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KazokuWagon's ZVW41 Build

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by KazokuWagon, Jun 16, 2014.

  1. KazokuWagon

    KazokuWagon Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Hey there everyone. Glad I could be here.

    My name is Davis, and I picked up a Prius v Three a few months ago.

    A little about myself. I'm 24 years old. My hobbies include; photography, video games, RC cars, and cars. My background is Toyota. I've owned nothing but MR2s; MK1, MK2, and MK3s. I still have my 2003 MR2 Spyder with a 2ZZ-GE swap.

    Why the Prius? Well, I was in need for a more comfortable daily driver with more cargo room. Plus..I'm going to become a father soon haha! Everyones been wishing me an early fathers day.

    On to my Prius v 3. Even before I purchased her, the mod bug had struck. I planned out my modifications accordingly. The purpose of this thread of course is to document my modifications. Hope you enjoy!

    When I first brought her home.

    [​IMG]

    Not long after, my first mod was a Cusco front lower brace that I picked up at the Cusco booth at Toyotafest. Steering response was improved.

    [​IMG]

    Then the coilovers came in. Tanabe Sustec Pro.

    [​IMG]

    I picked Tanabe due to their spring rates. I liked how the rears were 4k. Prevents the rear from sagging when loaded up. I hate when the rear looks lower than the front.

    Onto the install, I'd have to admit they were too pretty to install, even if noone can see them haha.


    [​IMG]

    Original.

    [​IMG]

    Sustec Pro

    [​IMG]

    Rear setup

    [​IMG]

    All installed, but not done yet. Don't forget to test fit legit wheels. ;)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The coilovers feel great, they felt like stock, I was afraid that it would've been too harsh for baby's head.

    *After a week of driving they're a little stiffer than stock, no biggie.

    [​IMG]

    A few more things came in afterwards.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Baby's going to strapped in comfort and safety.

    Because these guys came in from Cusco:

    Cusco Center Brace.

    [​IMG]

    Cusco Rear Sway Bar

    [​IMG]

    RSB brackets and bolts.

    [​IMG]

    Brackets mount onto the lower spring perch.

    [​IMG]

    Installed.

    [​IMG]

    Stock center brace.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Center brace installed.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Took about an hour to install both items. The family wagon has even less body roll now.

    That's it for now folks. Thanks for looking. Stay tuned. Wheels have been ordered.
     
    RichardY, spiderman, Hasan and 2 others like this.
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Three
    Your baby would have benefitted immensely if all that $$$ went into a college fund. ;) :ducks and runs:

    SCH-I535
     
    xpcman and KazokuWagon like this.
  3. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Kidnapped in OC, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    And so it begins........

    Happy Modding :)
     
    KazokuWagon likes this.
  4. KazokuWagon

    KazokuWagon Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Three
    No, your right. I just wanted to have some fun before the baby arrives. ;)

    Thanks. :)
     
  5. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
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    Nice...

    You need to add the CUSCO strut tower bar...
     
  6. h-dogg

    h-dogg Junior Member

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    Looking good with the mods!
     
  7. KazokuWagon

    KazokuWagon Junior Member

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    Three
    It's on the list! :)

    Thanks! Still not done though. :)
     
  8. Mike Denoga

    Mike Denoga New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Which Recaro baby seat is that?
     
  9. KazokuWagon

    KazokuWagon Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Recaro ProRide in Sable. (y)
     
  10. Burna J

    Burna J Knot Right Performance....

    Joined:
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    Long Beach, CA.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Looks great Bro.. (y)
    I guess we'll be seeing you and your ride at the next Toyotafest. If not sooner, since we both live in Long Beach. :cool:
     
    KazokuWagon likes this.
  11. KazokuWagon

    KazokuWagon Junior Member

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    Model:
    Three
    Haha I hope she's ready for Toyotafest. I noticed that I just missed the RSR meet last weekend. :( Hopefully there's another meet soon, can't wait to come out and meet other enthusiasts. :D

    So as I was rummaging around today, I found this CG Lock that I used to use in the MR2 when I first started autocrossing. Since then I've upped to a 6 point harness.

