BT Stiffening Plate Review

I think ChinaMart errr I mean Walmart has them for about 45 bucks..



Thanks!!

Brian
BT Tech
305-652-3115





<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(windstrings @ Apr 2 2006, 09:25 PM) [snapback]233944[/snapback]</div>

 

so it just needs to be tight?

oh, and i cant pay for this with a credit card?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kev1000000 @ Apr 2 2006, 06:22 PM) [snapback]233980[/snapback]</div>

Yup. One way to confirm you've got it right is to tighten until the bolts break, and then back off just a bit.

Seriously though, if you have a relatively short-handled wrench and go for "tight" (as opposed to "insanely tight" or "finger tight" you'll be just fine.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Apr 2 2006, 07:27 PM) [snapback]233986[/snapback]</div>

thats a pretty good rule it sounds like..... I only broke mine off because I was using a long handled torque wrench and didn't notice the setting slipped from 24 lbs to 36.... that was toooo much!

 

so you can only purchase this with a check/paypal?

No credit card?

 

We accept M/C, Visa, AMX or Paypal for payment. Please call us at the number listed below if you have any questions.


Thanks!!

Brian
BT Tech
305-652-3115



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kev1000000 @ Apr 3 2006, 03:30 PM) [snapback]234256[/snapback]</div>

 

Through PriusChat, they only offer check/money order or paypal.

Is there another way of purchasing the stiffening plate?

 

You can call us directly at 305-652-3115 and we will be happy to take your order.


Thanks!!

Brian
BT Tech
305-652-3115


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kev1000000 @ Apr 3 2006, 04:33 PM) [snapback]234283[/snapback]</div>

 

order is placed!!

Thanks Brian! =)

any suggestions to "guess" the 24lbs of torque?

I did order the adapter as well

 

Thank you Kevin for your order. If you are going to install this without a torque wrench then you want to install the bolts just a little past tight. In other words do NOT put all of your weight into this.

I really urge everyone to tighten the bolts properly using a torque wrench so there is no confusion.

Thanks!!

Brian
BT Tech
305-652-3115



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kev1000000 @ Apr 3 2006, 04:50 PM) [snapback]234295[/snapback]</div>

 

[THREAD HIJACK!!!]

Hey Brian, is the BT spoiler available in Classic Silver yet?

[/THREAD HIJACK!!]


Love my BT plate too.

 

Sorry only black and Milenium silver will be offered.



Thanks!!

Brian
BT Tech
305-652-3115


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DocVijay @ Apr 3 2006, 06:55 PM) [snapback]234369[/snapback]</div>

 

I was a little skeptical about this thing (I admit I know nothing about car suspensions). The old plate looked sturdy enough to me.

But I really hated the way the Prius handles in the wind. Today on the way home it was really windy and the car seemed get thrown all around the road. When I got home the plate was here. I installed it and about 30 minutes later I went back to the same highway I was having problems on. For the first few miles I didn't notice much of a difference (it drove fine). But then I turned around facing the wind (it was just was windy as when I was driving home earlier and now I was going the same direction) I hardly noticed the wind at all! I couldn't believe it. Then I went on a curvy road and it seemed to handle better there, too.

I was afraid the plate would have a sort of "placebo" effect and that I would just think the car handled better.

My experience is probably the closest I could get to a controlled experiment -- same day, same road, same wind speed, same wind direction -- pretty much the same circumstances.

I still have to wonder why it wasn't built this way. Isn't there wind in Japan?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nmrickie @ Apr 6 2006, 08:31 PM) [snapback]236143[/snapback]</div>

I put the plate on my 06 yesterday, and like yourself I found myself with an unexpectantly improved ride with noticeaby damped side accellerations from uneven road. Take a look at my thread in the main forum on stability at speed and why Toyota doesn't seem to know about it.

 

I was wondering whether BT stiffening plate will help reduce the rattle of windows as Prius passing bumps. I did not drive in the highway too much. But in the city driving, I noticed that the rolling down windows will rattle every time when I drove through bumps. :blink:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(husve @ Apr 7 2006, 08:44 PM) [snapback]236643[/snapback]</div>

If anything, I imagine it would make that situation worse. Roll up the windows... go slower... use duct tape.

 

Installed mine yesterday and i love it!!

It truly does make the car a bit more sturdy. Turns are a lot better, irregularities in the road are a lot smoother, and the overall feel of the car is MUCH improved!

160 is a tad bit expensive for the little piece of metal you get, but it does make a noticable difference.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kev1000000 @ Apr 8 2006, 11:04 PM) [snapback]237082[/snapback]</div>

Maybe not.... the alternative in aluminum would probrably break if not milled out of this quality of aluminum.... Milling "anything" cost bucks... aluminum should be the cheapest...... the jolting and jarring of potholes etc must send tremendous torque through the plate to actually stabalize the car?

We could use a nice piece of steel that was painted... we could use stainess... brass..... but that would cost too...

I guess I don't mind because its real quality... if you don't want it.. just crawl under your car and remove the old stock plate and make another one yourself and make sure it fits around all the obstacles and fix it so it won't rust "a little rustolem should do"....
Chances are, by the time your done, you will wish you just bought the BT Plate.

 

Installed mine today. I couldn't believe how easy. The hardest part was trying to read the torque wrench I got just for this purpose. I THINK I got it right.

I tightened firmly with my regular rachet wrench. Then I used the TW and it seemed to turn another 90 degrees or so to get to what looked like about 25 lbs.

I'll see how it feels when I hit the exit ramps trying to carry as much speed as I can from the Thruway up the ramp (safely as I can of course).


My Brother-in-Law has a Gen1 Prius. He was very interested in the chassis plate design. Is there one available for Gen 1s?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Catskillguy @ Apr 9 2006, 05:35 PM) [snapback]237306[/snapback]</div>

Hey Brian, since you are now providing the adapter if requested.. maybe you should just make it a step easier and provide a torque wrench too for a reasonable price?.. many folks may want one anyway and they can save on shipping just to order yours with the plate.