WhiteAWD returns with another whiteAWD plus 380swap

[whiteawd]

I'm not a young man, and probably emblematic of the Magna driving caricature. As I look back my big regret was trading my AWD for a VZ Monaro, it was a fine car but wrecked by coilovers, from a suspension company known for getting things wrong. The ride was so awful on the Monaro it was replaced by an HSV with magnetic ride control shocks. Being a VF, I have been looking to use a more practical vehicle to slightly reduce wear on the HSV. While my parents corolla is very sweet for this task. The thought of returning to a Magna AWD was very compelling. I also can keep the same Avatar.

While I've been away from this forum. Mal has obviously become the "go to" man about a 380 swap. He incidentally had a white AWD, with a non running engine. Too busy these days to turn spanners and make mistakes, so pretty much everything about the car, will be by Mal.

Having had quite a few other rides, I'm very happy to be back, in Magna AWD land, but with the engine the AWD always needed.

[leadfoot6]

What model is your AWD Magna?

Other than the 380 conversion, any other mods?

[whiteawd]

White base TL as last time, basic ES, Cams, headers, free flow exhaust, Dobinsons low+Koni. Leather interior. VRX Bars Fr + rear, Mitsubishi 17 inch wheels (380) cheap and kerbed, good radials.

[leadfoot6]

What sort of Koni on the front Red or Yellow?

What are your thoughts about them?

[whiteawd]

I Meant an AWD does NOT need too much stiffening to handle well....

[Luushen]

good choice

[whiteawd]

Koni yellows. Starting softest settings. With the Dobinons low, I suspect it will all be firmer. My last AWD was stock/springs as it was in its first 0-90000 km. KMAC rear bar, the debated strut brace. I'm not a fan of too firm, especially after bad coilovers. I think the AWD is an amazing handler and does need stiffening, or ultra low profile tyres for my purposes. I do think it always needed a bit more grunt.

[whiteawd]

Mal of course has a treasure trove of logical items to repair, use for preventative care, or just buy for preference. The parts availability and his specialist knowledge/interest means anything logical in stock will be fitted rather than tracked down elsewhere. Of course I wish I just kept my low km AWD, but hopefully with the 380 and mods this will be a great sleeper.

[whiteawd]

Finally picked up my cheque book engineered 380 engine in White AWD from Mal. Was driven Bayswater to Newcastle on work straight out of the shop (11 plus hours). Fault free drive. One wheel/tyre kerbed in Newcastle, so realigned. Very different to my last stock AWD, I will be game and call it a sports sedan and sleeper.

[whiteawd]

Posted elsewhere but big relief to sail through inspection and rego in ACT with 3.8. Preceded by NRMA comprehensive insurance with disclosure of 3.8.