Intro from Montana: '73 2.0L rustoration thread Options

[Superhawk996]

I ain't never seen me no Bonobo use a welder to weld up a spring puller. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/1.bp.blogspot.com-20845-1585070213.1.jpg)

I thought I was looking into a mirror for a monment (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

[preach]

Brent great work (as always), love the switch and USBs.

I am also looking forward to some wildlife pics when they start coming in the yard again. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[bbrock]

Brent great work (as always), love the switch and USBs.

I am also looking forward to some wildlife pics when they start coming in the yard again. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'll get on that. Just had two healthy looking moose run by my office window through the snow last week but couldn't grab the camera fast enough. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Tdskip]

I ain't never seen me no Bonobo use a welder to weld up a spring puller. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/1.bp.blogspot.com-20845-1585070213.1.jpg)

I thought I was looking into a mirror for a monment (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

Nope, that’s me!

[KELTY360]

I ain't never seen me no Bonobo use a welder to weld up a spring puller. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/1.bp.blogspot.com-20845-1585070213.1.jpg)

I thought I was looking into a mirror for a monment (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

Nope, that’s me!

You guys need to quit smoking. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif)

[bbrock]

Okay, time to stop monkeying around. With all the craziness going on right now, it really gets you thinking about what is truly important in life and focusing on that. In my case, I'm talking about tunes! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rock_band.gif)

Ive done some serious upgrading and darn close to having this all buttoned up. It started with fishing and 8 gauge amp wire through the snorkel in the firewall. I dreaded this task but it really wasn't too difficult.



And then tucking it away out of sight. Look closely and you can see just a little showing.





I ran a matching 8 gauge ground wire to the ground stud behind the fuse panel.



Both wires are routed to the center console.



I also ran better quality 16 gauge speaker wire out to the pods. First, I replaced the factory plastic that was glued to the chassis. That should improve the sound a bit.



And now for a nice and tidy installation of all the bits.



Hmm (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) That doesn't quite look like I had in mind. Let's see if we can do a little better.

I don't believe in magic, but I do believe in harnesses. I made up a harness for the antenna and amp controls. The harness takes power from the head unit antenna wire to turn on the amp when the head unit comes on. It also sends power to a rocker switch in the center console next to the trick usb charger. The other side of the switch sends power back to the bulkhead and to the switch wire for the power antenna. Now I have the option to lower the antenna when streaming music to the head unit rather than the radio.



Here's the amp mounted inside the console. I secured the mounting board to existing bolts on the console so no holes were drilled or modifications made. Everything is 100% reversible to stock simply by taking the thing out.

[bbrock]

Now let's talk subs. The first sub I ordered was a JL Audio 8" sub. It sounded awesome even just playing it from its packing box. Incredibly tight, punchy sound. I can't stand Thump, thump, sound systems that are meant to attract attention rather than produce beautiful music and the JL Audio sub checked all the boxes. Unfortunately, it wouldn't fit the foot space. On paper there was enough depth, but the odd shape of the footwell space and width of the magnet made it just a little too deep unless I was will to loos leg room. I was not. A quick call to Crutchfield and the JL Audo was on its way back to them, and a Rockford-Fosgate 8" Punch 3 shallow mount was on its way to me. At first I didn't like the Fosgate. Too much thump and no nuance. But as the speaker broke in, it started sounding better and I was able to dial it in for some pretty impressive sound. Again, just playing it using the packaging box as an enclosure. The system isn't going to rattle any teeth (thank goodness), but it does produce amazingly good sound. Far better than I thought I'd be abe to get.

For temporary mounting, I cut a piece of scrap plywood the same profile as the front of the foot foam and mounted the speaker. It fits quite nicely!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)



Not surprisingly, the bass sounds rather flaccid mounted on the board running in free air. It's kind of like punching a pillow. No satisfaction. It's still a huge improvement over just the Infinity pod speakers, but I'm really hoping 914Rubber offers their foot well sub enclosure soon. If I have to make my own, it will cost 3X as much. For now, here's a pick of how it will look in the final installation.



That's right, invisible. Subs are meant to be heard/felt and not seen. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tunez.gif)

[Superhawk996]

Nice job hiding the amp. I'll be interested to see how this all turns out.

Back in the day, I made my own center console out of plywood with a center baffle to divide driver side from pasenger side and mounted some 6x9's in it and had some sort of simple Radio Shack two channel amp up in the frunk. Maybe 50W/ch - wasn't much power by todays standards. The flip side of that limited power was that I never had issues with the OEM 55A alternator.

I was pretty happy with that setup back in the day.

As usual, you've upped the stakes and now I'll feel compelled to mimic your setup. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[mb911]

Looks great.. I decided for my application I am going to do a Marine Bluetooth speaker and mount similar to what you have done..

