Has anyone installed the BT Brace on the 2006?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(subarutoo @ May 15 2006, 12:33 PM) [snapback]255830[/snapback]</div>

When I first put my BT plate on I wasn't sure if I noticed a difference. After driving under different conditions I came to the conclusion that yes the BT plate does help. Does it hit you over the head with improvements, no but for me they are there. The biggest improvement for me was getting the car to settle down. At times my car would feel like the rear end was "dancing". I have not felt that since I've installed the BT plate. The other improvement has been cornering, this wasn't as easy to gauge the improvement. I just drove a known route that challenged the car and driver a bit. No hard numbers to back up my thoughts, but I'm happy with the product.

All I can say is keep an open mind and get more drive time with the plate.

Ken

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(H2OSkier @ May 16 2006, 04:16 PM) [snapback]256466[/snapback]</div>

This is the key. One needs to drive under varied consitions. Rougher roads are where it will help most, but even with freeway cruising there is some benefit.


And most importantly, it will NOT be a drastic improvement. Mainly bevuase not of what you notice, but what you no longer notice. As another person posted, hie wife will likely no longer complain the car feels squirrely. That is what the BT plate does, it merely tames some of hte bad behaviour that the stock plate allowed through.

Is it worth the money? Damn straight it is. It gives more confidence when driving, and that is worth any price.

 

After two days with the BT plate installed, almost 200 miles of freeway, I will say that the car seems more "planted" on the freeway. In California the HOV lanes were mostly added as an afterthought by taking away the breakdown lane, therefore the pavement is very uneven, with longitudinal creases and lots of pavement changes, smooth concrete, asphalt, groovy concrete, etc. The Prius was a little "skaty" over all these surface changes B4 BT. Is seems more stable now. Haven't noticed any help on crosswinds, or big vehicle "prop wash", though. The steering turn in may be a little better, but it still feels really tippy in the turns. An improvement, surely, but worth the $$$ ?, you make the call.

 

I just received mine today and will take it somewhere to have it installed as I don't have the tools or the inclination to do it myself. I don't suppose installing the BT Brace affects any warranties??? I hope not! And I was wondering... has anyone had it installed at a Toyota dealership?... as it's not long before I have to take it in for my 5K maintenance.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dancekat59 @ Jun 5 2006, 06:39 PM) [snapback]266338[/snapback]</div>

On one of the BT Stiffening Plate threads in early April I said my Toyota dealer installed it for me...They had no problem installing it...they commented on how much better it was than the OEM plate ans asked me to given them feedback (which I did, made a big difference when driving the Prius in the high spring winds around here). It took them about 20 minutes and $11 including tax to install it.

 

We have sold a large number of plates to Toyota dealerships around the country so I doubt you will have a problem finding one to install it for you.

It really is very easy to install though and with the proper tools would take less than 15 minutes tops!!

 

Wooo Hooo! Got it installed today by a neighborhood auto repair shop, $10. What was cool was that the mechanic had never encountered a Prius before... said he usually sees cars that are 5+yrs old. Among other things, he was very intrigued (ok, confused) by the smart key system.

So I've only driven in town doing errands since the installation... the steering feels more accurate and there is less need to make little steering adjustments. Handling feels tighter, too. Would other people who have installed it agree with those observations? I love it!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jan 22 2006, 01:55 AM) [snapback]195110[/snapback]</div>

I've seen the spoiler, and I just think "why???" its not like it has enough power to even benefit from a spoiler. and I HATE the ride quality of mine. I always heard ppl saying how cool these cars were when you got inside them, and when I got mine I was very disappointed. uncomforable, slow slow slow, UGLY, and bad ride quality. yeah, the gas mileage is good, but if I could go back in time I would of gotten the new cobalt SS.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(scott p @ Jun 9 2006, 06:21 PM) [snapback]268893[/snapback]</div>

Ah, the beauty of ignorance.

Spoilers are NOT exclusively for high speed droving. Sure, they have a much greater effect at higher speeds. but not exclusively so. Spoilers are not just the big (or small) wings that you see on tha backs of cars. A spoiler is ANYTHING that in some way affects the movement of air over (or under) the car. There are spoilers to create downforce, spoilers to create lift, spoilers to smooth the airflow, spoilers to create turbulence, spoilers to direct the air, and spoilers to deflect the air. They serve many, many purposes. Yes, today's popular, and most used, definition of spoiler is indeed those horrendous things you see bolted onto the trunks of sport compacts, but don't think that they are all like that.

There was a post here that showed a basic dyamnic airflow study of a Prius. It showed that that small spoiler may very well play a role in a bit more milage. It helps to alleviate a high pressure area at the very spot the spoiler goes. Anything that helps air flow more smoothly over a car's surface will help its mileage.


As for the rest of the rant, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally think the car is in fact "cool". Other people, friends, valets, and passengers, have also stated this. Does that mean you have to like it? Of course not. Then again, I wouldn't be caught dead in a Cobalt...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DocVijay @ Jun 9 2006, 10:14 PM) [snapback]269007[/snapback]</div>

i understand all that. have you seen the spoiler on the new z06? probably not, its just a small raise portion above the center brake light. I'll admit your probably right, I didnt take into account the insanely alternative shape of the prius. i HATE the big spoilers on the back of sport compacts lol. but, you know, they do help to put a TON of downforce on the front tires :lol: .

 

Will adding the BT Stiffening Plate void or affect the warranties?

 

We have sold hundreds of our stiffening plates and have not heard of any dealer giving anyone a hard time. We even sell our stiffening plates to Toyota dealers so I don't think you will have any trouble at all.

If you were really concerned you could always take it off and put the stock plate back on in under 15 minutes.





<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mdw-boise @ Jul 2 2006, 05:57 PM) [snapback]280233[/snapback]</div>