2006 Accord build log - KISS?

casey

Noob
Hey guys been lurking more than posting lately since I havent be putting anything together. Got a new car and decided it was time to start something on it.

Well after owning my 95 Integra for right at two years(you can find the modest but done right build on here), it was time to pick up a a daily driver that is a step or two up. While I enjoyed the Integra (Ive always been a Honda/Acura guy), I was ready for something more "grown up".

Ive never felt the need for a brand new car and the newest vehicle Ive ever owned was my 08 Civic Si (build thread also on here LOL). A friend of mine posted up his 2006 Accord V6 sedan which was the rare 6 speed version that I have always wanted. Right at 200k miles and in very good condition inside with normal exterior issues. Knowing this person for 10 years I was very comfortable buying the car and he offered it to me for $3500!! I went ahead and purchased the car and had another friend do the t belt, water pump, serpentine, plugs and ps pump. Should be good for another 100k :)

Heres a couple of filthy pics(sorry for that and quality):

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So that brings me to where I am now. I originally intended to sell all of my gear and put that money towards my show/resto 92 Civic Si that Ive had for a year and a half (will link at the end of this thread since I know Rich (salami) will want to see it, VERY mild audio content lol). But, Seeing that Nick has a MKV coming out and the Arc amp I had is awesome, I decided I wanted to plunge in again on this car as it is very quiet (in my opinion) and I plan to keep it at least a few years.



So right now, I current have the following:

Audible Physics Ram 2A
Stereo Integrity TM65 MKII
Stereo Integrity BM MKIV

Arc Audio Xdi V2 1100.5

couple of pics of course:

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At this point, Im still collecting gear. I am on the fence about getting a second Xdi V2...either a 600.4 or 450.4. I would do this to get additional power to the mid bass by bridging, and would have 2 extra channels for a tweeter or rear fill in the future. Listing my thoughts below on why I am not sure which one to get.

Pros:

600.4 has the same LED face as my 1100.5 and could make a nice, small amp display if wanted. Also, it is an 1100.5 without the sub channel so I would be able to use one for left and the other for right channels for more stereo separation. 300x2 for the tm65 mkii

450.4 is more compact so if I went with hiding the amps, It could possibly make it easier. It is less expensive by $110 (looking at ebay prices) and would provide 250x2 for the tm65 mkii

Cons:

600.4 is $110 more expensive and 50wpc more when bridging vs the 450.4 which is most likely overkill (but gains can be adjusted) so it may be a waste

450.4 could get the faceplate cover upgrade but its $60ish to look like the higher power Xdi's but that negates the price difference and Im still down 50wpc for mid bass

So if you have some input, Im all for it!


As for DSP...I am pretty set on doing a Helix DSP2 using high level from the OEM head unit. I would add Director and USB input to give a ton of flexibility. Ive never ran an external DSP, the most in depth Ive used was a P99. This will definitely be a new experience but I have made a few friends on here/through the NCSQ meets that I hope to get a solid tune done...probably more by someone other than myself until I learn a bit more.


Next, for install...

I am set on using the 2" in the sail panels. I am HOPING that Mic has some sails for his TSX that will work (still waiting on those pics LOL) which will simplify that portion tremendously. If not, Ill have to look into a audio fab guy around here I can trust to knock that out in a few days...


For the mid bass, I was gung ho for doing kick panels to eliminate door rattles. Started thinking about cost, time involved and how long I may not have my car while theyre fabricated and decided it may not be the best idea to go with custom ones.

After talking with Mic (Mic10is) and Jeremy (turbosleeves I think) It seems that Q-logic kick panels can work very well with some TLC. I trust both of these guys so I am going to give it a go.

I have a pair on order that should be here tomorrow. I plan to stiffen them with fiberglass and deaden with CLD. I ordered 40 tiles from sounddeadenershowdown.com and will use them as necessary since I dont plan to battle doors like my civic lol.

