I removed the spare tire, etc. in my 88GT and installed an 800 watt a/d/s amp. first i put down Dynamat, then a layer of 1/4 " jute insulation, then the amp. The stereo played for awhile then the amp shut off. When I checked it, the amp was really hot, apparently shut itself off from the heat. I waited a few minutes and it played OK for awhile then did the same thing. Seems that the heat is either coming from the radiator or the amp itself is overheating. I also put in (2) trans Am hood vents above the radiator that did not help. Any ideas ?

Is the front compartment still sealed? The front compartment doesn't have anything that cycles air through it. No air flow, no amp cooling.

you could try drilling multiple holes in the bottom of the front compartment then mouting a small clooing fan (that you can get from summit or jegs) over the amps. The fan would cool them and the holes in the bottom (or whatever) would let the airflow out

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--Adam--
1987 Blue GT 5-speed
IM AOL: FieroGT5speed

88 - The compartment is only sealed by the factory weatherstrip, but it may actually be letting hot air from the radiator in (i think). There is so much space there, i never thought it would get hot enough to overheat the amp. I wonder if the A/C accumulator throws off heat ?

GT - I was thinking about cutting a small hole in the upper rear section and mounting the fan as you suggest. Think there is any chance of water coming in from under the car when it rains, or should i try to build a "trap" ?

[This message has been edited by PaulJK (edited 07-22-2003).]

Well, the heater core is in the area, which might indirectly add some heat. But still, given a sealed space with no air flow it really doesn't take much (nor very long) for the surrounding air to heat. Personally I would suggest adding in some sort of cowl vent in the front of that space pointed down. This way the air from the radiator that is forced down and under the car pulls the air out of the compartmant while making it difficult for moisture to get inside. Add in a couple of small holes near the back bottom and you would probably get sufficent air flow through that space. You could go as far as adding a couple of small fans blowing on the amps heat sinks for added cooling. Just some thoughts that might help.

nice ideas .. thanks ... Im also gonna run past the local RadioShack and see if they have some 12v fans ...