Mods considered for 2007 Prius

[Chuck.]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I'd buy back the Insight from the insurance company, fix what needs to be fixed, and not worry about the rest.

My finances are not that good now. I could probably get another Insight in better condition for less in a couple of years. I loved that car, but the question is choosing between another Insight or an EV? I lean slightly towards an EV.

[Chuck.]

Originally Posted by RedDevil

Block heaters help but are fiddly as you have to hook up and unhook before you drive (and never forget to!). You can have the same effect by tricking the system into thinking it is heated up by spoofing the temp sensor, Daox has a thread on that.

I liken the experience between driving a 5-speed Insight and a Prius as the difference between a shell Linux interface and using the latest Apple OS on a Mac. While I enjoy driving the Prius, it's very different and don't have near the control I had with the Insight. One of my biggest Prius frustrations is on short trips, my Prius is getting 30 US mpg, where a 5-speed Insight would be getting at least 50 mpg. Even after the Prius is warmed up, if you restart it goes thru the 4 or 5 stages of warm up and insists on idling/getting 30 or so mpg, although it warms up quicker.

[Chuck.]

Originally Posted by Daox

I do like my ECT (engine coolant temp) spoofer. It works well to get you into S4 mode faster. Its quite handy for getting heat out of the car in winter here, not that that is much of an issue in Texas though. I also still do like my block heater as it also gets you into S4 mode faster as well as get you heat quicker.

On just starting a trip or driving slowly, the ICE is idling excessively compared to the 2000 Insight - I could kill the Insight's ICE in 2-3 ways to improve my fuel economy under those circumstances. I don't know the answer, but just maybe that extra idling the Prius does is what protects the traction pack - I'm not sure.

[Daox]

You can also use the EV switch mod to avoid unnecessary idling on cold starts.

[freebeard]

It was a qualifying question. So Okay.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ail-33283.html

The Morelli fluid tail thread shows the Mooncraft Prius body kit, which is only 3/4 complete by theory.


versus


Then the trailing edge can be treated to plasma actuators. The site search function is borked right now, but there is a member here testing these for truck bodies.*

Spot painting metallics is problematic. You should repaint to the panel edge.

Or just do the top in white PlastiDip and put a shark mouth all across the front.


Edit: *There's enough to get you started here:

http://slideplayer.com/slide/8653868/

[elhigh]

I wouldn't take adding a tail completely off the list of possibilities.

Adding a tail about 10-15" long would put it almost exactly the same length as my truck. Your wheelbase is a bit shorter and your width is very similar, and parking the truck is a snap even in crowded conditions. Your experience even with a modestly lengthened Prius should be similar. The gains wouldn't be as impressive as a full-on boattail, but not nothing either.

Freebeard's suggestion of PlastiDip on the roof and hood are pretty good ones in my opinion. Provide most of the cooling you're looking for, protect the original paint and completely reversible. Win-win-win.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Chuck.

On just starting a trip or driving slowly, the ICE is idling excessively compared to the 2000 Insight - I could kill the Insight's ICE in 2-3 ways to improve my fuel economy under those circumstances. I don't know the answer, but just maybe that extra idling the Prius does is what protects the traction pack - I'm not sure.

My understanding is that the excessive idling is purely for emission reasons; to get the engine coolant and catalytic converter up to proper temperature. The ICE is programmed to come on to charge the battery when needed regardless of the other reasons the ICE is commanded on.

As DAOX suggests, you can install an engine coolant temperature spoofer in the Prius to reduce the occasions when the engine idles just to maintain a certain temperature. This does not affect the engine turning on to charge the traction battery when needed.

I wouldn't spend much on improving the Prius because the return on investment is not likely to ever come, the 2007 is 2 generations behind now, and it already gets fantastic fuel economy.

Save the money and put it towards replacing one of the vehicles in your household with an EV. I bet used Leafs will be a couple grand shortly after the new one is released.

[Chuck.]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Save the money and put it towards replacing one of the vehicles in your household with an EV. I bet used Leafs will be a couple grand shortly after the new one is released.

That's what I'm leaning towards now - modding the Prius on a budget. It's my only car, but destined to be the 2nd car/road car.

It would make more sense in a few years to get a Leaf than to a plugin conversion for my Prius.

[Vman455]

If you Plasti-dip the roof white, you could peel it off in the winter when you don't mind the cabin getting a little warmer.

[06Aveo43061]

Originally Posted by Vman455

If you Plasti-dip the roof white, you could peel it off in the winter when you don't mind the cabin getting a little warmer.

i know a lot of hypermilers don't care about looks, but plastidip can sometimes stain on hoods and roofs. Also if it gets excessive heat (like your hood) it can be a pain in the ass to remove unless you lay down about a dozen coats. Last time i plastidipped my car I had to use a power washer to remove some of the dip on my hood and roof.