Alright guys, If you fellas don't mind, I'd like to know which of you grounded your amps where, why, and if you had ANY alternator whine.

I've heard some guys using the ground at the seat belt bolt, some run their ground to the battery (which I don't care for), etc. Has anyone used the under seat bolt(s) for ground, as that would seem the best chassis ground? I've also seen at least one gentlemen drill a whole in the floor to gain access to the chassis which would seem the most work, but the best ground..... Any thoughts on that point of ground, and link to a self sealing grommet that can be utilized?

I'm trying to get around the whine problem ahead of time, and map out my install prior to tearing my car apart. I'm not a fan of ground loop isolators as I know for fact that they affect sound quality, so I'd rather do whatever it takes to avoid the dreaded alt. whine ahead of time.

When it comes to my installs, "good enough" doesn't count. I need to get things perfect the first time as my A.D.D. kicks in quickly, and I get frustrated FAST and start throwing stuff around.

I'd like to run my power & ground wires along the side rails, and all signal & speaker cables down the middle under the carpet. Having never done a C6 before, is there anything I should be aware of?

I plan to install my 5 channel Alpine behind the passenger seat. http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...&lang=en&tab=F Does anyone see any problems with that location with respect to space?

Also, with respect to insulation & sound deadening. My plan is to dynamat the entire interior, then put an insulation kit on top of that. IYHO's, is that overkill, or do you think I will see benefit in doing both. Again, I do not want to have the opportunity to take that extra step while the car is dismantled and regret ANYTHING at all later on.

Speaker wire.... I'd like your take on running all new wire from amp to speaker. I've always taken that extra time, and run new wires all the way to the speakers vs. cutting & crimping at the door. How big a pain in the *** is it to do so? I know my Silverado I had to actually cut a knotch in the metal beside the electrical grommet running to the back door speakers because unlike the front doors, there was no rubber tube to run the speaker wires through. That was a major pain!

As my parts are starting to arrive, I'm formulating my game plan for next weekend. I figure if I can get started Friday after work next week, I should be able to finish it by early Sunday.

Thanks again fellas!

BTW, I've read the FAQ's a million times, I'm just looking for as many peoples install knowledge as possible.

 

on C6 I ALWAYS use the factory ground under the seat belt pillar

 

That's the one I just used. It's about a foot off the floor on the B pillar. Since you'll have all of the trim pieces out you really can't miss it.

Running new wires to the doors is actually pretty easy in C5 or C6. There's a 3x5" plastic piece that just snaps into place that's under the dash right where the accordian thing attaches to the door. There's even a notch cut out of the top for an OEM cable run that has plenty of room for an added speaker wire. I used some of Daves speaker plates, so I just drilled a 1/4" hole in the hidden corner of the plate to run the wire through (to the crossover) so I didn't have to mess with the factory wire bundle again.

IIRC, all of the alternator whine problems only come in to play if you mix stock bose components with aftermarket.

For the cables up the middle, you may want to run them along the side of the tunnel and not under the center console trim piece. I did them under the console in the C5 and it ended up breaking the plastic mounting tabs due to the wires not letting it sit right.

 

Never had a problem with whine Greg?

And thanks Mark!

By the way, does anyone have any build drawings of their custom C6 sub boxes? I'm even thinking of trying a first time fiberglass build for this install....

 

NEVER with all aftermarket equipment, when u mix is when u have issues

 

That's great news. One issue down, a few more to go....

 

good luck, I just finally finished my stereo dd conversion...... new int amp 111x4 rms and now the int speakers sing...

 

I used the ground right behind the passenger seat right above the sill. It's probably the same one Greg uses. There was something factory grounded there as well. I have absolutely no whine whatsoever.

 

For cable runs we went up the passenger side sill for the power and ground, down the center console for the low level RCA outputs and along the driver side sills for the speaker wires.