Sportivo Suspension Upgrade

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DocVijay @ Oct 4 2006, 11:14 AM) [snapback]327858[/snapback]</div>

I think the package is the single best upgrade I have tried. I have all the Toms suspension parts and had the BT plate before the Toms rear replaced it. On my car the drop was less that 1/2 in rear and just over 1/2 inch front. The shop that did the install had a bit of trouble because I had all the Tom's braces already installed an they had to figure out how to take them off and put them back on.
I haven’t noticed much if any any stiffing/ bouncing in the ride, it just doesn’t roll all over the road in high winds and on the very twisty sloped hill country Texas roads I drive on every day.
I decided on spending the money after having the car fly all over the road while trying to avoid a large steer, that had decided that the grass was greener on the other side, and had it's rear covering most of my lane on a foggy early morning commute.

I would suggest any one that has suspension issues does the TRD suspension upgrade first ( it’s a bit pricey but was less than the Toms/tire upgrades) then add the bits and pieces from BT and Tom's.
It really changes the ride for the better and should be the factory stock suspension.

David

 

TRD and TOM's owners: Is it just me or do you guys toss fuel economy out the window, as well, just to carve up the corners?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cairo94507 @ Oct 7 2006, 04:55 PM) [snapback]329512[/snapback]</div>

Yes, the Prius is not exactly a corner carver, even with the mods, but it'll do till my Exige arrives.

As far as mileage, I still get 45 mpg on average, so I wouldn't say I've let it go. With cooler temps coming, I'll probably jump up to 50 mpg average with no more A/C usage.

 

The Prius just makes a decent car for going through the mountains. The regen braking helps with brake fade. It's my primary vehicle and I have no alternate canyon cruiser so I gotta make do with what I have. Perhaps, I should've phrased the question for people that have the Prius as their only vehicle. This car does it all for me, except off-roading

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Oct 7 2006, 02:11 PM) [snapback]329489[/snapback]</div>

I’m still averaging 51+MPG driving a 130 mile commute each day. Half is spent on winding country roads at 60-65, then 30 miles on the expressway at 70-75 followed by a good ½ hour of stop and go city driving. All with the A/C on (it’s hot in Texas).
Anyone else keeping their mileage over 50 with lots of high speed driving?

DAvid

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Oct 7 2006, 08:18 PM) [snapback]329621[/snapback]</div>

My mpg has definitely decreased since adding the TRD parts...she's too much fun now. And my Prius is also my primary automobile.

I think there's something to be said for wringing out just about any vehicle (even a gas-powered barstool racer), and the Prius is no exception. And, for what it's worth, I think it's SO much more fun and challenging to drive a slower vehicle near the limit, than a faster one well below.

Seems to me there are sweet-driving cars, and there are ones that...aren't. Some are fast and some less so; to me it's more about the quality of the drive than sheer speed or neck-snapping lateral acceleration.

For a FWD car, the TRD Prius seems fairly neutral, and terminal understeer isn't absolutely overwhelming as one might expect. Yes, the electric steering is numb, and -- worst of all, in my opinion -- the traction control is way too intrusive...but, overall, it's a *blast* to run with faster cars (or those which are *supposed* to be faster). Especially in a *Prius.*

Also, it's interesting to explore the hybrid hotrod idea, at least in baby steps. I've heard Prius owners characterized as as either 'greenie, techie, or cheapie' (pick any two); this seems to take the car somewhere else entirely. Besides, even when I'm tossing mpg concerns to the wind, I'm still getting better economy than with a conventional automobile!

Plus, I've always had a thing for underdogs who are able to confoud expectations.

 

Where did you guys put the two TRD Sportivo emblems that come included? I'm thinking maybe one below the TOYOTA emblem in the back. However, I'm not sure if I want to another impediment to easy waxing.

Btw, not to bring up memories of another thread, but I was following a BMW Z4 the other day on my way home from work. Honked him because he stopped on one of those protected (by concrete) right turns without a yield sign (at Lankershim and the entrances to the 101). He fingered me and then slowly moved on, in his nice protected lane, to the hard right turn uphill to get onto the 101S.

I guess he believed I wouldn't be able to keep up so he went slow, and then hauled his way up the curve. I followed and pretty much almost tailgated him at a familiar 0.8Gs up the turn, and then down the 101S ..

I've done 0.8Gs+ up the curve before pre-Sportivo, but the car felt much more confident with more upstairs room to push this time around. I'll have to see at what speed and Gs I can get the tires to chirp at for this turn...

