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Thread: TheTodd’s 2008 Malibu (re)build thread

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    Noob TheTodd's Avatar
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    TheTodd’s 2008 Malibu (re)build thread

    So, technically, I have everything installed already but I’m planning a rather large tear down & rebuild. The current equipment list is as follows:

    Source: Kenwood Excelon DDX-395
    DSP: PPI DCX-730 (being replaced)
    Amps: Soundstream TN4.900D x2 These are the nice version, before they cheaped out & redesigned them.
    Front stage: PPI 3-way components (The ones with the AMT tweeters)
    Sub: PPI Phantom 15D2 IB

    As mentioned earlier, everything is already in but just about everything is getting redone. I’m pleased with the a-pillars I made but there are little things that bother me & I’m going to try to put them a little more on-axis. The DSP was limited as far as outputs (6) so the DSP handled the front stage and the source handled the sub xover & time delay which I believe hindered my ability to get the sub up front no matter how hard I tried. So that’s getting replaced with a Dayton 408 which will let me control everything from one unit.

    The trunk is where I really wanted to make the major changes. I was never really pleased with the cosmetics of the whole thing. The cutout diameter listed in the sub manual turned out to be off so the hole was too big and I had to hodgepodge the baffle together. Honestly, it worked and sounded good but it looked... meh. To me anyway. I never did clean up the wiring under the rack because I knew a redo was in the plans. Then I had an RCA cable for my mids take a dump so it was time to start over.

    There are some parts of the original install that I didn’t take pics of, like the front woofers & head unit, so as I go along I’ll snap some and post them up. So now I guess it’s time for pics...

    The car:
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    Some sound deadening:
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    The entire floor was done in Killmat as well as the rear deck, which I didn’t get pics of. And honestly the rear cover is a PITA to get off so I may never get a pic of it.

    Front pillars:
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    Amp rack:
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    Here you can see the temporary cheapy red/white RCAs I had to use to actually have mids for my daily commute.

    Trunk side:
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    I’ll try to get a better pic when it’s all done.

    So that was where I started this morning. New updates to follow.

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    Noob TheTodd's Avatar
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    Re: TheTodd’s 2008 Malibu (re)build thread

    So this morning the rebuild commenced. I remounted the circuit breaker under the hood using some ABS and a stud/nut on the shock tower that wasnt being used. It looks like it may have been an option for a ground cable...?

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I wanted to tuck the amps away as much as possible so I went for the space behind/under the rear seat, underneath where the amps previously were.
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    Nothing is mounted yet as I was just trying to get an idea on placement and spacing. You can also see the sub baffle in the second pic.

    And here’s the trunk side:
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    You can also see the XTC “baffles” on the OEM speakers to seal them off from the sub waves. I was going to pull the speakers but after finding out how difficult it was to get the cover off I didn’t want to have to do it again to replace the speakers if I ever sold the car. They actually work really well. No more cones vibrating front the sub so... worth it.

    That’s all the further I got today. It doesn’t seem like much but it also takes a bit to pull all that crap out too. It also starts to get dark earlier now so that didn’t help any. So I guess my 30min each way commute will be a little quieter this week with no tunes. Until next time...

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    Noob naiku's Avatar
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    Re: TheTodd’s 2008 Malibu (re)build thread

    Looking forward to the next update and hopefully, seeing the finished project sometime next year.
    Another white wagon.
    Instagram - eye_take_pix



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    It's a KOVER Coppertone's Avatar
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    Re: TheTodd’s 2008 Malibu (re)build thread

    Very nicely done and I can’t wait to stop modding my vehicle so I can truly direct the funds to the audio aspect.
    Source: factory
    Amp: Zapco LX
    Processor : Helix Pro & Director
    Speakers : Sinfoni
    Subwoofer : MKV

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    Re: TheTodd’s 2008 Malibu (re)build thread

    Progress... the amp rack is complete, and amps & processor are mounted and it’s all ready to go in.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    The sub baffle is also done and ready to be mounted.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    For some reason the pictures always make the carpet a few shades off but in person it’s darn near identical. So this weekend will entail mounting the sub, wiring everything up, setting the crossovers and rough time delay. The finish line is in sight. Thanksgiving weekend I’ll tear into the a-pillars. Since I’m off Friday that gives me about 3.5 days to get them done.

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    Re: TheTodd’s 2008 Malibu (re)build thread

    The baffle is now in. The sub is in. The amp rack is in. Wires are run (except sub) but nothing is connected yet. I have to take a bit of a break to watch my Nittany Lions try to pull off the upset against a very impressive OSU team. Work will commence after the game. We Are...!!Click image for larger version. 

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    Question Re: TheTodd’s 2008 Malibu (re)build thread

    Lovin the IB ! How're you likin the AMT tweeters and mids firing across @ each other ?

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    Re: TheTodd’s 2008 Malibu (re)build thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Queef View Post
    Lovin the IB ! How're you likin the AMT tweeters and mids firing across @ each other ?
    I absolutely love the AMT tweets. They sound real good firing across but I’ve noticed a slight drop off in the very high end aimed across. I’ve been able to compensate a bit with some EQ, but my plan is to move them more towards a cross-firing setup to get more of the “sparkle” back.

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    Re: TheTodd’s 2008 Malibu (re)build thread

    Well... the a-pillars will be on hold for a bit. I got everything wired up & did a quick tune. Basically, I input the same numbers I had in the old processor and everything sounds WAY better. I ended up reducing the high end on the tweeters because they were overwhelming & I also lowered the crossover point between the sub/midbass from 80 to 65 which seemed to bring the bass more up front. Not perfect but a DEFINITE improvement. All I have to do is make the trim panel to cover the amps and add some LEDs for some bling and I’ll be set for the rear. I will now have to do some more deadening to the door panels as I now have a slight buzz every now & then (obviously from the lower xover point on the door woofers). Totally worth it to get more bass up front and they don’t really seem to have any issue handling it even at relatively high volumes. I’ll post up final pics after completion this weekend... hopefully.

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    Noob TheTodd's Avatar
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    Re: TheTodd’s 2008 Malibu (re)build thread

    The trunk portion is now all buttoned up & complete. I’ve been tweaking here and there and can say, without a doubt, this is the best my car has sounded by FAR! I will also say that it’s not easy to do this stuff when it’s not even 40*. But... it’s done... here it is.
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