Prius Street Race

240sxer · Oct 4, 2007

This is my 06 vs a couple friends cars. I know some of you will bring the hate so go ahead and bring it on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAXLdw6Mg_I

Prius is actually not all that slow, it's slow off the line but has good top-end.

impulsenine · Oct 4, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(240sxer @ Oct 4 2007, 01:09 AM) [snapback]521038[/snapback]</div>

This is my 06 vs a couple friends cars. I know some of you will bring the hate so go ahead and bring it on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAXLdw6Mg_I
Prius is actually not all that slow, it's slow off the line but has good top-end.
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I'm so amused. Of course, the trouble is there's not a lot you can do to make it faster - you just stomp it and hope you're faster. With a manual, you can make some slow cars quick (and some quick cars slow) - I beat a decked-out Celica in my '62 VW Beetle.

But that was because he had no idea how to drive.

efusco · Oct 4, 2007

Oh good god...now somebody's gonna take this to some hot rodding site and they're going to start trolling...been there done that.

patsparks · Oct 4, 2007

I knew it was reasonably quick, I have left RX7s and Nissan Silvias in my wake up to 70km/h going up a slight hill, and I know from the noise they were both trying.
The turbine smoothness of the HSD is deceptive, no jerking no chirping just urging. Constant thrust!

Tideland Prius · Oct 4, 2007

lol... Well that Civic only had 106hp so you were already up on hp and of course we're up on torque as well. 115lb-ft (max) on the Prius... I can't remember how many in that Civic.

What was the battery SOC for each of the race? That'll be nice to know. Also did you have the engine engaged before start?

Also, I'd figured it'll be the other way around, quick off the line and poor top end (given the way the CVT and electric motors work).

ScottY · Oct 4, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Oct 4 2007, 09:06 AM) [snapback]521098[/snapback]</div>

Oh good god...now somebody's gonna take this to some hot rodding site and they're going to start trolling...been there done that.
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lol.... oh... I remember those days....

RinMI · Oct 4, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(impulsenine @ Oct 4 2007, 04:41 AM) [snapback]521057[/snapback]</div>

I'm so amused. Of course, the trouble is there's not a lot you can do to make it faster - you just stomp it and hope you're faster. With a manual, you can make some slow cars quick (and some quick cars slow) - I beat a decked-out Celica in my '62 VW Beetle.

But that was because he had no idea how to drive.
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It would be interesting to see what one could do to the electric drive piece of the Pri since all attempts to upgrade the gas motor jsut led to better SOC overall.

Little known fact??

You can force the Prius to recharge the battery (although it defeats the principle of being economical since you have to press on gas and brake at the same time). You have to put the car in D and then press down on the brake and the gas and the brakes will hold the car while the engine revs up to respond to the gas pedal input. The best part, the car knows when the battery is getting full and will slowly lower the engine revs until it just finally stops. Although the car might then try to "burn off" some of the extra juice since the car doesn't seem to like having the battery totally full.

240sxer · Oct 4, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Oct 4 2007, 10:22 AM) [snapback]521247[/snapback]</div>

lol... Well that Civic only had 106hp so you were already up on hp and of course we're up on torque as well. 115lb-ft (max) on the Prius... I can't remember how many in that Civic.

What was the battery SOC for each of the race? That'll be nice to know. Also did you have the engine engaged before start?
Also, I'd figured it'll be the other way around, quick off the line and poor top end (given the way the CVT and electric motors work).
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There is an initial delay on how quickly the gas motor engages, then the CVT has to turn the gears before the car reaches max RPM (max power).

The prius has effectivly 110hp. For the torque it's hard, the electric motor puts out a lot but because of the reduction gears you don't really see that. I think it has somewhere around 110tq in reality with both motors.

These are the real stats of both cars:

Prius
110hp/110tq
2890lbs

Civic
115hp/110tq
2465lbs

On paper the Civic should absolutely crush the prius, it's got about the same power with a good 400lbs less weight.