 

I still have the emblems sitting on my desk. I don't think I'll stick them on the car. Maybe somewhere else... I prefer my Prius to be discreet. The only decal I have stuck on the car was the Tom's one on my upper performance bar. I'm pondering removing the Prius, Toyota and HSD badges as well. I think it'd be nice. It's not like people don't know what kind of car it is, anyways

 

I still have not heard of anybody mentioning 18" wheels on there prius. I had them installed as soon as I left the dealership. Nothing but compliments! B) I also ordered my sportivo kit about 3 weeks ago and was told it should arrive the second week of January. What the xxxx? :angry: Anyways, Do any of you think I will have a problem with the wheels 215/40/R18 fitting with the suspension kit combo. I hope not since I cannot cancel my order. There does appear to be enough of a gap from where the tire sits now and the top portion of the shock tower.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PRIUS13 @ Oct 22 2006, 02:56 AM) [snapback]336335[/snapback]</div>

Are you doing it for looks?

Because with the probable much higher weight of the 18" tires/wheels combined with the Prius's weak HP and not exactly high real wheel torque, I would think the Prius would end up moving more like a Metro, increased 0-60 times, and such.

 

Yes. I thought the 18" wheels looked much better. There is still somewhat of a gap in the wheel wells and I am trying to close that up. I did not want to go with the lowering springs offered through sigma because from what I have read of the sportivo kit, this seems to be the right way to improve the handling and lowering as well. My average mpg is around 43. As far as the weight, the car is still pretty quick. To be honest I have never been into cars, but with my ocupation the Prius is the right vehicle for me. So I figured I would customize it to my liking. B) I travel from Santa barbara, to San Diego up to Palm Springs and often through Irvine. I have seen over a thousand priuses and not one looks like mine. I get lots of compliments on the car. People are always telling me they usually dont like the way the prius looks but really like mine. To me that is worth the 10-15 mpg loss.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Oct 20 2006, 10:23 PM) [snapback]335987[/snapback]</div>

TRD Sportivo Decals...? What decals...? Oh man...!

My kit didn't come with these...now I'm jealous! If anyone decides they want to part with one, I'll gladly purchase it.

Placement-wise, I'd put it on the vertical glass in back, on the right side perhaps...

...That is, if I *had one*!!
[smile]


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PRIUS13 @ Oct 22 2006, 04:56 AM) [snapback]336335[/snapback]</div>

I suspect that with such a low aspect ratio tire, you'll probably be okay with the 18's. Overall diameter of your wheels/tires isn't much greater than stock, is it?

For what it's worth, there's still a good amount of wheelwell clearance on mine (I have the 15 inch wheels and stock tires, though). Eeven with the steering turned hard in either direction, the tires aren't even coming close to rubbing on anything...the 215's aren't THAT much wider than stock, I'm assuming.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Oct 23 2006, 12:02 PM) [snapback]336903[/snapback]</div>

Correct on the diameter question. I was told by keeping the same diameter, the gas mileage should not change much. I am also hoping my kit comes with the TRD decals, if not I saw some cool stickers and badges available on ebay. And Pinto Girl, thankyou for all the good info on the kit in your past posts.

 

The diameter only effects the accuracy of the speedometer. It has nothing to do with whether the car will see an increase or decrease in fuel economy.

Generally speaking when one puts on larger wheels and tires the rolling resistance increases and your fuel mileage decreases.




<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PRIUS13 @ Oct 23 2006, 11:57 PM) [snapback]337181[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Oct 23 2006, 12:02 PM) [snapback]336903[/snapback]</div>

I found one in each yellowish "envelope" that comes in each box. Each envelope has the English/Japanese overall summary installation instructions, and at the bottom of each envelope was an emblem. Do you still have the boxes, or at least the envelopes?

 

Ok people, I have a question that maybe somebody from Japan like Ken can answer:

http://trdparts.jp/english/list_prius.html

On the TRD Parts catalog it lists the Sportivo as an upgrade for the Prius. However there is blurb about the Touring models:

TRD Sportivo Suspension Full Set 105,000Y
Must use in set for all vehicle except Touring Selection model.
(Can't install coil spring set or shock ansorber set separately.)

Shock Absorber Set 48030-NW200 G1 69,000Y

Spring Set 48130-NW200 F1 36,000Y

Why is the Touring model an exception?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pious @ Oct 26 2006, 10:58 AM) [snapback]338705[/snapback]</div>

Touring Selection already has the shortened/stiffer springs and stiffer shocks/struts to closely match the Sportivo parts, unlike the standard Prius suspension. This allows you to partially replace one, the other, or both at leisure.