Well, its coming to that time.....

I have had my 380 for a couple of months now, and absolutely loving it...

But it has come time to do some sensible mods.....(LOL, thats what I tell the GF)

I have been waiting to do any mods until after I put it in for warranty, just to be sure, as it is running out of time and will be the last warranty service it ever gets, :(

That said, as soon as it is done I am going the whole hog, as far as cheap mods go....

90mm intake, rubber strip, lower resonator and exhaust.

I am thinking of getting them all done the same weekend.

Not planning on doing much else, no extractors, nothing to expensive.

The only real thing I want after this is the coil overs. As the GF is now aware, on such a heavy car you really need to replace the whole suspension setup after 100k anyway. :gfight:

So now the questions...

Ok, so that all out there, I think I need to come to a meet again and hear some of the exhausts out there, also would like to take for a drive if possible, as I don't want something to loud that will hurt my old ears.

I was hoping someone with a 380 could take mine for a drive too, as there is a knocking feel in the steering, only seems to happen in the first few minutes of driving and only at low speeds, like over a speed hump or small bump. Maybe just paranoid, you know what its like with ya new baby.

Oh, and one more thing, i would love that chrome grille I saw on here, cant find it now, apparently a limited edition or something, who do I have to kill to get me one of them?

Well, its coming to that time.....

I have had my 380 for a couple of months now, and absolutely loving it...

But it has come time to do some sensible mods.....(LOL, thats what I tell the GF)

I have been waiting to do any mods until after I put it in for warranty, just to be sure, as it is running out of time and will be the last warranty service it ever gets, :(

That said, as soon as it is done I am going the whole hog, as far as cheap mods go....

90mm intake, rubber strip, lower resonator and exhaust.

I am thinking of getting them all done the same weekend.

Not planning on doing much else, no extractors, nothing to expensive.

The only real thing I want after this is the coil overs. As the GF is now aware, on such a heavy car you really need to replace the whole suspension setup after 100k anyway. :gfight:

So now the questions...

Ok, so that all out there, I think I need to come to a meet again and hear some of the exhausts out there, also would like to take for a drive if possible, as I don't want something to loud that will hurt my old ears.

I was hoping someone with a 380 could take mine for a drive too, as there is a knocking feel in the steering, only seems to happen in the first few minutes of driving and only at low speeds, like over a speed hump or small bump. Maybe just paranoid, you know what its like with ya new baby.

Oh, and one more thing, i would love that chrome grille I saw on here, cant find it now, apparently a limited edition or something, who do I have to kill to get me one of them?

First, the exhaust. Best bet value for money is the Berklee BS0655. Good sound, not too loud & no drone. Around $200 - $250 fitted. You can try Powerflow or Magnaflow as well but they are more expensive and generally louder & a bit droney.

Second, knocking noise in the steering. Strong chance it's your front sway bar bushes have given up the ghost, common issue on 380s that have done a few ks. New ones are cheap from your mitsu dealer, about $6 each IIRC. Fitting is a bit of a problem, the bolts aren't easy to get at and you really need to do it with the car on a hoist & sitting on the wheels. Best to take it to your local mechanic or exhaust shop, shouldn't cost any more than $30 or $40 labour.

Sorry, can't help with the chrome grille!

KJ.

Second, knocking noise in the steering. Strong chance it's your front sway bar bushes have given up the ghost, common issue on 380s that have done a few ks. New ones are cheap from your mitsu dealer, about $6 each IIRC. Fitting is a bit of a problem, the bolts aren't easy to get at and you really need to do it with the car on a hoist & sitting on the wheels. Best to take it to your local mechanic or exhaust shop, shouldn't cost any more than $30 or $40 labour.

Sorry, can't help with the chrome grille!

KJ.

Awesome, that sounds promising, was hoping it wouldn't be a fortune to fix.

As for the Berkley, had almost already made up my mind on that one, was just powering through all the posts....

Looking forward to it, taking my car in on the 27th.

Just trying to find everything that is wrong with it that is covered under warranty before I get it in there.

Was wondering, if they fix say the leaking (misting) headlights, and then when it rains again in a few months, if they are still leaking, can i get them to replace again even tho out of warranty?

