Hi Everyone,

I'm looking to upgrade the sound of my coop with a subwoofer install. I want to install it the most stealthy as possible, looking for sound quality rather than volume, and without compromising the boot space.

I searched a bit in the forum and I liked the install in one of the boot side pockets, in the opossite side of the fuel tank. Does anyone knows how big is the space here? I need to know the capacity of the box that could be built to choose the right subwoofer and amplifier.

Another option could be to install two smaller subs, one in each side pocket; using two tiny subs like JL Audio 6w3v3 (6.5", 150 RMS each). Anyone tried something similar to this?

Thanks!
J.

I wouldn't bother with 6.5 subs, 10" is the starting point to be honest, you can buy Rockford fosgate flat subs, prime or power series, both in 10" or 12" and are very good for the money, much better then any flat pioneer but JL also do a flat sub but I haven't tested one out yet.

Shame your not in the uk, I could of done a install for you

I would look at installing a custom enclosure be hind the rear three quarter panels and fitting 8" or possibly 10"s here. Unported because I dislike the boom/ undamped sound. If you have the skills a sealed unit made from fibreglass can be made. One benefit of fitting them in the cabin space is you will here a wider range of frequency not just duff duff duff rattle duffduff.

I don't like ported either but on some applications you need to port, it depends, in cabin subs can be too over powering, it all depends on what your looking for, hi-fi or ear bleeding bass head, iv always found a sub in the boot is the way to go, if you have more then one it will be either your a bass head or your car hase a solid back pannel and you need to vent the bass into the cabin, if you still want subs in the cabin then yes 6.5 are going to be the strait fit option, personaly if your going down this route there are some freak sizes out there in 8" speakers you could try first, some have a 250-300 rms, I have fitted monster jbl 12" co-axle speakers into a 2002 lwb transit before and they where werid to look at! But powered by a PG amp and they sounded very good!

Thank you all for your answers.
It's a shame audioguy that I'm not in the UK for you to make me an install.

I don't want to go for subs installed in the cabin as I read a lot that is difficult to get rid of rattles.

So, subs in the boot is the way to go. And Im discaring the two 6.5" subs option.

And how about my first option of a custom box in the side pocket opossite to the fuel tank? How is the sound experiencie of the guys who made an install here? I'm looking for hi-fi instead of ear bleeding bass.

Thanks!
J.

There is a company that make these to order for loads of cars, but I can't remember there name, last one I fitted was on a e46 BMW convertable

It's like these people but uk based

http://www.wickedcas.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=1

Somebody once did a fantastic install with a custom-made fibreglass housing in the LH side panel in the boot. Covered it in carpet material and it looked very "original" indeed. I seem to recall he worked out all the volumes too, to get a decent sound. Unfortunately it was a very long time ago, might even have been on Form Mk.1, so a search might not find it. Anyone else (the oldies!) remember this?

This one?

http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=195531&page=1

A.N. Oldie

Thanks! Thats the post that I first saw and the one that triggered my interest in this kind of "stealth" enclosure. Unfortunately nobody could tell in that moment the capacity of that space so to decide which sub to fit (and before diciding to go for it, I would like to know that to determine if its worth giving this a try). So, if anyone still has that kind of install it would be nice to receive some feedback.

Thanks!

J.

very nice can we some how add this link to the forum

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fastedd/ice.htm

so it doesnt get lost forever, this has given me a few clues and i may look into making a few for sale

mabe that green shed on my drive will have some use after all

Any ballpark prices if you do decide to make these?

I'd be interested to know about that as well.

Why don't you just measure the available space? A simple calculation of height x width x depth will give you the volume there and then simply match that volume with the sub specification. Have you considered a bandpass design? the space lends itself well to the idea.

If you do an Internet search there is loads of information.

www.diysubwoofers.org

It all depends how much the materials cost and doing a prototype that I can take to bits after I know it fits nice n tight, then use the peices as templates and make up as many as I need, it wouldn't be to expensive, but it's time and where to do it

leave it with me

I feel a group buy coming on............

Me too.

