power cable through firewall

[ahlkemist]

i have a '98 grand am w/ the 3.1L V-6. my problem is this, i need to get a power cable for an amp from the battery to the trunk. i just would like to avoid drilling into the firewall if i can, (dont wanna drill through something rather important under the hood). So is there someway I can use an existing hole to get it through there? I was poking around trying to see for myself if I could find something and I see a large wire loom that kinda goes down just in front of the windshield on the drivers side and then I see what may be the continuation of that just by the hood release inside. Anybody know a little more about this?

[xeroinfinity]

Sure Ahlkemist, you can use an existing hole. Just look for sharp edges, in the pre-existing hole. That would be the safest way, rather that drill into something unseen.. Most firewall holes have gromets, a rubber ring, around the holes so not to scrape wires and such. I'd still consider a plastic cover over the Power wire to the amp just to keep it extra safe. Remember safty first! Are you putting it in the Amp in the trunk? If so you are putting that power wire undr the carpet? Keep it Neat

[ahlkemist]

i tried looking around some more today, and i still cant find anything that looks really promising as far as a hole, (it's an 8-gauge wire that needs to fit) so if anyone knows where you can find one it would be a big help. But yeah in response to the above post I'm going to run it under the carpet to the trunk, I'm not worried about that part at all, I replaced all the speakers in my car and it cant be any harder than that with the taking the door panels and back seat off that I did for that. It's gonna be neat and from sitting in the car you'll barely be able to tell visually that I've done anything (besides for the new head unit )

Just for the information of everyone curious:

Head Unit: Panasonic CQ-C8100U
Front Speakers: Pioneer TS-A4670R 3-way 4x6's
Rear Speakers: Pioneer TS-A6961R 3-way 6x9's
Amp: Audiobahn A4004T 4 Channel 50W x 4 or 200W x 2 bridged
Sub: Visonik 10" sub in bandpass box

[GASE 95]

i just ran wires for my subs in my 95. I couldnt find a good place to run it through either so i wound up running it up near the wiper blades then down the door where it goes unseen underneath the plastic right by my left knee, under the carpet past the drivers seat and up underneath the backseat into the trunk. The only thing i dont like about it is that you can see roughly 4 inches of the wire when the door is open.

[ahlkemist]

that doesnt sound like too bad of an idea, just how did u get it down the door without it pinching the cable when the door is closed and keep it from getting wet and all that? also to anyone else who reads this, i dont have a problem drilling, i just dont want to hit anthing on the other side when drilling, so if someone can let me know a good place to do that or a way to find a place itd be appreciated.

[xeroinfinity]

there should be a plastic wire holder already on the drives side floor by the door.But below the part that holds down the carpet, toward the seat rail and under the caarpet. Most newer pontiacs I've seen have the wireholder. You might be able to feel it under the carpet by the seat rail.
If you need to go to the door I'd suggest going through the rubber boot , with all the other wires that go to the door.

[ahlkemist]

i looked by the door on the drivers side floor, and all i was able to find was a plastic wire loom/holder that ran up near the hood release, i followed it just by feeling/following it up into the dash and it seems to end at a fuse box. seems to me this should have to go through to the engine compartment. anybody know how to get behind the dash to the back of this fuse box? maybe i can follow the wires to the fuse box back into the engine compartment through there? or even if i could? it seems from what ive looked at that everything that runs through the firewall is a plug, not just a hole. any advice?

[mep20022004]

Originally Posted by ahlkemist

i looked by the door on the drivers side floor, and all i was able to find was a plastic wire loom/holder that ran up near the hood release, i followed it just by feeling/following it up into the dash and it seems to end at a fuse box. seems to me this should have to go through to the engine compartment. anybody know how to get behind the dash to the back of this fuse box? maybe i can follow the wires to the fuse box back into the engine compartment through there? or even if i could? it seems from what ive looked at that everything that runs through the firewall is a plug, not just a hole. any advice?

first of all running the wire through the door is a very stupid thing to do i know im an installer i have seen a few cars brun down because of this stupidity
on the 95 and ealier grand ams you will need to drill a hole in the passengers floor just pull back the carpet and put the hole about a 3/8 for 8ga power wire then silicone arond the wire and replace the carpet
on my 97 grand am i found that there was a gromet if you lift the hood and on the drivers side their is a bundle of wires right next to the fender open the gromet up some with a blunt screwdriver not to punture any wires that you might need then push the wire down

if anyone has any more q's on any automotive audio email me at [email protected] i'll try to get back with you in afew days
p.s. i can also give you q,s on iaska and db drag technical problems and advice

[Gir-_-]

Originally Posted by ahlkemist

i tried looking around some more today, and i still cant find anything that looks really promising as far as a hole, (it's an 8-gauge wire that needs to fit) so if anyone knows where you can find one it would be a big help. But yeah in response to the above post I'm going to run it under the carpet to the trunk, I'm not worried about that part at all, I replaced all the speakers in my car and it cant be any harder than that with the taking the door panels and back seat off that I did for that. It's gonna be neat and from sitting in the car you'll barely be able to tell visually that I've done anything (besides for the new head unit )

Just for the information of everyone curious:

Head Unit: Panasonic CQ-C8100U
Front Speakers: Pioneer TS-A4670R 3-way 4x6's
Rear Speakers: Pioneer TS-A6961R 3-way 6x9's
Amp: Audiobahn A4004T 4 Channel 50W x 4 or 200W x 2 bridged
Sub: Visonik 10" sub in bandpass box

I have those front 3-way speakers... they're nice so far... installation was done sorta half ass but no rattling.. how do you like em so far?
I originally planned for the 6x9s to do the 5-way speakers. But money has been tight, as of late

eventually I plan to add a amp/sub .. not sure exactly what.. was thinking 2 10s .. dont need a whole lot. I wanna keep it clean sounding and 'inside' the car lol