BT Tech Front Swaybar?

I saw that, but strut tower braces are not allowed on the Stock class.

 

Sounds like there are lots of smart suspension guys here. I don't have the time to read all the posts, but whoever is spearheading this, make sure you think about using hollow bars (if you haven't already) since most of the torsion work is done in the outer 1/4" thickness of the metal (and the rest is pretty much useless and momentum-consuming mass).

Tom

 

Brian,
No brainer here; I am in of course. I would appreciate a picture too as well as a brief overview of the install. I am sure I am up to the challenge however.
Thanks, Cairo94507

 

Sign me up to the list too.

 

Yep. I would definitely be interested in stiffer front sway bar for the Prius.

I think the thing to do would be to sell a package with the BT Tech sway bar for the front and the Touring model torsion bar for the rear to help keep things balanced.

For those worried about ride harshness with upgraded swaybars, it's not an issue unless you are going with extremely stiff bars or if you hit big bumps with only one side of the car. You really won't notice much of a difference, but the reduction in body lean and improvement in turn-in is significant when upgrading the front bar.

What is the size of the stock bar? How big will the BT Tech bar be?

And yes, pics would be great as well as rough install instructions for those of us who'd prefer to install it ourselves.

 

hello brian, BT TECH..........

take me for an imaginery ride..................got a standard Prius #6.

i'm gonna add your strut brace, chassis brace and the new front sway bar that you mentioned.

what's my seat of the pants feel? everything else would remain stock. could i make my prius drift???????

hmmmmmmmmmm....can't wait for this description.

 

count me in. :target:

 

Only Front bars are allowed in Stock SCCA auto-x classes. If autocrossing your Prius this is a must have. It will keep the back inside tire from lifting to much and enduce understear.

 

Sounds absolutely fascinating to me! Of course I can't promise to buy until I see price and installation instructions...

 

I would be interested in a front sway bar as well. If the front sway bar without your strut tower bar would induce more understeer, then I may have to pass. I have had my Prius for only a short while, but the body roll from the soft suspension seems excessive to me (I'm used to much sportier suspensions).

Aside from sway bars reducing body roll, I think that people interested in improving handling should look towards stiffer springs first.

 

Running a swaybar without a strut-bar in the front will not have any significant affect on the swaybar's performance. I doubt you'd be able to measure it. The Prius chassis is not some wet noodle.

 

That I understand, but BT Tech Brian suggested that his testing has only been with the sway and strut bars installed, which made me wonder how much of a benefit to steering response/crispness and reduced body roll would be experience by the sway bar alone.

 

Previous experience with other cars has shown that swaybars are very effective at reducing body roll and improving turn-in - adding/removing a strut bar does very little overall in comparison. The car may feel a bit more solid over bumps and around corners with a strut bar than without.

I don't see any reason why the Prius would be different.

Bring on the swaybar!

 

AFTER a few words with Brian at BT TECH, i'm very confident that the two modifications - front strut brace, bottom chassis brace would significantly enhance the prius to a point where it would already handle on par, if NOT be superior to the touring version. the addition of the front swaybar would take it off the charts.

thank you brian for your time. i'm in!

and, in case you're reading this.............what you got for a 96 grand sport???? i know you got corvette blood!

 

Yes! Definitely would be interested!

Dave

 

Interesting discussion. My front wheel drive MINI Cooper MC (not an S) benefited greatly from an upgraded heavier 19 mm REAR sway bar. Stock was 16 mm. This completely eliminated the front tire "push" squeal. To go any heavier on the back requires a heavier front. If I did go to the ALTA 22mm rear the back end could more readily snap around on a hard turn. If you are indeed testing this I would advise to not have the rear tires significantly higher inflated then the front. Please test in a safe area as the rear end can come around rather quickly.

It has always been my opinion that front wheel drive need larger rears and rear wheel drive need larger fronts to counteract "push" of the front tires. Correcting a rear whell drive that kicks the rear out is as easy as getting off the gas. That same getting off the gas in a front wheel drive will only bring the rear around quicker. Autocrossing my MINI and my ImpalaSS could not be any more different in driving technique!!!!

I'd like to here more comments from those of you who autocross the PRIUS .... PLEASE!

 

Brian; Not sure what happened. Thought I already replied, but don't see it, so I'll re-reply.
Yes! I am very interested in the swaybar, but Prius is still only on-order. I'd love to go ahead and order the skid-plate, stiffening-plate, and strut tower brace too, but I need to at least wait til I get a P.O.# for the Prius since Prius ordering/delivery is so crazy right now. How long between Out-of stock and Re-stock. Perhaps a partial payment could hold them til Prius arrives. That way I'd be sure to have them, especially the skid-plate. I really would like to have that on before I do much driving.

By the way, one of the posts that showed an installation of the skid-plate mentioned the gap in the front. Is this needed for proper airflow or could this be closed up with some fiberboard type material like under the front of my 2000 Avalon, that I had to remove to change to Ultra SilverStar driving lights. From the pictures, it looks like it would be easy to cut a piece out to fit from the back of the front bumper to the front of where the skid-plate mounts. I wouldn't know where to find the material. Maybe it's something you could offer. I'd definitely be interested. I go back far enough to remember how easy it was to flood your engine or have a road hazard do damage, and how grimey the engine compartment would get withmud, dirt and road film. The 2000 Avalon is nicely protected and the engine compartment stays very clean.

Well sorry for the long post, but am always very interested in functional enhancements, it sounds like you've found your niche. Keep up the good work.

Thanks
Dave

 

any update on this? havent heard from Brian in a while

 

Brian, I'm in. I'll pre-purchase if that helps motivate you!