Hi guys,

Do we have many options for aftermarket shocks? KYB have some? Is there a difference in shocks for the ES and the VRX?

I've been getting a clunk in the back which I suspect is the stabiliser bar bushes, have done 130k now, and I'm thinking of changing the shocks.

I at least want to have the clunk go away, ha ha.

Does anyone know what Mitsubishi charge for OEM replacements?

I could only find Monroe, KYB and Koni for aftermarket shocks. I think Boge may be rear only, but either way, I wouldn't feel comfortable mixing and matching.

I always wondered if the aftermarket Monroes would be the same/very similar to the OEM shocks? I thought OEM was Monroe but I could be wrong.

I have heard Monroe did the OEM shocks, but I'm not sure if the SX/VRX/GT should get a different shock than other cars in the series.

Same as Red, could only find Monroe, KYB & Koni. Been hanging out for years for Boges (now Sach) but they only do rears and not fronts, and it's now looking like they will never do fronts for a 380. Not even sure they still make rears any more.

About two years ago I found a new full set of four KYB Excel-Gs advertised on Fleabay for a very cheap price, so I snapped them up.

Firmly controlled and good for handling, but they ride so-so. A bit too 'jiggly' on anything other than dead smooth roads for my liking. According to Mal it's due to poorly calibrated rebound damping.

Yep, by 130,000k your rear sway bar bushes are probably shot. I replaced mine again for the fourth time a few days ago (once was due to fitting a heavy duty sway bar which I replaced with the stocker after a few months). Just under $20 the pair from the local Mitsu stealership, and very easy to fit.

I will do the sway bar bushes for sure.

Any recommendations for shocks for the VRX?

Sachs (Boge) although advertise rears dont do them

We can only get KYB, Monroe or Koni, there are no other brands currently available

As for recommendations, as much as I hate to say it KYB are really the only option as the Koni have to be specially made and are damn expensive

It seems KYB and Monroe make a one for all shock, so nothing different for the sports tuned models?

I guess this is the only options we have? OEM shocks no good to get again?

You don't rate the Monroes Madmagna?

It seems KYB and Monroe make a one for all shock, so nothing different for the sports tuned models?

I guess this is the only options we have? OEM shocks no good to get again?

Don't know about Monroe, but it seems KYB make only the Excel-G for a 380, and it's the same for all 380 models, see here: http://www.kyb.com.au/shock-absorbers-part-finder?PageMode=Results&Make=MITSUBISHI&Model=380&ModelNo=DB%2C+Series+1%2C+II+%26+III%2C++3.8L+V6+A ll+models%2C+Sedan&DateFrom=10%2F2005&DateTo=04%2F2008

New OEM shocks, if you could get them, would probably cost a packet, I'm guessing around twice the price of the KYBs.
Second hand OEM shocks, from a wrecker, would be much cheaper, but odds on they are fairly worn out and no better than what you have now.

Does anyone know if the models with the sports suspension received different shocks?

My suspension is stock, so I guess these shocks would work well.

It seems KYB and Monroe make a one for all shock, so nothing different for the sports tuned models?
The KYBs are a sports orientated shock already.

All 380's from the factory (excluding the TMR of course) received the same damper with the same part number, they are all KYB.

Issue with the Excel G is that they are way over gassed, they do stiffen the down stroke but the up stroke is way to active for even handling

so what made up the "sports" suspension in the VRX?

so what made up the "sports" suspension in the VRX?

'sfar as I know, 10mm lower springs, and that's it.

you serious?

you serious?

Does he really need to answer that? Lol. Factory 'sports' suspension are always nearly the same unless you are buying a car that is 100k+

All 380's from the factory (excluding the TMR of course) received the same damper with the same part number, they are all KYB.

Issue with the Excel G is that they are way over gassed, they do stiffen the down stroke but the up stroke is way to active for even handling

Good to know. So you still prefer the KYB over the Monroes? I'm guessing either would be an improvement over stock?

Fwiw a tyre/suspension guy i was speaking with said the kybs were re-gassable and adjustable? Is there such a thing??? Not sure ifits possible to adjust its damping properties ifu take it to some specialist?

so what made up the "sports" suspension in the VRX?

I thought it wac the added front strut tower brace, and rear sway bar? Or do al of the variants have those? Maybe the same shocks, but tthoae two added things could firm up the chassis and help with handling i suppose?

'sfar as I know, 10mm lower springs, and that's it.

No, that incorrect.

The springs are harder. Shocks I'm not sure.

There's a noticeable difference in handling. A run through Wivenhoe dam a few years ago with Sh00t's stock 380 and my car with VRX springs proved that. After some unfortunate comments from me after I drove his car (something mentioned re "soggy" and "only just avoided the trees") which were not well received :( , he changed the springs to VRX.

