Hi all. Now that my intake is on, it's time to order the next goodies. Will be ordering K&N and lowering springs.
What I would like, if possible, is for side-on comparison shots of a stock 380 vs king lows vs king superlows.

Thinking of going just the lows, but would like to see the comparison from stock (stock VRX if possible as that's what I have).

Cheers!

I'm guessing any model pic should help you here (I'm sure all models have the same springs and height but maybe different shocks). I probably can't help you, as I have Lows AND Super-Lows (Lows rear, Super-Lows front) fitted to mine. The reason being 380s (like Magnas) sit much higher in the front than rear - and now my car sits exactly the same front and back. It doesn't looked slammed - but it is noticeably lower (my mechanic said any lower and it will not get onto the hoist) and feels less floaty now when driving.

Not sure if this is what you want but anyway, lows on the rear, superlow front. You will notice the front still sits higher. The rear tyres scrubbed so I have since had a 15mm spacer inserted at the back which fixed the problem.

Not sure if this is what you want but anyway, lows on the rear, superlow front. You will notice the front still sits higher. The rear tyres scrubbed so I have since had a 15mm spacer inserted at the back which fixed the problem.

Yeah, that's what I'm looking for, are they Kings?

Also, that rim/tyre combo, what sizes are they, and is the total rolling diameter different from stock? Just need to know cos for the moment I'm leaving stock rims and tyre size on so will be handy to know if that's gonna scrub on the rear too.

This is my old VRX with Kings S/L springs at both ends. One thing to remember is that i has bad issues with coil clash with the King springs. There is a plastic isolating tape that they can fit to eliminate this noise. I think it may be a Kings problem due to the way they wind the spring. Also, even with the 19's i didnt have an issue with tyre scrubbing.


http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff320/davepax982/IMG_0308.jpg

Yeah, that's what I'm looking for, are they Kings?

Also, that rim/tyre combo, what sizes are they, and is the total rolling diameter different from stock? Just need to know cos for the moment I'm leaving stock rims and tyre size on so will be handy to know if that's gonna scrub on the rear too.
I believe Blue 380's are Kings. He recommended that setup (of Ls & S/Ls), so I did it too and can definately recommend it for appearance and feel.
Here's a pic of mine (not a great pic & too shadowy) but should show the difference.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh10/grubco/26012008805.jpg

Yeah, that's what I'm looking for, are they Kings?

Also, that rim/tyre combo, what sizes are they, and is the total rolling diameter different from stock? Just need to know cos for the moment I'm leaving stock rims and tyre size on so will be handy to know if that's gonna scrub on the rear too.
Yeah, they are Kings and fortunately I didnt have the problem Type 40 had with coil clash. The wheels are 19" and the tyres are 245/40. From memory, the rolling diameter was a few mm larger than standard. Its unlikely you will have scrubbing problems with the standard wheels/tyres. I think my problems were a combination of 35mm offset wheels, 245/40 tyres & being lowered. I had the guards rolled but it was actually the plastic guard inside the rear wheel arch that was hitting the tyre when I went over speed humps etc.

Looks good, could you replace that with a pic on level ground.

Looks good, could you replace that with a pic on level ground.
This is the closest I've got to level ground.

I have pedders lowered in mine .... you can get a better idea of the look if you look in the " post your ride " theres bigger pics in there

the rears are custom pedders as i carry weight in the boot and sit slightly higher than the std pedders ... but i have a set of pedders rears a week old if anyone is interested

and i had no issues with scrubbing with the TMR380 rims either

So i guess the next question is have your insurance companies given you any grief for the lowering mods?

After the intake mods im waiting for this is deffinatley next cab off the rank!

Does anybody find their lowered 380 bouncy over road imperfections? I am wooried for my partner driving it!

So i guess the next question is have your insurance companies given you any grief for the lowering mods?

After the intake mods im waiting for this is deffinatley next cab off the rank!

Does anybody find their lowered 380 bouncy over road imperfections? I am wooried for my partner driving it!
I didn't tell my insurance about the lowering, though as long as the height and methods (of the lowering) are legal, there shouldn't be any dramas. Same as the intake/muffler mods... no need to tell insurance about them either. I didn't tell the dealer either, and when last service was done, no comment was made about any of my mods. They either didn't notice, or did notice but didn't care.
As for bouncy driving, I found my 380 was very floaty when standard (which I didn't like) - after lowering it is much firmer now, but not bouncy. I much prefer the ride and feel of it now.

I'm getting custom KMAC springs now. Just sorting out what drop I want.

