the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
icon

Big project in small Civic package


Post ReplyPost New Topic
< Prev Topic Next Topic >
jc18 
Member - Posts: 15
Member spacespace
Joined: February 02, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: February 10, 2004 at 11:19 AM / IP Logged  

This is my first install so I have an idea what I want, bit I’m not sure how to do it.

If my wallet will let me, I’d like to go 2000+ watts (1000+ watts each for left and right). Is this way too much? What is the best "boom for your buck" amp out there?

What would be the best way to get a power wire, control wire (head unit remote), and audio to the trunk? Should I use a 30-conductor cable and make the audio and control 4 wires then put the rest of the wires in to one big power cable so I have one cable to run? If I do run separate wires what gauge should I use for each for the above wattage ? Would I be better off with a pre-made kit or something? Do I need a bigger, better alternator than the ~70 amp one I have now? Would I need a second battery? A stiffening capacitor(s)?

Ground isn’t a problem; just use the body. Having said that do I need to get \ make a better grounding wire that goes from the battery to the body? The one now is about 10 gauge, 8 at the biggest.

What size \ type speakers should I use? Speakers or subs? If subs, self powered, speaker-type, or tube? If speakers what ohms are best? Is 4 ohm better \ more stable than 2 ohm? I’d like to have one for each channel (1000 watts each for left and right) I’m playing mostly techno, rap, R&B, heavy metal, and misalanious(?) like movie themes.

Should I use crossovers, equalizers, or other audio processing? I'm also building a carputer (correct spelling) a decaded gaming, DVD player, and MP3 player for the car, would I be better off with software or hardware audio processing? Is a tape adapter or a FM modulator better?

I realize this is allot of questions and a lot of info., but if I do this I want to do it right the first time so i'm open for all sugestions.

thapimpfromchi 
Silver - Posts: 616
Silver spacespace
Joined: July 30, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: February 10, 2004 at 12:02 PM / IP Logged  
Hey man, for starters, if you really want 2000+ watts, you will definitely have to upgrade your alternator. That would be your first step. Powering that's gonna take some thick wire, 0/1 gauge with a 200anl fuse. As for getting advice on brands? oh man, that list will go on forever. Everyone has a different kind of sub that they like best. For you, i'd personally suggest 12" subs. I've had alotta subs in my cars, and i can say, my Alpine Type R's were probably still my favorite. They are a great sub, dont require much power to make them slam, and dont take up too much trunk space. But again, its really a matter of preference. If you want something cheaper, go with like JL W0, or W3 (great subs), or more expensive;Diamond Audio, Eclipse (two of the best companies out there imo). As for speakers, Infinity makes a damn good speaker, A/d/s is amazing, MB quartz, those are all really good speakers. I couldnt suggest a head unit, i have had 1 head unit, and its a pos, but, when u dont have much money, u make it work. lol. Carputer... never done that before either.. lol. Good luck
1990 Honda Civic HB:
Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.
2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors
Diamond Audio 600.1 amp
Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII
Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp
forbidden 
Platinum - Posts: 5,352
Platinum spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: November 01, 2003
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posted: February 10, 2004 at 1:50 PM / IP Logged  

Come up with a game plan first. This means to post up your vehicle, year, model etc. Next have a budget (endless is nice but I don't think that is what you want). This way we can recommend things within the budget and no where we must concentrate the dollars first. How capable of installing are you (no offence)? Are you trying to annoy the neighbourhood or do you want good sound for you that plays to a good volume level. A loud stereo will permanently damage your hearing, keep this in mind. Are you going to compete or is it just for you?

Doing it right the first time is the best thing in the world to do, and not to knock the new guys in the industry but they still have much to learn about how equipment matches together and what works for certain vehicle types. My friend has this in his car and I like how it sounds so I'm getting this myself for my car or recommending this for your car does not quite cut it, especially if you want to do it right the first time. This is where experience counts most. Anyone can put junk in their trunk and get loud, but very few people take the time to do it right. Follow up with your game plan and let's see which direction you are headed in.

Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Maxst 
Silver - Posts: 866
Silver spacespace
Joined: June 06, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: February 10, 2004 at 1:50 PM / IP Logged  

way bigger alt, adire brahmas are loud and still sound good, eclipse titanium are good loud clean subs.  but like ^ said...everyone will post there favs. choice is your own to what sounds good. Same applies to speakers.  Lets put it this way, you get what you pay for.

Also sound deadening will have to be done. 

Definalty a great alarm.

I need quality equipment, feel free to donate.
jc18 
Member - Posts: 15
Member spacespace
Joined: February 02, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: February 10, 2004 at 11:01 PM / IP Logged  

First of all, I have a 91 Honda civic LX sedan

 I don’t have the equipment, time, ambition, or money for sound deadening. :-( I live in an apartment) I would like something loud enough to get their attention but not to annoy anyone.