KJ's on the money with the front end knock, SuperPro now do poly bushes for the front swaybar which would be my choice. I have them & I believe Mecha put some in too.

nah waiting on the 90K service and getting my mech to do it

He is going to hate me

anything they replace under warranty is given a further 12 months warranty. So if they agree to change your head lights on the 27th you can get them replaced anytime from the fitting date to 12 months after. I reminded my dealer of this and he shook his head and said looking forward to seeing you soon, to which i turned around winked and said you betcha.

Thanks for all the info....

As for the bushes, I will definitely get those done asap too, with the superpro poly bushes. While I am at it, is it worth getting a new sway bar to replace the current one? I haven't seen much on the forums about front swaybars for 380 so wasn't sure if I should bother, or if its an expensive process.

front swaybar is not necessary to change..
with the front wheel drive , the rear swaybar is the crucial one..

front swaybar is not necessary to change..
with the front wheel drive , the rear swaybar is the crucial one..

Agree with Brad, little to be gained by replacing the front sway bar.

But a front strut brace is well worth adding, you should be able to score one for around $20 from a wrecker or even a Mitsu dealer.

But then again if you've got a GT or VRX or maybe even an SX you should already have one.

I was going to get a bigger front swaybar made but in all honesty it doesn't need it if you lower the car & put the rear one on. Besides having to pull half the front end out of the car to get it in I wouldn't bother. The rear one bolts up super easily.

Excellent!!!

I have just booked in for warranty service on the 27th, now just about to book in for the Berklee BS0655 and doing the 90mm intake and lower intake mod same weekend.

Anyone know a good mechanic on the lower north shore that can do the Berklee for a good price? Even around the Randwick area, as I basically live there now anyways....

Excellent!!!

I have just booked in for warranty service on the 27th, now just about to book in for the Berklee BS0655 and doing the 90mm intake and lower intake mod same weekend.

Anyone know a good mechanic on the lower north shore that can do the Berklee for a good price? Even around the Randwick area, as I basically live there now anyways....

Just make sure to ask the muffler installer to remove the back flange completely. If you have a look you can see that it narrows alot at the flange, i think not removing this makes the muffler mod a bit pointless.

Ok, got the berklee part number, doing as much as possible this weekend....

Did anyone have a suggestion that's not to far from city for a quick and cheap install?

Just want to check also, the berklee, its not like HOON volume is it? Not looking for a real lound one, just one thats good and grunty, but performance is more of a factor that LOUDNESS!

Ok, got the berklee part number, doing as much as possible this weekend....

Did anyone have a suggestion that's not to far from city for a quick and cheap install?

Just want to check also, the berklee, its not like HOON volume is it? Not looking for a real lound one, just one thats good and grunty, but performance is more of a factor that LOUDNESS!

Its perfect for what you are after :happy:

Ok, got the berklee part number, doing as much as possible this weekend....

Did anyone have a suggestion that's not to far from city for a quick and cheap install?

Just want to check also, the berklee, its not like HOON volume is it? Not looking for a real lound one, just one thats good and grunty, but performance is more of a factor that LOUDNESS!

Don't worry, the Berklee is not at all 'hoon loud'. It is specifically designed for the 380, to be a true straight through (for performance) yet not too loud and no drone.

Edit - gotta learn to type faster, beaten to it by Braedz (who just happens to have my old Berklee BS0655).

KJ's on the money with the front end knock, SuperPro now do poly bushes for the front swaybar which would be my choice. I have them & I believe Mecha put some in too.

Thanks Fooz.

Do you have a part number for these? I am about to grab some, was hoping to get the Berklee and the Bushes done same day, if possible.

Shouldnt the swaybar bushes be covered under warranty? Mine are getting replaced under warranty.

Shouldnt the swaybar bushes be covered under warranty? Mine are getting replaced under warranty.

WTF?

Really, I thought I read that was counted as general wear and tear...

Shouldnt the swaybar bushes be covered under warranty? Mine are getting replaced under warranty.

Dunno but why put rubber ones back in that will wear out again when you can have poly?


