Project: Angry Panda

Following modifications:

• Stock muffler
• Traction control - OFF
• Tein - Street Advance (Coilovers)

Results:

 

Just a couple months later - some random guy posted a Video on YouTube

That is a very good suggestion

32 psi - Front
38 psi - Rear (so the rear can rotate)

 

It pains me to post this pic, but several weeks after the above Video was taken -

Was driving home on the Freeway and BOOM!! Hit an orange cone in the middle of the Freeway late at night during construction hours

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Took out part of the lip including one fog light

 

Would like to take a step back and give a full review of the 1st two suspension parts after thoroughly bashing the Prius on the Track for several months:

Tein-Street Advance (Coilovers)
Installation of the Coilovers took about 2.5 hours with the correct tools and can be done with a floor jack.

Since the Coilovers have adjustable Dampers (Adjustablity of each rebound/compression stroke) you do have a choice on how hard or soft the car rides. Only issue that I had was when it was time to adjust the front Coilovers dampers - you had to take off the complete Wiper assemble to get to the damper dials This in fact is due to the design of the Prius.

Overall - The car felt alive with just a change in the ride height and on the track the car did improve on each corner taken.

TRD Performance Rear Sway Bar
Installation took me about 1.5 hours and the instructions were very clear!

In my Opinion, this was the best Bang for your Buck add on for the Prius. On the track - the transition from corner to corner gave me the confidence to push the car to a higher speed!

I have now now moved on to a different Rear Sway Bar, but after 8 months the End links did show signs of cracking and tearing So to others who have the RSB please check those end LINKS!!

Lets move forward shall we?

Now it was time to introduce some Cusco/Tanabe goodies into the picture:



**Picked up from Primo Powder Coat - wanted to match the color of the TRD Rear sway bar without having the bottom of the Prius looking like a Christmas Tree

Top - Cusco (front center brace)
Middle - Cusco (front lower arm bar)
Bottom - Tanabe (front Sway Bar)

 

Following modifications:

• Modellista Muffler
• Tein Street Advance
• TRD Rear Sway Bar

With the Rear Sway bar added to the setup, my times were cut by 2 seconds!! It was just amazing to see the night and day difference this simple bolt on did



Now it was time to install Cusco reinforcement bars and the Tanabe Front Sway Bar.....


Tanabe Bar compared to Stock:


Stock Bar:



Tanabe:

 

Took about 2 hours for the install, but i was taking my time to make sure all bolts were torqued correctly



Front Sway Bar installed:

 

After 2 months from the cruel casualty of the Orange cone devastating my Modellista lip, it was time to make a decision to buy another lip or complete the full G's conversion


SO..............................................

 

With the above added parts my observations are as follows:

The Cusco reinforcement bars did help the stability of the car - Especially during high winds but could improve with the the lower rear Triangular bar.

The Tanabe Lower Sway bar did help out some under steer but not enough to justify the cost of the add on

Overall- After track testing the car for a couple of weeks, my average times got a little slower Could it be the thicker Lower Sway Bar that is upsetting the balance of the car? Lets see........

 

Thanks! Each part took about 3 weeks for delivery - Got to love Customs!

 

TRACK DAY @ Adams Motorsports Park

Following modifications:

• Modellista Muffler
• Tein Street Advance
• TRD Rear Sway Bar
• Tanabe Front Lower Sway Bar
• Cusco - front/center braces