Empire's Trans Am Install (56K No Way)

[Mister X]

Some of you may remember this car from a long time ago, when we began to build a box for it (thread located here) (http://www.icixsound.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23942&highlight=trans) . Well, its finally time to finish up what we started.

The system consists of:

Alpine 7998
Edi 6500s
Nine.4
11Ov.2
Nine.2x

Onto the pix:

The victim, and the proud owner.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/1.JPG

Stock speaker location

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/4.JPG

Stock headunit

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/5.JPG

The beautiful 7998 box

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/6.JPG

11Ov.2

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/7.JPG

Nice and solid

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/8.JPG

Nine.2x

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/9.JPG

Unpacking the nine.4

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/10.JPG

Nine.4

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/11.JPG

Were thinking of mounting them over here somewhere.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/12.JPG

[Mister X]

Not 100% sure. We thought about mounting them on one of the walls in the T-Top well, but there isn't enough room.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/13.JPG

First up, we need to hook this thing in. Installing the deck in this car required a dash kit, wiring harness, and antenna adapter.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/16.JPG

Deck came with everything originally included.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/17.JPG

We begin with the wiring harness for the car and the wiring harness for the deck.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/14.JPG

Weapon of choice for connecting wires. Soldering gun, and solder.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/15.JPG

Slide on a piece of heatshrink, then twist the wires together so they look like one straight wire. Then use the soldering gun to heat up the wire and touch the solder to it until it flows through the connection.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/19.JPG

After allowing the solder to cool, slide the heatshrink over the exposed metal and heat it up to securely insulate the connection.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/21.JPG

I finished off the harness with some techflex. The exposed wire is the remote turn on for the amplifiers.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/27.JPG

The first step to putting the deck into the car is to pop off this trim piece. Use a screw driver to remove the 4 poppers in each corner.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/28.JPG

Be gentle, you don't want to crack this piece.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/44.JPG

[Mister X]

Next, remove the 3 hex bolts.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/45.JPG

Disconnect the harness and antenna adapter from the rear and it pops right out.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/47.JPG

This is the stock harness that the harness we created earlier plugs into.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/48.JPG

Attached.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/29.JPG

Next step was to mod the dash kit so that it fit. We began with cutting off the extra munting brackets.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/31.JPG

Then we cut off the inner brackets.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/32.JPG

Then we used an extremely sharp razor to clean up the cuts. We'll come back to the deck later, for now, thats all you get.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/34.JPG



Next task was to run the 0awg to the back of the car. We connected it to the battery using a soldered 0awg ring terminal. The process of doing this is outlined in the big ass project thread. We had to cut off the red rubber protective boot on the stock connector to fit the ring.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/40.JPG

We mounted the fuse next to the strut tower. It is a little far away from the battery, but there is absolutley nothing that could hurt it between the battery and it, so we felt it was acceptable.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/42.JPG
http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/50.JPG

[Mister X]

After running it through a grommet on the passenger side, we ran it up the passenger side door sill and out onto the rear deck.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/51.JPG

Next step was to remove the amplifier that the previous owner installed. It is hooked up to the stock speakers using the loc in the amp.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/53.JPG

A couple of screws

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/54.JPG

A few wires and the fuse

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/56.JPG

And its out.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/55.JPG

Thats all for now. Will probably have another update late tonight. Mike (the owner) had to catch a class, so I had some time to write this up.

[Mister X]

Generally, you should put some type of loom over any wire in the engine compartment. We started by putting it on and zip tieing.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/73.JPG

Then we trimmed the excess, and taped the ends.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/75.JPG

Next, we turned our attention to the inside of the car. We begain by hooking up the RCA cables and antenna adapter.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/81.JPG

Next we neatly bundled them after we...

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/85.JPG

...taped the antenna adapter.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/86.JPG

Then we made sure the cage was locked into the dash kit very tightly.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/87.JPG

[Mister X]

And installed.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/88.JPG
http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/89.JPG
http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/90.JPG
http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/91.JPG
http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/92.JPG

Then we routed the RCAs to the drivers side of the car

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/77.JPG

Bundled them together.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/78.JPG

And ran them up along the door sill

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/84.JPG

[Mister X]

Out the back.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/82.JPG

Then we saw this son of a *****. This thing was fricken huge.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/80.JPG

Next we turned our attention to the doors. Remove all of the following screws.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/94.JPG
http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/95.JPG
http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/96.JPG
http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/97.JPG

Then pop out the buttons, and the trim piece around the handle.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/98.JPG

Then take off the sail panel.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/99.JPG

[Mister X]

Lift up and out, and you can see this.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/100.JPG

Next, we remove the 3 hex screws holding it.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/101.JPG

Disassemble it by the wood.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/102.JPG

And trace.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/106.JPG

The perfect baffle. Hopefully, its not too thick.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/107.JPG

And for those interested, 6500s vs stock.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_1/104.JPG

To be continued...

[josh99ta]

Looks good so far. I would have wire loomed the entire run of wire on the power and RCAs as well as speaker wires but thats just me (used to do SQ competitions). I know Ben Milne too, the owner of ED, f'n prick screwed me out of over $500. Besides the ED stuff the install looks good.

[Mister X]

How did he screw you?

[CamTom12]

All I got is red x's...

Might be from when the server took a dump

[Mister X]

All I got is red x's...