I think you'll have a LOT of interest in this if the price is right.

Oooh sounds like a good idea. I could get rid of the active sub I have taking up the boot!

I could not commit to this without knowing the cost, but I sometimes carry a lot of stuff in the boot. If the housing had the facility of being able to slot a bit of plastic over the speaker to protect it I think that would be good. Prob would not require much - just holders on three sides and a rotating latch (a bit like you see on a shed door) on one side.

I imagine other people would see that as useful as well though, even if I don't go through with this.

maplins do woofer covers

also

http://www.autoacoustics.com/grillehome.htm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Car-Audio-12-Subwo...=item2a0471a7b3

theres tons on ebay just have a look

iv got most of it planed out in my head, i just need to get the stuff together like ash gray acustic carpet, fiberglass resin, wood glue, a few sheets of mdf, nail gun, mastic,carpet glue spray, charity shop t-shirts, jumbo masking tape low tac, pillow stuffing, etc...

also good weather

Good idea on the grill covers.

If you could do with an extra pair of hands when putting the thing together I'd be happy to give up a morning on a Sat or Sunday to assist.

Stop making excuses and start making boxes!

alright i'l start buying the stuff today and i'l start it tomorrow iv got a new roll of ash back carpet in the van so i'l let you guys know when its finished

I look forward to seeing the results

????

update: iv collected the clear rasin and fiberglass matting, will have a measure up then start cutting the mdf

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5kg-Polyester-Resi...1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chop-Strand-Mat-45...=item335a19c003

2nd roll of audio carpet
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Audio-Cloth_W0QQit...=item23053e5a4e

Going to collect carpet and then it's game on, I'm going to make 5 of these with false floors so you can hide your amps and cables, 2 with 10" subwoofer hole and 2 with 12" subwoofer hole and the one left over will be either one depending who wants it.

Im deffo interested mate with 10" sub.Looking forward to first pics.

heres some pics:

Looking good so far.

How is access to the light units? Looks a little tight?

The idea is to pull the box out then change the bulbs, to be honest it's going to be as big as I can get it as there's not much volume to be had out of this space, I may need to bring the sub hole outward just to gain that more flexablity with the general depth some subs can be

Excellent job AudioGuy!
It's a shame that I won't be able to buy you this box as I'm very very far away, but I'll borrow your idea.

Did you have the chance to measure the capacity? Any idea of which sub to fit there?
Has anyone tried the MB Quart RLP304? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--YXV30I_DU).

Thanks!

the problem is its hard to measure the volume as its not cubed or even in depth, the only way i can see it done would be to fill it with water then measure whats emptyed out, i would think a flat sub or venting "porting" box would be better but we'l see, i dont really like ported boxes

yer looks good, anything mb quart is value for money

Either that or use sand? Means you won't ruin the insides of 1 of the boxes then with water?

grity grit grit

those rockford i was talking about

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/...S&p_status=

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/...S&p_status=

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/...S&p_status=

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/...S&p_status=

a mix of

10" 4ohms and 2ohms

12" 4ohms and 2ohms

JL audio

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs_pages.php?page_id=245

Those Rockfords seem to be an excellent choice!.
The 10" series require 16.5 litres for a sealed box and I think would be the best fit for this place, that do you think?
The 12" series require 29 litres for a sealed enclosure and I don't think we've got this in this little stealth box.

i think both will be fine as far as i can see, well see when the fist one is complete as long as it stops raining

Maybe you can try putting a big plastic bag inside the box and wighting it on a sacale, then pouring water inside until it is full, and measure the capacity by the weight difference when it is full minus empty.
Finding out this value would be really helpfull to choose the right subwoofer.

Thanks for your work!

good idea

Although not difficult it seems more complicated to measure the weight of the water and convert it into a displacement. Perhaps easier to just measure the displacement straight off?

Those subs are a bit pricey to my mind by the way...

do a google search, i can buy them straight from pro-plus if needs be, there based in north london

Not difficult at all - 1 litre of water equals 1 kilogram, so if you use a known capacity container to pour the water (such as a 1 litre bottle), you will know exactly the sub volume when it is filled to the top.
Thats just an idea anyway.

