Wow! It's been a long time since I posted here!
Things got so busy I didn't see the time fly by, barely logged on any Fiero Forums. First, I will answer questions that some had PMed me or asked me in the past: Will there be a less expensive DIY package available? Here is a little more on the decisions I've
Do not forget that this is custom fabrication. It was designed the product around my car therefore fitting it in other cars could require some slight modifications, some patience and some work. Different cars have different tolerances and options therefore some enclosure will be easier to install then others (ie. weather you have A/C or not). Although I've created ways to adjust the fitment, it is possible that the product cannot fit in your car (for example, if your car has a bent frame). It is extremely difficult to make this both a finished and universal product. In the ideal world, I would have to make all the modifications to the brackets for that specific car prior prepping, gluing and screwing the brackets into the enclosure. Let us not forget that this product is more complex, time consuming and that there is more factor/components to take into consideration than to make a hood scoop, side scoop or any other bodywork products. The design and shape isn't just for aesthetic purposes. Its function, its needs and the physics involved (Which were all mastered) are a challenge on its own that other general fiberglass product would never have to consider giving their applications. This explain the long developing possess along with the fact that I am doing this project on free time.
I have thought for a long time on how I will sell this product. Weather I sell the finished product that you only need to screw your subwoofer into the enclosure or I would sell an "IKEA" package that each customer would have to mount their brackets onto the enclosure and so on. Since the installation of the brackets to the enclosure is of critical matter because it is a weak point that could potentially emit enough vibration noises to be heard, I've decided to sell it as a finished product.
For these reasons, the only guarantee is that the product will fit perfectly inside my car.
Basically, I'm selling a reproduction of a custom enclosure fitted for my car; therefore it is difficult to gauge how the fitment will be on any other cars. Like said earlier, I've successfully installed it in 3 cars, but I also had a problem with another one of my installation in another car (The frame behind the enclosure [The weelwell] was bent due to an accident and prevented the enclosure from sliding into place).
I just want to be honest and warn people in advance that there might be some work involved to install this product. That if it's not done properly, it could result in noticeable vibration noise. Also it's not a full plug and play product, work is involved since you need to do some wiring (The amp to the enclosure), take off the dash (Which includes many things), and possibly tweak the brackets for the enclosure to fit perfectly into your car.
Now, if someone has a problem, question or fitment issue, I will do my best to help them out in their particular situation. I will also put up all the information to be able to install the product along with requirements, tips and tricks for the best result which is: An amazing sound without any vibration noise.
Finally, I will leave you on a more positive note with an update:
I received all the brackets from the waterjet company. Unfortunately by that time, school restarted and life got in the way once again. I did have time to install the latest bracket design (The one that will be used for production that had been cut by waterjet) on one of the production enclosure. I had the chance to test its fitment in my car before winterizing it. Great news, the Jig is spot on! I won't have to do any other modification to the bracket design, nor the bracket alignment jig that I will use. Each production enclosure would now be able to be installed perfectly into my car.
Now I am sure there will be some variance between different fiero frames. I've already witness some of those differences when I installed them inside of my brother's car and my father's car. The only concerns I had was how much of a difference could there be! Since everything is such a tight fit, and that there is "little" to "no room" available to play with (The enclosure needs to be align correctly inside the under dash area regardless of what the bracket's bends and bolt positions are.), I've incorporated those concerns into the bracket design, the jig and the overall final product. This is why the brackets won't be pre-drilled (In case the holes wouldn't line up in a costumer's car) and in addition, I took the precaution that shimming the bracket/slightly modifying the bends will be possible along with other minor modifications.
Thanks,
Fred
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87 Pontiac Fiero GT
