949

hey guys i have a 91 civic wagon (as stated in the heading lol) and i have two old amps laying around that i wanted to use. i thought i would install them in my wagon just for kicks and hope i can get some better sound out of my car. on top of it i thought i would share my experience with doing this little project with all of you.

ill post up what i have done as i go along.

949

today im going to be finishing up my sketch of what i want to have my amp holder to look like.

i call it the "Amp Skeleton". if you wondering why, well to me it just sounds cool. haha well actually it looks like the skeletal vertebrae and i didnt think backbone sounded as cool as Amp Skeleton!

dropdeadjay

cant wait to see what you come up with, i'm an audio/video/security tech from NC and i have a 4wd 88 civic wagon.

949

there is a bit of a delay because of the rain here and my schedule.
its great to see someone who is interested.

my fabrication guy is tweaking it as we go along.

949

getting back into it again this week. i just dropped off some sketches i wanted to have him fab up from aluminum. i hope it comes out decent like how i imagined it. lol

949

hey post up what you got so far or what your current setup looks like.

dropdeadjay

right now im currently using an iPad mini as my main headunit, but its streaming audio through a bluetooth connection to a Din sized head unit behind the ipad. my doors are pioneer co-axials behind the grill and 2 Infiniti Reference Tweeters per door, all hooked up through a Digital Design PRO Crossover. Also i removed the carpet and covered the floor with dynamatt. all i have is mids and highs right now. still deciding what i wanna do as far as subs. i used to compete in SPL Competitions with my mini cooper, just not sure if i wanna rattle my wagon like that. oh and my entire

949

wow it looks like you went all out!

i saw that cup holder mod. i was thinking of doing that too.
how is it working out with that mod?

joeshmo

I'm confused on your choice of speakers. Why two tweeters and a coaxial? I have infinity kappa tweeters, and I by no means need two of them per door. Doing so will be overkill, especially considering those tiny drivers take so little power and are so shrill. Not to mention, I doubt a small coaxial speaker will be able to provide enough midrange to match those tweeters at most volumes. Or did you somehow crossover the tweeters into different frequencies ranges? That'd be interesting although I'm not sure how much one would gain from doing this and it seems alot of extra work. If I were to go for a 3 speaker set, I would assemble something akin to the 3-piece focal kits (6.5" driver, 4" midrange, 1" tweeter.)


I suggest dynamatting the trunk and doors as you would have noticed more difference than dynamatting the entire floor (which is not necessary, 100% coverage is overkill.) The floor would benefit more from MLV and CCF.

dropdeadjay

@Joeshmo- you have to understand all of this equipment was extra stuff that I had lying around, if i had extra cash i would have sprung for new matching sets of equipment. the tweeter on the coaxial is not getting any sound due to the crossover, all the coaxial plays is mids. and it handles the mids quite well. my tweeters are 8ohms each but i've dropped them down to 4 ohms per door allowing them more power. my wagon only has speakers in the front doors, mine didnt come with the rear pods, so the 2 tweeters help fill the car. the doors actually are dynamatted, i never got around to taking pics of it. this setup isn't going to be overkill when i add the subs or anything, and you'd be surprised at how well that coaxial handles the midrange. thanks for you're input, i appreciate it.

@949 the cupholder mod works out great, no spilled drinks and i still have full shift capabilities and radio control. any word on your amp rack?

949

not yet on my amp rack. i have been busy to pop up over at the shop. i did leave my new hand written design for him last sat. feb 2 2013.
it looks pretty nice and simple. i love simple looking parts!

i also came up with a new idea to use for my pioneer speaker pods for the rear. i previously had them attached to the rear panel but it was pretty low and flimsy because the panel is obviously plastic. since it was low it got hit a few times because i was carrying some large items and loose items that swung around the cargo bay. with my new idea it should be much higher up and attached to the body.

949

here is my sketch of the "amp skeleton".
i have two amps. one will have an adjustable version and the other is a non adjustable version. im just testing out each type.