DO the Vrx have different suspension geometry to the base model mine feels a little firmer than non vrx i have driven but i am biased!!!!

I have an LX and I am wondering if any1 has lowered one of these yet?

Luxury rides always feel a little spongy and high of the ground, has any1 else noticed this.

With the firmness of the ride alot of this will be in the tyres if you have a stock 380 you will have steel radial with 55+ sized side wall, vrx has 17" with 45 or 55 sidewall this makes a huge difference in the firmness of the ride and road noise etc.

DO the Vrx have different suspension geometry to the base model mine feels a little firmer than non vrx i have driven but i am biased!!!!

Yes, absolutely.

The GT/VRX/SX/Platinum have sports suspension with firmer spring rates and shocks. Ride height is the same.

There is quite a difference I discovered when I test drove the 380 before I purchased.

Keep it mind when you are deliberating about lowering because for me, the VRX is firm enuff. lowering will make it firmer and more jiggly (as willl lower profile tyres; jiggly that is).

Yes, absolutely.
lowering will make it firmer and more jiggly (as willl lower profile tyres; jiggly that is).
Jiggly is good! I love the way my car drives & handles, it's just a great alrounder now with the power increase.

Well, when my two year old is your kids' ages, I'll lower it and fit extractors. In the meantime it'll have to stay a bit softer. :cool:

Well, when my two year old is your kids' ages, I'll lower it and fit extractors. In the meantime it'll have to stay a bit softer. :cool:

My daughter is 22months and she LOVED going in my magna which was far from a soft ride with lowering and dodgy shocks. We even took it to melbourne and back with no problems.

Yes, absolutely.

The GT/VRX/SX/Platinum have sports suspension with firmer spring rates and shocks. Ride height is the same.

There is quite a difference I discovered when I test drove the 380 before I purchased.

Keep it mind when you are deliberating about lowering because for me, the VRX is firm enuff. lowering will make it firmer and more jiggly (as willl lower profile tyres; jiggly that is).
Jiggly is one way to describe it, very firm would be another....I have to be honest and say when lowered, the ride is a little too firm for my liking. However, it is a small sacrifice to make considering it drastically improves the appearance of the vehicle. Funnily enough, it doesnt seem to bother my wife & young boys as much as it does me.

I love it! Can really feel the road now, but then again you guys all have the VRX-spec shocks.

Hmm...... you guys really do make me feel young :shhhh: Ive only just come off my P's so the children factory is yet to bother me

Hmm...... you guys really do make me feel young :shhhh: Ive only just come off my P's so the children factory is yet to bother me
Wait til someone takes seriously what you poke at them in fun.......




Then all your problems will be little ones...................:D

And then they grow into teenagers and get P's and the ball starts rolling again
Darn kids wish they stayed young

Have ordered my springs. Going for KMAC Custom springs, 50mm front 35mm rear.

I love it! Can really feel the road now, but then again you guys all have the VRX-spec shocks.

Does your LS come with a front tower Strut Brace?

Listen up, you too auspest, the 380 factory brace is....... less than.....








............................................$20.00 ......................................

Uhuh. Yeah........... What are ya waiting for............

Does your LS come with a front tower Strut Brace?

Listen up, you too auspest, the 380 factory brace is....... less than.....








............................................$20.00 ......................................

Uhuh. Yeah........... What are ya waiting for............
No I don't have one. I think only the VRXs had them, but for that price everyone should have one!

No I don't have one. I think only the VRXs had them, but for that price everyone should have one!


These are standard on LX's:D

The brace is standard on all cars with factory fit 17 inch wheels, such as SX, VRX and GT

The brace is standard on all cars with factory fit 17 inch wheels, such as SX, VRX and GT
Oh. Mine's a base model tarted up with some extras (and badged Limited Edition), and only got 16s (from the LX).
Normally I wouldn't have bothered with the brace, but if only $20 - or less - I'll check it out next time I go to dealer.

Oh. Mine's a base model tarted up with some extras (and badged Limited Edition), and only got 16s (from the LX).
Normally I wouldn't have bothered with the brace, but if only $20 - or less - I'll check it out next time I go to dealer.


Th LX has 17's from factory - hence the strut brace....

Does your LS come with a front tower Strut Brace?

Listen up, you too auspest, the 380 factory brace is....... less than.....

............................................$20.00 ......................................

Uhuh. Yeah........... What are ya waiting for............


Call me Stupid but its there for??????
$20.00 another cheap mod if it is useful

Takes flex out of the front end and adds chassis stability and ensures better road contact through corners.