Fair enough. Taking that approach though you could dispatch with the scales and rely on your ability to count.

I'm just going to use the bag and water then measure it, the first one built will be mine and a little water won't hurt, then your all have a rough idea of the boxes volume, anyway i'd better crack on with it today, be ready for updates

I think ill be another one up for this

I don't want massive base, just for my music to sound fuller

Is this a group buy then? I've got a SW in the boot, I can unplug the connectors easy enough but I would quite like the extra room using this stealth box, might even buy an empty box to store oil, wheel nut lock, screen wash, tools..in fact what about a box the other side just for that (got my CD changer wedged in there with a pillow, but it will be largely redundant if I ever get around to making my ICE system go digital...

heres the update, loads done today

i must clear up now

Looks good. Big old sub you have in it there.

yer i know i just need to get an idea of how it was gonna look and if a average sub would fit, all in all i think it went well

i didnt get started till 12am today so not bad work in 5 hours, now the box shown here is just a tester and if i can get it to work well i'l stuck the finished item in my coupe.

now that the box dried iv taken it in and out from the boot and is easy to remove and fits like a glove, iv got a few more layers to lay tomorrow but its not far from finished structualy.
iv then have to cover it in black carpet and then work out how to cover up the bulb holders nicely

Coming along nicely

This looks a good project. I certainly would be interested if this was a group buy . If however Audioguy you dont go down that road, I would be willing to purchase plans, if that was possible.

i'l try and make as many as i can but its the naibours im worried about as i dont need agro, as you can imagine its a very messy job and theres dust everywhere but as long as i can get the tenplates sorted out i can do this else where or on site

So it does not need a shallow sub then? What do you think a viable mounting depth would be?

i would say a shallow sub would be ideal but if your looking for a improvment in sound a normal sized sub will be ok.

these kenwoods are very well priced and iv always been suprised how well they sound

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/10912.html

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/10911.html

i'l measure the depth tomorrow

Thanks for your work here audioguy, and for keeping us updated.
It looks very nice so far... I'm mainly concerned now about the sound quality of the resulting box. If you could supply us some feedback when finished would be great.

also kenwood make a shalow sub

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/6354.html

mb quart new

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MB-Quart-RSH-252-1...=item3a55c2af9f

stuck another layer on the back this time, its come out ok but im going to have to get the drimmal out to trim some bits i fiberglassed yesterday but its nearly ready to be trimed

I'd have thought you'd have said MB Quart was toss?

I looked at that speaker as it happens. Am I right in thinking that the cone of the speaker protrudes beyond the front of the speaker?

well its 400 rms and shallow but yes its not a coventual design but usualy mb quarts is really good

good news my mate is going to let me use his garage to finish off these boxes

Result

right iv got some pics that will give you guys an idea of what it looks like so far, now this is just a rough idea of how it will look.
Now iv got a lpg tank below the false floor so i cant use this to hide the amps as i dont like the idea of that so they will be above on the rear seats wher the ski hatch is

unfortunatly for me because of the lpg tank i had a nightmare getting the box in as the tank was in the way of sliding it into place, i had to remove the boot light switch and bend it back and raise the boot lid higher and some good pushing got it in.

now i had concerns about the wiring loom going to the light and if this would fit as in the green car i just choped it all out,but i can now say there is no problem and the box fits in fine and only a little guidance "pulling out the way" as your pushing the box in is needed.

what you will notice from the pics is that the sub is close to the floor, this is because of the lpg tank and would be 2 inces lower if it wasnt there, so if this still looks like a problem for some of you out there then i would suggest a 10" sub.

now most of you are going to ask "what does it sound like" well i havent hooked up the power cables and run them to the boot plus im missing a £35 pre-out cablem for my pioneer but i do have other stereos i can use but at the moment i cant be asked to mess about when i know its gonna rain soon.

Looking good so far.

Any ideas as to final cost / selling price yet?

good question!

