Sound system template for self-installers
06-03-2001, 02:27 PM
#1
Retired. Not available.
Thread Starter
Sound system template for self-installers
Actually it's the procedure for my sound system. The details will be different unless you have the same amp and sub. 
Keep in mind, this project purpose is to have better sound and bass while still able to use the trunk, the spare tire and everything else the way they are meant to be used. Finally, I dont have the intention of taking my car to any sound-off competition or compete against professional installers, so pardon the lack of professionalism.
Oh yeah, and the whole system added about 100lbs. to your car.
For the amp, you need to run a power cable straight from the battery to the trunk. The size of of the cable depends on your amp power output. (I used a Rockford Fosgate kit from Best Buy with 8 gause (sp?) power wire. ($30 or $40)) Be sure to disconnect the batt. before messing with the wire.
There is a existing hole on the firewall which is very hard to find. Look carefully from the inside. It's closed to the throttle connector (I made up the name
). It's 2-3" in. above and 1-2" to right and covered by the insulation. Use a crew driver to poke through it so you can see it from the engine compartment. The below pic is the view of the wire entrance on the firewall. It's kindda hard to imagine ... Just stick your head to where the pedals are and look up, you'll see it.
Once you have the power wire install ... just run it along the door jam on the driver side all the way to the trunk ...( Head up: it's kindda hard to go pass the rear seat. So be prepared!).
Next, install the ground wire to the body of the car. I screwed it down at the trunk access.
Remove the trunk liner to get access to the stock amp by taking out marked screws. Dont forget to take out the jack panel and the jack as well. You also have to take out the tool container. Just pull it up hard (but carefully), it'll come off.
You'll see the factory amp located in front of the jack.
Below is the color coded wiring for the amp. from HELMS manual. (posted by Shawn S.)
Cut the output from amp to the speakers (be sure to leave enough wire length on the harness). Connect 4 speaker wire to amp outputs (these will be connected to the inputs of the aftermarket amp) and 4 speaker wires to the speaker input (these will be connected to the outputs of the aftermarket amp.). Locate the remote wire and tap into it (do not cut it since the factory amp needs it). About the connections, you can use the connectors sold at Autozone, HiLo, Radio Shack, or Home Depot or solder them. I recommend soldering but I was too lazy to do it.
For the inputs of the aftermarket amp, you have the choices of using speaker level inputs or using RCA converters (I used converters bought from Circuit City $20/each. 2 needed if you power all 4 channel and the sub. 1 if you just power the sub.) The reason I used the outputs from the factory amp but not the head
unit is because the output from the head unit is very weak ... you'll need a powerful amp to have decent output but you'll also get cleaner sound.
The rest of the project is depended on your layout/creativity. Below are what I did.
If you wanna rebuild the trunk floor, I recommend MDF boards (Home Depot $6/each 2'x4') since they are sturdy and rattle resistant. If you have any question, ask. I'll try my best to answer.
------------------
'01 Silver CL-S
Painted Mud Guard
Silver Aluminum Pedals
Kenwood Amp with 10in. Pioneer sub.
(modified) CAI.
My Car
[This message has been edited by SilverKnight (edited 06-03-2001).]
[This message has been edited by SilverKnight (edited 06-21-2001).]
Keep in mind, this project purpose is to have better sound and bass while still able to use the trunk, the spare tire and everything else the way they are meant to be used. Finally, I dont have the intention of taking my car to any sound-off competition or compete against professional installers, so pardon the lack of professionalism.
Oh yeah, and the whole system added about 100lbs. to your car.
For the amp, you need to run a power cable straight from the battery to the trunk. The size of of the cable depends on your amp power output. (I used a Rockford Fosgate kit from Best Buy with 8 gause (sp?) power wire. ($30 or $40)) Be sure to disconnect the batt. before messing with the wire.
There is a existing hole on the firewall which is very hard to find. Look carefully from the inside. It's closed to the throttle connector (I made up the name
). It's 2-3" in. above and 1-2" to right and covered by the insulation. Use a crew driver to poke through it so you can see it from the engine compartment. The below pic is the view of the wire entrance on the firewall. It's kindda hard to imagine ... Just stick your head to where the pedals are and look up, you'll see it. Once you have the power wire install ... just run it along the door jam on the driver side all the way to the trunk ...( Head up: it's kindda hard to go pass the rear seat. So be prepared!).
Next, install the ground wire to the body of the car. I screwed it down at the trunk access.
Remove the trunk liner to get access to the stock amp by taking out marked screws. Dont forget to take out the jack panel and the jack as well. You also have to take out the tool container. Just pull it up hard (but carefully), it'll come off.
You'll see the factory amp located in front of the jack.
Below is the color coded wiring for the amp. from HELMS manual. (posted by Shawn S.)