Also on the Q-logic kicks, Im going to use a speaker ring on the backside to clamp the TM65 mkii and brace the plastic. I will be using decoupler as well. Here are the speaker rings I got off ebay (actually pretty nice) that I went ahead and drilled and put T nuts in. Still need to cut the excess off the inside from the T nuts so the basket of the mkii doesnt hit.


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this brings it up current and ill do my best to keep it updated. Any input is appreciated. One of my favorite things of this hobby and site is the willingness to help or provide feedback to improve.


lastly, here is my civic build if youre into that or wanna see a glovebox mounted pioneer media player on coaxials lol

https://honda-tech.com/forums/appearance-build-threads-122/caseys-1992-civic-si-build-3278117/
 
Had a chance to work on fitting the TM65 in the kick panel. I dont have a huge arsenal of tools at my disposal so finding a good one to make the mounting hole cut was a little tough. After reading previous review of q logics kicks, I was expecting some rather flimsy plastic. I dont know if they revised their designs or just this one in particular, but I can assure you this is some strong stuff lol. I ended up getting a carbide cutting bit for my dremel tool. Traced out the line and cut as best I could. It isnt perfect but its hidden and got the job done. I had to ditch the idea of mounting a ring on the inside of the kick due to lack of space. Plus, the kick itself is stiff enough that Im not worried about it.

Once that was drilled, I did a test mount to make sure that everything was good.


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Once I confirmed that, I used some RAAMaudio adhesive backed CCF to make a decoupling gasket on the outside of the grill mount to the kick and on the inside of the grill mount to the speaker.


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Mounted that up, used an SDS tile to deaden the panel

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And a couple finished pics of the front with the grill on and off. Definitely no room for a larger driver but looks pretty decent.

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taking a break before I start the drivers side lol
 
Dirty mother lurker!!! That's awesome, those mids work perfect in the kicks like that. You know I'm voting for a 600.4, mainly because equipment choices this epic deserve a nice install. Something that can be tucked away for daily use, but pull a panel, and wham! Arc goodness drizzling all over like hot and fresh Krispy Kremes. Is the matching Arc PS8 not an option? Just curious. The Helix seems to be a great processor too. And that Director controller is awesome.
 
Oh snap....the ol qlogic kicks! I used a set of these once a couple of cars ago for mids and tweets....tweets down there never did make me happy, but should work well enough for midbass.....for my mids I used some deadener and aluminum and sealed em up. Do they still come with the plastic grills? If you aren't using them, I'd love to take em off your hands! I've got a pair of them I was planning on using, but one of mine went missing......my dash pods are actually designed to use them, and I can't find the other one for the life of me!
 
Nice progress!

thanks sir!

Dirty mother lurker!!! That's awesome, those mids work perfect in the kicks like that. You know I'm voting for a 600.4, mainly because equipment choices this epic deserve a nice install. Something that can be tucked away for daily use, but pull a panel, and wham! Arc goodness drizzling all over like hot and fresh Krispy Kremes. Is the matching Arc PS8 not an option? Just curious. The Helix seems to be a great processor too. And that Director controller is awesome.

Thanks Daniel. I decided that I am going to do the 600.4 for the reasons mentioned and Steve at Syracuse Customs is giving me a great deal on one he has :) As for the Arc PS8...I havent heard much about it in the past few years and from what I have read and seen, the Helix is pretty pain free, no glitches or issues, and the software is easy to tune(plus im going to need some help with it and everyone in the area runs one lol)

Oh snap....the ol qlogic kicks! I used a set of these once a couple of cars ago for mids and tweets....tweets down there never did make me happy, but should work well enough for midbass.....for my mids I used some deadener and aluminum and sealed em up. Do they still come with the plastic grills? If you aren't using them, I'd love to take em off your hands! I've got a pair of them I was planning on using, but one of mine went missing......my dash pods are actually designed to use them, and I can't find the other one for the life of me!

