i have 2 12" audiobahn flame q sub woofers that i am trying to install into my fiero. A friend of mine is installing them for me. He does not want to cut into the wall behind the seats becuase of wires and what not. I don't want them in the back of he car because i've heard you can't hear them as well. So my question is, how is it i can install them into the front trunk? if a custom box is made what are the diameters needed? please give me information on how to install into the front trunk or somewhere else..thanks!
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11:29 PM
PFF
System Bot
fierce_gt Member
Posts: 1517 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
First off, those subs look amazing. If you mount them normally use some plexiglass to show off the baskets! Ok, now as for placement. Don't put them in the front compartment. Its the same as the trunk. You would have to "vent" the sound into the cabin by a long port. This will not sound good. If it's just the wires your friend is worried about, I'm lost. I don't see how the wires would pose a problem. I think the only place worthwhile to put two 12's is behind the seats. Otherwise a 10" in the footwell is my suggestion. Maybe someone who has installed subs behind the seats can convince your friend it's not that difficult. Much easier than in the front compartment.
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11:57 PM
Dec 2nd, 2002
JeffreyP21 Member
Posts: 70 From: Findlay, OH, USA Registered: Dec 2001
If your friend is doing the install, maybe we(or I) can talk him through it. I would be willing to answer any questions on removing the interior as i have just done so. And i know there are many more people that have as well. If you want to address any specific concerns feel free to email me at fierce_gt@hotmail.com It's not just the sound, the install will be fun too!
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10:30 PM
Mikes88GT Member
Posts: 168 From: San Diego, CA, USA Registered: Nov 2002
Originally posted by Mikes88GT: Isnt it risky cutting out sections of your firewall? Fumes, engine noise, less structure in case the engine comes at you from an accident?
Or do you guys take precautions against these things? [This message has been edited by Mikes88GT (edited 12-03-2002).]
You are cutting out a section of sheet metal only. The 8" (10"?) steel reinforcing channels are not touched at all.
Have a CLOSE look at a stripped Fiero in the wrecking yard, and you'll see the steel channels one the firewall on the engine bay side. These reamain intact, and these are what give the firewall its strength.
Ever see airplane/submarine supersturctures? You'll note the have large holes cut in steel members to save weight. They wouldn't do this in a way that would weaken the structure.
About noise and fumes... It's not like the sub magnet is "sticking out" into the engine bay. The channel and firewall form the back of the box and is sealed - otherwise your sub box wouldn't work anyway. Usually the interior is quieter now, because you basically have a "second" firewall (the font of your sub box) that is probably carpetted as well.
Apps for this car are severely limited. You're going to have to make sacrifices somewhere. Several years ago, I thought about using the spare tire area as an enclosure and porting into the cabin. I went to several custom shops and got the same answer. The job entailed considerable fabrication and the results were abysmal. I have read in the past about the hazards of cutting away the firewall (even if it's one layer). The double firewall is there for a reason - the safety of cockpit inhabitants. Building a box in the foot well? Imagine a big Nike print on the grill or what is left of the cone. The only alternatives are the center console or a custom box behind the passenger's seat. The console enclosures look good, but appear to really jut forward of the occupant's shoulders. A box behind the passenger's seat will use up all of the seat travel (it will be all the way forward). I have seen a self contained flat sub on the forum, though I don't know the brand or have read any owner reviews.
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03:57 AM
fierce_gt Member
Posts: 1517 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Oct 2002
It's really not that hard get a 10" sub in the footwell. I don't know how many of you have compared footwells with the average passenger car, but a good fibreglassed box will still give more footroom than my parents cavalier and sunfire. To me, that is the only place in the fiero interior that is abundant enough. Plus, you can actually enhance the looks by carpeting over the box with the same carpet as the interior and no one will no where the bass in coming from.
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02:42 PM
fierosound Member
Posts: 15251 From: Calgary, Canada Registered: Nov 1999
Originally posted by longtermgt: Apps for this car are severely limited. You're going to have to make sacrifices somewhere.
I'm assuming from your comments about all the, in your view, "unacceptable" alternatives, that you didn't get subs installed. Am I right? If not, please share your install details with us. I'd like to know what your solution was.