When racing I "powerbraked" the prius which revs up the ICE. At the track it has no difference in 1/4 time however it allows me to have a bit better reaction time since I just release the brake rather than push the gas. The CVT is really good on top-end both cars were able to get a car ahead of me or so right off the line, but every time I was able to come around and win.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RinMI @ Oct 4 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]521276[/snapback]</div>

It would be interesting to see what one could do to the electric drive piece of the Pri since all attempts to upgrade the gas motor jsut led to better SOC overall.

Little known fact??

You can force the Prius to recharge the battery (although it defeats the principle of being economical since you have to press on gas and brake at the same time). You have to put the car in D and then press down on the brake and the gas and the brakes will hold the car while the engine revs up to respond to the gas pedal input. The best part, the car knows when the battery is getting full and will slowly lower the engine revs until it just finally stops. Although the car might then try to "burn off" some of the extra juice since the car doesn't seem to like having the battery totally full.
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Some others have commented on this in the past also. This actually slows the car down. The reason is it heats up the inverter and all the electrical components reducing their efficiency. The fact is the car only uses maybe 2-3 bars of battery per race, and usually by the time I've come back up for the next race it's back where it was or better. Basically Force-charging the prius just makes it slower. I tested all of the different ways at the track so I know it just slowed down once I charged it. Full or about 1/4 battery does not make a difference going down the track. When it's in the purple or whatever it does get a lot slower. But it's almost impossible to make it purple while you are sitting like that unless you have the AC running or something.

Tideland Prius · Oct 4, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(240sxer @ Oct 4 2007, 11:23 AM) [snapback]521289[/snapback]</div>

There is an initial delay on how quickly the gas motor engages, then the CVT has to turn the gears before the car reaches max RPM (max power).

The prius has effectivly 110hp. For the torque it's hard, the electric motor puts out a lot but because of the reduction gears you don't really see that. I think it has somewhere around 110tq in reality with both motors.

These are the real stats of both cars:

Prius
110hp/110tq
2890lbs

Civic
115hp/110tq
2465lbs

On paper the Civic should absolutely crush the prius, it's got about the same power with a good 400lbs less weight.

When racing I "powerbraked" the prius which revs up the ICE. At the track it has no difference in 1/4 time however it allows me to have a bit better reaction time since I just release the brake rather than push the gas. The CVT is really good on top-end both cars were able to get a car ahead of me or so right off the line, but every time I was able to come around and win.
Some others have commented on this in the past also. This actually slows the car down. The reason is it heats up the inverter and all the electrical components reducing their efficiency. The fact is the car only uses maybe 2-3 bars of battery per race, and usually by the time I've come back up for the next race it's back where it was or better. Basically Force-charging the prius just makes it slower. I tested all of the different ways at the track so I know it just slowed down once I charged it. Full or about 1/4 battery does not make a difference going down the track. When it's in the purple or whatever it does get a lot slower. But it's almost impossible to make it purple while you are sitting like that unless you have the AC running or something.
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Ohh.. it's the 2001-2005 Civic.. oops. My mistake. I thought it was a 96-00

subarutoo · Oct 4, 2007

I've smoked (not literally) several rice-racer Hondas from the stop light. One guy was revving, so I know he was into it. Of course, I do have the BT plate + Shark fin + Prius side door decals, so my car isn't really stock. That stuff must be good for 20-30 hp at least

efusco · Oct 4, 2007

My Can-View is programmed with a powerbooster that optimizes battery and ICE operation in race conditions and can, for about 1/4 mile, simulate the HP and Torque of a Corvette Z01. I have to regen brake for a while though to allow the battery to recharge and the system to cool off.
And I've got this oceanfront property in Arizona.....

galaxee · Oct 4, 2007

again?

240sxer · Oct 4, 2007

Again? What?

