Captains Log -2013 Mazdaspeed3

[n_olympios]

They usually have to compensate for room for the exhaust/silencer underneath. Mine was only slightly off-center, so I could make the sub go dead-center. But that's because the silencer in the Leon/Golf is placed far back and laterally (behind the bumper).

[captainobvious]

Well at least I'm not alone

I imagine there's some clearance issue for exhaust or other components under the trunk area. It is a little annoying though. These amps are friggin huge as is so I need all the space I can get.

[captainobvious]

Yesterday I got a couple hours in and worked on some of the front
wiring. The way I've set this up is to have a junction point
at the front of the vehicle for speaker wires where the feed from
the back will terminate. I will then connect any of the front speakers
to these runs via terminal blocks. The reason I chose to do this is in
case I decide to edit the configuration of the system down the road. I
want to keep things as easy as possible for making changes should I
decide to do so.

The bundles from the back are in the striped black and white techflex. I
started by relabeling them close to the cut point to avoid any mis-steps.
Next, I stripped and crimped spade ends on each cable. I then soldered the
connectors as well for a better, more solid connection. I followed that up
by using some heatshrink tubing over the connection points and then screwed
them down to the terminal blocks. One is for the left side speakers, and
one is for the right side. There is also an open terminal for a spare.











These strips also include a protective plastic cover over the terminals, a
nice feature.

[n_olympios]

Well at least I'm not alone

My other car has a totally flat trunk. Suspended spare wheel FTW.

[chefhow]

Looking GREAT Steve, cant wait to get a listen!!

[captainobvious]

Thanks Howard I can't wait to hear it too hah.

[captainobvious]

Continued...

More work on the trunk. I used ensolite foam on the mounts for the amps and the wiring distribution piece.
Also painted the base and enclosure, and then sprayed rubber undercoating on the inside of the enclosure.


Pieces drying





Amps will just fit






These things are massive, heavy and quite pretty



Foam backer on the amp mount pieces. This should help decouple them from the energy produced by the sub.







In place and screwed down



Shown in the trunk

[captainobvious]

Working on the cover piece measurements. I still havent decided if I want to do plexi cutouts or perforated metal. What do you guys think? One
one hand, it would be great to be able to show off the amps a bit. On the other hand, the perforated metal allows for better ventilation
and cooling...

[claydo]

I know it wont win the popular vote, but I'm not one for form over function, so I say black mesh. I also think those all black zapcos have a real industrial look that will go great with some heavy mesh, really dig an " all business " feel. One thing that has always scared me away from plexi tho, how does it age? This may be unwarranted, because I've never tried it. I know in commercial applications with a lil age on it, most of it looks like shit after some wear and tear......is this true in a car?

[claydo]

Oh, and they ( the zapcos) look sick riding the borders of your sub enclosure, wish you would have dropped in that jl for that pic!