I've just started this project but I will begin a build log so that constructive input may be offered. My first install was 6 years ago and it was pretty hasty and ugly - Infinity components and a pre-fab sub box in a gutted 1960s musclecar. I expect this will turn out much better.
The car is a 1995 BMW M3 coupe in Cosmosschwarz (black for those of us who don't speak German). Over the last 2 1/2 years of ownership I've done TONS of preventative maintenance and a few upgrades, limited to stiffer bushings, mounts, softly sprung coilovers, non-reclining seats, and wider than stock wheels. Powertrain is still stock.
Audio gear to be installed:
The first phase, currently underway, is sound deadening and driver baffle/mount ideation. The cabin carpet and dashboard are removed. I have removed the tar on the left side of the cabin only at this point, so that I have a "datum" while doing the tap test. 7.5 lbs of tar came out so far. I took advantage of the Alphadamp sale and have a pack on the way. Weight watching is a BIG ELEMENT of this build. Hence I will be following Don's (rudeboy) suggestions rigorously - 25% CLD, foam, MLV.
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the interior right this instant - yes, I did drive to work like this...
Mic10 has already told me where the horns need to go. Unfortunately that means cutting out steel in the kick area so the BMS compression drivers can hang about 1.5" outside the cabin. Still torn on this - haven't started cutting yet. There is no way to flush the midbasses into the kick area due to lack of depth, so they will either sit on a flat 0.75" baffle, or angled kicks will be built. I'm inclined to leave them flat on the sides though since Mic has had good success that way, and why make more work?
Enough for now. I'm going to do some factory harness re-taping, securing, while moving bundles out of the kick panel area on both sides. I'm talking to a local plastics house about getting Ensolite and vinyl foam, and if that falls through, Raamaudio and SDS will be getting orders.
Greatly appreciative of opinions on the following:
Matt
The car is a 1995 BMW M3 coupe in Cosmosschwarz (black for those of us who don't speak German). Over the last 2 1/2 years of ownership I've done TONS of preventative maintenance and a few upgrades, limited to stiffer bushings, mounts, softly sprung coilovers, non-reclining seats, and wider than stock wheels. Powertrain is still stock.
Audio gear to be installed:
- ID mini horns
- BMS 4550 drivers
- BMS 8S215 8 ohm midbass drivers
- 1 Acoustic Elegance SBP15 4 ohm single voice coil subwoofer
- 1 JL XD 500/3, will put 37Wx2 to the horns, 180Wx1 to the sub
- 1 JL XD400/4, bridged will put 100Wx2 to the midbasses
The first phase, currently underway, is sound deadening and driver baffle/mount ideation. The cabin carpet and dashboard are removed. I have removed the tar on the left side of the cabin only at this point, so that I have a "datum" while doing the tap test. 7.5 lbs of tar came out so far. I took advantage of the Alphadamp sale and have a pack on the way. Weight watching is a BIG ELEMENT of this build. Hence I will be following Don's (rudeboy) suggestions rigorously - 25% CLD, foam, MLV.
the interior right this instant - yes, I did drive to work like this...
Mic10 has already told me where the horns need to go. Unfortunately that means cutting out steel in the kick area so the BMS compression drivers can hang about 1.5" outside the cabin. Still torn on this - haven't started cutting yet. There is no way to flush the midbasses into the kick area due to lack of depth, so they will either sit on a flat 0.75" baffle, or angled kicks will be built. I'm inclined to leave them flat on the sides though since Mic has had good success that way, and why make more work?
Enough for now. I'm going to do some factory harness re-taping, securing, while moving bundles out of the kick panel area on both sides. I'm talking to a local plastics house about getting Ensolite and vinyl foam, and if that falls through, Raamaudio and SDS will be getting orders.
Greatly appreciative of opinions on the following:
- should the midbasses be flat to the kicks, or angled
- should the JL XD amps be mounted close to the trunk battery for ease of power/ground wiring, or under the seats for shorter RCA and speaker wire runs
Matt