Cut the output from amp to the speakers (be sure to leave enough wire length on the harness). Connect 4 speaker wire to amp outputs (these will be connected to the inputs of the aftermarket amp) and 4 speaker wires to the speaker input (these will be connected to the outputs of the aftermarket amp.). Locate the remote wire and tap into it (do not cut it since the factory amp needs it). About the connections, you can use the connectors sold at Autozone, HiLo, Radio Shack, or Home Depot or solder them. I recommend soldering but I was too lazy to do it.
For the inputs of the aftermarket amp, you have the choices of using speaker level inputs or using RCA converters (I used converters bought from Circuit City $20/each. 2 needed if you power all 4 channel and the sub. 1 if you just power the sub.) The reason I used the outputs from the factory amp but not the head
unit is because the output from the head unit is very weak ... you'll need a powerful amp to have decent output but you'll also get cleaner sound.
The rest of the project is depended on your layout/creativity. Below are what I did.
If you wanna rebuild the trunk floor, I recommend MDF boards (Home Depot $6/each 2'x4') since they are sturdy and rattle resistant. If you have any question, ask. I'll try my best to answer.
------------------
'01 Silver CL-S
Painted Mud Guard
Silver Aluminum Pedals
Kenwood Amp with 10in. Pioneer sub.
(modified) CAI.
My Car
[This message has been edited by SilverKnight (edited 06-03-2001).]
[This message has been edited by SilverKnight (edited 06-21-2001).]
06-03-2001, 02:43 PM
#3
Drifting
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Age: 44
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Thanks SilverKnight..This will definately help me out. Mods please FAQ this.
Spiro
------------------
Black/Black 2001 CL-S
Random Technology Cat
RED AEM CAI
Polarg M6 Roadlamps
Spiro
------------------
Black/Black 2001 CL-S
Random Technology Cat
RED AEM CAI
Polarg M6 Roadlamps
06-03-2001, 02:53 PM
#4
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
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sure thing.
Whats the fire extinguisher for?
------------------
- Kvit -
2001 CL-P Monterey Blue, Parchment interior
• Polarg BlHybrid M-6 Road lamps
• Polarg/PIAA super white interior lights *bling bling*
• HP Quantum 28 -- 31% metallic tint all around
• [Photopoint Album Pics]
• [So.Cali. Nite Meet 5/17: Tustin Black Angus Pics]
• [So.Cali. Nite Meet 5/17: Tustin Black Angus Pics II]
Other
• [Yamaha Home Theater Gear]
• [DVD List]
• [June 3rd Sunday Cali. BBQ: Irvine Park]
Whats the fire extinguisher for?
------------------
- Kvit -
2001 CL-P Monterey Blue, Parchment interior
• Polarg BlHybrid M-6 Road lamps
• Polarg/PIAA super white interior lights *bling bling*
• HP Quantum 28 -- 31% metallic tint all around
• [Photopoint Album Pics]
• [So.Cali. Nite Meet 5/17: Tustin Black Angus Pics]
• [So.Cali. Nite Meet 5/17: Tustin Black Angus Pics II]
Other
• [Yamaha Home Theater Gear]
• [DVD List]
• [June 3rd Sunday Cali. BBQ: Irvine Park]
06-03-2001, 02:56 PM
#5
Retired. Not available.
Thread Starter
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by KavexTrax:
sure thing.
Whats the fire extinguisher for?
</font>
sure thing.
Whats the fire extinguisher for?
</font>
actually, I'm the better-safe-then-sorry kind of guy, so I always have the jump cable, tool box, first-aid kit and the extinguisher in my car at all time.
------------------
'01 Silver CL-S
Painted Mud Guard
Silver Aluminum Pedals
Customed self-installed sound system with 5-channel Kenwood Amp 10in. Pioneer sub. shined on by Polard M-16 and M-4.
(modified) CAI.
Meshed grill.
My Car
[This message has been edited by SilverKnight (edited 06-03-2001).]
06-04-2001, 09:56 PM
#6
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Northern VA
Age: 43
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Looking at the helm manual
which color is the rem? on/off switch. basically my amp won't shut off so all i do is just turn the volume down.
looks like white/yellow.
is it right?
------------------
CL-S
White/Ebony/Navi/Spoiler/Visor/Full Bra/Mud Guards/Acura Car Cover/Tint 20%,35%,5% on Sun Roof, Rockford 250a2 Amp w/JL10w6 / K&N Drop in Filter.Polarg m-6.
Comptech Headers,Springs,Sways, Eurolite Xenon Crystal high beams.Polarg m6
gtech 0-60 6.03 w/ 438 pound load. preheader.
which color is the rem? on/off switch. basically my amp won't shut off so all i do is just turn the volume down.
looks like white/yellow.
is it right?
