Hello all and sundry,

I am not big on mods
(partly because I am sort of useless around anything mechanical and cost)
But I keep getting asked by people why I/we mod our cars?

I won't mod after I did the Corolla back in the day, because more important things have come into my life (ie My Joey)
but I did it because I could and I wanted something different (it is also a friggin weapon through the NASHO!)
The 380 is my tourer, comfort and class were the 2 things it had to have it and its got it (except the black marble)

I love the work everyone has done with their 380 to make them unique

only things I have/will mod on my 380 is, I have changed the globes to LEDs and Xenons(except low beam OMFG the bar may be off today to just install 2 globes) , I am looking to do the rims, remove the black marble accents, rear muffler and add a transmission cooler but apart from that I really dont see the need to go further ATM to such a well built solid car

But what are your reasons for modding your 380

I just want to see it from a different POV

The way the car was setup annoyed me a bit where it really felt stifled from 4000rpm, particularly compared to the 3.5 litre I had previously. So I tried the exhaust change after talking to my dealer and the exhaust shop. Never looked back from there.

I did it because everyone on here told me to do it, plus the mods were cheap.

Couple of things I regret:
K&N - I havent felt any difference since I put it in, and since doing it, all the threads on here about it seem to indicate no real gains (apart from not having to replace it) but possible problems including fouling up some sensors and stuff. I think I'd rather have spent the cash on getting it detailed.
Muffler - I dont like the Lukey. It's too loud inside the car, and to be honest, I havent felt much difference with it on either. I'm 100% sure that it is better for the engine, but I'll definitely be going for the Berklee at some point. I may just buy it as stock from somewhere and get it fitted locally down South.

One thing I dont regret - the 90mm intake. The difference that thing made was incredible, and at $80 it was the cheapest thing I've done too. The throttle response is now magic and made me realise how sluggish the 380 was before it. I didnt notice it at first though because I'd been used to driving a 1.3l Barina, and a 1.8l Lancer. So I thought the 380 was awesome anyway. Only after I did the 90mm did I realise how sluggish it was and how AWESOME it is now!!

There are a few other things I'd love to do to it too, but they are either too expensive or a bit fiddly, so I dont have the guts unless someone does a full write up and "how to" including lots of photos:
LEDs and Xenons for parking lights, mains and high beams (although the high beam on the 380 is already unbelievably bright)
VRX headlights (too expensive)
Bigger rims/smaller tyres (too expensive)
Lowered (only a bit, I regularly go places where I'd scrape if I went too low, and it's also quite pricey)

Cheers

J

J LEDs on ebay US is so much cheaper they still come from HK but I got heaps for 20 bucks inc postage

The 90mm is BY FAR THE easiest and best mod for gains Hands down

You lost me already. For mods like LED's or bulbs and whatever, I really need to be spoonfed with the information. i.e. "you need to buy these LED's here (http://ebay.whatever...) and you install them by doing this xxxxxx (include photos here)"

hehe

Cheers

J

Well I've ordered LEDs for the interior lights, number plate lights and parker lights. They are coming from HK so may be a week or so. I'll take a few pics as I do it and do a little write up for you all.

I previously did my high & low beams. Lows were first ones, I just got Calibre Xenons from Supercrap. Then I got Philips BlueVision for high beams. I just got some 4750k Xenons from Ebay for fogs, they are quite bluish and now my main lights look yellowish again!! So now I am going replace my low & highs again with the same 4750k bulbs!

To get back on-topic:

I have done Reverse Sensors, K&N, 90mm Intake, and lights as above. To do; exhaust & tint.

I also would prefer the look and handling of lowering it, but I have already scraped the bottom of my front bar enough already. Seriously, some car park designers need to be shot.

Reasons I have modded: Reverse sensors cause I was sick of having NFI how much room I have at the back. IMO it has really poor rear visibility especially with spoiler. After backing into things twice (thank god for plastic bumpers) I had had enough. I got the genuine mitsu ones of ebay (score!) and self install.

