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Post by tom400cfi on Nov 6, 2011 0:06:50 GMT -7
Hey guys! Thought I'd post what I've been up to, in my very limited spare time. Oh, and while I'm posting, I'll share with you that CAREER-wise, Telluride has been a good move; I've already been promoted twice and am now the Director of Slope Services; over Veh. Maint., Grooming, Snowmaking, and Summer Trails. So that is good. Meanwhile, back at Canyons, a chit-show is on going; my old boss hired a VM manager who is from car dealers; he knows nothing about snow cats, snowmobiles, diesel engines, hydrostatic drives...ect. Cats aren't done and opening is two weeks away. My old boss got demoted and now has the title that I do...but HE knows nothing about VM, grooming, or snowmaking. What a joke. So THAT is what I had to leave for?? Anyway...on to C4 stereo install tech... ;D I don't know that I broke any new ground here, or discovered anything new....however, when I did a few searches for C4 system installs, I didn't find what I was looking for. Specifically, *getting an amp power wire into the car w/o drilling anywhere *Installing a 12" sub in the storage tub. I have read about installing an 8 in that location...but no info on a 12 So here we go. I started by picking up power off the solenoid right behind the battery, then running the power wire to the rear fender area, through the rocker panel; With the drivers seat and carpet pulled back, you can see plugs in the floor. The one that I'm pointing at was the one I was going for, for my entry point; After getting the power wire run, I covered it in split loom, then installed a rubber grommet to protect the wire from the hole...the put in a dab of RTV to seal any gaps.Here is what it looks like, under the car...
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Post by tom400cfi on Nov 6, 2011 0:08:06 GMT -7
To install the amps, I REALLY wanted them to be "invisible"...I wanted the entire system to be invisible. I have had great success with that goal in other cars (F-bodies)...but the 'Vette is just too darn small. I tried: *Under the seats: Trimming the seat bottoms, carpet and sound deadening insulation, I could have fit them in...but wouldn't have been able to move the seat. (!) *In the storage bins: No usable room in the drivers side due to ABS and not enough room (for my amps) in the passengers side either. *Behind the seats: Yeah, amps fit, but you can't move the seats all teh way back then. In short, I decided that I wasn't going to be able to hide the amps so if visible, I wanted them to look nice. I also wanted to be able to use my cargo area for cargo...so putting them on the floor was out. I decided the rear wall was the place for them. CREDIT DUE HERE: Mark (Tachout) and I talked about this a long time ago, and the following idea is his. Thanks Mark! As with the amp power wire, I didn't want to drill anything, so I got a piece of wood, drilled and installed small hex head cap screws through it in the proper locations to act a studs to mount the amps. I epoxied the hex head cap screws to the board so they wouldn't spin on me, when snugging the nuts down. Then I put lines of RTV (as adhesive) on the peaks of the ribs on the back wall of the tub...then installed the board and braced it to allow the RTV to dry w/o pulling away. I used RTV because it will adhere well enough to do the job, but would scrape off if the car were to go back to stock. If you look close, you'll see the "studs" sticking out of the wood board: After the RTV dried, I test installed the two amps to assure that everything fit, looked decent and gave me the space I needed for wiring:Then I removed the amps, installed the sound deadening material, and re-installed the amps, this time, for good. Next was the wiring for the amps. Even though you won't be able to see any of it...I still wanted it to look nice: I had origianlly intended on installing the amps over the factory carpet too, as I didn't want to "molest" the carpet either...but I abandoned that idea for three reasons: 1. The carpet+sound deadening material added up to over 1.5", pushing the amps that additional 1.5" out into the cargo area. I didn't like that. 2. The original carpet's backing was already cracking. Carpet LOOKS fine, but it's 1/2 junk anyway...so it wasn't going to kill me to cut it. 3. I really didn't want to see wiring. Cutting the carpet and laying ot over the amps would allow me to conceal the wiring nicely...and it gave a nice, finished look...
