BT Stiffening Plate Review

The OEM plate on the 2006 is mounted in exactly the same location as the 2004 and 2005 model year vehicles. Here is a picture to show you a comparison between ours and the stock (OEM) plate...





Best 73
Brian (N4YKX)




<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Jul 18 2006, 02:05 AM) [snapback]288029[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Jul 17 2006, 11:05 PM) [snapback]288029[/snapback]</div>

My mistake. I didn't notice you specified post 107 and I found the pix. Also noted many folks said the ride change was minimal on the 2006. I see I just missed a sale on them this weekend. I think I'll wait for the next one and read the 2006 reviews in the meantime.

Seems like I'm always a day late! :angry:

 

Y'know -- I wouldn't let the small "sale" discount stand in the way of a better-riding, better-handling car. I paid "full" price for my BT plate and I thank my lucky stars every time I drive my car. Subtle improvement? I guess so, but I noticed the difference immediately when I installed it.

I think those of us who think the plate is GREAT have just tired of posting the same rave reviews over and over, while those who think the improvement is marginal keep looking for validation of their views, and thus posting more.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jbarnhart @ Jul 17 2006, 11:58 PM) [snapback]288036[/snapback]</div>

Well, you're probably right. And since you had the good taste to get a Super White, I'll pay attention. The "small "sale" discount" was not bad: $140 shipped versus the current $175. That's enough for a fairly good bottle of wine! But I digress.....

 

Bob, the normal selling price for the stiffening plate is 150.00 plus 10 dollars shipping for a total of 160.00

Danny every so often runs a 20 dollars off sale during various times of the year.




<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Jul 18 2006, 03:12 AM) [snapback]288040[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BT Tech @ Jul 18 2006, 12:17 AM) [snapback]288042[/snapback]</div>

The site says $175. How do I get the lower price?

 

When you go to order the plate in the online store the correct price of 150 plus 10 dollars shipping should come up. If it does not simply email Danny or call me at my number listed below and I can send the plate directly to you for this price.





<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Jul 18 2006, 03:20 AM) [snapback]288044[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BT Tech @ Jul 18 2006, 12:22 AM) [snapback]288046[/snapback]</div>

OK. I'll try again. It said $175 but I didn't really go all the way to the final order page where it might change. How important is the torque wrench? I've never needed one before in my life and hate to blow another $35 just to tighten four bolts. But if it is a safety issue, I'll consider it.

New edit: Ordered it by phone today and it's already in the mail. I'm looking forward to seeing if the freeway sway at moderate speeds lessens. It's worth it if it does.

 

I attached the plate yesterday on my 2006.
Even if you drive 30 mph you can feel the difference in stiffness.
I allways thought the Prius reminded me of a boat, the back sort of sinking down. well: No more!
I didn't do any serious highway-driving yet, so I won't comment on that yet.

 

I have had the stiffening plate on my '06 Prius for a good 6 weeks now. I might be the only one (and please don't come down on me hard), but I have yet to notice a big difference like so many of you say. I do mostly small and windy road driving, freeway everyonce in while. I don't feel any different than with the stock plate. The new plate does look pretty though (very well machined).

I will keep it on my car just because it's there and I won't bother taking it off again. But I could have spend those $160 somewhere else.

For those who say they feel a better ride, all the power to you. For those who might be thinking about getting one, I would caution. The stock plate is just as good (in my humble opinion). But, of course, you need to figure that out for yourselves.

Anyway, there's my 2 cents (or better, yet, my 16,000 cents)

 

a torque wrench is nice...but as long as you arent 6' 5" with arms like tree trunks, you should be ok. tighten the bolts firmly. do not overtighten. recommend you recheck for looseness (not likely) after 24, 72 hours and a week afterwards.

if you are not comfortable with those instructions, BORROW one. personally i didnt use one. (too lazy to look for mine...plus i think my nephew borrowed it anyway)

you have to be in pretty good shape to break the bolts with a standard socket wrench. plus to me, its not that tough to judge low torque values especially when you have a good leeway on the heavy side.

as far as a moderate difference. its been over a year (i think...dont remember) so hard to remember what it was like, but the difference was very noticable to me. i didnt have the freeway wandering issues or anything like that so was wondering how much it would improve the ride. but the reduction in the body sway and just the more solid "rubber to the road" feel was immediately noticable.

my test, a very curvy hill (rated speeds on turn 25 or 30 mph) coasting in drive, i would get to 45 mph on this one particular curve that was crowned so not banked as much as it should be. before the plate, i could feel my center of gravity being way to high feeling the car shifting to the outside of the turn and rocking side to side, hard to feel comfortable in the curve (i usally always braked a little here anyway) after the plate, it seems like center of gravity was lower (i know it didnt change), body sway not noticable, good road feel, no sensation that i might lose traction.

most importantly, felt that all 4 tires had even traction and grip all the way thru the curve.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Jul 18 2006, 08:04 AM) [snapback]288138[/snapback]</div>

You could've just became a better driver handling the weight shifts better. Not so easy to dissect.

