Project: Angry Panda

A Big Hello to the Prius Chat Community!!

I would like to continue where others have left off and start my own Build Thread!!

My main goal is to review Japanese Domestic Parts (JDM) that are not readily available in the States and could only be available through Yahoo Japan Auctions or any 3rd party Company that is based in Japan.

These JDM mods are very popular in Japan but have not crossed over to us in the States. Why? I wish I can answer that.

The Toyota Prius is not a race car and not intended to be one. Many of these parts are for off road use only, please check your local laws.

Thanks to the many PC members that help contribute to this forum

Also a big "Thank You" to Danny on creating such a great platform for people to share their experiences on owning a Prius.

I will hyper-linked each review part below, so you do not have to read every comment or random quotes of pictures.

• Introduction
• LED License Plate Lights
• Spoon Sports Rigid Collars
• Front Lip (Modellista Version 3)
• Toyota G's Sports Taillights
• Ganador Pasion (Muffler)
• Toyota G's Sports Wheels
• Toyota G's Sports Rear Bumper
• Cusco / Tanabe reinforcement bars
• HKS Premium Suction Kit
• Big Bore Throttle Body
• TOMS Center Brace

 

INTRODUCTION:

Alright, i have to admit that when the Toyota Prius first was introduced i laughed at the thought of owning a Hybrid. But throughout the years the Prius started growing on me like a slight fever that would not go away.

Living in SoCal, driving on the Freeway is a must to get from Point A to Point B so i needed a car that would give me good gas mileage other than driving my work Van.

With the introduction of the Green HOV stickers, i had to jump on the opportunity to drive solo in the carpool lane So the decision was to look for a new car that will facilitate my needs.

My two options were:
Toyota Prius or Chevrolet Volt.

I finally choose the Prius - thinking that would help me squish the modifying bug that i have suffered from an early age

In June 2012 with the help of Dianne Whitmire of Carson Toyota, the goal of purchasing a Toyota Plug-In came to life! She truely is the "High PRIUStess"

Shortly after - i placed my "Bro" truck for sale in the Auto Trader and sold her for a very good price

 

LED License Plate Lights

So after a few weeks the the modding bug got me so i decided to add the following:

Valenti Lights
exLed interior lights
Beat-Sonic Fin - purchased on Prius Chat/Shop

I wanted to be a little different - so i purchased a pair of LED License plate lights




So it was time for the install and i noticed that i had to take off the rear Valence just to get to the light assembly


Installed!

Done!

 

Spoon Sports Rigid Collars

As my car was still at stock height, i decided to purchase the rigid collars to help heighten the rigidity of the car without any suspension upgrades to help me justify my purchase. I was very skeptical upon my purchase but............

Brief Explanation:
The purpose of the Rigid Collars is to fill the manufacture tolerance gaps between the sub frame and the chassis. These gaps only exist to ease the assembly of mass produced vehicles in the factory. Whilst the components are properly assembled when the car left the factory the gaps allow movement between the chassis and sub frame. Spoon Sports Japan came up with these clever little Rigid Collar devices that are installed in-between the bolts and the chassis; a lot like washers with sleeves. Effectively filling the gaps and stopping any unwanted movement

Front Set:



What is inside:


Closer Picture with Japanese Instructions:




Rear Set:



What is inside:



More Instructions:




Next Up: The Install!!!!

 

Need to gather my notes So much to add!

Thanks for the bump! Especially from a 2005 member!

project: Storm Trooper is an awesome piece of work!

Hahahaha! Need to slowly explain my 'Evil Scientist' in me!

 

Finally got some time to sit at the computer.......

 

9/21/2012 finally took the car down to my local mechanic for the install of the Rigid Collars.

Getting my fairly stock car ready for the lift


Just before the Job..............


Removed/Loosened the very long bolt that separates the frame chassis and the body of the car


Installed 1 of 4 Rigid Collars as circled


Reinstalled long bolt. Due to the frame being separated from the Chassis, it was tricky getting the bolt aligned without the damage of cross threading

 

Now its time for the Rear installation of the Rigid Collars........................

Removed rear fender liners to get access to this bolt


Removed bolt


Installed Rigid Collar


Rinse and repeat for the other side!

The rear Collars were fairly easy to install and i could easily perform that task but since the car was already on the lift, i decided to "kill two birds with one stone!"

 

Spoon Rigid Collars Review:

Honestly, i thought that this was a marketing tool and i too would become the victim of a useless part that served no purpose at all. But i was amazed how different the car felt and responded on the road and driving over my local speed bump at work. Straight-line stability did improve without the constant mini adjustments to keep the car rolling straight.

I do recommend an alignment to be done once the Collars are installed. My Toe was off just a bit from factory specs and had to be dialed in again.

Overall:

The Rigid Collars are a little pricey but i am looking into the long term investment, which is definitely worth the price!

 

After a couple of weeks after the installation of the Rigid Collars, i finally decided that the front needed a lip and a drop.

Pics of the car before