949

there is a little more progress since last. the skeleton is cut but will still need to be trimmed to fit my ever so changing mounts.

949

he has finished the first two skeletons.

looking good so far. there will be some tweaks to the skeletons after some dry test fit.

949

im also looking into replacing my front speakers with some JBL P662 6.5 inch speakers. for the price point, less than $90 as set and 2 ohm speakers, its seems to fit perfectly. i read the reviews and it seems like they are all very good. which is very rare for online reviews.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

So YOU'RE not essentially doing anything YOURSELF pertaining to fabrication?

949

i do NOT have a CNC MACHINE nor a welding tool.

i am making the design and installing everything else MYSELF.

the shop i am working with ONLY welds what i tell him and cuts what i design. he will NOT be installing or designing MY parts.

i HOPE that CLEARS up any CONFUSION YOU may have.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

I'm not confused. Just clarifying how this is an amp rack fabrication thread with no progress pictures of the actually fabrication like you would see on a build thread here on H-T.

And quiet as it's kept, you don't have to have access to any CNC machines or welding tools to fab an amp rack. When I was into computer case modding I saw people fab up the most complex things with nothing but regular hand tools and some ingenuity.

Don't get so defensive when posting up things like this on a public forum.

949

i wasnt defensive i was just messen around like you are. unless your NOT.

this isnt a computer case and THIS ISNT A DEBATE on how i post up my personal photos or how i do things. if your comparing computer cases to this then im sorry your off on your comparisons. i too can mod a computer case, but this requires a bit more heavy metal and i dont have the proper tools for it. plus i wanted a specific look that only a cnc machine will do. ( example: not a hand saw or some screws or a drill).

i normally dont post what i make online as i see many other posters get statements like yours. it sometimes rubs people the wrong way, for me it didnt, but do understand that your comments can **** people off. i believe you do know this because you sound like a smart guy.
personally i would like to just stay away from this sort of issue. i occasionally like to share my ideas and i do hope that others do appreciate it and like to share positive comments. if anyone wants to share their personal project, i welcome it.

i havent posted more pics because the next step is not completed. the shop owner is just taking his time doing other things. my project is not really his main job. it is a pretty small job at that. i do understand this and i am not really pushing him too fast. eventually i will have to nudge him.

either way i am cool with having conversational posts about this little project as i have seen others with way more done and those pics gave me some inspiration for mine.
thanks guys! keep your pics comming and lets keep this on track.

949

i got some progress.

right side sketch.


left side sketch.



the rear with no panels. getting the holes drilled and nuts 10MM welded on.

















here is the CNC machining.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Much better.

93SiHatchguy

Looking forward to seeing progress pics and the final product!

949

thanks for the interest. wasnt sure if anyone else was even interested.

not in order, as im listing tonight from what i can think of.
picking up new door speakers in Los angeles car audio district this comming week. looking to pick up a set of JBL
the reason is because my right front took a dump on me about 6 months ago. not sure why speakers go bad but ehh. a good reason to replace them. plus ill be making a new speaker spacer to fit these bad boys in.

i chose this because they are less than 100 bucks and they are 2 Ohm speakers. my amp happens to work with 2ohms speakers. plus i have never had a chance to hear them push 2ohm speakers.
i know there are plenty of debate about 2ohms but i really dont want to get into that.

this week i also picked up my new welding cable 0/1 gauge. i will be soldiering and installing this week.. ill be taking out the seats and carpet to make it look nice and fit correctly. no half *** installs here. i know, no one will see them under the carpet but I will know. lol.
more details after i do it.
ill take pics of this. i think ill cap the spending to less than $300 worth of wiring and wiring related components.

it should be finished by this week.

949

as for the AMP SKELETON it is done. i have mounted the CAR SKELETON with the A.S. and also the amps to the AMP SKELETON.

there are two AMP SKELETONS. so the pics will show the left and right ones. as the amps are different and i wanted to try two different version. one is adjustable and the other is not. one amp is bigger and the other smaller in size.

949