 

I had the BT brace installed on my 2004, and am quite happy with the results. I'm not saying this to justify my purchase - if I wasn't happy, I would have said so and asked for a refund. I can't provide any hard and fast numbers to 'prove' my claim, though I will say the car feels more solid, corners flatter, and is much better behaved, especially in a quick succession of turns. The 'hinge' in the middle of the car is gone. I can't claim that the seat of my pants is any more finely calibrated than anyone else's, but I'm convinced. If you have one and can't feel the difference, I'd say you're not driving hard enough. Either that, or the seat of your pants needs recalibrating.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NuShrike @ Jul 18 2006, 03:37 PM) [snapback]288389[/snapback]</div>

considering the test area is a ½ mile from my sister's house and that i have driven it hundreds of times, i doubt my skill level has changed to any great degree

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Jul 18 2006, 06:17 PM) [snapback]288468[/snapback]</div>

:lol: :lol: no doubt....

I'm amazed at how resistant people can be over spending 170 bucks when so many people vouch for it?

I put it on both of my prius's and I feel the plate not only helps handling, feel, stability against wind and wind blasts from 18 wheelers, but I would almost bet that it extends tire life for those who drive winding roads and drive agressively around corners etc.
I wouldn't give mine up for 500.00 each unless I knew I could buy it back for cheaper.

Lets see.... humm.....Whats the big deal and cost here.....
170 bucks divided by four equals about 42.50..... how many people will spend far more than 42.50 per tire getting better tires, or wheels, but because they can't "understand" why the plate is a big deal, they won't believe it helps?

Human psychology is truly facinating and frustrating at the same time.

Just buy the plate for petes sake.... if you don't like it.. feel free to get out here and post that you feel it was a rip off??????


Don't you think its a bit funny you haven't see one person reflect such sentiments yet??????

Can you believe someone elses report without understanding it yourself?

Do you really think your going to be taken for a fool and be ripped off when so many people have reported phenominal results for so long?

Give it up man!... go buy the plate!

If you can't afford to take a chance with the little amount of money, you shouldn't have took a chance with the prius in the first place.. you can't afford it anyway!......


And by the way.... I should have been in politics.... don't you think?

I guess I can't BS and lie and cheat well enough and would surely be condenmed by my peers for telling it like it is!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hybridguy @ Jul 18 2006, 07:48 AM) [snapback]288126[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Jul 18 2006, 04:10 PM) [snapback]288401[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(windstrings @ Jul 18 2006, 08:24 PM) [snapback]288525[/snapback]</div>

Actually I get the feeling that if you don't experience a great difference, you either haven't tried it long enough or you don't know how to drive it correctly. Hybridguy wasn't overly thrilled, is he wrong, or simply ignored? I'm sorry, I'm not like you, I have a different commute and different driving experience. I'm trying to keep an open mind about this, and may even get one some day, but this is dropping it lower in my list of things to buy. And because I'd rather spend that $160 on an iPod integration, rather than "take a chance," doesn't mean I shouldn't have bought a Prius.

I'm not saying it's bad, but part of this is subjective and if I enjoy my ride now, there is absolutely no guarantee that spending $160 will make it $160 better.......for me. I don't tell anyone not to get it and have even recommended it to others.

 

I realize not everyone feels the same about risking their hard-earned $160 on something that defies "proof" that it is functioning. But I would assert the financial risk you take is only the difference between what you pay for the BT plate and what you can sell it for on PC. I figure the risk is about $20 or so.

Does that make it a more acceptable risk?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jbarnhart @ Jul 18 2006, 10:57 PM) [snapback]288568[/snapback]</div>

Undoubtedly.

I just find the "everyone uses it, why don't you" and "your life isn't complete unless you use this" kind of argument sounds like selling alcohol or tobacco (come on, join the "in" crowd).

I think it's a good thing and there should be improvement. But if I don't really feel a difference, am I wrong? Will I get the "try it for a longer period" argument or the "you just aren't observing it correctly" argument? Or the "people are different, sorry it didn't work for you" statement?

We are all different, and it's wrong to assume we're all the same just because we have a Prius. If you find it works great and I don't, there's no problem and neither of us are wrong. And even if I get it and resell it, I would certainly tell people it would probably work for them even if it didn't for me.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Jul 18 2006, 10:23 PM) [snapback]288560[/snapback]</div>

I can say that driving is a straight line on the freeway I could feel no real difference, but you could remove half of my suspension and I wouldn't notice in that scenario either?

Where you will feel it is abrupt lane changes.. "dangerous.. not recommended", twisting turning corners coming down mountain passes, strong wind gust on bridges "like the 205 crossing Wahington to Oregon", strong gust from thunderstorms or passing traffic.

And if your only going about 30 mph don't bother trying to test.... like I said, you could remove most of my suspension and I couldn't tell at those speeds... but take it up to 60 - 80 and drive aggressively.

Although its not a sports car, it tightens it up to feel much more like one!

It makes the "body"of the car respond instantly to what you do with the steering wheel rather than having a sloppy lag.

 

there have been several who bought the plate and resold theirs here. im sure some resold theirs because they felt it wasnt what they were looking for, but the only specific examples that come to mind were people who were reselling the car as well mostly for financial reasons and wanted to maximize their return.

so if you purchase it, dont want to keep it, you can probably resell it here