Thanks Fooz.

Do you have a part number for these? I am about to grab some, was hoping to get the Berklee and the Bushes done same day, if possible.

Fulcrum Suspensions SPF3078-23K

Excellent, thanks again.

I am about to book in for berklee at Tuffy Toned, anyone had any experience with them?

Edit: they dont stock berklee, tried to talk me out of getting a berklee, said they are all the same, lol

Re-edit: Midas just tried to talk me out of berklee too!!!!

Can anyone reccommend a good exhaust shop that will do a good job and WITH the parts that I request/suggest to them????

Mate,

Funny you should mention Midas.
In my ignorance I went to them to see about a decent straight through muffler, and after about an hour of browsing through several catalogues the bloke recommended the Berklee BS0655. Fair enough, good call, but it showed that he knew nothing about aftermarket mufflers for a 380, otherwise he would have recommended the Berklee straight away. Then they stuffed me about something shocking to fit it, carried on about it being a 'difficult' job, and sent me to a different Midas shop because they didn't have the right pipe bending machine. Ended up taking all day & costing me far more in labour than it should have.
When I later took my car to my current exhaust bloke (recommended to me by a work colleague) he commented on what a shithouse job had been done of the Berklee install.
Moral of the story - don't use Midas.
My current exhaust bloke is great, and he owns a Carline Mufflers franchise. So I recommend you give Carline a call, should be one near you.
Of course all 'big chain' exhaust shops these days are franchises so you take pot luck about the knowledge & experience of the operator, just letting you know about my experience.

Cool, there is a Carline in Gladesville. Will have to give them a try. Hopefully can get in tomorrow, Saturday is prbably out of the question, as they are surely busy and would need to order the parts anyway....

May I ask why you HAVE to use a berklee muffler? Whats wrong with a redback straight through? Why does it 100% need to be that brand...curious...

;1320749']May I ask why you HAVE to use a berklee muffler? Whats wrong with a redback straight through? Why does it 100% need to be that brand...curious...

Because the Berklee BS0655 was designed specifically for the 380, and it is the best true straight through muffler you can get for a 380 at the price.

You can get a Redback but it will cost more, and if it's a true straight through it will very likely drone, and if it doesn't drone it almost certainly is not a true straight through.

First, the exhaust. Best bet value for money is the Berklee BS0655. Good sound, not too loud & no drone. Around $200 - $250 fitted. You can try Powerflow or Magnaflow as well but they are more expensive and generally louder & a bit droney.

KJ.

$190 fitted for my powerflow!!! lol

$190 fitted for my powerflow!!! lol


AWW man. Dont confuse me again.

I heard the berklee wasnt to loud, but gave quite good gains.

Are we going to start the debate again? Or should I just go for the Berklee?

How loud is the powerflow? Does it drone?

Just called Carline, about $220 installed. Although he did ask questions that I wasnt sure of, over axle? Was it a bolt on, which I found out its not, its universal....

Anything else I should know before I call them back?

AWW man. Dont confuse me again.

I heard the berklee wasnt to loud, but gave quite good gains.

Are we going to start the debate again? Or should I just go for the Berklee?

How loud is the powerflow? Does it drone?

Just called Carline, about $220 installed. Although he did ask questions that I wasnt sure of, over axle? Was it a bolt on, which I found out its not, its universal....

Anything else I should know before I call them back?

No no for what you want the Berklee is the go, I was just pointing out that the Powerflow isn't more expensive and considering its stainless steel its pretty good value lol

Having said that mine is a smaller muffler than the Berklee so for most people I would say it has a minuscule amount of drone, but drone nonetheless

AWW man. Dont confuse me again.

I heard the berklee wasnt to loud, but gave quite good gains.

Are we going to start the debate again? Or should I just go for the Berklee?

How loud is the powerflow? Does it drone?

Just called Carline, about $220 installed. Although he did ask questions that I wasnt sure of, over axle? Was it a bolt on, which I found out its not, its universal....

Anything else I should know before I call them back?