As for the other mods, I wanted to improve performance and looks on a budget without straying from the 'stock look'.

Why mod? Well i'm a bit of a fiddler! have been for the past 25yrs(with cars anyway) can't help myself.Wasn't planning on doing anything to the 380 but a work place accident has seen me off work for a bit and not fit enough to play with my usual toys.Got bored basically and ran into this forum surf'n in the wee hours of the morning whilst watching NASCAR.After a read of the forum and seeing how well the 380 responds to a tickle or two i thought why not! Its all good at the end of the day and its kept me from going nuts!.:woot:

havent done alot yet, but i always wanted a 380, but i didnt want to blend into the background. plus someone has to fly the 4th gen flag in WA!
also, dont really have many hobbies so gives me something to spend my dosh on...

For me, its in my blood. Part of the deal (with the boss) in getting a new car was no more spending money on cars, and a new one shouldn't need anything changed. So for a year or so, it stayed stock. But the more I read of these cheap mods I was getting itchy feet for some modding again. First was the muffler, then intake, then springs, then rims - and that's all (at least for now). Modding, if planned right and researched (which these forums are invaluable for) is a lot of fun. And then you have a car that's different to all the other stockers on the road. That's what really really got to me, driving a stock 380 around on 16s... looking the same as everyone else. It was driving me nuts! Well, that's my story anyway.

J LEDs on ebay US is so much cheaper they still come from HK but I got heaps for 20 bucks inc postage

The 90mm is BY FAR THE easiest and best mod for gains Hands down

Can you tell me what you mean by the 90mm intake and whether it will apply to a dual fuel version

Can you tell me what you mean by the 90mm intake and whether it will apply to a dual fuel version
Read this: http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56400

The 90mm is BY FAR THE easiest and best mod for gains Hands down

It's the easiest but it doesn't reap the gains that a straight thru exhaust system does.

very true Knotched

but if I can do it and get some gains It is worth the money and at 80 bucks one of the cheapest

J there is a walk through I used in this thread http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68997

I will get the list of seller off ebay later for you too

Thanks mate

I modded my car cos it had some very 90's, 1995 styling so I updated the things I could to make it look a bit more modern.

I want uniqueness, BTW, Mecha, can we work something out where I get your Black Marble Please...... Been hunting for ages. Would really suit my after market d/din stereo.

I did it because everyone on here told me to do it, plus the mods were cheap.


VRX headlights (too expensive)

J
I thought the VRX had the same headlights as every other 380. I may have to check that one out. What is the difference?

I thought the VRX had the same headlights as every other 380. I may have to check that one out. What is the difference?

VRX/GT headlights are tinted and the others are not tinted

VRX/GT headlights are tinted and the others are not tinted
Serious eh? Sunnies for headlights lol.

Serious eh? Sunnies for headlights lol.

Not soo much tinted but the headlights are darker on the VRX/GT models than the others...if that makes sense.

http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2006/07/31/31mits1M_m.jpg

http://www.zcars.com.au/images/mitsubishi-380-vrx.jpg

Well I am doing the mods to chase efficiency/economy/safety. The first thing that I have done was open the resonance chamber that comes out of the bottom of the airbox. If you havent done this it is highly recommended and doesnt cost anything but time (1 hour should do you easily).
I have also done the 90mm intake. As previously stated by all, this is a very easy and safe mod with excellent results.
I have changed the air filter that was on the car when I bought it with a standard one. Seeing they cost around $30 I have bought some K and N filters from the US. Now alot of people rave about them and some people poo poo them. Having done a fair amount of research into them I have not found any empirical evidence to say that they contribute to adverse engine wear. Plus you wont have to change your filter again. I will let you what this cynical bugger thinks of them when I have had mine on for a while.
After the K and N has been on a while I am going to get a chambered sports muffler for the rear. It wont be as easy breathing as the straight through but I am after a compromise between strangulation of the motor and deafening noise. The one recommended to me is a redback. Again I will let you know about that.
Tyres, good and sticky is the only way, heres some more reading. http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1092933&posted=1#post1092933
Brakes. If the rotors mic up this time around I will just go to upgraded pads. If not I will replace the rotors with slotted ones and the upgraded pads. There is a thread on that too.
All in all with this you get a much better package than the original at not too much more. I tend to upgrade things as they wear out, except for the muffler. I have shown a marked improvement in economy so far with the mods. The only other thing I would consider would be a piggy back ECU tuned for more economy.

Not soo much tinted but the headlights are darker on the VRX/GT models than the others...if that makes sense.
I will have to have a look at them. Thinking of upgrading the headlights too. What do they run in globes? H3's H1's?

^ just above there. that's the difference

^ just above there. that's the difference

Yep, SX in Blue vs VRX in Red.

Bit of a joke really. That's why I did my own VRX paint mod :ninja:

Even thought about guards being extended but that would just mean I'd have to get gigantic wheels to fill them.

Yep, SX in Blue vs VRX in Red.

Bit of a joke really. That's why I did my own VRX paint mod :ninja:

Even thought about guards being extended but that would just mean I'd have to get gigantic wheels to fill them.

Not much visual difference between standard and VRX for the $$$ eh?

I will have to have a look at them. Thinking of upgrading the headlights too. What do they run in globes? H3's H1's?

Headlights: H4
High Beams: H7
Fog Lamps: H11
Parkers & Number Plate: W5W Wedge Bulbs

Well I've ordered LEDs for the interior lights, number plate lights and parker lights. They are coming from HK so may be a week or so. I'll take a few pics as I do it and do a little write up for you all.

Delivered!

So I don't hijack this thread, see: http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1100197#post1100197

Headlights: H4
High Beams: H7
Fog Lamps: H11
Parkers & Number Plate: W5W Wedge Bulbs
Many thanks! I havent thought of doing the parkers and number plate lights. Do you reckon the effect is worthwhile for the $$? In the other thread you said you couldnt get the led's to fit the parkers. Any joy with this yet?

Many thanks! I havent thought of doing the parkers and number plate lights. Have you done them? What is the difference in looks? Do you reckon the effect is worthwhile for the $$?

I just did the number plate lights tonight. See the link in my post above. I actually parked my car alongside another 380 mate with std number plate lights (i wish i got a pic) and his looked disgustingly yellow next to mine. The parkers; I have put blue LEDs in for a very short time. They looked cool but I realised it was illegal and tuned my car into a cop magnet so took them out again. I am currently trying to get some white LEDs that suit. Unfortunaly the ones I received today don't fit. If you are replacing your headlights to make them 'whiter', then it's definately worth doing.

Oh and the LEDs are worth like $10 delivered off ebay a pair. So yeh worth the $ even if you're not sure you'll keep em.

I just did the number plate lights tonight. See the link in my post above. I actually parked my car alongside another 380 mate with std number plate lights (i wish i got a pic) and his looked disgustingly yellow next to mine. The parkers; I have put blue LEDs in for a very short time. They looked cool but I realised it was illegal and tuned my car into a cop magnet so took them out again. I am currently trying to get some white LEDs that suit. Unfortunaly the ones I received today don't fit. If you are replacing your headlights to make them 'whiter', then it's definately worth doing.

Oh and the LEDs are worth like $10 delivered off ebay a pair. So yeh worth the $ even if you're not sure you'll keep em.

Yeah the blue lights anywhere on a car will get you into strife from the boys in blue. In NSW you can only have amber and white lights showing from the front and amber white and red at the rear.

Dj these are the Led parkers I have on mine

They are so wicked http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1-PAIR-T10-DOME-WEDGE-LED-PARKERS-IN-HID-6000K-LOOK-ETC_W0QQitemZ310159497220QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Car _Parts_Accessories?hash=item4836f25804&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

Thanks mecha! Bought!

Grrr I got the mod BUG back