Can I take it that 2000 watts is too much? I had a friend in High School and when he turned up the volume in his car and turned on the amps, WOW! The ground vibrated and you could hear it on the other side of campus. He had a 1200 watt and an 800 watt with four subs. At the time I thought "who would ever drive a car down the road with it up that loud?" but it's for show / competition. Anyway I digress, that's where I got the 2000 watts from. Again I don’t have the equipment, time, ambition, or money for engine mods like an upgraded alternator. I can put a second battery in if necessary.

I have $ 400 saved up for a project like this. My dad bought a used Civic with a "1/2 system" installed. It has maybe 20 feet of 4 gauge wire, control wire, signal wire, a AutoZone bought 300 watt speaker box and a blown out 40 watt amp. It’s a nice unit but the amp has a amp IC; in other words, the whole amp is nothing more than a integrated circuits would this be a good starting point? 300 watts a channel instead of 1000? What difference would 1400 watts make? I would like to get a MOFFET (?) amp. I hear these are really good and sound better at higher volume. Is that true? I call it a "1/2 system" because the parts were there but it needed desperate repair.

 

jc18 
Member - Posts: 15
Member spacespace
Joined: February 02, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: February 10, 2004 at 11:36 PM / IP Logged  

First of all, I have a 91 Honda civic LX sedan

 I don’t have the equipment, time, ambition, or money for sound deadening. :-( I live in an apartment) I would like something loud enough to get their attention but not to annoy anyone.

Can I take it that 2000 watts is too much? I had a friend in High School and when he turned up the volume in his car and turned on the amps, WOW! The ground vibrated and you could hear it on the other side of campus. He had a 1200 watt and an 800 watt with four subs. At the time I thought "who would ever drive a car down the road with it up that loud?" but it's for show / competition. Anyway I digress, that's where I got the 2000 watts from. Again I don’t have the equipment, time, ambition, or money for engine mods like an upgraded alternator. I can put a second battery in if necessary.

I have $ 400 saved up for a project like this. My dad bought a used Civic with a "1/2 system" installed. It has maybe 20 feet of 4 gauge wire, control wire, signal wire, a AutoZone bought 300 watt speaker box and a blown out 40 watt amp. It’s a nice unit but the amp has a amp IC; in other words, the whole amp is nothing more than a integrated circuits would this be a good starting point? 300 watts a channel instead of 1000? What difference would 1400 watts make? I would like to get a MOFFET (?) amp. I hear these are really good and sound better at higher volume. Is that true? I call it a "1/2 system" because the parts were there but it needed desperate repair.
thapimpfromchi 
Silver - Posts: 616
Silver spacespace
Joined: July 30, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: February 11, 2004 at 12:18 AM / IP Logged  
well bud. 300 bucks aint gonna get you much. (not to be mean, just sayin the truth) if u wanted a 2000 watt amp, 300 bucks is about half of what u would need. also, gettin subs to handle that much power, is another thing. those would run u about 300 lol. On a good note, you'd be amazed at some budget systems u can get out there that would sound pretty damn good. hmm... 300, is really hard to work with. but, here is a good start for ya. If u go to the right places u can get a 500 watt amp (Polk/MOMO 500.1 carbon series) for around 100 bucks. That would leave u 200 bucks for sub and amp. that amp puts out 500w rms at 2 ohms, three something at 4 ohms. With 500 watts, u can power a few W0's, some alpine type e or s subs, one type R, some W3's, the list goes on. I'd say, for u, with a tight budget, u can get 2 12W3, with that amp, and a box. you should be satisfied. Unless u get bitten by the bug. then ur screwed. (like me) lol. good luck man.
1990 Honda Civic HB:
Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.
2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors
Diamond Audio 600.1 amp
Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII
Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp
jc18 
Member - Posts: 15
Member spacespace
Joined: February 02, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: February 11, 2004 at 10:27 PM / IP Logged  

thapimpfromchi wrote:
Unless u get bitten by the bug. then ur screwed. (like me) lol. good luck man.

what do you mean? Are the pieces I have good watt wise or just ho-hum?

thapimpfromchi 
Silver - Posts: 616
Silver spacespace
Joined: July 30, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: February 11, 2004 at 11:20 PM / IP Logged  
the bug i was referring to, was the "thats nice.. but it could be louder" then when u get louder, ur sayin the same thing. lol.
1990 Honda Civic HB:
Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.
2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors
Diamond Audio 600.1 amp
Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII
Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp
jc18 
Member - Posts: 15
Member spacespace
Joined: February 02, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: February 12, 2004 at 9:54 PM / IP Logged  

Ok, i can see that 2000 watts is WAY to expenive and do demanding (bigger alt., big power wires, expensive subs, etc...). I'll use the parts I have now. Can you tell me a good 600 watt MOFFET amp for < $300. Is 8 gauge wire big enough or shuld i use 6 gauge? The 4 gauge is too short and frayed to use.

Page of 2

  Printable version Printable version Post ReplyPost New Topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

  •  
Search the12volt.com
Follow the12volt.com Follow the12volt.com on Facebook
Sunday, June 2, 2024 • Copyright © 1999-2024 the12volt.com, All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy & Use of Cookies
Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

Secured by Sectigo
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
Support the12volt.com
Top
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer