Hello 12volt.com!

Been browsing topics here for a while and registered to ask questions on my install but every time I needed help I did a search and didn’t need to post. I thought I’d log on and post pics and info of my new install and say THANKS FOR THE HELP on this cool site. ;-) I thought maybe some guys into older cars might dig the install I did on my old Chevy:

I recently installed a big audio system as part of an interior restoration on one of my collector cars and wanted to share my project with others. The car is a 1968 Caprice Sport Sedan that I have been restoring. After installing all new floors in the car over the winter I decided to put a big sound system in it. After months of careful evaluation and budget planning I ended up with a pretty decent system. After about a month of steady work I finally got the system up and running.

Here is what it is all about:

Head unit is a Pioneer Premier DEH510UB. It has dual USB input capable of reading 2 iPods at once, USB jump drives, an AUX input, 6 channel pre-out, remote and a cool display. Adding a BT unit and iPhone gives you even more cool options, like tagging songs on the radio and the downloading them from iTunes right in the car. You can also set up Caller ID and voice activated functions. I wanted to go an all Alpine system but the Alpine head unit wasn't doing it for me and the Pioneer offered virtually the same functions with a look that better matched my car.

Speakers are:
- Alpine SPR-17S 6.5” midrange front component system
- 2 Alpine SPS69S 6” x 9” rear speakers
- 2 Alpine SPR-1023S 10” sub woofers

Amps are:
- Alpine 4.150 4 channel 150 watt RMS/330 watt max (rated at 186 RMS)
- Alpine 1.6 mono sub amp 600 watt RMS/900 watt max (rated at 672 RMS)

Power is handled by a 2nd trunk mount Optima battery running through a Memphis Connection 0 gauge amp kit. Car has a 63 amp alternator. I’m holding off on any other power improvements until I see how the car handles the system.

Dash Install:
Head unit is a custom in-dash install using a CAD designed alloy DIN adapter that was produced using some specialized technology.

Dash bezel was digitally scanned, data brought into CAD, adapter was designed and then prototyped on an SLA machine. Once the fit was verified the part file went to programming to be cut on a Haas mill. Special care was taken in cutting the dash bezel and the DIN adapter was epoxied into place. The adapter was designed with a highly polished lip around it to mimic the chrome edge on the bezel. The final results produced a factory look. Even though the HU is pretty modern looking it actually blends into the 40 year old styling of the interior pretty well. The work on the adapter came out so clean most people won’t notice it and won’t have a clue how much work went into it.

All exposed interior surfaces were covered with FatMat for rattle protection, insulation and road noise. Was kind of fun doing the Fatmat.

Component front speakers were custom mounted into hand made speaker boxes and kick panels. Minor modifications to the car were done to provide a tight fit. Drivers side was a challenge with the emergency brake pedal in front of the kick panel. Tweeters were custom mounted into the A/C vent ball housings in the dash.

Dual rear 10” subs were mounted in a custom ¾” MDF stuffed kicker box that is mounted behind the back seat. The 6 X 9’s were mounted under the new rear package tray without grills to preserve the clean look of the new back deck. Sound comes through the perforations on the package tray. Isolation cones were used under the 6 X 9’s.

The amp deck hinges so I can get at the gain settings on the front of the amps and also get at cables. Nothing is permanent in the trunk as that still needs restoration. For now the sub box and amp deck is function only but it doesn’t look too bad.

This was by far the most complicated mobile audio system I’ve ever installed and thanks to the many tips and help here at 12Volt.com the whole thing went together without a hitch. I’m still getting all the HU adjustments to jive with the amps and only have gain at 50% on both amps while I break everything in but the sound is so clean and it already pumps out some serious DB’s. The subs are really starting to move some air. The hidden tweeters in the AC vents sound great in that location (was worried about that) and the front 6.5 mid-ranges really pump some bass into the front of the car. The whole system is pretty stealthy and most people will have to look twice to see what’s really making all the noise. I’m pretty happy with my audio system 1.0 on this car. I’m sure I’ll upgrade as I gain experience with a complicated system like this. My old cruiser is now a modern rolling sound studio. ;-)

Thanks for the read.
-Scott

Just wanted to follow up on my install: The system sounds fanastic and have been getting it dialed in pretty good with crossover and gain settings. It can be qute a challenge between the HU settings and amp settings. Getting a system like this tuned right is like putting a high performance engine on a dyno and dialing it in little by little. Every little adjustment yields more and more power.

For anyone putting big amps in an old car I can tell you this: with 2 batteries, good cabling and grounding and a 63 amp alternator with an external voltage regulator I have had no trouble whatsoever with overloading the charging system or lights dimming at night. But make sure yo do your math with amperage draw and so on. I was worried after reading so many bad stories but so far this old car is pumping out great sounds.

-Scott

Thanks for the kudos. Means a lot coming from a guy like you here. I have done small systems in friend's cars over the years but nothing this elaborate. I'm a gear head for the most part but do like my rock and roll loud and enjoy learning new projects like this. I wanted something that pounded in my large size Chevy and had a good sized budget to do it. I spent TONS of time here reading tips and information and the project went off without a hitch. Seriously. I couldn't be happier with the system. Thanks for all the great information here.

Only correction to my original post is I'm running run of the mill 600 amp top post batteries, not Optima. Now that the subs have 'broken in' I dialed up the gain just a little more and the sound is amazing. I haven't been able to get any clipping whatsoever with the Alpine stuff. I listen to anything ranging from Oakenfold to Pantera and the system keeps up with anything I can throw at it.

-Scott

Very, Very, Very Nice Work!

Diggin the Lowrider too!!!

BTW: Those cigarettes will kill you!!