suggestions, 12 subs less than 1ft^3

Have you already started redoing the box?  The new solo classic kickers recomended above are pretty badass.  They were designed to be run in extremely small enclosures. 

Sorry I've been busy at school catching up after a week off from snow ...you being a Canadian will probably laugh your *** of at that. Anyway, Yes that port calculator should do just fine and I might use it myself because of how simple it is and I found a post by stevdart ***** Platinum member on here that recommended that calculator also. That calculator should work fine as long as the subs you get have recommended enclosure sizes which you seem to understand "Whatever I get should be at home in 2 - 2.5 cubes, ported at 35Hz, however I won't start building until i have my subs, so i can get as close to spec as possible." If I were you I would consider tuning to a lower frequency than 35 Hz but if thats were you like it then thats fine but since you said you were going for a little more SQ that would be a good idea. To go lower reasonably you might have to switch to 4" pipe. Also keep in mind that your subs will probably come with the recommended enclosure size, port diameter and length. Right now I have a 12" infinity in the manufacturers recommended box/port and it sounds "better" than my friends 2 Diamonds but obviously not as loud cause I'm running 1/3 the power but it hits hard never the less, rattling my whole car and making my rear view mirrors inside and out useless at times. That calculator doesn't say that it takes port area into account but I would assume it does I might try and check it against WinISD later. I think that was everything you asked there.