Making a Prius Fast?

NOS - just be super careful.

 

I would be interested in making the Prius a bit more nimble, not too worried about power, but it would be nice to be able to avoid trucks changing lanes or trying to run me over. I was thinking a drop, suspension, wheels and tires at some point, but I'd hate to give up Fuel Economy.

Anyone done it without giving up a bunch of MPG!?!?!

 

Yup. Do a search.

Wheels and tires (performance and upsizing) will drop mpg to varying degrees.

Lowering and suspension mods do not generally affect mpg.

 

Just drop a small-block Chevy engine in there.
OH, THAT WILL WORK!!!
dumb-be-dumb-dumbound:

 

Yes, I know. Responsiveness is important in making the car feel fast, given that nobody is likely to floor it in the Eco mode. I used to have a 5.0 Mustang and some of my friends who drove it for the first time took off like maniacs, not realizing how little gas it takes to get to a certain speed.

 

Ahhhhh.....but you didn't know the engine has a timing CHAIN, not a belt. Also many of the mods, including the number of gauges you stated as being dire necessities are not totally required.....nice to have but not complete necessities.

In all, it's rather moot point. If you want to be a wannabe Andretti,
the Prius is hardly the car for it.

There is an old saying......'How fast do you want to go? How much money do you want to spend "?

The Prius is great for the end purpose it was designed for.....comfortable, very economical transportation incorporating
incredibly well designed hybrid technology than has been remarkably trouble free in it's application.

It's just fine for everyday commuting in heavy urban and suburban traffic where turbos and super zoomy and (worthless ) mods won't do squat for you.

For "canyon running"......I'll drive my ZR 1 !

 

Look at my setup. Handles great, still a nice ride (a bit stiffer), no MPG hit as long as one keeps the 15" tires. Also gets rid of squeaks/creaks because the body gets stiffened.

More handling goodness comes with 17" tires, but MPG goes down.

 

I agree with this guy 100%.

 

Put some 225/45/17 slicks on it, you will be amazed at how fast you can take the corners

 

Is there a LRR version?

 

When you don't have to hit the brakes around the turns, they call that low resistance

 

There are a few threads on gaining economy (and hence performance too) - some of the big ticket items include removing hubcaps - but I believe changing to the shark fin antenna yielded the most performance (handling et al)... All in, you can shave like 8 MPG by doing small mods like the shark etc....

 

Ditch the seats, spare tire, upholstery, radio, air conditioner, console box, and leave the gas tank half empty. That should save you a few hundred pounds, and get you up to speed a bit faster.

 

Exactly. I regularly floor my prius and go nowhere. It's like driving a golf cart. I think I have to give up the hatchback and the radar cruise and get the camry hybrid to have more acceleration.

Too bad there isn't a hybrid hatchback that has performance more like the other toyota/lexus hybrids.

 

The 2004 Prius is that bad, huh? I've driven some seriously underpowered cars in the past, but the Gen III isn't one of them. Have you test driven the Gen III in the Power mode? It's quite responsive even in aggressive L.A. driving.

 

I agree - my 2011 Gen III (especially in Power mode, but not bad in ECO) has been just great in getting up to speed quickly, merging into 70+ MPH freeway traffic, and getting around obstacles (like idiots in the left lane driving 5 MPH under the speed limit).

 

Many other cars have aftermarket ECU chips that reprogram the cars engine for better power/speed. Sure usually trading something, mostly fuel economy. That is exactly what the Prius needs.

The argument that the prius is designed to be and must always remain slower than a minivan is a stupid argument.

Would you say that about the Lexus CT200h also? It also has the same prius engine, but with racer boy looks/design and is even more pathetic than the prius: same engine but because even heavier it is slower. Many Prius and CT200h owners may want to tweak their engine to allow a trade of power for economy.

Has anyone tried any of these power tweaks on this place: Toyota Prius Performance Chip - Prius Horsepower ECU

 

In power mode are you all flooring it?

 

modes don't change flooring it response. flooring it is the same in any mode -- same slow accel.

 

You haven't driven a 2011 Gen III in power mode then. It is quite responsive. Go to a dealer and test drive one. If all you've driven is your 2004, then I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.