My Complete Review of H&R Lowering Springs

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by macmaster05, Nov 27, 2010.

  1. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2012
    1,880
    710
    75
    Location:
    Carrollton, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Haha... i thought about one similar.. it was supposed to give me closer to 17hp gain tho. :)
     
  2. Gun owning Prius driver

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    397
    78
    0
    Location:
    Downey, California (Los Angeles Area)
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Lol so i think i might go with air ride suspensiom
     
  3. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    471
    109
    0
    Location:
    nor cal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    *snerk* ...says the guy who posted a bunch of FWD drag racing pictures to help us understand why a Prius would accelerate faster after a suspension adjustment.

    Uhh... where's your proof that it did? If the front and rear are lowered the same amount, the car's profile hasn't changed. But I'll pretend they aren't, yet again, to humor your attempt at... whatever it is you think you're accomplishing.

    Let's take an example to the contrary... the OP lowers the front 2" and leaves the rear as-is. In effect, he adds 2" of vertical profile to the Prius (assuming the Prius is a giant block; with the Prius's rounded profile, it would be less than this). This would make increase the Prius's total frontal area from 28.0 to 29.0 sq. ft... a difference of about 3.5%.

    How would the Prius react differently with this profile? Let's look at how much efficiency is lost. Assuming the OP is cruising at 60 MPH on a completely frictionless highway (to neglect rolling resistance) on a clear sunny day, 70 degrees F, no winds. The original Prius would consume 7.5 kW of energy just to maintain speed whereas our hypothetical Prius would consume 7.8 kW. Over an hour's time, this additional energy demand would require... about 1 cent of gasoline (assuming $4 / gal price, 32.78 kWh / gal energy capacity, and 33% engine to wheels efficiency).

    So... you're going to jump up and down for days over a penny's worth of gas? I call that a statistical fluctuation.

    My original post was to dispel the myth that springs would make their Prius faster... then you came along.
     
  4. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    471
    109
    0
    Location:
    nor cal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If you're serious, I'd love to know what you're considering. I'd like to replace my rear suspension with an air setup to help with towing...
     
  5. Gun owning Prius driver

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    397
    78
    0
    Location:
    Downey, California (Los Angeles Area)
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Five
     
  6. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    471
    109
    0
    Location:
    nor cal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Whoa! That's too much bling for my taste. I was looking for a simple air bag setup. Thanks for sharing, though.
     
  7. Gun owning Prius driver

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    397
    78
    0
    Location:
    Downey, California (Los Angeles Area)
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    if you find something let me know
     
  8. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2012
    1,880
    710
    75
    Location:
    Carrollton, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Here.. I'll explain again. You said,
    Point proven that your lack of knowledge for FWD drag racing cars is apparent. I thought maybe you are more of a visual learner and thought the pictures will help you realize that FWD drag racing has been out for a while and if you had ever been into drag racing at any point ..you had been away from Drag Racing for too long.

    I disagreed with your for lack of better explanation failed attempt to explain that
    - that by stiffening the suspension in the rear of a FWD car will help the launch and have better acceleration because the car doesn't waste torque/energy lifting the front of the car as much...regardless of no wheel-spin.

    Agreed. But i didn't say that did I? I said,
    Everybody.....Please Welcome Bill Nye the Science Guy!!!!!!

    Regardless of the miniscule amount of actual change, maybe you meant to assume that we were not looking for a black and white, yes or no answer. The truth of the matter is, you said it WOULDN'T change...and you have just proven yourself incorrect.

    Again, your statement is wrong. I said "Accelerate faster" but by you saying it won't make it just "faster" that is incorrect because if you were to take the better suspension modded Prius out auto-xing the less body roll from a suspension will make the car handle better yielding better track times-thus a "faster" prius. Again an issue of you misreading or not paying attention to others comments or questions.

    It would appear that you like to finish people's sentences before they finish them because you know the answer to everything. However, that's the problem...your not actually listening/reading the question or comments in its entirety before post boasting and regurgitating information.You seem like a very intelligent person in a specific field and have useful information but not paying attention to what is actually being commented on is the actual problem...But definitely not worth getting worked up or 'Mad' about.
     
    Daves09prius likes this.
  9. Gun owning Prius driver

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    397
    78
    0
    Location:
    Downey, California (Los Angeles Area)
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Hi bill nye, but where is carmen san diego?
     
  10. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    471
    109
    0
    Location:
    nor cal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I also lack knowledge in animal husbandry, naval armament, and neurosurgery. But how does pointing this out add any value to the thread? To the Internet in general?

    You must be a lot of fun at parties... "Hey Joe! I can totally tell you've never danced the foxtrot before. Boy do I have a lot to tell you!"

    ...says the guy who tried to stop me from telling a Prius owner that his car could not have accelerated faster simply by adding springs.

    I'm going to go put a bunch of stickers on my car now.
     
  11. Gun owning Prius driver

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    397
    78
    0
    Location:
    Downey, California (Los Angeles Area)
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Horsepower stickers?
     
  12. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2012
    1,880
    710
    75
    Location:
    Carrollton, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    ...Good grief.. here's a sticker..
    [​IMG]
     
  13. mikednpv

    mikednpv Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2006
    40
    16
    0
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    This concerns me... Is this a safety issue? I was going to buy H&R springs for my 05 Gen II. Should I stick with stock Toyota springs?
     
  14. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    4,050
    730
    5
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You shouldn't be concerned. I've been driving with them for over 2 years now and I have 0 issues.
     
    Daves09prius and mikednpv like this.
  15. Unleashd

    Unleashd Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2012
    71
    10
    0
    Location:
    Oakhill, VA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Sorry OP. But this thread is fun to read :)

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Gun owning Prius driver

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    397
    78
    0
    Location:
    Downey, California (Los Angeles Area)
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    You will be fine I have an 05 also with ImageUploadedByTapatalk1360333290.237498.jpg springs and not one problem yet.

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1360333333.384088.jpg
    I don't know if you can tell but it sits low! Lol
     
    mikednpv likes this.
  17. mikednpv

    mikednpv Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2006
    40
    16
    0
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    "macmaster05" and "Gun owning Prius driver", First, thanks for your reply. Then, how do you like the ride compared to the stock springs? I'm looking to put KYB struts and H&R springs on.
     
    Daves09prius likes this.
  18. Gun owning Prius driver

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    397
    78
    0
    Location:
    Downey, California (Los Angeles Area)
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I love the way it rides yea might be a tad more bumpy, but what it lacks on smoothness lol makes up in handling and its really not that bad.
     
    mikednpv likes this.
  19. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    4,050
    730
    5
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The Prius is a pretty bad handling car in stock form. The lowering springs are the great equalizer; it makes it feel like a normal car. The difference is noticeable off the lot, on your first turn. I can take curves much faster than other cars now. I love the curvy on-ramps that say 30 mph. You can take them at 65. You won't regret it.

    I don't recommend KYB struts unless your stock Toyota struts are already leaking and you need a replacement. OEM works fine with these springs.
     
  20. mikednpv

    mikednpv Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2006
    40
    16
    0
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Why don't you recommend KYB struts? My understanding is that KYB are OEM Toyota struts?
     
    Daves09prius likes this.