How to install a killer stereo for $500 (loads of pics)

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  • StereoInstaller1
    GAS
    • Jul 2004
    • 22679

    #76
    Originally posted by carlb
    Would there be a difference in an M3 box?
    The trunk side panels are different than any other E30, so yes and no. The box is the same, but the "pretty panel" template nor the amp rack fit. I have been wanting to get my paws on an M3 just so I can address that issue.

    Much like needing to get my paws on an E46, but I only need an M3 for one day.

    Closing SOON!
    "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

    Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

    Thanks for 10 years of fun!

    Comment

    • IronJoe
      R3VLimited
      • Oct 2010
      • 2275

      #77
      Originally posted by StereoInstaller1
      So when do we get on yours? So far I have products for every type of E30 except 2: the power top vert and the M3. Hell, we even do a box for the E30 Touring!

      Thanks for the kind words too, bud. That 'vert kicks ass, doesn't it? I wish more people here could hear it.
      Probably end of this month? :D
      '89 Schwarz E30 M3 Cabriolet Build

      Comment

      • the fil
        Wrencher
        • Aug 2007
        • 237

        #78
        Sweet! Don't have time to read it all at work, but effing awesome idea. I bought your box months ago ... shit maybe even a year ago but being an audio noob have shy'd away from trying to install it and it's been sitting.

        So hats off to you good sir, hopefully I'm capable of actually installing a sound system after this :)



        Comment

        • TheCtrain
          Noobie
          • Feb 2012
          • 11

          #79
          I installed a sound system in my old '86 635csi, however it was nothing near as cool as this. Reading through your post, however, I am not sure I will be able to do all of this (I am a huge noob..). If I bought your box, the headunit/sub/amp (and wiring kit, if thats necessary?), do you know of any audio shops that will install it for me near either Seattle, Kent, or anywhere in the vacinity? I would hate to start ripping up my car and then figure out I screwed it up somewhere, and have it not work :P

          Comment

          • Cliche Guevara
            Mod Crazy
            • Dec 2011
            • 672

            #80
            I hear there's this audio shop in Renton that does decent work ;)

            Comment

            • LoneWolf
              E30 Addict
              • Jan 2012
              • 402

              #81
              Just installed.

              I put a simple 10" sealed from my other car.

              It is far too late to start messing with levels and tuning. Wish I could:(

              Reading the very short manual on this amp, hopefully turn some knobs tomorrow.


              BTW, was anything ever posted about tuning this system?

              Comment

              • assblaster
                Banned
                • Jul 2011
                • 75

                #82
                Any pics of where you made the ground? I get a nice winding noise like my car is going to explode and I think my ground is the culprit

                Comment

                • German Audio Specialties
                  Grease Monkey
                  • Feb 2012
                  • 374

                  #83
                  Originally posted by assblaster
                  Any pics of where you made the ground? I get a nice winding noise like my car is going to explode and I think my ground is the culprit
                  Basically anywhere that is actual floor of the trunk is good. I generally ground somewhere near the stock battery cable, like just behind the shock tower.

                  When you do your ground point, scrape the hell out of the metal so you get down to shiny clean metal.

                  Tuning guide coming soon, we hope!

                  August R3VLimited Special: E3012 "V3" box: $225 shipped

                  Tutorials: Killer $500 Stereo | E30 Vert Dual 8'' Box Installation | E3010 Amp Rack Installation | Radio Wiring and Amp Bypass

                  Comment

                  • marshtgrade
                    Advanced Member
                    • Nov 2010
                    • 161

                    #84
                    Originally posted by assblaster
                    Any pics of where you made the ground? I get a nice winding noise like my car is going to explode and I think my ground is the culprit
                    have the same whining noise as well? made sure the ground was solid (my electrical engineer friend said) does this have to do with the other wires i extended? need help:/

                    Comment

                    • bastianshaw
                      R3VLimited
                      • Jan 2007
                      • 2210

                      #85
                      Originally posted by German Audio Specialties
                      Basically anywhere that is actual floor of the trunk is good. I generally ground somewhere near the stock battery cable, like just behind the shock tower.

                      When you do your ground point, scrape the hell out of the metal so you get down to shiny clean metal.

                      Tuning guide coming soon, we hope!
                      why not just ground off the negative battery cable bolt?

