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Custom FD Sub box- *lots of pics*
Finally, after 5 days or so of breathing in fumes from MDF, fiberglass resis, paint, and laquer, the project is finally finished and installed. I wanted to put in 2 10" audiobahns while losing as little cargo space as possible.
The only thing that I don't like about the install is the textured black anti-sway bar on the blue gloss box. If anyone has any ideas to fix this let me know. If you want to post just to tell me that it'll sound bad just because they're front-firing and not rear-firing, don't waste your time. I've been installing subs and sound systems for 6 years in dozens of vehicles and orientation has absolutely no effect on the sound that can be distinguished by the human ear. Start with the speaker rings: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...01(Medium).jpg Next comes the box: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...06(Medium).jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...07(Medium).jpg |
Secure the speaker rings to the box. I used three pieces of coat hanger wire per ring. Some people don't cut the inside of the back ring out so the can use a 2x4 screwed into it to hold it in place. I think it's difficult to cut out the ring after it's glassed, so I prefer my coat hanger method.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...10(Medium).jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...11(Medium).jpg Next, stretch a piece of cotton or spandex over the box and staple around the edges. I used an old (clean) swatch of cotton from a pillowcase. Spandex can sometimes sag after you resin it if you don't pull it tight enough, and it's also more expensive. The cotton can sometimes be harder to stretch tight enough, but if you do it right, I think it sags less and produces cleaner lines than spandex. http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...14(Medium).jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...15(Medium).jpg |
Next, saturate the cloth with fiberglass resin, paying extra special attention to the spots where the fabric comes in contact with wood. You need to ensure that the MDF absorbs a good amount of resin so the fiberglass doesn't crack or separate from the box after it dries.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...16(Medium).jpg Add fiberglass in small pieces. I used pieces varying from 1x6 to 4x4 depending on what part of the box I was glassing and how many contours there were. The flatter the area, the larger the piece you can use. I used three overlapping layers and then one more final coat of resin. Sanding is very important after this step. Bondo is then used to fill in the largest imperfections and mold the contours to the most desired shape. http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...24(Medium).jpg After a few coats of bondo in between sanding, use glazing putty to fill in the smaller holes and scratches. (by the way, after the second coat of bondo, I switched to wet sanding with about 220 grit sandpaper). http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...22(Medium).jpg |
When you're satisfied, it's time to use a high build primer. After I started priming, I switched my sandpaper to 1000 grit and hand wet-sanded. After three coats of primer, I put on three coats of blue metal flake, wet sanding with 2000 grit in between coats. After that, 2 coats of clear coat laquer, wet sanding with 2000 grit in between. After that, it was just time to install the terminal cups, subs and amp and thowing it into the car:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...25(Medium).jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...26(Medium).jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...27(Medium).jpg If anyone has any questions, needs higher res photos (or more of them, I only posted about half of them), let me know. Also, if anyone has any ideas for that rear sway bar, I'd be interested. Thanks. |
Looks good, my question is though if you have been in the car audio business for over 6 years why would you choose a pyramid amp?
That is interesting your experiences with rear firing, front firing subs, I have had much different experiences with my car but I guess I won't start any sort of debate since im sure you know way more than me. Any chance you have some numbers? What kinda DB's does it put out? How does it sound? |
REALL NICE JOB!! :bigthumb: but i wouldve made the box deeper....thats just me thou
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Dan, I just installed it today so I haven't done any tests on it, which brings me to Shorty's comment, I would have made the box deeper, but like I said, I was looking for bass while still maximizing cargo space. Plus I'm really looking for tighter bass instead of boomy bass, and I need to enter the car into some shows to keep my sponsors happy, which is why I went with the pyramid (which really isn't a bad amp to tell you the truth. I had a pyramid in my old car and put one in my sister's and was happy with both). The pyramid matches the color scheme better and I don't need the ridiculous power to push the audiobahns to the limit because it's already loud enough.
Thanks for the comments though, hopefully it makes as much sense to other people as it seemed to make to me. |
Pictures are not working. You've seemed to already used your limit. I suggest using Photobucket or have somebody host them. Even better is if you host them on the forum that way in the future the pics will stay.
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the pics are workin for me.
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Originally Posted by shrtyGT500
the pics are workin for me.
Access Denied (Usage Limit) The owner of this file has exceeded their daily usage limit. |
Sorry, I only have 10 megs per 24 hours and this page was hit pretty hard in just a couple hours. Is photobucket free? I'm using villagephoto.com, which has a free service.
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i donno but the pics are still workin for me.... :D
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Aww damn, I can't see the pics either.
Upload the pics to photobucket.com. |
you got any pics of your hole car??? thanks
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shit, looks nice. BUT WTF, YOU HAVE A TARGA FD???????
EXPLAIN AND PICS PLEASE :D |
can't see sh.t!!
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yeah i cant c the pics now also.... :( :( :(
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Custom FD Sub box- *lots of pics* FIXED LINKS
Sorry guys, I knew that villagephotos had a bandwidth limit, but after I reduced the photos I didn't think I'd hit it so soon. With 120+ hits in less than 12 hours though, it adds up fast.
Here are the same photos (I think) uploaded to photobucket. I even threw in a pic of the car with the targa off. If anyone wants different angles let me know. I'd throw in some more, but it's been raining here for the past week and the car doesn't look its best right now and I won't take pictures until I wash it today or tomorrow. http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...s001Medium.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...s006Medium.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...s007Medium.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...s010Medium.jpg |
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Did you cut the roof of the car?
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Holy crap?! You're the guy with the targa top!!! I don't like the targa top myself (everyone is a critic hehe) but who cares as long as you like it . . . the sub box is cool man :D
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Apex: Thanks for the compliment on the sub box... I know not everyone is a fan of the targa, but it's perfect for me. I don't track the car and I'm never pushing past 115 or 120, the chassis is reinforced, so it works for me.
Racer1: the owner before the previous owner had the targa cut by a custom shop in CA. They cut the roof, doors, relocated the dome light to behind the targa, and reinforced the chassis. The roof fits perfectly right behind the rear seats if I need to bring it somewhere with me, but usually I just leave the top at home. I just got finished working on some custom draw latches that'll let me take it on and off a bit faster than screwing or unscrewing four bolts. |
The Enclosure looks great! The targa top is a cool and original idea. But, IMHO the car was not designed for it and it looks out of place. plus it adds alot of weight.
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I love the enclosure, but why the Pyramid amp??? When you glassed, what did you use to fill? Range Gold? What grit paper did you go up to to get the finish for paint?
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John, I explained the reason for the pyramid on the last page... you might have missed it though since this page has the pictures that work. First, for the price, pyramid amps are not bad at all. This is the third one that I've used for myself or family members and I've installed several others in other people's vehicles. Also, this car is being entered into shows to keep my sponsors happy and as much as I hate to admit it, part of the decision to go with the pyramid was for the look. It matched the look that I was going for better than any other amp and also matched up to the 10" DVC audiobahns I had. It came with a remote bass control, and to tell you the truth, doesn't sound bad at all. I admit that I do have to crank up the gain a little higher than I would if I were running an audiobahn, kicker, or alpine, but the car is so small anyway that I don't need any more bass.
I used bondo to fill, and then glazing putty over that. I used 1000 grit and wetsanded after using the glazing putty and in between coats of primer. After the last coat of primer I used 2000 grit to wetsand and between coats of paint and laquer as well. xcelir8 (nice name): thanks for the props on the enclosure. I'll be the first to admit that the targa isn't for everyone and I was hesitant when I first saw it, but to see the car in person, I think almost anyone could be sold on it. As far as the extra weight goes, that's what my 60-1 and streetport are for. :) |
As far as the extra weight goes, that's what my 60-1 and streetport are for. :) |
Very nice box... I am ging to do sumthing like that soon very soon.
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awsome job :) ..
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Nice job! I agree glass/dust/fumes is some nasty stuff. I am going to do the same thing as soon as I get an FD. This would be my last glass project. I made 2 for my FC and talk about work! So if any of guys out there looking for one....Go here:https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=435918
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I really like the targa. Luckily the previous owner is the one who had to pay for it! It would be interesting to see what structural work was done and the detail work where the doors were cut. It looks good in the pics but was certainly a lot of work I'm sure.
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cool targa...Ive always wondered what an fd would look like with the targa....very nice....good job on the sub box too.