    Into the v it goes. :)

    [​IMG]

    If you don't know what the CG Lock is, it basically keeps your lap belt tight as if you had a lap harness. It keeps your behind planted on the seat, while your upper body is free to move around for everyday driving. :)
     
  12. KazokuWagon

    KazokuWagon Junior Member

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    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Love it or hate it, I picked up some Enkei NT03+Ms in 18x8.5 +38. I had ordered SSRs, but decided to cancel them.

    Wrapped them in 225/40R18 Yokohama S drives. They have a slight stretch on the 8.5, just how I like it.

    Alignment wise, I'm running -1.4 camber all around. I used Toyota's 2 dot crash bolts on the upper and lower strut/hub mount to achieve the camber. Front wheels are flush with the fenders.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Looks more proper now. I love the second ring because it creates an illusion that there is no gap between the brake caliper and the bigger 18" rim.

    Bye bye mpg.:p

    My buddies wanted to drive and ride in the v, so I took the opportunity to take a rolling shot. :)

    [​IMG]
     
  13. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Only in SoCal. I don't think the underside of my prius was ever that clean.
     
  14. lilandagi

    lilandagi Junior Member

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    Does your wheel and tire setup rub at all. Looks nice, been looking at upgrading my wheels too. Thanks.
     
  15. hmonk

    hmonk New Member

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    loving those nt03s on your v
     
  16. KazokuWagon

    KazokuWagon Junior Member

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    Model:
    Three
    At my current height it doesn't rub at all. I still havent had passengers, so I'm not sure about the rears rubbing when fully loaded.

    Thanks! I'm lovin' your wagon.
     
  17. hmonk

    hmonk New Member

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    Model:
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    Thanks! I'm lovin' your wagon.[/QUOTE]


    I appreciate it. I need to get a thread going.
     
  18. Mprius

    Mprius Junior Member

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    KazokuWagon, where did you pickup the center brace?
     
  19. bigwoodman

    bigwoodman Junior Member

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    Super...nice! Have you check the gas mileage before and after the mods? Just wondering... hehe
     
  20. KazokuWagon

    KazokuWagon Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I ordered it off of JuicedHybrid | Hybrid Car Accessories & Prius Accessories | Auto Accessories

    Thanks! Well with my driving style and always with PWR, my best with the stock tire/wheel was 49mpg. With the new set up, I tried driving more conservatively (but with PWR still on), I was able to net 47.5mpg.

    Yesterday, I was only able to get 13.8mpg....


    Battle Stance.

    [​IMG]

    Streets of Willow Counter Clock Wise.

    Personal Best in the Prius: 1:45.xxx

    I decided to run in the beginner group because I didn't want to hold up the more experienced traffic, and I'm glad that I did because the intermediate guys and gals were running ~10 sec faster lap times!

    First impressions,

    1) She handles surprisingly well! Easy to control, and very predictable. I saw no signs of understeer, but that's probably because I couldn't get her going fast enough. :p

    2) Acceleration feels good on a fully charged Hybrid battery, but it only lasts one lap. The engine struggles by itself afterwards which sucks because the CCW layout on this track is mostly uphill.

    3) I don't like traction control.

    4) The A pillar takes up a lot of room, I first noticed when I was trying to look ahead at the apex...Wrong, all I saw was plastic, had to guess the apex hah.

    5) People kept looking at me weird for bringing a Prius to the track. o_O

    It was a fun experience to see what the Prius was capable of. The most frustrating thing for me wasn't the lack of power, but the limiting of power from the traction control system. Trying to accelerate to maintain the momentum through the corner or trying to apply throttle on exit kicks the traction control on every time. I would enter at around 45-50mph and end up exiting around 36mph. I tried messing with different throttle apply percentages, but if it doesn't turn on, I still lose speed. Not fun when you're trying to go up a grade.

    I don't think I'll take the v out to another track day, but I believe it would be a fun autocross car due to the quick spurts around the course, then forcefully charging the hybrid battery as you wait for your turn again.

    I feel bad for the bruised egos I caused to the newbies in the beginner run group...getting passed by a Prius...and by a v. :oops: So if you guys somehow find this thread, my apologies!

    I'm still new to the Prius platform, so I'm open to any suggestions regarding track/autocross set up. Thanks guys!

    More pics and a video once I get a chance to edit.
     
    #20 KazokuWagon, Jul 27, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2014
    RightOnTime likes this.