                      Comment

                      • German Audio Specialties
                        Grease Monkey
                        • Feb 2012
                        • 374

                        #86
                        Originally posted by bastianshaw
                        why not just ground off the negative battery cable bolt?
                        Sorry, missed your question...that 2 weeks with basically no internet sucked!

                        Anyway, no, don't ground on the battery, as the goal is using the ground plane of the body of the car to isolate noise, plus the amperage draw all on the single spot can be stressful to the actual metal of the terminal

                        Plus, who wants to wrangle more crap into that spot?

                        If you wanted to, you could use the stock ground lug on the body of the car...but honestly, why not just do it properly, make your own nice solid ground point right where you need it.

                        Perhaps you noticed how BMW does their grounds? Seems like following their lead might not be a bad idea.

                        Guys, please just make your own ground point. Shiny clean metal, a nut and a bolt, a couple washers and voilĂ ', a proper ground. Spend that extra 10 minutes to make a proper connection and you will keep your amplifier alive much longer.

                        Make sense?

                        Luke

                        August R3VLimited Special: E3012 "V3" box: $225 shipped

                        Tutorials: Killer $500 Stereo | E30 Vert Dual 8'' Box Installation | E3010 Amp Rack Installation | Radio Wiring and Amp Bypass

                        Comment

                        • dogsbark26
                          E30 Addict
                          • Nov 2008
                          • 533

                          #87
                          Makes sense. Thanks.

                          Comment

                          • rav320uk
                            E30 Fanatic
                            • Jun 2004
                            • 1337

                            #88
                            Originally posted by StereoInstaller1
                            Here is a quickie:

                            How to wire in the speakers on a non-premium car.

                            This covers late model non amplifed only at this point, but will be updated to cover early models soon.

                            OK, so pull your back seat and get the seatbelt out of the way, and find the rear speaker wires:



                            Now, grab about 20 feet of basic 16ga speaker wire, cut into 4 5' lengths. Wrap some tape around all 4, and shove it through the stock grommet:



                            Now get these things together:



                            Cut the rear wires and strip every end you have there. That would be all 4 aftermarket speaker wires and the cut ends of the stock wires:



                            Now, twist the pairs together. Remember that the black wires are positives on the stock wiring. I used the blue stripe as positive, but whatever you have, get the positives adn negatives correct and start crimping them as shown:



                            Note the technique, so when you are done you will have anice tidy bundle you can tape up:





                            Now, after 10 minutes, you are half way there

                            On to the next step, the wiring behind the deck.

                            What we did back there, if it isn't obvious, is connect the rear wires to the trunk wires and connect the front half of the rear wire run to the trunk wires...so how does that get to the front speakers? Simple, you connect them together behind the deck:



                            Note the colors: left rear positive now connects to left front positive and so on.

                            Now, as you see, the wires running from the trunk connect to the wires that run to the front and connect to the front wires behind the deck, so you need not run any wire at all, except RCAs and remote.

                            I am hoping that it is obvious that you don't connect these wires to anything else. They are just front speaker wires now, from the amp to the stock locations.

                            Does that help?

                            Luke
                            Luke, why use Crimp connectors???
                            Would it not be better to solder the wired need together and heat shrink round them, better for passing sound through, rether than crimping.

                            Rav
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                            Comment

                            • moto650
                              Advanced Member
                              • May 2011
                              • 155

                              #89
                              Originally posted by rav320uk
                              Luke, why use Crimp connectors???
                              Would it not be better to solder the wired need together and heat shrink round them, better for passing sound through, rether than crimping.

                              Rav
                              Oh no he didn't :-o
                              There's a thread for that here
                              88 325ix, 72 Type 1, 81 Starlet

                              Comment

                              • German Audio Specialties
                                Grease Monkey
                                • Feb 2012
                                • 374

                                #90
                                Originally posted by moto650
                                Oh no he didn't :-o
                                There's a thread for that here
                                hahahahahaaaa...thank you.

                                August R3VLimited Special: E3012 "V3" box: $225 shipped

                                Tutorials: Killer $500 Stereo | E30 Vert Dual 8'' Box Installation | E3010 Amp Rack Installation | Radio Wiring and Amp Bypass

                                Comment

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