Hey Clay, I didnt get any grills with them, I bought my grills separate. What size mid are you talking about? I may have some AF ones that could work pending what you need

If they are reinforced and vented !

definitely debating venting these with some holes into the sheetmetal. Honestly, these are very strong and I didnt see a need to reinforce them with fiberglass. Worst case I can do it later but I dont see them flexing TBH. Was actually pretty surprised at the quality after what I had read over the years...maybe they have updated them?
 
I will have to measure the actual diameter of the grills.....like I said, I built my rings to fit the grills I had from the old qlogic kicks I used years ago.......of course there were two, but when I got ready to slap em on....there was one....dammit. I bought some jl 6w3 grills....and they were way small.......I could press some, but I typically destroy as much material as I get grills out of....:facepalm:
 
I have a few grilles around here Mr. Clay - maybe some of them will work.

Awesome choice on the 600.4!!! Really diggin' this direction you're headed.
 
Hey can you hacks take this to another thread??? Important shit going on in here. K? :hug::hug::hug: kidding. Kendal I need more Beef and Baron
 
Had a chance to work on the drivers side kick panel today. This one went a bit smoother than the first. I made a rough cut with the carbide bit and smoothed out with a sanding bit. The end result came out better.


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Applied CCF to the grill ring on the back and inside

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Installed the speaker and used a SDS tile for deadening. I also added CCF anywhere the kicks will contact the car to decouple them

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All in all, Im happy with how they turned out and hope they sound decent. If I get a chance tomorrow, I may install them and play them with head unit power to break in and get an idea if its going to work as is, or if Im going to need to cut some sheetmetal to vent them out.
 
I saw a set of them in a car not too long ago and the guy added some clay to his to add some mass and weight. He was saying that the staging was great but there was a bit of muddiness and flex. Once he added the clay his midbass impoved drastically. Just an FYI if you find you are missing something.
GREAT work
 
*sigh* dont think the kicks are going to work out. I did a super quick install of the passenger side with power from the oem HU. Theres no room behind the kick as expected and I wasnt getting any output down low. (I turned the bass to +6 and power only to the TM65 just to see what I got) there is plenty I can cut on the passenger side, but the fuse box is on the drivers side. Dont know If I want to go through relocating it and not sure Id want to leave it with a large hole venting into the fender. So thats where Im at dammit...

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Hey casey, an idea for your kicks if you find a way to stick with them..

get some fiberglass resin, some 1/4" chop strand filler (part number SM-CH142 for 2 LBS of it from us composites), some cabosil (part number FL-AER025
from us composites, and some BB's. take your resin, and mix some of the cabosil in slowly to thicken it up. add hardener and mix it up good to start the chemical reaction, add some fibers for some strength, then mix in bb's. add this to the back of those kicks to really make them solid and do those midbass some justice.

Hope you like those AP 2's also.
 
Hey casey, an idea for your kicks if you find a way to stick with them..

get some fiberglass resin, some 1/4" chop strand filler (part number SM-CH142 for 2 LBS of it from us composites), some cabosil (part number FL-AER025
from us composites, and some BB's. take your resin, and mix some of the cabosil in slowly to thicken it up. add hardener and mix it up good to start the chemical reaction, add some fibers for some strength, then mix in bb's. add this to the back of those kicks to really make them solid and do those midbass some justice.

Hope you like those AP 2's also.

ALA aperodic , breathing thru carpet @ rear/bottom of kickpod sometimes works ? ( add layers of material to let back wave" breathe" through ]

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum...g-picture-kick-panel-venting-into-carpet.html

Mic10is > last post , essplains it. ^^^

http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/68028/midbass-in-kickpanel-pix-and-tips

Pix & Tips ^^^ !

http://www.caraudiohelp.com/car_speaker_placement.html

I may just get lazy and put them in the doors tbh. I can always revisit the idea of modding for kicks. I didnt mention that Id also have to cut my all season floor mats that I just bought, or nix them all together. I was able to get my civic's doors very tame with dyn mw172 so Ill try my best with these doors and look further into options for the kicks if they completely suck lol
 
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