I am new to Priuschat, so I don't want to start any arguments, but as most noob's I am very skeptical. I have read many positive things about the BT Plate and quite honestly dont understand why it WOULD work. Looking at the chassis plate, I can't see that it does anything. It can't do anything but keep the bottom of the tunnel from spreading or pinching, which the factory piece is obviously adequate for. That only leaves racking (where the left side goes forward and the right goes back, or vise versa in the same plane). But since it bolts into the same two holes, it seems to me it would not add stiffness there, either. To add racking resistance, the bolt holes on each side would have to be further apart, front to back (look to be only about 2 inches spread on each side). First user comment I found was a guy who did a blind test using his wife as the guinea pig--gave her wrong verbal info about what brace was installed and she gave him her impressions that were consistent with his info, not the actual part in the car. In fact she though it was best with no brace at all when he told her the BT brace was in there. So even if it does something, it is a very small bang for buck. Can anyone give me scientific feedback or do I just have to go waste $150.00 and then sell it for half price to some other sucker only to have thrown away $75.00 in the end?
I feel the stock brace works in tension (spreading) but does nothing for compression. (pinching) The thicker aluminum plate ($60 on ebay Toyota Prius G7 Performance Stiffening Plate 2004-2009 : eBay Motors (item 120550358780 end time Apr-08-10 20:58:19 PDT) ) better resists compression, in my opinion.
I appreciate the response. So, how thick does aluminum have to be to achieve the same rigidity as steel? I mean, I think the only reason the aluminum plate is thicker is because if it were the same thickness as the factory original, it would just tear in half under stress. On the same note, the factory steel is thinner because it doesn't have to be as thick to provide the same rigidity....... I'm seeing a Mythbusters episode in my near future............
Steel has wonderful tensile strength, aluminum, not so good. (some alloys do fine) [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensile_strength"]Tensile strength - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] However in Flexural Strength, thickness is squared, so the thicker Aluminum is much more resistant to flexing. [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexural_strength"]Flexural strength - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] I could not make heads or tails of Wikipedias article on deformation, which is the strength I think the steel part lacks. Deformation (engineering) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sorry.
You can see both sides of the story in this lengthy BT Tech stiffening plate thread. Enjoy. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-modifications/28310-bt-tech-stiffening-plate.html
You picked a great topic. :madgrin: I'm sure there is no controversy about this topic. I can't possibly see an argument breaking out over this. :madgrin:
I am hoping even the steel plate stays in elastic deformation, not plastic deformation. I am hopeing the aluminum plate does not deform. I noticed cross winds have MUCH less effect on my driving, even if that is all placebo, it is a good thing.
There is also this much shorter thread. ...[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perception] perception [/ame]... You pays your money and you takes your chances. YMMV
Be as sceptical as you like, I was also a sceptic but got a BT plate second hand quite cheaply so gave it a try and I am a convert. No, it won't make a Prius handle like a Maclaren F1 but there is a noticeable improvement. As has been said earlier in this thread and countless others, the aluminium plate seems to be more resistant to flexing under compression than the steel plate. Because the firewall is attached to the front strut towers I am not sure how much value there is in a front strut brace but plenty who have fitted this part have said it makes a difference for the better too.
I don't plan on Autocrossing my Prius, but I'm about to sell a Z06 corvette and just want to improve my everyday drive without wasting $$$$. I appreciate all the comments! My Corvette is my "fun" car to drive, and if I'm selling it, I'd like to increase the fun in driving my Prius on a daily basis. Thanks a million everyone!
Coming from a Vette, you're bound to notice a few handling shortcomings of the Prius. It's great at what it was designed for, but a sports car it ain't. There are many ways the handling can be improved, and a BT plate is one of them. Granny on her way to the bingo hall isn't likely to appreciate the difference, but someone used to a Corvette likely would.
I'll add my 2 cents since I also bought the stiffening plate from the guy on ebay for $60. I would totally recommend it. I feel it does corner better now but for me the most noticeable difference is with crosswinds at highway speed.
Go full out and get all the chassis braces, and suspension! It'll vastly improve cornering, and definitely increase the fun factor.
Some things to think about adding: 1. Cheaper Stiffening Plate ($59): Toyota Prius G7 Performance Stiffening Plate 2004-2009 : eBay Motors (item 120550358780 end time Apr-08-10 20:58:19 PDT) 2. Thicker Touring Edition Front Stabilizer Bar ($75) and Rear Stabilizer Bar ($49): http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/41925-touring-suspension-parts-research.html 3. Strut Tower Brace (Tanabe $159 plus shipping; BT Tech $250 including shipping; TOM's $289 plus shipping; the Tanabe brace is a straight across design while the BT Tech and TOM's braces are a bowed and apparently thicker design): http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...-strut-tower-brace-install-pictures-text.html BT Tech Strut Tower Brace Install - By GadgetDad (Lee) v2.doc A. BT Tech ($250 including shipping) (but currently not in stock). PriusChat Shop : Toyota Prius BT Tech Strut Tower Brace - $250.00 B. Tanabe ($159 plus shipping) and TOM's ($289 plus shipping): Toyota Prius 2004 ~ 2009 NHW20 Performance, Handling & Electronic Accessories :: Sigma Automotive * * * * * * I have the BT Tech Stiffening Plate and the BT Tech Strut Tower Brace. You'll notice improved handling more from the Strut Tower Brace than from the Stiffening Plate. I think I will be replacing the standard stabilizer bars with the thicker Touring Edition bars. * * * * * * Good luck.
My guess is the BT plate helps most in reducing the chassis twisting during crosswinds or cornering. The thicker the plate, the better it resists twisting (i.e a piece of paper, versus a 2x4 of wood).
You all are full of info, and good info at that! I know, I get all kinds of raised eyebrows from fellow workers at my Toyota Dealer I work at. They all asked me to take a pic of my garage so they could see them sitting next to each other. I think I'm convinced, and I've already ordered the Tom's stabilizer bar....waiting impatiently....I just couldn't wrap my head around the science behind the stiffening plate.
