Best install for sub with a non

[Vedubin01]

Best install for sub with a non rear fold out back seat? I am starting my stereo project this coming week and looking to see what is the best install for our cars. I read that the e30 is airtight when it comes to our trunks. Is the best way to build a box that fires though the cutout or are there better ways? I am open to ideas and will post pics at the end of next week to so work complete.

TIA

[Jean]

If I end up adding a sub to my e30, i'll look more into putting it upfront (fiberglass a box to fit) or cut a whole in the rear shelf and mount it there, shooting up, box under it.

[Vedubin01]

I just do not want to cut up my trunk lid and or port a hole though it.

[george graves]

I read that the e30 is airtight when it comes to our trunks.

No sir....If you were to add up all the places air can excape from a e30's trunk, I bet it would add up to about a little less than a sq. foot.

I had a extra sub, and didn't want to build a box, so I made a thin plywood peice to attach a sub to in the exact shape of the ski hole, then attached a 12" sub (designed for very large boxes), and mounted that in the hole. Sounds like ass...But for 30min of work it was worth a try, and it gave me something to limp along with for the time being.

I *wish* free air subs really worked - I'd much rather have one than a heavy box.

...

[StereoInstaller1]

I ran a single 12" in about 2.25 cubic feet, ported through the rear seat.

Not quite as glamorus as that kicker someone (George?) posted...

Just a normal box with the woofer sealed into the cabin, then a single 4" hole through the rear firewall.

Lost about 3db when I put the seat in.

My '87 has the foam rear seat. I chopped a BUNCH of foam out, then had to put up with the rattle of plastic against leather...pissed me off.

Finally got in there and glued the plastic to the leather. Major PITA. Never really worked all that well, either.

I found a fold down seat. I am going to build a box for a single 10", but run 2) 3" Aeroports through the rear speaker locations, in the premuim housings.

I believe if the box were ported through the rear speaker locations it would have sounded great. But now I have the fold down armrest. Wewt!!

(Kinda waiting for a late model rear deck/3rd brakelight to happen before I start with the whole reupholster thing, but what the hell.)

I should mention that Jordans little brother still uses that box.

Everyone who ever heard it was amazed, but I was not happy with it.

I can be a little finiky.

Luke

[george graves]

If you are *very* careful, you can acutally remove some of the shaped "wood product like" fiber board that makes up the later style rear deck lid, and leave the carpet intact. It might sag a tiny bit, it's an option for a factory look.

I think a lot of guys here would love to get their hands on a sub box - a compromise between a light and a stiff box - that would take the adverage 10" and sound good.

I'm thinking of making one that will use some weather striping soft rubber to "seal up" to the firewall (non-ported), but insted of using bolts to lock it down, use the rubber T-straps that you see big rigs use to latch their hood down. You pull on the rubber strap and lock it into place with a lot of tension.

Some banana jacks for a quick disconnect are you are good to go with out a sub it need be?

Luke? Jordo's car had Mb quarts mids and tweats correct? I assume that was his doing and not yours?



...

[StereoInstaller1]

If you are *very* careful, you can acutally remove some of the shaped "wood product like" fiber board that makes up the later style rear deck lid, and leave the carpet intact. It might sag a tiny bit, it's an option for a factory look.

I would just rip all of the factory carpet off, make a grille with wire mesh, and reupholster. Easier in the long run...

I think a lot of guys here would love to get their hands on a sub box - a compromise between a light and a stiff box - that would take the adverage 10" and sound good.

I'm thinking of making one that will use some weather striping soft rubber to "seal up" to the firewall (non-ported), but insted of using bolts to lock it down, use the rubber T-straps that you see big rigs use to latch their hood down. You pull on the rubber strap and lock it into place with a lot of tension.

Some banana jacks for a quick disconnect are you are good to go with out a sub it need be?

What a great idea! You are talking about the rubber "T" handle like the Jeep guys use to hold their girlfriend in, right?

Luke? Jordo's car had Mb quarts mids and tweats correct? I assume that was his doing and not yours?



...

Yup. Jordo actually did his entire install, I just built the bare box. It was also my idea to use the 4 channel on his seperates in tri-amped mode.

Luke

[Addissimo]

so which will lead to a better over-all sound with a sealed box?

Firing through the ski-pass into an m3 rear seat, or through the rear shelf?

Assuming the install is of very high quality.

Edit: with an emphasis on sq, but bordering into sql when needed.

I'm having trouble deciding between the TCSounds TC-9, or the IDMax 12, paired with Seas w18nx midbass up front, which are very easy to blend with a high power sub. My main concern is being able to tell that the sub is pointing directly into a diaginal window, vs pointing directly at me. Can you tell the difference?

[xLibelle]

i had a mercedes wagon with 2 ten's in the back. (6 highs, 6 mids, 2 amps, 4 xovs, and a cap as well)
even though it wasn't quite as loud, having the sound bounce off the rear glass sounded deeper, more refined and rich than when it was aimed directly into the cabin.

i imagine having the ports come up through the rear deck wouldnt be half bad

[Vedubin01]

project starts tomorrow, be posting pics!


Sneak Peak of whats to come. Head unit in box, see the pamphlets for a hint. Mids and highs already at shop!

[StereoInstaller1]

Hay dewd, I need them softwarez!

I have an N1 and no softwarez!

yO!

Luke

[808BMW]

I've always meant to put weatherstripping type stuff to clean up the edges a bit but I rarely ever fold my seat down. I'm good on the fact of just knowing I can.

[240zs30]

Hey Vedubin,
Tomorrow huh? When will it be done? You must pass by so I can hear and see the final install. Should be pretty nice with the setup you mentioned.

808. Fold down seat? Did you make your set up easily foldable?. Thats a lot of bass. It has to crank!

[808BMW]

Except for the fact that the seat is pretty long and I'm tall so the front seats have to be forward to flip the rear seat forward it's pretty easy.

If you were short and sat forward you might not have to do that.

Also the rear doors must be open or the handles will block you from folding the seat down. But the good part is if you want to cruise around with it down, the seat recess area for the rear fenderwells fits perfectly under the handles, and the doors lock the seat down into place.

[Vedubin01]

Well for the most part the system is done. It still needs some tuning and I still got much to learn on the head unit but Im pleased with the outcome for the most part. I did place the sub in the spare tire area and though some say its not the best place to put a sub, I found it delivers plenty of bass though the cabin of the car and the car does not rattle one bit from the outside. Really clean sound from the outside. I went with the MB Quart components. I set the amp up as Luke suggested. Each speaker has its own channel and can be easily tuned. The Exile amps Luke sells are just kick ass. The Exile logo glows a nice blue and lights up the entire trunk at night. The amps deliver perfect power and would recommend them to anyone. If you missed out, you should have jumped on the Luke deal of the year. Well here ya go. Come crappy pics taken just to get them up. Post better ones in the Members Rides coming soon!

Thank you Luke for your help!