At that price it's most probably relatively small, and therefore too small to prevent drone. That's the secret with Mitsu 6G engines, you need to fit the physically biggest muffler you can to prevent drone. Ask them to give you it's measurements (all three, length x width x thickness), then compare them with the Berklee BS0655 measurements (20" x 10" x 6"). I'm guessing that a Powerflow of equivalent size, even if they make one, will be a fair bit more than $220 installed.

Beaten to it by Mikey, damn I gotta learn to type faster!

At that price it's most probably relatively small, and therefore too small to prevent drone. That's the secret with Mitsu 6G engines, you need to fit the physically biggest muffler you can to prevent drone. Ask them to give you it's measurements (all three, length x width x thickness), then compare them with the Berklee BS0655 measurements (20" x 10" x 6"). I'm guessing that a Powerflow of equivalent size, even if they make one, will be a fair bit more than $220 installed.

Yeah they do make the equivalent size to the Berklee, and I think I was quoted 250. If I had of known the muffler size was important with the 380's I would have probably bought the berklee. But depending what I do with the system in the future I might get the powerflow even if it is slightly more. I quite like the idea of a stainless steel muffler and poweflow are probably one of the cheapest in that regard

I had a Redback fitted as my second muffler as I was restricted for space on the passenger side and it droned so badly I replaced it with a powerflow the next day

I have a Powerflow highflow cat, Powerflow straight thru muffler, origional oval tip together with RPW supplied headers and 2 1/2" stainless exhaust supplied and fitted for $900 at Carline Fairy Meadow near Wollongong, 25 years in the buisiness, highly recommended, sweet sound, I have had many comments to that effect.

or you could take a punt like me, try something different and install a hooker aerochamber muffler... of course you'd also end up with something that sounds crap! I'll be swapping it for either a Berklee or Powerflow in the coming weeks.

The hooker actually sounds fairly quiet at idle, absolutely horn when giving it beans and very quiet when cruising, but absolutely shithouse under light to moderate load.

I was looking at the Hooker mufflers just today HMMMM

The hooker maxflow mufflers are just a typical straight through with fibreglass packing and apparently quieter, even though they flow more air. The areochambers don't have any packing at all, it's meant to cancel out sound through the "aerodynamically designed chamber", but it's basically a straight through muffler anyway. Two different exhaust guys questioned why i wanted to install it, but i picked it up cheap and thought I'd try it out.

I did notice a small but definite improvement at mid to high revs judging by the seat-of-pants-o-meter, doesn't seem so strangled up top. Just a shame that cruising around town, it sounds like either a four-pot or straight six (and not a nice sounding one), especially since the auto 380's like to drop into 4th and 5th so early and have the torque to hold it up moderate inclines. I need to be giving it some herbs now to still get a typical v-engine burble, at which point it sounds fantastic, just can't put up with it the other 95% of the time.

I kept the original muffler too, and the inlet pipe (after the flange) actually measures 53mm diameter where it enters the muffler, so closer to 2" than 2.5". It appears even smaller than the narrowing on the engine side of the flange, which looks maybe closer to 2.25". That inlet into the original muffler must be a decent constriction for sure...

When I owned my JZX100 Toyota Chaser I had a Fujitsubo exhaust fitted . Came over like that from Japan. It was absolutely fantastic it burbled and spat and roared when under the hammer.
Wonder if it is possible to modify a 2nd hand unit to fit the 380 ?

http://www.nengun.com/fujitsubo/legalis-super-r

When I owned my JZX100 Toyota Chaser I had a Fujitsubo exhaust fitted . Came over like that from Japan. It was absolutely fantastic it burbled and spat and roared when under the hammer.
Wonder if it is possible to modify a 2nd hand unit to fit the 380 ?

http://www.nengun.com/fujitsubo/legalis-super-r

Mates legnum has one, only downside is you can't hear it over 3500RPM.

Haven't got around to changing the hooker muffler on my 380 yet, but I have noticed my fuel consumption has got worse. Of course, I'm also driving it like I stole it far more often just to hear it sounding good...

Every time I think about swapping to a Berklee, I seem to end up with a deserted road and a chance to give it a few beans... can't quite bring myself to lose that glorious roar at wot