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[Tempe]

Head Unit: Kenwood KDC-315S
Amplifier: Rockford Fosgate Power 800a4
Front Speakers:
Present: 1998 Model Infinity Reference 5x7 Coaxials
Future: CDT CL-5X 5.25" Coaxials
Subwoofer: Pioneer Premier TS-W1240C
Enclosure:
Present: Self-Designed/Built 2.5 Cubes tuned to 30 hz
Future: Self-Designed/Built 2.25 Cubes tuned to 30 hz

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I began with ordering the Scosche dash kit. It was a PITA, but now that I've done it it's not so bad. I think it is cheap and flimsy. I wish Crutchfield would use a nicer dash kit. I had a hell of a time removing the rear seat. Calling Crutchfield offered no help. You need to push the seat back and then pull up. The instructions make it sound like I need to remove some clip. Either way the aftermarket head unit makes the stock speakers sound better.

As the stock door panels have round speaker grilles, I grabbed my CDT coaxials that I used in my girlfriend's 1994 Cutlass Supreme. I opened the doors to find 6x8s. I figured I would dust off the Infinity coaxials that I have not used in years. With my luck the one I installed on the driver's side has a bad tweeter. I hear some sound coming from it, but very little. My long term goal is to install 6.5" component speakers with the woofers in the doors in the stock location. Since I will need to make baffles sooner or later, I figured I would make them now with holes for the smaller coaxials and enlarge them when needed.







Until two days ago I had an ongoing problem with running the power cable through the firewall. With some help from you guys I got it done!

The subwoofer is one of my trusty standby drivers that I have used in many installs. For a rated 200 watts RMS it sure takes a beating. I had ran it in small sealed boxes early on. For the Cutlass I built a nice ported enclosure. I honestly could use a smaller enclosure, but the larger size surely aides in efficiency. With about 200 watts on that driver in the Cutlass it got pretty low and loud. It does not fit well in the Taurus trunk. I corner load the sub/port to the rear passenger corner in the trunk. I could not fit the whole box in as it hits the trim piece covering the rear speakers. I will have to remove that or else use another enclosure I have laying around. Here is one picture of the subwoofer and another of the enclosure. They are older pictures taken with a webcam (I did not have a digicam at the time).





I designed an enclosure the other night. I posted the cut sheet here, but due to the short trunk height at the front I will need to redesign the enclosure. I design enclosures for myself and others all the time, so it will be a snap

I finally finished the install last night (I mean this morning) at around 4 am. I did not want to stop, regardless of time! I drover to Safeway and jammed out in the parking lot until I got things sounding well. I broke out my personal reference CD:



Yeah, Sarah McLachlan - Mirrorball might be chick music. Regardless, it is an awesome recording. Unlike most SQ music it is something you can at least somewhat enjoy. There are some tracks that have a rockin' feeling to them. Some tracks are subtle and you can hear the various instruments being played as if they were right in front of you. Sarah has an awesome voice that has a wide range. There is also a surprising amount of lowend with the kick drum and bass guitar. Listening to this CD reminds me why I love low-tuned ported enclosures

The main problem I have is alternator whine. I had the same problem with her Cutlass. This install is not as bad, but I have determined it must be the head unit, which I got used for cheep. I will need to look for something soon. For now I can live with it.

Well this is all for now. Tomorrow I will cut the baffles, install the CDT speakers, and reinstall the driver's side front wheel well covers. Yeah I never put them back on. The past two nights when I was done installing I was so damned cold that I just figured I would do it later. Finally I will not build the new enclosure for a bit. My girlfriend is leaving out of state for a month on Thursday. I will fly down there just before Christmas. I am going to "borrow" my good buddy's garage to build the enclosure. He runs his own online enclosure business, so I will have access to all the tools I could ever ask for

Tempe

[Twilight]

Ouch, if I listened to that I'd have to blast Cradle of Filth and then some In Flames just to stop my body from producing estrogen.

j/k lol

[Toast]

I'm glad to hear that (one way or another) you finally got the cable through the firewall.

[silvapain]

[01mercLS]

Nice install.

[5SpdSHO]

I plan on buying a box from TCAB sometime within the next 6 months or so.

[mwt]

[Tempe]

[godspunk32]

[Tempe]

OK more work was done today....... I removed the Infinity Reference speakers and installed the CDT speakers. I will loose some midbass, but the improvement over the bandwith has greatly improved!


Again that is the cutsheet for the baffles.


Here is one close-up.


Here are the CDT CL-5x 5.25" coaxials.


I don't exactly have anywhere else to work on them, so I cut the baffles out in the bedroom


Completed baffles! I also used some old weatherstripping as you will see in later pics as a seal between the baffles and the speakers.


Out with the old!


Here the passenger-side speaker has been installed. Note the weatherstripping.



Success!


This setup will be worked on later. I will permantly mount the amp once I complete the new enclosure.


Here is a shot of the enclosure in the trunk. It is 2.5 cubes tuned to 30hz with a 2x12 inch port area.


Until I get the new enclosure this is how it will sit. I am corner-loading it to get maximum wang!

This is all for another month. Too bad I won't be able to listen to the system for a few weeks after tomorrow.

Tempe