Hey guys, have an install coming up in a week or so - have a few questions for those of you who already know your way around under the trim & carpet - hopefully will save me some time to be fore-armed.

1) Best location to drill the hole for 4 gauge power
2) Where did you find a good 4-gauge sized grommet
3) Which battery are you running (assuming you're satisfied with it)?
4) What's the most speakers anyone's crammed into the door (I'm shooting for 6.5", 4", + a fairly large plate tweeter)
5) I have my fingers crossed that my 4 meter (13') RCA's will reach the small back compartments... yes or no?
6) Best ground location near the back corner(s)

Thanks in advance! :cheers:


[Modified by RichMisner, 12:26 AM 7/30/2003]


[Modified by RichMisner, 11:11 PM 8/2/2003]

 

1. No need to drill a hole. Look for grommet on firewall, behind the battery. You will have to remove the batter to get to it.

2. N/A See answer #1

3. Stock battery should be ok, unless the load exceeds the available current. I would need to know total current draw.

4. People have been known to put similar configurations in the doors. Not sure what a plate tweeter is. Which model exactly are you referring to? I've found a lot of guys here are into CDT speakers and Focal. I considered a configuration similar to yours, but with Focal speakers. Ended up with CDT CL61's which are 6.5 and a tweeter and glad I did. They sound great!!

5. I used 3 meter (over 15' for those who don't know) rca cables for my install and had very little to spare. However, I took a path opposite of my power wires. I guess it depends on where you put your amps.

6. Best ground location I could find is just below each of the two rear left and right storage compartments. There is a post welded to the frame on each side which you can easily get to to.

Good luck. Click link to see pics of my recent install. Also, do a search on this forum for some good ideas. Lots of bright people here.
http://www.mikejh.com/2000_vette_ste...stallation.htm

 

Thanks for the info. It's cool that I don't have to drill through the firewall - I guess I'll see it once I get that big ole battery out of there. Speaking of the battery, it's a lead-acid, and I want to replace it anyway so that it never leaks on my computer! I guess I was looking for opinions on the Red Top, Yellow Top, or Delco Platinum AGM.

After looking more carefully at the doors, I'm having to conclude that there's just no way I can get the 6.5", the 4", and the big tweeter all to fit (the front plate of the tweeter is nearly 5" round). I think it's likely that I'll go with the 6.5" & the tweeter up front, and put the 4's in back. :mad However, maybe the front kicks will hold a fairly deep 4? Any experience with putting speakers up there?

I think my RCA's will make it, as I realized I could run them under the center console, then out towards the doors after I get past the seats. The ground location is perfect too, since my amps will be in the back corners.

By the way, nice install. I used to install a lot of Clif Design components (now CDT). In fact, I have a cool audio disc they made a long time ago that has various musical tracks to show off the speaker's capabilities (it's great for tuning up an install, in a car or a home). Anyway, I always thought they were some of the best quality sound I've ever heard - however they're just not for me.

:cheers:


[Modified by RichMisner, 11:23 PM 8/2/2003]

 

Okay
1. I used 0 guage, behind battery
2. no 4
3. Optima yellow in Vette two Optima red in Talon, very happy.
Replace stock battery! Read the forum, do a search under "battery" and you'll see many horror stories on how the factory can crack and leak, destroying the computer.
4. Your combo should be fine, the factory is an 8 and a 3 1/2 and there is a ton of room in door.
5. I don't know but would guess yes
6. None, run a negitive 4 guage along with the positive 4 guage back to amp.

Good Luck :cheers:

 

You're dead on - I took a close look at the grounding situation, and saw jack that looked like a decent ground in the back. I briefly considered drilling through the back or bottom to get to the frame, but screw that! I'll run a 4 gauge ground back - it's the best way.

By the way, I have an Optima 800U on the way, and the Alpine went in (but Christ was it a tight fit!) I'll post an update after I make some more headway, after the next shipments arrive.

:cheers:


[Modified by RichMisner, 4:32 AM 8/6/2003]