. Since I pointed it out, has anyone corrected me? And what is 'serious' flex? The chassis is a complex system when it comes to the forces at work within it. With the BT plate being 16X as stiff as the OEM plate, even a small amount of bracing would help the system as a whole.
     
  13. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    6,280
    378
    0
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Apr 10 2007, 09:56 PM) [snapback]421269[/snapback]</div>
    Exactly.. I don't think the plate is a miracle plate that turns the prius into an Indy car... it just helps.
     
  14. Tyrin

    Tyrin New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2007
    272
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(windstrings @ Apr 10 2007, 09:54 PM) [snapback]421267[/snapback]</div>
    Not for me. I bought the Prius for high MPG, pure and simple. Didn't even take a test drive, because I knew the numbers and trusted them. The fact that it handles well, has more room than my old cavalier, and has all the high-tech stuff standard was a pleasant surprise. The plate, on the other hand, offers me the possibility of incrementally better handling, which I'm not sure I need, and no evidence other than testimonial. Totally different purchasing scenario.

    Also, you're still grouping all the questioners together. Find me the poster who definitively concluded the plate doesn't work, then accused you all of mass hypnosis. Maybe it was one person, I don't have the energy to go back and read it all, but I think it was many different people. And in order to decide whether or not to buy the plate, on MUST make a decision on whether you think it works or not. That decision and the reasoning behind it seem perfectly appropriate for PC to me. Then some pushy guy (or guys) comes and yells repeatedly at you for posting your own reasoning and conclusions. Just because they disagree and don't want to be accused of falling under the spell of snake-oil.
     
  15. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2005
    1,326
    24
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tyrin @ Apr 10 2007, 08:13 PM) [snapback]421277[/snapback]</div>
    Have you been reading this thread or just glancing at the occasional post? Allande was pretty loud about it, but we haven't seen him for awhile.... enjoying his plate, maybe?:)

    It wasn't one, and it wasn't many. I'll leave it to you to find out if you really want to know.


    Let's be clear here. People only 'come out and yell' when someone starts barfing trash about placebos, without even trying the product, like a bunch of magazine racers. This discussion is not much difference than the general Prius owner population speaking up about the various bullsh*t that spills into media about our car. We're here to defend what we love.
     
  16. BT Tech

    BT Tech New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2005
    885
    2
    0
    Location:
    South Florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Hello Presto.. According to the FEA (Finite element analysis) that was conducted on our BT Tech stiffening plate, ours was 1600X stiffer than the OEM plate.



    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Apr 10 2007, 10:56 PM) [snapback]421269[/snapback]</div>
     
  17. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2005
    1,326
    24
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BT Tech @ Apr 10 2007, 08:40 PM) [snapback]421286[/snapback]</div>
    Sorry... my bad. I had thought 1600%. I'm glad to be wrong about this one :)
     
  18. danatt

    danatt New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
    145
    0
    0
    Location:
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(windstrings @ Apr 10 2007, 11:02 PM) [snapback]421273[/snapback]</div>
    For truly incredible performance, try some Viagra in the gas tank after installing the plate. ;)
     
  19. BT Tech

    BT Tech New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2005
    885
    2
    0
    Location:
    South Florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    :) No worries....

    Thanks to all of you that have purchased our product and have voiced your support!!




    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Apr 10 2007, 11:42 PM) [snapback]421288[/snapback]</div>
     
  20. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    6,280
    378
    0
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tyrin @ Apr 10 2007, 10:13 PM) [snapback]421277[/snapback]</div>
    I can respect that.. but thats the core of where you and me differ concerning this matter... I've learned numbers mean nothing and money can make numbers say anything because they know you won't refute it and spend the money to prove them wrong.... you trust reports of certified reporters, but I don't as I have learned in the business world, its full of trickery and deception to make a buck.. I'll take the heart word from hundreds of customers any day over what commerial reports say.