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Thanks for all the positive comments. I was a little wary about posting on here because I know this board can be a little critical, but I figured if someone else wanted to do some glassing they would know where to start.
Damon, you're right, I'm glad I didn't have to pay for it. One of these days I'm going to get the car on a lift to see in detail what they did to strengthen the chassis. I'll be sure to take some pictures when that day comes. As far as the doors are concerned, I'm occupied at the moment with fixing some of the weatherstripping where the door meets the targa. Unfortunately, it's one of the drawbacks, but how often does anyone drive their FD in the rain anyway? |
Being an installer myself, I really like the way you did that. Nice work.
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B-E-A-Utiful box man..I can't wait to get some time off and some money. When I do, I'll be taking up a project like this for myself ^_^
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respirator is your friend.... hehe The box looks sweet though, nice work...
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Yeah the targa top is freekn awsome!
Just thought i would throw my 2 cents in! |
Sealed box? Niiiiiiice. I've always dreamed of a box like that for my FD. But upgrading the sound system is pretty far down the list for future mods.
Are you talking about the rear STRUT bar? The anti-sway bar would be underneath your car. If it is in fact the look of the rear strut bar you're concerned about...why not get a Cusco Carbon Fiber or Oval Aluminum one? Or, get yourself a roll bar/roll cage fabbed that includes a bar that replaces the rear strut bar. |
wow!!
I would like to see more pics of your car! https://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a...nrad_Brown.jpg |
FDeez: you're right, I did mean rear strut bar, not anti-sway. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll be looking into them.
I've gotten a lot of PM's about the targa and requests for more pictures so here you go. I have hi-res available, but I'm at home right now on dial-up and it takes forever to upload a 700 kb picture. http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...7002Medium.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...7003Medium.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...7004Medium.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...7005Medium.jpg |
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nice work man.......and love the targa top! wonder how much that set the previous owner back!
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5 G's... I don't know the exact price, but that was what was told to me...
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Originally Posted by usma_2006
Thanks for all the positive comments. I was a little wary about posting on here because I know this board can be a little critical, but I figured if someone else wanted to do some glassing they would know where to start.
Damon, you're right, I'm glad I didn't have to pay for it. One of these days I'm going to get the car on a lift to see in detail what they did to strengthen the chassis. I'll be sure to take some pictures when that day comes. As far as the doors are concerned, I'm occupied at the moment with fixing some of the weatherstripping where the door meets the targa. Unfortunately, it's one of the drawbacks, but how often does anyone drive their FD in the rain anyway? post some pics of the chassis strenghtners or send couple of pics to dhark00@o2.pl Dhaark |
muahahahaha!!!!! looky what i have we are brothers :D
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...34_53_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...34_54_full.jpg nice car, if it was black you would have red my mind (future project of mine) |
usma_2006,
How is wind noise with that targa setup (and yes, it now appears to be the focus of your thread :) )? Its pretty unique, but seeing as how the closest thing anyones really seen to it is a sunroof, I think it would take some time for it to grow on people. Either way, I'm curious as to what they did to strengthen the chassis as well, and also how the car drives as compared to other 'normal' FD's. Oh, and your sub box looks sharp. :bigthumb: |
Hey all, sorry for the late reply... I'm down at FT Bragg for a month and just got access to the internet today.
I'm going to try to get some pictures of the chassis supports in the near future, but I haven't had time to throw the car on a lift lately. When I do I'll be sure to post. Static, that definitely looks sharp. did you add the roll cage after the chop? How do you fasten the targa? Right now I'm using four hex bolts, but I'm trying to find other options that are a lot quicker. Right now it's kind of a PITA to bolt or unbolt the targa. Shinobi, as far as noise is concerned, it's unnoticable with the top on and windows up, however, before anyone accepts this as evidence of having a really good seal, keep in mind that I'm running a DP, MP, RB dual tip with a street port... the wind noise is the least of my problems :) . As far as the handling, I will admit that it doesn't handle as well as my old FD, but to be fair, I had coilovers on the old one set on the stiffest setting and I'm still running the stock suspension on mine (it's on my 'ask my sponsor for' list). |
Nice!
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i've always wonder what the targa would have looked like on an FD...now i now! :D
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