Chithead's 2003 Corvette Z06
- Thread starter chithead
- Start date
chithead
Well-known member
Well. No boom. Except for hopes and dreams going boom. Little setback. Or big one. Depends. Debated on posting this, but what the heck, someone else could learn from it.
Soooo... on a hunch...
took it upon myself to try using another form of media for template making:
Definitely helped get way closer to final sizing:
And, bam! Here we go:
Easy peezy! Now we just make a mirror copy, cut two triangles, and a big ole rectangle that should be 12.5" high by 28.5" long
It's not. Now it's only 11" high? What the what? I measured this so many times, why isn't it lining up? Because I was measuring from the trunk.
Let me say it again.
Measuring.
From.
The trunk.
And this baffle, is on the cabin side. NOT, the trunk side.
Ahhh, well. Whatever. Pretty sure it can be salvaged by just moving the baffle back a bit, almost creating a, "Z" like structure. No worries.
Can we fix it, yes we can!!!
Hillbilly SQ
BURNED OUT
Are you now a believer in CAD (cardboard aided design)?
chithead
Well-known member
Welp. That might have been a complete waste. We shall see.
Decided to head in a completely different direction. Though it is a direction that will have a higher chance of being installed for once!
Equipment list is now:
Kicker Q-Class QS 6375" components
Kicker Q-Class Comp-Q 12" dual 2-ohm Subwoofer
Kicker CX360.4 amplifier
Kicker CX1200.1 amplifier
Planning to wire the sub at 4-ohms to keep the CX1200.1 from pulling a lot of current. Should help it blend better with the component set too. Also wanting to use the passive crossovers, but take advantage of the bi-amp capabilities they offer. The Alpine has a basic EQ, but does offer time alignment on each channel, so can still tune the setup a little bit once installed.
The QSS674 components already arrived, still waiting on everything else:
These some beefy mids:
The tweeters are actually larger than I thought. Hoped to mount in the A-pillars, but may have to go into the upper portion of the door panels near the handles/window switches.
Also grabbed a set of the Metra door adapters to use and modify a bit:
Hopefully some more updates will be arriving soon!
Decided to head in a completely different direction. Though it is a direction that will have a higher chance of being installed for once!
Equipment list is now:
Kicker Q-Class QS 6375" components
Kicker Q-Class Comp-Q 12" dual 2-ohm Subwoofer
Kicker CX360.4 amplifier
Kicker CX1200.1 amplifier
Planning to wire the sub at 4-ohms to keep the CX1200.1 from pulling a lot of current. Should help it blend better with the component set too. Also wanting to use the passive crossovers, but take advantage of the bi-amp capabilities they offer. The Alpine has a basic EQ, but does offer time alignment on each channel, so can still tune the setup a little bit once installed.
The QSS674 components already arrived, still waiting on everything else:
These some beefy mids:
The tweeters are actually larger than I thought. Hoped to mount in the A-pillars, but may have to go into the upper portion of the door panels near the handles/window switches.
Also grabbed a set of the Metra door adapters to use and modify a bit:
Hopefully some more updates will be arriving soon!
chithead
Well-known member
Wanted to ask some opinions on a few things if anyone would like to chime in with their advice and experience.
This is the area on the door panels I am thinking of mounting the tweeters. Only the driver's side has a vent in it, the passenger side does not. But it is a very similar shape, with the same angle at the top side near the window:
The location is approximately 10-12 inches below ear height. I measured from the center of my nose, head all the way back against the headrest, and got 31 inches to the driver's side spot, and 49 inches to the passenger side. Mids in the factory locations down bottom would be 36" to the driver's side, 51 inches to the passenger side:
A-pillars, while having a flat spot towards the dash side, also have a defrost vent in them, and still aren't wide enough for these tweeters to mount using the included hardware. Would require some custom fabrication to fit them. The only other flat spot on the pillars is towards the top, and aims towards the windshield.
What about subwoofer spot? Logic is telling me that having it as far back, in that rear well or cubby would offer more distance for better response. But continuing with a baffle to seal up the trunk would reduce interior cabin noise. And there is still room to build and enclosure there on that, "shelf" behind the seats.
Thoughts? I-dears? Oh-pin-yuns?
This is the area on the door panels I am thinking of mounting the tweeters. Only the driver's side has a vent in it, the passenger side does not. But it is a very similar shape, with the same angle at the top side near the window:
The location is approximately 10-12 inches below ear height. I measured from the center of my nose, head all the way back against the headrest, and got 31 inches to the driver's side spot, and 49 inches to the passenger side. Mids in the factory locations down bottom would be 36" to the driver's side, 51 inches to the passenger side:
A-pillars, while having a flat spot towards the dash side, also have a defrost vent in them, and still aren't wide enough for these tweeters to mount using the included hardware. Would require some custom fabrication to fit them. The only other flat spot on the pillars is towards the top, and aims towards the windshield.
What about subwoofer spot? Logic is telling me that having it as far back, in that rear well or cubby would offer more distance for better response. But continuing with a baffle to seal up the trunk would reduce interior cabin noise. And there is still room to build and enclosure there on that, "shelf" behind the seats.