Here's an install with TWO 12's AND TWO 10's
[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 01-26-2003).]
Well, I agonized over the whole install thing for a long time (I've had my car for many years). I don't want to cut anything related to the structure or radically alter the weight distribution of the car. I figure teams of GM engineers know all about that stuff. I defer to their greater wisdom. I felt like I couldn't do a good custom job, so I went to all the custom shops in town. Visually, I wanted a stealth system, nothing conspicuous. As I mentioned before, all the shops (7 in all) advised against the spare tire compartment/porting into cab route. Some tried to sell me on the install behind the headrests but I wanted to see out the rear window. One place even tried to convince me that I could put eight 8" subs back there! They showed me a late 80's MR2 with just such an install. I was wedged up agaisnst the tiny Grant steering wheel. I'm kind of buff, but I ain't that big! Eventually, I talked to the install mgr. at one shop and he suggested a custom box. After aproximately 2 hours, I left with a lesson in how to build and cover a sealed box. It took me a couple of weekends or so to finish it (materials cost me about 115.00 with 10" driver). It resides behind the passenger's seat, but the seat is at it's most forward position. A chick or short dude can ride comfortably with feet stretched out, but anyone around 6' is gonna be one miserable mofo. That showed me that another sub would not work behind the driver's seat. I am 5-9" and my seat has only a couple of inches rearward travel. I can stash a hoody or a couple of books back there but that's about it. Unfortunately, this is the only pic I have where you can see the box, barely. Note how far forward the passenger's seat is in relation to the driver's side.
[This message has been edited by longtermgt (edited 01-26-2003).]
[This message has been edited by longtermgt (edited 01-26-2003).]
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07:28 PM
Jan 27th, 2003
fierosound Member
Posts: 15251 From: Calgary, Canada Registered: Nov 1999
Originally posted by longtermgt: Well, I agonized over the whole install thing for a long time (I've had my car for many years). I don't want to cut anything related to the structure or radically alter the weight distribution of the car. I figure teams of GM engineers know all about that stuff. I defer to their greater wisdom. I felt like I couldn't do a good custom job, so I went to all the custom shops in town. Visually, I wanted a stealth system, nothing conspicuous. Unfortunately, this is the only pic I have where you can see the box, barely. Note how far forward the passenger's seat is in relation to the driver's side.
It looks good. That box could have been shallower by about 3" though. I'm sure your passengers would appreciate it. With our install, we're attempting to get more depth for the magnet. The other option is to spend the $$$ and get good shallow depth subs.
Illusion has highly rated shallow subs, as well as compression horns which have great dispersion, giving you an excellent sound stage. Their size is another problem. http://www.illusionaudio.com/illusion/Driversx.html
I'm using OZ Audio subs which are 4.5" which isn't bad on a 10" sub. Some manufacturers have HUGE magnets and equally deep baskets. Check out Phoenix Gold's subwoofers.
As you said earlier, people make compromises based on: price, complexity, difficulty etc. If they're happy with the result - great! If not, there's other ways to do it.
What people should be doing is figuring out how and where they will be installing them, THEN buy the right subwoofer.
I wasn't taking into consideration that a lot of people enter their rides in sound offs. I'm operating in the sportscar mode, sorry about that (no insults intended). I also have had suspicious looking dudes pay a little too much attention to my car, if you know what I mean. That's why I wanted a certain degree of stealthiness.
I built that box in 96. There wern't any shallow depth subs back then. I haven't gotten around to looking for the new stuff. The new "flat" subs look promising. thanks for the links.
[This message has been edited by longtermgt (edited 01-27-2003).]
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05:52 AM
fierosound Member
Posts: 15251 From: Calgary, Canada Registered: Nov 1999
Originally posted by longtermgt: I also have had suspicious looking dudes pay a little too much attention to my car, if you know what I mean. That's why I wanted a certain degree of stealthiness.
I know what you mean. My interior looks less flashy than yours. I have a stock looking interior, And compared to today's flashy neon head units, my Denon looks "old" and not work stealing. My subs, like yours are invisible too. This system was built in 1994... and can still win.