No, that incorrect.

The springs are harder. Shocks I'm not sure.

There's a noticeable difference in handling. A run through Wivenhoe dam a few years ago with Sh00t's stock 380 and my car with VRX springs proved that. After some unfortunate comments from me after I drove his car (something mentioned re "soggy" and "only just avoided the trees") which were not well received :( , he changed the springs to VRX.

Richard,

I've searched high & low, and all I can find is 'sports tuned suspension' with no details of the actual changes over the stock suspension, other than the addition of a strut brace.

But I read on another thread (dunno which one, it was years ago) that the springs are 10mm lower on the VRX and GT.

Nothing about harder, just lower. Though I s'pose lower usually means harder!

Mal has confirmed that all 380s other then the TMR left the factory with the exact same shocks.

So I'm sticking to my guns, the only suspension changes from an ES to a VRX are 10mm lower springs and a strut brace.

I guess this is the only options we have? OEM shocks no good to get again?

Anyone looked in the US of A?

Steve

Anyone looked in the US of A?

Steve

Yep, I've looked, and all I could find was KYB Excel-G for the 4 cylinder Galant, nothing specifically for the 3.8 V6. Except for one listing of KYB Excel-G rear shocks for the 3.8 Eclipse (sort of a two door coupe version of the Galant).

Also I'm not sure if the US shocks fit the Aussie 380, the mounting points might be different.

Cheaper than the Oz prices, but only a couple of sellers ship to Oz, the exchange rate isn't so flash now, and the postage would be killer as they are heavy mofos.

So if you're going to get Excel-Gs might as well buy local.

So guys, my best choice is the KYB? Has anyone tried the Monroe? Has anyone got aftermarket shocks in their car?

So guys, my best choice is the KYB? Has anyone tried the Monroe? Has anyone got aftermarket shocks in their car?

Gene,

Yep, I have, KYB Excel-G's, see post #4 in this thread.

Oh yes, so you did. Not a great report. You don't rate them as better than stock? I am wondering if Monroe's are the go.

Gee, these shocks aren't that cheap. From memory the KYB's are like $230 or so each, with the Monroes, for comparison, are more expensive at the front and cheaper in the rear. The mechanic did not rate the Monroes at all.

I'm trying to remember what the Bilsteins cost for the XR8 but I can't quite recall.

Anyway, before I do anything he's gonna have a look at it Monday. It's a new guy a mate at work knows very well who I'm seeing for the first time. Not a great deal of confidence in the shop I usually use for the 380, it was mainly due to convenience as to their location to my work but I will give this guy a go while I'm at home during the school holidays.

A quick search shows I can get four Bilsteins, for my Falcon again, for $970, so I think they are cheaper than KYB for the 380! Now I'm wondering how much the Koni shocks would be, and the part number needed.

Are the Koni units red or yellow?

I didn't realise Bilsteins made shocks for 380s? Or are they custom units?

I recall my dad had Bilsteins on his Holden Jackaroo once upon a time and complained that they were very firm.

I didn't realise Bilsteins made shocks for 380s? Or are they custom units?

I recall my dad had Bilsteins on his Holden Jackaroo once upon a time and complained that they were very firm.

Red,

Nup, not Bilsteins for a 380 but Bilsteins for a Foulcan, read genebaby's post again!

I am interested in Koni shock prices to suit standard VRX springs.

gene,

See post #6 in this thread, where Mal advised that the Koni's have to be specially made and they cost a bomb.
Coilovers may be the better way to go.

Thanks, I am just wondering on the price for the specially made Konis.

I forgot about the coilovers, do they work with standard ride height?

A quick search shows I can get four Bilsteins, for my Falcon again, for $970

Shoot - may just as well say $250 per + fitting! That's a huge price IMO - I know they were for a Ford - but WOW!

Steve

Thanks, I am just wondering on the price for the specially made Konis.

I forgot about the coilovers, do they work with standard ride height?

They do but theyll never be as soft as regular springs.

I don't mind it being a little harsher, just not none rattling where only the smoothest surface is fun.

It's the family car so needs to be comfortable, which the stock system is, while obviously not being track ready, lol.

One drawback it seems to having a good bit orphaned car is things aftermarket can cost more due to volume, and be limited in choice.

I am used to having Falcons where parts are plentiful to choose from.

Never mind, we'll get there.

Forgot to report back. Clunk is gone, it was some kind of pin that was loose. It all looked fine to me when I had a look under there bit I guess I wasn't as thorough. They replaced the sway bar bush as I already had it there.

Still gotta price the Koni's as considering the cost of other springs they may not be too much more, though I'll keep the standard ones for a bit longer, they seem to be doing fine.

We do Koni but are very expensive as are custom made

Price per shock?