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Post by tom400cfi on Nov 6, 2011 0:08:39 GMT -7
Next was the sub. Again, I want an "invisible" install here. I didn't want to be able to see it, so boxes were OUT. I wanted: 1. it in the storage hole, and 2. I wanted the OEM storage lid to be intact. The latter proved to be too much to ask (with my install skills and the 12" sub). I started off with a nice pice of wood, some careful measuring, then cut a hole in it, installed the sub in it, and added weather stripping to help it seal agains the flange around the storage bin:I installed the assembly and used the screw holes toward the front side of the bin, to secure the board/woofer assy. Still...no drilling! Still wanting to try to maintain a functional lid, I cut the "floor" of the lids assembly to fit around the 12" sub. The rear screws, retaining the lid assembly, helps secure the woofer board down as well; it's sandwiched between the lid assy, and tub floor with the factory screws. STILL, no drilling!:Unfortunately, since the lid is recessed, it hits the sub before it's fully closed. The lid had to go. I pulled the rod that is the hinge pivot and removed the lid. I installed a mesh grille over the sub to protect it, then disassembled the lid latch. I pulled the tin caps off the latch, and glued them to the latch housing. This gave me clearance under the latch housing (no latch protruding down to hit the woofer), and still maintains a box-stock appearance. I have over 1000 Watts RMS and a 12" sub in the rear of the car and what you can see of it looks classy, IMO. The cargo area is still totally functional, and I won't worry about laying items on the cargo floor. Speakers are Rear: JBL 2-way 6x9's and the 12" Pioneer sub. Front: JBL 2-way 4x6's Front: Infinity Reference 2-way 5-1/4" ALL in the stock front location HU: Mid 90's Alpine 7534s (my favorite) with a CHM620 changer under the driver's seat. Here is how the final product looks in the rear of the car...:thumbs:
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Post by tom400cfi on Nov 6, 2011 0:29:52 GMT -7
So how does it sound?? That is the question but my criteria were met; the install blends in with the car, my cargo area is still functional, and the sound? It's like an amusement park ride! ;D
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Post by Rudolph Schenker on Nov 6, 2011 8:43:34 GMT -7
Nice work Tom!
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Post by tachout on Nov 6, 2011 9:02:32 GMT -7
Looks outstanding Tom. Hope when I get around to putting my stereo in the convertible, I can take some of my leads from your post. Thank you for posting this up. I will not have near as much room as you due to the fact my top has to fold down in my cargo area, and with the top down I need to still try to get sound forward. My rear speakers stock location is right where you mounted your amps, so I will have to find a place for each item, and lay it out before I get to actually putting it all in. In my car, I am not as concerned with it being able to go back to stock, as the dash has already been modified a little, and the speaker system in the car is trash anyway. Once the stereo went in, did you have much trouble with buzz or drone from your sub in that box, or have a problem with air flow to the back side? With mine I am not going to have a 12, Just a 10" and a pair of Bass Shakers. I plan on a pair of used amps I already have, a cap, and crossover I already have. My rear speakers are the ones I took out of the coupe, as well as one of my apms. I am using the head unit out of the coupe as well, due to the fact that the head unit in the vert is junk. I am going with 4 small 4" upfront, 2 in the stock location, and going to try to put two others one either side of the tunnel. Then I plan on the head unit, and an XM Radio install, so I can swap my face into the Vert. Thoughts?
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Post by tom400cfi on Nov 6, 2011 10:44:33 GMT -7
Hey Mark, Thanks for the props and thanks again for the rear board idea! I don't have any issue with drone from the sub. At first start up, it was "boomy", but I was able to manage that w/the crossover and general "tuning" of the system. What do you mean by air flow to the back side? I think that you're referring to leakage? I'm sure there is some but it would be all restricted to the fender well side; where the board "seals" against the carpet. There is no leakage around the front, drivers side or rear, as the weather stripping seals well. When I have turned it up and held my hand near the board to pass. side carpet I haven't been able to feel any ariflow there. I'm sure there is some but I don't think that it is meaningful. My thoughts on your car are: Can you mount amps in the top storage area? Under or behind the top? For the front speakers, I'd recommend installing the largest speakers that you can fit, reasonably. Getting a front sound stage from "down in that (C4) hole", is not easy. The front needs all the help it can get, which is why I'm currently running 4 speakers in the front. I think it would sound better with a bigger cone up front though, so I may change the fronts to some separates, with a larger single cone -like 6". We'll see. Does the C4 'Vert have a trunk? If so, that's where I'd hide all the "goods". Amps and stuff. Sounds like you already have a lot of the hardware to make a nice system. XM is super convenient (you get what you want for music choice), but the sound quality is terrible. Some time, try a side by side with a CD and the same song on XM. It will surprise you how bad XM is. But it is nice for listening to what you want. Kind of like Pandora; good selection...terrible sound.
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Post by 500hp406 on Nov 6, 2011 10:53:37 GMT -7
Great go buddy on the car, and we all knew you made the right move, even though we all wanted you to stay. We miss you buddy, First Jim left us, then Bob, and you went to Colorado. RATS!!
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Post by ebm86vette on Nov 6, 2011 23:29:12 GMT -7
Very nice, Tom. I used to have a box in the back of my vette with 2 12's in it. As I got older I could tell my hearing was being damaged, and I ended up just turning the sub box off all the time. When I finally pulled it out, it was a sad day, but it sure was nice to have room in the back. I think your setup will be a great compromise: good sound and still have most of the usable space.
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Post by 500hp406 on Nov 7, 2011 10:39:37 GMT -7
Tom, all that extra weight is going to kill your 1/4 mile times.....
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Post by tom400cfi on Nov 7, 2011 13:10:57 GMT -7
I know! Short term anyway. 400 cubes should fix the problem though. ;D
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