[bbrock]

Thanks Phil. I realized I didn't post any details on the amp. I went with an Alpine MRV-F300 which is by no means a beast or high end, but consistently shows up at the top of 4-channel amp reviews.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/images.crutchfieldonline.com-20845-1586099460.1.jpg)

It is rated 75W per channel @ 2 ohms but actual is usually a fair amount higher. The factory certified mine at 94W per channel. Doesn't matter because my speakers are rated at max 60W RMS and the sub is 150W (75W per voice coil). What I like about this amp is that it is a Class D which is more power efficient that most other amps. For the sub, I split the signal from the head unit to the amp. I tried wiring the sub with bridged output from the amp to a 4 ohm load and it worked okay, but I thought it sounded a little better running a single channel to each voice coil which are 2 ohms. I'm not sure why that would make a difference. It might just be my imagination, but that's how it is wired.

The sound from this system is way above what I had hoped. If you are looking for clean, quality sound, it is fantastic. If you want to rattle the windows of the third car ahead at a traffic light, you will be dissapointed. The Infinity speakers are incredible. They are small, so I set my cross-overs on the amp a tad on the high size (100 Hz) to hand off the lower range to the sub. What has shocked me the most is that you actually get a 3-dimensional sound stage if you sit on the center cushion. Listening to Pachelbel's Canon in D with eyes closed and you can imagine yourself in a concert hall (yeah, I know some music snops like to poo poo Pachelbel, but screw you. That piece is genius). Crank up the Steppenwolf and you'd swear John Kay was standing in the frunk. Unfortunately you don't often get to listen from the center cushion.

The system isn't going to win any awards, but considering the limitations we are working with in these little cars, I'm more than satisfied. I just want that sealed sub box to finish this thing off.

[Dion]

The level of attention and detail continue to astound.
Fantastic Brent.
This one is for you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Superhawk996]

I'm a huge vintage stereo fan so getting onboard with a Class D amp might be a challenge. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) But, honestly they have come a long way and you are absolutely right that the power efficiency is amazing and puts a Class A/B to shame. I'd have no reservation about using in automotive and Class D would really help with the heat issue being in that tight console space.

Nothing wrong with Pachelbel's Canon in D as long as it's done right.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by8oyJztzwo

[bbrock]

The level of attention and detail continue to astound.
Fantastic Brent.
This one is for you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) Yes! I've spent some time in their tap room. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)

[mepstein]

Brent - I don't remember if this was discussed but do you have your car insured?

[bbrock]

Brent - I don't remember if this was discussed but do you have your car insured?

Yep, I have it under Hagerty's restoration (comprehensive only) policy. It has a rider that automatically increments the insured value each month so the valuation keeps up with the work being done. it's very cheap too since there is no liability insurance. The only special requirement is that the car can't be registered for road use. Once I get my plates, I'll have to switch to a conventional policy.

@superhawk996
I agree about the Class D. They certainly have come a long way but still don't match Class A or A/B usually. This one sometimes gets dinged for a bit low signal to noise ratio (89 dB) although I haven't heard anything but clean sound. Some people also complain about heat generation at high output. Both of these seem to be related to insufficient grounds. Even after an hour of cranking this at the speaker limits (which are well below the amp limits), the amp chassis is barely warm. For all the reasons you checked off, I do think this is a good choice for this application. There are cleaner A/B amps in this price range but I would have needed a much fatter power cable and have to worry about heat and draw on the alternator.

[FlacaProductions]

Thats's good work Brent - thanks for blazing that trail. When (if?) I get back to my 914, this set up is high on the list.....

[914Toy]

I'm a huge vintage stereo fan so getting onboard with a Class D amp might be a challenge. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) But, honestly they have come a long way and you are absolutely right that the power efficiency is amazing and puts a Class A/B to shame. I'd have no reservation about using in automotive and Class D would really help with the heat issue being in that tight console space.

Nothing wrong with Pachelbel's Canon in D as long as it's done right.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by8oyJztzwo

Not my favorite recording of Pachelbel's Canon, but what incredible guitar skill. Brought a smile to my face. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[bbrock]

I'm a huge vintage stereo fan so getting onboard with a Class D amp might be a challenge. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) But, honestly they have come a long way and you are absolutely right that the power efficiency is amazing and puts a Class A/B to shame. I'd have no reservation about using in automotive and Class D would really help with the heat issue being in that tight console space.

Nothing wrong with Pachelbel's Canon in D as long as it's done right.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by8oyJztzwo

Not my favorite recording of Pachelbel's Canon, but what incredible guitar skill. Brought a smile to my face. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Needs a better drum score, but I like it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[FlacaProductions]

Brent - did you just scribe around the footwell foam to make the pattern? Does that foam just pull right out? It's strange, I've never been under there/behind the passenger footwell carpet.

[bbrock]

Brent - did you just scribe around the footwell foam to make the pattern? Does that foam just pull right out? It's strange, I've never been under there/behind the passenger footwell carpet.

Yep. Once you lift the carpet, the foam just pops right out and scribe the face outline onto a board. You want to extend the side toward the center about 1-1/4" because the foam dives back toward the bulkhead there and you need to mount the sub far to the lower left corner to line the magnet up with the deepest recess on the bulkhead. It will all make sense once you have the foam out. Like I said, this really needs to be an airtight sealed enclosure for best results.