New Stereo Project Started

Well guys - I've decided to move my amps from the trunk into the interior of the car. No, not under the seat - I wanted to put them somewhere half way original, so I'm mounting them to the roof of the car above the rear seats. I got the amp rack frame welded in yesterday - here are the pictures.

http://shadowviper.sytes.net/amprack_0101.jpg
http://shadowviper.sytes.net/amprack_0102.jpg
http://shadowviper.sytes.net/amprack_0103.jpg

It's not going to be a weekend project - the whole headliner is getting redone in fiberglass to flush in the amps, so it's going to take a little while, and I'm not going to be rushing it, but I'll put updates up as I get things done.

That's pretty cool... I bet even using the stock headliner with minor alterations would work well too depending on the size of the amps.

I think I'm going to use some of the stock headliner - just re-apolster it - but the amps will sit a good 2" at least lower than the stock headliner, so I'll need to build it up some.

cool idea, can't wait to see more.

I should have the amps moved and mounted by the beginning of july, then comes the really fun part of rebuilding the headliner.

I think I'm going to cut out the headliner so it fits over the amps, then build a frame around the amps and fiberglass that frame into the headliner - it'll probably be the easiest way to make sure the amp rack/headliner fits back like stock around the edges.

cool..watch out for those speed bumps when u have passengers ;)

Ya, I might have to. I don't have many people riding back there, so shouldn't be too bad.

I'm still debating whether to put the amps behind plexi glass or just flush them in. Guess it might decide how far down the amps sit.

Do you think you will have over heating issues with your amps being that they are mounted close to the roof of the car (where the sun beats down) and the fact that heat rises? You might consider some type of cooling for the amp's heatsinks to protect the circuit boards.

sick idea!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, the amps run really cool, I've never had a problem with them overheating. But if I do have problems I can also add in fans or something. I may put them in anyway if I do the plexiglass just to help with air circulation.

oh yea... definately do the plexi idea! :D

Good idea to fan cool them. I saw a Van that had amps mounted on the celing back in the early 90's. Of course this was prior to Class D designs. He had some heat related issues. Of course he was in Florida too. It might not be as hot in your area. Kudos to you. I really like the idea! Please post pics when you're done.

Troy

thats gonna look siiiiiiiiick cant wait to see pics...are you building a show car or just trying to get really unique with your system?

Actually to be honest - I'm building a little of everything into my car - show, race, luxury and stereo competition.

For show of course the body kit, custom interior, color coordinated pieces and what not, for race, d16a6 turboed (not a 12 second car or anything, but I hope to beat a few people), for luxury I'm working on keeping the a/c w/ the turbo and making the ride and interior comfortable for trips and just plain driving, and the stereo competition, I go for a little of the spl and sq (more on the sq side) - I like my music to sound good and if I feel like it, I've got the 3 12's in the back to back up my volume knob. So hopefully my plan will work out and I'll have a pretty nice car when I'm done.

sounds like a plan!

Wow, i've never amps mounted so cleverly. Nice idea! :thumbsup: Thats gonna look great, can't wait to see more.

I've got a couple other ideas I'm working on as well for my roof. I want to create a civic overhead console for sunglasses and garage door openers and stuff like that. The trunk is going to have a tool rack in it cause as much as I travel, I like to be prepared. I was also thinking about mounting a small air tank under the car - like a 2-3 gallon one and a compressor just so I have air if I need it. I think I've got enough space behind the rear passenger tire. The body kit hangs low enough that I should hide a small air tank. The trunk is going to be redone - I'm going to sink the 3 subs down about an inch, then build a cover for them so I can put stuff in the back and not have to worry about damaging them. And also build cubby holes on each side of the box for the tools and extra quart of oil, parts or whatever. Then I should also be able to put a spare 17" rim and tire in the back too for those long trips. The plans for my car are almost not numberable - lol - but some day I'll get there. I know a lot of you are thinking - damn - that's gonna be a lot of weight - and yes it will be - hence the reason why I'm turboing the car. I don't race it, and don't really plan to. I just want the extra power for those whenever times and for myself. Plus I don't want to have an all show and no go. I'm upgrading everything.

Well, it took a lot longer than I tought to get the amps mounted. But I got it done. The wiring isn't finished and I'm not completely done with bolting it in. Since this is custom setup, things have to be taken slowly. So far it doesn't flex more than 1/4 inch, so that's awesome. I'd have pictures tonight, but my daughter wasn't cooperating so I'll try tomorrow. I've also almost got my sub box done and ready to put in for testing as well. I lowered the subs 2" below the false floor that I had in there before. It's going to look awesome, but it also cut my box from 3.6 cubic feet to 2.6 cubic feet. I'm not too terribly worried becuase the box is a shared are space design. I'm sure it's going to tighten up the bass some - just how much is the question and will it hurt the spl. Guess we'll see here in the next month or so. I'll get pics up asap for you guys.

yeah you better get some pics up

sweet ideas, please do post thoughs pix, giving me ideas on stuff to do for my ride, just not what ur doing, dont want to be a biter.

Well, here are a couple pictures. There is one of the new sub box, the trunk dynamted and the amp rack of course.

http://shadowviper.sytes.net/amprack.jpg
http://shadowviper.sytes.net/amprack2.jpg
http://shadowviper.sytes.net/subbox.jpg
http://shadowviper.sytes.net/dynamat.jpg

Looks like your project is coming along quite well! Keep us informed of your progress please!

coming along

I have a friend that has a full show car Scion xB with his amps mounted like that... I'd use some thread lock or something on those bolts so they don't shake their way out from the bass... better safe than sorry.

There is a lock washer and nut on the other end of those bolts, so I should be fine. I'm going to watch them for the first few weeks once I get the sub box back in just to make sure.

Any updated pictures?

Not as of yet - I'm about half way done with the new fiberglass headliner. I'm molding in an overhead console into it and also a spot for a 7" drop down screen as well. I will get some pictures of that here in a few days.

sounds good

Wicked Job man!!