Ichabod · Oct 5, 2007

Ha ha! My favorite part of the video is:

"Wait until the CVT kicks in," stated as if it's some kind of secret weapon... sounds as threatening as "wait until the spark plugs kick in... then you'll be choking on my exhaust fumes! Ha ha!"

Seriously though, if your CVT ever kicks in, that means it was not "in" at some point, which means it's broken. Maybe you should take it in for service

mrbigh · Oct 5, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ichabod @ Oct 5 2007, 04:09 PM) [snapback]521902[/snapback]</div>

Ha ha! My favorite part of the video is:

"Wait until the CVT kicks in," stated as if it's some kind of secret weapon... sounds as threatening as "wait until the spark plugs kick in... then you'll be choking on my exhaust fumes! Ha ha!"

Seriously though, if your CVT ever kicks in, that means it was not "in" at some point, which means it's broken. Maybe you should take it in for service [/b]
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Well, really you may laugh at it but when I race my PHEV, I have left over electrons coming out the exhaust pipe......

Doc Willie · Oct 5, 2007

I told some folks at a custom hot rod show I would race my Prius against any car in the show - 'Vettes, Mustangs etc. with these rules: 100 mile loop course. 2 gals of gas per vehicle.

Got no takers.

240sxer · Oct 5, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Oct 5 2007, 07:19 PM) [snapback]522047[/snapback]</div>

I told some folks at a custom hot rod show I would race my Prius against any car in the show - 'Vettes, Mustangs etc. with these rules: 100 mile loop course. 2 gals of gas per vehicle.

Got no takers.
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Sounds like you were kinda being a hater. But point taken. Prius was deigned to get good fuel economy Mustang/Corvette was designed to go fast. You might not be able to dominate the Corvette too much. My C5 got around 32mpg on the freeway. It's no prius mpg, but for having around 3.5x the power at similar weight it's not bad

The corvette is the Insight of the sports cars.

usbseawolf2000 · Oct 5, 2007

Way to go man! Was the 01 Civic auto? Talk about e-CVT superiority and power effiency! Prius may not peak as high but it is pretty consistent at delivery power without lags nor shiftings.

I can fill in the technical jargon what he meant by "when CVT kicks in". What it actually is... at certain speed range, the power split device (e-CVT) allows both ICE and MG2 to reach the near peak power.

The PSD limits the ICE RPM at low speed to protect MG1 (generator). It goes like this at 10,000 MG1 RPM (max).

MPH: 05 | Max ICE RPM: 2,990
MPH: 11 | Max ICE RPM: 3,210
MPH: 21 | Max ICE RPM: 3,640
MPH: 30 | Max ICE RPM: 4,005
MPH: 41 | Max ICE RPM: 4,435
MPH: 51 | Max ICE RPM: 4,870
MPH: 55 | Max ICE RPM: 5,000
MPH: 60 | Max ICE RPM: 5,000
MPH: 70 | Max ICE RPM: 5,000

The way HSD power split device is set up in Prius, ICE can not rev at maximum RPM at low speed. Therefore, neither ICE nor MG2 can develop peak power. The ideal speed range that they both reach peak is around 30-70 mph. That is the reason Prius's highway passing is so good. Go over 70 mph and MG2 peak power drops off while ICE remains at max RPM.

Remember Prius only has one power split device. The newer HSD as seen in THH and TCH as well as Lexus hybrids have a second PSD (aka speed reduction unit). Toyota engineers probably chose it to use in the "high performance" hybrids.

F8L · Oct 5, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Oct 5 2007, 08:01 PM) [snapback]522056[/snapback]</div>

I can fill in the technical jargon what he meant by "when CVT kicks in". What it actually is... at certain speed range, the power split device (e-CVT) allows both ICE and MG2 to reach the near peak power.

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I assumed he was altering a typical quote by import racers: "Wait till VTec kicks in yo!"

As seen in these pictoral samples. Hahaha

The ancients even knew about Vtec.. Duh

usbseawolf2000 · Oct 5, 2007

Good one! LOL.

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