Might be from when the server took a dump
Do they work now?

[Mister X]

Alright, my picture host seems to have died, I'll wait a few hours and see if it comes back, if not I'll figure something out.

[josh99ta]

How did he screw you?

Too much to even bother posting on here. Do a little dirt-digging and you'll find truckloads of bull**** on Elemental and Ben Milne. I used to compete in MECA SQ (I won a state championship and second place at World Finals with Avionixx amps which were the precursor to the ED amps) and Ben was going to "take care of me" and in return I was to help get the name out. I was running ED on the ground level, I remember when they started, and I remember when Ben was just an enthusiast and a friend to alot of us grassroots audio enthusiasts. I had one of the first A-series prototypes in my car (the nomex flat-cone ones), I was one of the first to ever run Avionixx amps, etc. Ben and I had a deal worked out on swapping my Sony C90/210EQ setup for a prototype Avionixx 1000M prototype mono amp that was actually a hunk of junk and he hung me out to dry on it. I was out over $500 that I could have sold the Sony combo for and left with a big hunk of metal junk. And I'm far from the only person that snake in the grass screwed over either. If you're looking for an inexpensive and decent product its not bad stuff but I refuse to support them anymore after that weasel decided that the almight dollar was more important than friendship.

[Mister X]

Sorry to hear about that, I've had nothing but good experiences so far, and I've done alot of business with them.



Decided to switch hosts today, the new plan should be up by tommorow, then I'll continue with the pix.

[Mister X]

First up, get the midwoofers mounted. Here is a revised spacer, we weren't able to use the trace of the stock speaker because it wasn't lined up with the hole on the door.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/29.JPG

Mounted

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/34.JPG

I thought I had way more deadener left over than I did, so we only did around the ring and inside the door. More is coming in the mail.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/42.JPG

Door panel back on.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/44.JPG

Cut off the head on the stock wires.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/46.JPG

Wrap wires around edi terminals

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/47.JPG

Solder

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/48.JPG

Securely screw the speaker in.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/49.JPG

Place the grill on

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/50.JPG

Don't worry, black screws are on the to buy list.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/51.JPG

[Mister X]

Next, time to do something about the amp rack.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/10.JPG

Mounting bracket for the amp.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/12.JPG

Glue on

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/9.JPG

Then screw the amps in. The board is velcroed down now, but it will be bolted down soon, once we figure out a way to do it.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/13.JPG

Next, we have some wires that need to be hooked up.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/16.JPG

First the power.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/17.JPG

This is how a compression terminal works. Tuck the wires over the top.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/19.JPG

Then just screw it in.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/20.JPG

Don't forget to secure the distro block.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/21.JPG

Next we figure out how were going to ground it.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/35.JPG

[Mister X]

Sand the paint

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/36.JPG

Screw em down. This is over the drivers side wheel well.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/37.JPG

Power, Ground, and RCAs hooked up

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/38.JPG

Anyone else notice anything weird about these? The wires were just hooked up here for a test listen :cool:

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/40.JPG

Unfortunatley, the batteries on the cam started to die, and we didn't have the charger, so we backed off on the pictures to make sure there would be some power left for the end.

Here is everything hooked up, including the crossovers.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/54.JPG

There will be a carpeted beauty board that goes over this. It will flow right into the rear cover.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/55.JPG

A view of the tweeter and mid.

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/56.JPG

Just the tweeter, attached with double sided tape. Anyone else have a REALLY hard time getting the retaining ring to snap down?

http://www.ivmai.net/build_logs/mike/day_2/57.JPG

Next update will be the completion update.

[Grims]

Looks nice, what this setup cost?

[JRHAWK9]

Hey Josh, I always wondered what happened back then as all of a sudden you sold all of your stuff....lol I am the one who bought your old 1200.2 from you years ago. I just sold it last summer and now am running a Nine.1....as it works better in my application, plus I am now able to use my FM radio again (that Type T amp really messed with my FM reception). I have always been very cautious about ED, as I just didn't trust all the nutswingers they seemed to have and how young/naive most of them seem to be. So far both my 600.4 and Nine.1 seem to be working great. I just never really fully trusted ED for some odd reason. I know when I bought my Nine.1 I made sure I did everything by the book just in case I had to take advantage of the warrantee and didn't want Ben telling me that I didn't dot an I and therefore my warrantee is void.

Paul

Too much to even bother posting on here. Do a little dirt-digging and you'll find truckloads of bull**** on Elemental and Ben Milne. I used to compete in MECA SQ (I won a state championship and second place at World Finals with Avionixx amps which were the precursor to the ED amps) and Ben was going to "take care of me" and in return I was to help get the name out. I was running ED on the ground level, I remember when they started, and I remember when Ben was just an enthusiast and a friend to alot of us grassroots audio enthusiasts. I had one of the first A-series prototypes in my car (the nomex flat-cone ones), I was one of the first to ever run Avionixx amps, etc. Ben and I had a deal worked out on swapping my Sony C90/210EQ setup for a prototype Avionixx 1000M prototype mono amp that was actually a hunk of junk and he hung me out to dry on it. I was out over $500 that I could have sold the Sony combo for and left with a big hunk of metal junk. And I'm far from the only person that snake in the grass screwed over either. If you're looking for an inexpensive and decent product its not bad stuff but I refuse to support them anymore after that weasel decided that the almight dollar was more important than friendship.