------------------
CL-S
White/Ebony/Navi/Spoiler/Visor/Full Bra/Mud Guards/Acura Car Cover/Tint 20%,35%,5% on Sun Roof, Rockford 250a2 Amp w/JL10w6 / K&N Drop in Filter.Polarg m-6.
Comptech Headers,Springs,Sways, Eurolite Xenon Crystal high beams.Polarg m6
gtech 0-60 6.03 w/ 438 pound load. preheader.
06-04-2001, 11:19 PM
#7
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Northern VA
Age: 43
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actually its yellow white. fooken pain in the ass to take everything out. 3 cutfingers and its all fixed now. had this problem for 8 months. jeezz
------------------
CL-S
White/Ebony/Navi/Spoiler/Visor/Full Bra/Mud Guards/Acura Car Cover/Tint 20%,35%,5% on Sun Roof, Rockford 250a2 Amp w/JL10w6 / K&N Drop in Filter.Polarg m-6.
Comptech Headers,Springs,Sways, Eurolite Xenon Crystal high beams.Polarg m6
gtech 0-60 6.03 w/ 438 pound load. preheader.
had this problem for 8 months. jeezz------------------
CL-S
White/Ebony/Navi/Spoiler/Visor/Full Bra/Mud Guards/Acura Car Cover/Tint 20%,35%,5% on Sun Roof, Rockford 250a2 Amp w/JL10w6 / K&N Drop in Filter.Polarg m-6.
Comptech Headers,Springs,Sways, Eurolite Xenon Crystal high beams.Polarg m6
gtech 0-60 6.03 w/ 438 pound load. preheader.
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06-04-2001, 11:31 PM
#8
Intermediate
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Richmond, VA, USA
Age: 52
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Received 0 Likes
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SilverKnight,
That's a slick system. I just installed my sounds this past weekend, and I'm planning to post pics of my process once I get everything straight in my head. I replaced all of the speakers and added a sub.
How did you get the power cable run and the trunk liner out without removing the rear seats? I ended up taking mine out to get everything run.
------------------
kix S
2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type S
Silver/Ebony
Sans "3.2 CL Type S" Badges
"Stylingblue" brake calipers
6.5" Infinity Kappa Components
Alpine 6x9's
12" JL Audio 12W3 Subwoofer
(2) Alpine 3522 2-channel amps
Earthquake 200x amplifier
Retired: 1995 Mazda Protege LX
That's a slick system. I just installed my sounds this past weekend, and I'm planning to post pics of my process once I get everything straight in my head. I replaced all of the speakers and added a sub.
How did you get the power cable run and the trunk liner out without removing the rear seats? I ended up taking mine out to get everything run.
------------------
kix S
2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type S
Silver/Ebony
Sans "3.2 CL Type S" Badges
"Stylingblue" brake calipers
6.5" Infinity Kappa Components
Alpine 6x9's
12" JL Audio 12W3 Subwoofer
(2) Alpine 3522 2-channel amps
Earthquake 200x amplifier
Retired: 1995 Mazda Protege LX
06-05-2001, 12:32 AM
#9
Retired. Not available.
Thread Starter
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by kix S:
SilverKnight,
That's a slick system. I just installed my sounds this past weekend, and I'm planning to post pics of my process once I get everything straight in my head. I replaced all of the speakers and added a sub.
How did you get the power cable run and the trunk liner out without removing the rear seats? I ended up taking mine out to get everything run.
</font>
SilverKnight,
That's a slick system. I just installed my sounds this past weekend, and I'm planning to post pics of my process once I get everything straight in my head. I replaced all of the speakers and added a sub.
How did you get the power cable run and the trunk liner out without removing the rear seats? I ended up taking mine out to get everything run.
</font>
... actually I used a cloth hanger. I didnt wanna waste so much time with the seat. I would have replaced all the speakers if I was in a better financial situation. My company cut 20% across the board due to "slow down". I considered myself lucky going to work the day after the cut.
------------------
'01 Silver CL-S
Painted Mud Guard
Silver Aluminum Pedals
Customed self-installed sound system with 5-channel Kenwood Amp and 10in. Pioneer sub. in Customized box.
(modified) CAI.
Meshed grill.
My Pride
06-21-2001, 11:11 AM
#10
Retired. Not available.
Thread Starter
MODs, Could you replace this with the post in FAQ? I just fixed the pic links in this one.
------------------
'01 Silver CL-S
Silver Mud Guard
Silver Aluminum Sport Pedals
Customed self-installed sound system with 5-channel Kenwood Amp and 10in. Pioneer sub. in Customized box.
(modified) CAI.
Meshed grill.
My Pride
DOM 01/2001 #31432
------------------
'01 Silver CL-S
Silver Mud Guard
Silver Aluminum Sport Pedals
Customed self-installed sound system with 5-channel Kenwood Amp and 10in. Pioneer sub. in Customized box.
(modified) CAI.
Meshed grill.
My Pride
DOM 01/2001 #31432
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