I'm wondering if anyone else goes through the same trials and tribulations....

On approximately a monthly basis, I resolve to dump my heavy-*** pig of a stereo system in the name of speed. However, I then fire it up for one last brain-numbing dosage of bass, and decide I like it too much to let it go...

But I can't shake the feeling that my ride is compromised - it just doesn't fit with the whole theme of a lightweight, balanced sports car. Sure I can jetison the sub-box if I really feel like it, but this rarely ever happens (usually only on the dragstrip, where I would probably be better off leaving it in for traction).

I've spent so much time and effort on it, I hate to let it go... but I find I care less and less. Let the ricers have their subs.

Have any of you boys and girls figured out a way to mount amps/speakers so they are easily removeable? Mine are now integrated into the area where my storage bins once were, which makes that impossible.

I like my tunes, but speed is addictive and I need more...

 

Nope, sorry dude your the only one.

 

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Seriously though, some of you must experience this.

With the cash I put into my stereo over the years, I could have a nice carb, MSD and more suspension goodies... when I think about it this way I know what I would rather have.

Same for the alarm system, without the stereo it is kind of overkill...

 

Perhaps choose a smaller size of sub or a lighter constructed sub. That way, you have bass and low weight... The best of both worlds. Only problem is Polyurethane cones and Neodenium magnets are a bit more expensive.

 

Yeah, I've actually toned it down hardcore from the way it used to be... my 10" JL and box are actually very light and small (relatively anyways). It's more the amps and speakers I can't take out easily that bug me.

But I just went for a drive with my stereo in, and am reminded that my rex is still fast as hell. So for now, It's all good

 

Leave the stereo. Just add more hp.

 

Instead of spending all the time and money on tweaking the stereo so you can remove it on a whim, why not contemplate some HP upgrades, or just go ***** to the wall and drop in a turbo II.

The way I see it,
stage I (next year): turbo II longblock from Corksport (91 J-Spec), stock ECU, turn the boost down a little, use my -SE tranny and driveline.

stage II (year after or so): Turbo II tranny, new driveshaft, wolf 3d ECU, turn up the boost a little.

stage III: bigger intercooler, clutch, lighter flywheel, more boost.

there, sounds like a good plan to me

--matt

 

Sounds like a plan to me too!!!

Actually, I haven't spent anything on the stereo for a while. My last big purchases were electric fan, clifford alarm, and corbeau seat.

I want to see what I can do with the 12A before moving to anything else. This is limited financially by my need to pay tuition, eat food, and drink beer nightly. My mods are below, a while ago I ran a 15.7@87mph, but I think my car is quite a bit faster than that now.

I actually dumped my stereo once before, sold everything, and a year later bought all new stuff again.

I can't wait for those new superthin flat speakers to hit the market (check the latest Sport Compact Car), then we'll really have the best of both worlds.

 

Thats a nice time... I wonder what I will be hitting when I get used to the new 5spd...

You can chk out my webpage if your interested in what ive done to my baby.

 

Thanks Serzy!! I'm sure you'll run at least that well. You should get a good launch with your centerforce.

I'm a big fan of your rex.. very nice. How do you like the streetport exhaust system? It's got a longer primary header and 2 presilencers versus the normal RB system, right?

 

Right now I'm contemplating not whether or not to use my stereo but whether or not to use carpet! This is not my daily driver and I don't feel like spending the extra money on custom made carpeting (I ripped out the old because it was starting to degrade). I want to rip out the sound deadening tar and go with the Lotus Elise look (bare). Anyone think this is a bad idea?

 

SilverRocket: THANK YOU As for my exhaust system I dont have anything to compare it against but when I installed it there was a lot more than a night and day difference compared to the stock exhaust, its note is beautiful and unique not raspy at all, it is a bit loud but (not that loud) hey... you wanna go fast right? and yeah your description of the exhaust is correct

Mr. Wankel: removing the carpet will help you loose a little bit of weight, but not to much (its only cloth after all) and if you loose all the sound deadening stuff it might double the weight savings? also one of the heavier parts of the carpet is probably the rubber mat over the spare tire... If I were you id remove the carpet and sound deadener and try it out and if its to much, go buy some dynomat its not to expensive and its light.

 

ahh. yes I too deal with this. I have the sub & box in my garage, the amp to drive it and such. I bought it a year ago. loved it. dumped it. ripped out the int and drove in a bath tub. I liked extra performance, but as a daily driver I couldn't stand the noise and lack of comfort. I now have a good equalizer (in line) and amp which I drive the full ranges with. Being able to turn the volume up over the wind noise is good, lacking the bass doesn't bother me anymore. I would and have just gone with a nice high end system, and some sort of mp3 receiver. This gives plenty music, plenty loud. Personally I would ditch the sub but hell what's 50#'s when I way 210. hmmm. maybe I should diet to allow the extra 50#'s. well good luck.

 

Yeah this isn't my daily driver and I took out the old carpet because I wanted a custom look and wanted to get rid of some of the old rotting carpet (plus make it lighter of course). It kinda dawned on me that the bare look is actually pretty cool and I love what Colin Chapman, former head of Lotus, said, "Add lightness." Cars nowadays are rarely as stripped as the Lotus Elise and as a result they need more power to make up for the weight. So the engine gets bigger and everything starts getting more expensive...and out of my financial reach! That was one of the coolest things about the first gen Rx and the Miata...go light and go cheap. If Mazda could make a car under a ton they could probably get away with using a single rotor Renesis engine and really lower the cost of such a vehicle. But, unfortunately, that ain't goin to happen.

 

Just get a nice big carb, headers and exhaust. It sounds better than any song ever could.

 

My solution. Un-plug the 5 amp/sub wires, un-screw 4 screws and pull the whole thing out. As easy/quick as taking off the sun-roof.

 

I figure for the price of a Good sound system I could throw some ***-Kickin Mods into my car..(besides,I'm not a kid anymore..no disrepected intended .I am old!)..so instead of pumpin Dollars into Subs and amps..I'm gonna pump it into Headers and Horsepower..sometimes I don't even Listen to the stereo..I like the Drone of the Rotary..and to this RX7 owner ..THAT is Stereo!..(duals!..lol)

 

WE mounted my friends amp on his box, that sloves carrying everything in pieces. Then We put in a fused wire that way you just pull the fuse going to the amp, pull the quick connects on the Remote, and the red and white audio wires comming from the head unit, lift out, go racing. And can be put back in in 3 mins.

 

yes dropping my big stereo may in fact decrease my work commute by several MILISECONDS...but having tunes is more important to me than edging closer to that SUV's back bumper....

 

1 six channel amp...2 8" JL audio subs...2 JL audio fronts...2 Infinity rears...custom made MDF board over storage bins with subs and amp mounted. I just pulled a box that had two 10" subs to reduce the weight and give me my hatch space back. Had the amp mounted on the box. Sound is incredible, better now than before and lost a little weight. If I could figure out how to post pics, I would show ya all.

 

Finally figured out the pics, here ya go.