£26 in mdf from wickes "1 box and false floor"
£45 fiber glass matting and resin "enough for 4 boxes"
£3 screws "5 boxes"
£6 carpet spray glue "2 boxes"
£6 wood glue "5 boxes"
£25 accustic carpet "autoleads" " 1 box and false floor"
£4 staples "4 boxes"
£3 paint brushes "enough to make 3 boxes"

so id say each boot build in materials is £71 and two early and very dry days to make it so i think basic like iv made already i would charge £150

but collection only unless people arange there own deliverys

now if you want something special the cost will be more depending on what your spec will be

Does this box require the false floor or can it fit without?

You can use the original carpet bit your need to trim it to fit

So... How is the sound quality of the box?

I haven't got found to fitting the amps yet, I'm gonna sort it on Sunday if it isn't raining lol

Check out this install:
http://www.hifimobile.fr/installation-fiat-coupe-20v-turbo-id9-inst22.html

Sweet

good find, this has given me a few more ideas, but that sub and the thin fiberglass couldnt of been good

totally agree very poor/weak base, looks kike 4-8oz weave cloth laminate, should have used heavy duty chopped strand x3 laminate with a cabasill thickener on the jell coat good basic stealth install though, no doubt weight saving was the installers aim, and imo should be the route coopers should think of taking for decent tunes yet not going over kill on weight.

hello,

nice to see my car's friend on your forum!!
and I can assure you that the sound quality is exceptional.

Chris

Looks wise it is very good!

How small is this world :)lol
Is your friend registered on this forum?

Yes...his name is Rougail-so6 !!

i would think that would depend on what you call
exceptional

The Mule is back Where have you been?

hey bockers how are you? snowed in matey out in the sticks of north yorkshire lol

Appears to be a hinged box/compartment hanging under the rear shelf, wonder what's in there??

Edit: oh, perhaps should've paid more attention to the earlier photo's!!

Guys, none of the pictures of this are working for me, is there an issue with the hosting of them?

just an update: i ran the wiring the other day when i fitted the clifford arrow 5.1, set it up yesterday midday and have to admit its sounding SWEET!

now its time to save up for some hertz hi-energy components, and i think for the rear im just going to use the entery level co-axle hertz, run on a 4 channel amp

Any movement on this?

well it done as far as im going with this one as i just wanted to keep maximum boot space, will take a pic

Do you think you'll go intop production for us?

I've got a full install to do this summer and I really can't be arsed to make the box.

well i stated how much it was going to cost what i made so far and everyone just went quiet so to be honest if i get 5 orders and the money up front then i'l make them be just 1 or 2 it just not worth taking a week off and doing them

I would like to see the finished product before committing (let’s see the final pictures ) but I think we could probably get 5 people in for £150, just would need to put it in the GB forum. (I brought one for a Golf some years ago and it was around £80-£90, so this being a more “custom” job make the price sound about right.)

I've a few questions/suggestions first.

# Would the box come with the screw fittings on the side of the box and the wiring from that connector to the subwoofer terminals? (I don’t want to have to get my soldering iron out)

# The fitted box would look a lot better if you could over hang the front face carpet so it could be trimmed to a flush finish from light cluster to the back of the seat. Would you be able to do this?

The problem is yes I could make the sub fit more into the box flush and then filler the front sand and carpet but that's more drying time, cost, and tons of messy dust, I haven't got a workshop or usable garage so everything has to be done on my drive which is agro enough, if I got an order to make some then I'd have to rent a garage with power but at the mo moneys tight and I wouldn't be making anything out of it

Also getting the shape and bend from the light cluster to the edge of the box is not easy, thinking about lt I would have to stretch some matteral from the side of the box to the light cluster, fibergass raisin it and let it dry to shape, then apply a few layers of fiberglass behind to reinforce that then carpet it, also I could see a way at the time if making all that in one as the box fits in like a glove, so there's no room to twist or turn it just fits into place.

Also the whole idea was to make a budget starting point so if you wanted maximum space, nice fitting, nothing leery, look minimal then here you go