Thoughts? I-dears? Oh-pin-yuns?
chithead
Well-known member
So that ^^^ not so great. Can't believe how many Vette owners on the forums recommended that spot and all seem to use it. Some even just mount the tweeters right into the handle, "cup" and fire them through the handle. Pass. That was not an ideal location at all in my opinion.
This is the test rig I used yesterday to play around. Don't judge me! Didn't feel like ripping the dash apart, so I just used some old wiring and the Alpine iDA-X305S that was in the car originally for quick listening:
Moved the tweeters up to the dash, right at the base of the pillars - this was better. But still, "shouty" - not sure the best word to describe it. Just, in your face. Not that great either. Tried moving them up, up higher, up highest to the visor, just all over. Was not getting the sound I'm looking for. Even went back to the doors to compare, and while the shouty went away, they are just super bright near the handle and didn't image as good. Wasn't bad, but had this, "rainbow" arc to them from left to right. And did I mention they were bright? Like, bright bright. Like caught in the deadlights bright. Anyways, back up to the dash, and then I pushed them back to the windshield.
Whoa.
Like, whoa.
Like, lights from heaven raining down and angels in harmony whoa. It was, incredible. I've not heard anything like this, in any of my previous half-azz installs. This was the sweet spot:
Now to make that happen somehow. Oh, this was the test sub - Pioneer Stage 4 TS-W252PRS 10" in a ported enclosure. If anyone has been curious about these, do it. This mamma jamma was IMPRESSIVE:
This is the test rig I used yesterday to play around. Don't judge me! Didn't feel like ripping the dash apart, so I just used some old wiring and the Alpine iDA-X305S that was in the car originally for quick listening:
Moved the tweeters up to the dash, right at the base of the pillars - this was better. But still, "shouty" - not sure the best word to describe it. Just, in your face. Not that great either. Tried moving them up, up higher, up highest to the visor, just all over. Was not getting the sound I'm looking for. Even went back to the doors to compare, and while the shouty went away, they are just super bright near the handle and didn't image as good. Wasn't bad, but had this, "rainbow" arc to them from left to right. And did I mention they were bright? Like, bright bright. Like caught in the deadlights bright. Anyways, back up to the dash, and then I pushed them back to the windshield.
Whoa.
Like, whoa.
Like, lights from heaven raining down and angels in harmony whoa. It was, incredible. I've not heard anything like this, in any of my previous half-azz installs. This was the sweet spot:
Now to make that happen somehow. Oh, this was the test sub - Pioneer Stage 4 TS-W252PRS 10" in a ported enclosure. If anyone has been curious about these, do it. This mamma jamma was IMPRESSIVE:
chithead
Well-known member
So this is where I hoped to mount the amps, one amp, one crossover behind each seat:
Yeah, no. The seats touch them. Crap. Oh well. May have to move those up onto that tray area. They arrived Friday:
Good build quality. Solid, terminals have a nice heft to them. Don't twist or wiggle when you're tightening. The knobs felt solid too when adjusting. Should work good.
Second camera arrived Friday too - now we can have front and rear visibility for more safety:
And guess what arrived yesterday, in the middle of those listening tests:
Kinda plain though:
But, dadgum check out this motor:
Baby got back:
Yeah, no. The seats touch them. Crap. Oh well. May have to move those up onto that tray area. They arrived Friday:
Good build quality. Solid, terminals have a nice heft to them. Don't twist or wiggle when you're tightening. The knobs felt solid too when adjusting. Should work good.
Second camera arrived Friday too - now we can have front and rear visibility for more safety:
And guess what arrived yesterday, in the middle of those listening tests:
Kinda plain though:
But, dadgum check out this motor:
Baby got back:
chithead
Well-known member
Started modifying the previous trunk baffle. Sealing up the center section where there would have been a tilted baffle for a pair of IB subs. Still angled the bottom though, to allow complete access to the cubby on the trunk side. May end up putting covers over the three cubbies, and wanted space for those:
Have some... interesting... ideas on how to do the subwoofer enclosure. Amplifiers and crossovers will mount towards the front, on the floor, which will allow easy wiring and keep them in the cabin for cooling. Speaker wire arrived:
Also ordered a set of my most favorite speaker baffles:
They're ummmm... a little snugger than usual. Really puts the size of these motors into perspective:
Might have to modify those just a bit so there is more room around the basket.
Have some... interesting... ideas on how to do the subwoofer enclosure. Amplifiers and crossovers will mount towards the front, on the floor, which will allow easy wiring and keep them in the cabin for cooling. Speaker wire arrived:
Also ordered a set of my most favorite speaker baffles:
They're ummmm... a little snugger than usual. Really puts the size of these motors into perspective:
Might have to modify those just a bit so there is more room around the basket.
Notloudenuf
Well-known member
Guess you’ll have to order the magnums next time.
Hillbilly SQ
BURNED OUT
I've always heard spit was the devil's lubricant.
chithead
Well-known member
More goodies arriving. A bit overkill, but needed them for a lot of other projects too:
First time using fork connectors:
Setting up to see if we can make this look pretty neat:
And, first layout - this is how I pictured the wiring in my head when planning all this. Of course the reality is there isn't enough room to keep it flat like that. But if there was more room, this would be a cool way to run everything:
This will be the more sensible setup, stacking positives and negatives to form a, "square" run - allows for RCAs and such to fit neat and tidy:
Proof, is in the pudding:
Dual amplifier kit arrived yesterday afternoon:
And some PC case fan screws - you gonna have to trust me on this one:
Still waiting on techflex and heatshrink to cover all the wires. Now we can move forward with the subwoofer enclosure portion on this baffle.
Also thought up with a super trick idea on how to finish the inside of this amp rack. The crossovers actually sparked some inspiration.
First time using fork connectors:
Setting up to see if we can make this look pretty neat:
And, first layout - this is how I pictured the wiring in my head when planning all this. Of course the reality is there isn't enough room to keep it flat like that. But if there was more room, this would be a cool way to run everything:
This will be the more sensible setup, stacking positives and negatives to form a, "square" run - allows for RCAs and such to fit neat and tidy:
Proof, is in the pudding:
Dual amplifier kit arrived yesterday afternoon:
And some PC case fan screws - you gonna have to trust me on this one:
Still waiting on techflex and heatshrink to cover all the wires. Now we can move forward with the subwoofer enclosure portion on this baffle.
Also thought up with a super trick idea on how to finish the inside of this amp rack. The crossovers actually sparked some inspiration.
chithead
Well-known member
Got to work on the baffles a bit more. Going to try those silicone baffles as they are for now. But I did punch out new openings for all 12 screws into each mid/woofer:
Found out you can roll those baffles up a bit more, so there may be enough airspace from the basket. But, now the motor will be more exposed to elements, soooo catch 22:
The PC case fan screws didn't work out - weren't long enough to go through the basket and the baffle. Might have worked with just a strip of butyl adhesive or some foam gasket, but not the silicone. Just used some other screws I already had to mount them:
Kicker provides both a grille that locks on, and also a trim ring. Decided to add the trim ring to help keep the baffle spread outwards, and also you know... dresses things up a good bit:
Found out you can roll those baffles up a bit more, so there may be enough airspace from the basket. But, now the motor will be more exposed to elements, soooo catch 22:
The PC case fan screws didn't work out - weren't long enough to go through the basket and the baffle. Might have worked with just a strip of butyl adhesive or some foam gasket, but not the silicone. Just used some other screws I already had to mount them:
Kicker provides both a grille that locks on, and also a trim ring. Decided to add the trim ring to help keep the baffle spread outwards, and also you know... dresses things up a good bit:
chithead
Well-known member
A little more work done tonight. All exterior bulbs are now Sylvania LED. Turn signals, marker lights, tail lights, license plate lights, reverse lights, and headlights. Used a hyper flash relay from eBay that didn't work until I figured out where it actually splices into the harness at. Now the turn signals seem to flash correctly, but the hazard flashers are fast. Oh well. While the rear lights were out, might as well install the reverse camera:
Used the antenna plug to secure the camera wire. First, we make-a the hole:
Then, we poke-a the wire through:
And, bam. Heatshrinked and zip tied:
Used the antenna plug to secure the camera wire. First, we make-a the hole:
Then, we poke-a the wire through:
And, bam. Heatshrinked and zip tied:
chithead
Well-known member
Well. Guess what didn't fit in the car.
Anyone who guessed the amp rack / baffle, you win!!!
Was about to start working on the subwoofer enclosure portion when something said, "Hey dummy - how do you know it'll even fit?"
Well, it didn't. Took me a day to think of something though. Decided to separate into two pieces. Was thinking three, but finally figured out how to do just two. Here it is after some surgery:
Why the funny shape you are asking now: Three reasons.
One - needed to be able to fit it into the car for sure this time.
Two - needed a spot to mount the distribution block and subwoofer terminal.
Three - had a brainstorm on how the subwoofer enclosure could be taken up a few notches, and really integrate into the car styling better.
Ok, here we go! Placing the baffle into the car:
Some evidence of how this angled shape is working out perfectly:
And then you just slide the other side back until, boom:
View from the trunk side:
And then the amp rack portion sets in there perfectly:
Anyone who guessed the amp rack / baffle, you win!!!
Was about to start working on the subwoofer enclosure portion when something said, "Hey dummy - how do you know it'll even fit?"
Well, it didn't. Took me a day to think of something though. Decided to separate into two pieces. Was thinking three, but finally figured out how to do just two. Here it is after some surgery:
Why the funny shape you are asking now: Three reasons.
One - needed to be able to fit it into the car for sure this time.
Two - needed a spot to mount the distribution block and subwoofer terminal.
Three - had a brainstorm on how the subwoofer enclosure could be taken up a few notches, and really integrate into the car styling better.
Ok, here we go! Placing the baffle into the car:
Some evidence of how this angled shape is working out perfectly:
And then you just slide the other side back until, boom:
View from the trunk side:
And then the amp rack portion sets in there perfectly: