Advice for a new system

Hello, 1st post here. I have a 2001 SS Camaro I am rebuilding and would like to have a tough sounding system in it. It always surprises guys that I like to have bass in my cars and that I work on them. Now I kind of want to shock them some more. I have already run 4 gauge stinger wire and dream series RCA's under the carpet. Now I need sub(s) and amp advice. I would like to get the Kicker L7's. But I am working in limited space because I only want to use the top of my trunk, and not the t-top holder area for speakers and box. I plan to mount the amp on the front side of the t-top area where it won't interfere with taking t-tops out. I have a 1 farad stinger capacitor.

Please let me know if this is a good plan

2- Kicker 12" L7's with 4 ohm (or should I get 2 ohm)?

1- Kicker kx1200.1 amp or the SX1250.1 Amp?

I'm wanting to not break my glass out, but maybe enter a small competition every now and then. I plan to build a nice looking fiberglass box (with help of course). I would like to stick with Kicker speakers and amp.  What would any of you choose?  I started to go with a solo x and the 2500.1 amp, but that was a little more expensive than I can afford right now.

I have to agree in regards to the L7's. They are mainly an SPL sub, if you are looking for a bit of sound quality and want to stick with Kicker, then look into the Comp VR's. They are still not a super SQ sub but, they are not as bad as the L7's in the SQ depatment.

If you want to hit some good numbers and still retain some decent SQ then perhaps look into a few other lines of subs like the Adire line up.

Chris

get some ma audio subs and amps...they pound hard....i got 18's in my civic..get some nice 12d06's..and a nice ma high current amp.

Presentation, freeworld, presentation.  You should lock up that trunk.  Chain and padlock it for good measure.  This is an installation where you should let the beholder use his imagination.

You have 4gauge power and a stock alternator (I assume).  This limits your ability to run huge amplifiers.  The 1200.1 is probably pushing it if you are seriously interested in competition. 

What I'd do:

1)  Figure out how much space you have to dedicate to a box.  1cu ft?  4?

2)  Buy a pair of relatively efficient subwoofers that will work well ported in that size box.  Design and build the box.  Install the subs.  Test it on some cheapo amplifier.  Remember to set the gains correctly.  

3)  Buy an efficient class-d mono amplifier that puts out the power you need.

Why take these steps?  If you don't have the funds or high output alternator to compete on sheer power you NEEEEED to focus on efficiency.  NEED.  Having a 600w amplifier v.s. a 1200 amplifier means squat unless you FIRST have the right subs AND enclosure.   (Even then there's only a max 3db spl difference).  Again.  The subs and enclosure will have a MUCH larger impact on the sound and spl than the amplifier.  The amplifier picking step is last. 

Thanks KFR01

The stock alternator will have to run it for a little while until I finalize exactly what I need. Don't want to buy a certain alternator, then choose my stereo stuff to find out that I need a different alternator later.

Just some rough measurements of my space is about 3 feet wide. 8-10" tall on back  slanting down to about 4" in front. The speakers would be angled toward my back glass. Just your basic camaro's top trunk space. I will measure this evening to find out exactly how big it is. After I get this measurement, I suppose someone could tell me if I should use 1 speaker or 2.  I don't care how many I use, just how many I need to use. 1 is safe, but 2 could be awesome.

I like the kicker L7's because of the shape, brand, and color (I like blue!) All my neon will be blue later. I heard the L5s hooked up to a smaller kicker amp and it sounded great in the store in a factory box. The kicker Comp vr's are just the wrong shape and look to normal for me. The sony x-plod's are nice looking, but I want something that everyone won't have. I would like to keep everthing matching too. Kicker amp & Subs or some other brand sub & amp, not mixed up.

Just to clear this up though. I'm not talking about large competitions. I live in Northeast Mississippi, and there are maybe 4 major competitions withing about 200 miles. I'm talking about a local festival with car show and db drag race. Not a big thing. Just local stuff maybe.

Money isn't too big an issue. I just don't want the system to cost more than the car. I would definitely like to keep it under $2000. I have 2 guy friends who are electronic geniuses, so one is going to help me build the write size box (Fiberglass because it looks so neat), and help me wire it right to get the correct ohms (I've never worried about that before, so it is a learning experience for me.)

Now everyone knows more about my focus. Look Good, Sound Good, if it takes money, then it will be worth it.

Darla, I too have some advice but unfortunately not a lot of time right now, my apologies. First read my grounding sticky as it applies to you in this car. It is at the top of the car audio forum. Next, I too would work the problem in reverse. I would look at my total available airspace and find the sub to work in this airspace. If you are in the market for a cool factor sub that sounds superior to the Snicker (hehe), consider the Xtant X series. Personally I would rather go with one good sub in the proper box, than 2 in the improper one. I think that my counterparts above would agree as well.

www.xtant.com