Chithead's 2003 Corvette Z06

[chithead]

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.

[Notloudenuf]

Guess you’ll have to order the magnums next time.

[BigAl205]

Just spit on the basket before pushing it in

[Hillbilly SQ]

Just spit on the basket before pushing it in

I've always heard spit was the devil's lubricant.

[chithead]

More goodies arriving:





Looking at this particular layout for the amplifiers and crossovers - should make for a tidy wiring setup and still allow room for the subwoofer behind there:

[chithead]

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.

[chithead]

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:

[chithead]

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:

[chithead]

Ohhhhh... check out this sexiness that arrived today:

[chithead]

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: