Stereo Install: Done at Last!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
Stereo Install: Done at Last!
Team,
Finally completed the install of the stereo in my 79. This is a re-cap of my follow along thread with pix of the final install.
Parts include:
Kenwood KDC X591 HU with iPod adapter
Polk db651 Coax speakers (6.5" in Kick Panel)
Cadence ZRS 9004 Amp
MB Quart RWE252 10" sub in 0.65 cu ft enclosure
Fully covered all interior surfaces with Dynamat Exteme followed by Reflectix.
I can't begin to tell you how smashing this whole thing sounds...the boy and I went for a cruise yesterday and were compelled to enter the highway when "Highway Star" came up on the playlist...I had no choice...the car drove itself (and I humbly followed...). Bliss.
Thanks to all, epsecially to DB who recommended the set-up and provided genreous advice (and patience) throughout the process. It's time to drive...
Before:
During:
Strip Interior:
Repaint Dash (VHT dye) and Console parts (SEM elastomeric paint)
Dynamat and Reflectix (Holy Tedious Batman):
This is the waste after 13 2' x 3' sheets of Dynamat...FYI if you inadvertently cut out a shape that matches the start fleet insignia you have to keep it.
Start the Rebuild:
CONTINUED BELOW...
Finally completed the install of the stereo in my 79. This is a re-cap of my follow along thread with pix of the final install.
Parts include:
Kenwood KDC X591 HU with iPod adapter
Polk db651 Coax speakers (6.5" in Kick Panel)
Cadence ZRS 9004 Amp
MB Quart RWE252 10" sub in 0.65 cu ft enclosure
Fully covered all interior surfaces with Dynamat Exteme followed by Reflectix.
I can't begin to tell you how smashing this whole thing sounds...the boy and I went for a cruise yesterday and were compelled to enter the highway when "Highway Star" came up on the playlist...I had no choice...the car drove itself (and I humbly followed...). Bliss.
Thanks to all, epsecially to DB who recommended the set-up and provided genreous advice (and patience) throughout the process. It's time to drive...
Before:
During:
Strip Interior:
Repaint Dash (VHT dye) and Console parts (SEM elastomeric paint)
Dynamat and Reflectix (Holy Tedious Batman):
This is the waste after 13 2' x 3' sheets of Dynamat...FYI if you inadvertently cut out a shape that matches the start fleet insignia you have to keep it.
Start the Rebuild:
CONTINUED BELOW...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
Continued:
Wiring Speakers and Sub
Wire Amp and Harness:
Cut and covered 1/2" plywood board and mounted to rear of tub with anchors and rubber cushions. Attached amp to board after covering screws with heavy felt. Attached power to the amp (the correct way this time...no beer required)
Made and installed new speaker blanks and console side panels (1/8" masonite):
Installed speakers and sub:
New (used) 100Amp Alternator - Thanks Matt and Curtis:
CONTINUED BELOW...
Wiring Speakers and Sub
Wire Amp and Harness:
Cut and covered 1/2" plywood board and mounted to rear of tub with anchors and rubber cushions. Attached amp to board after covering screws with heavy felt. Attached power to the amp (the correct way this time...no beer required)
Made and installed new speaker blanks and console side panels (1/8" masonite):
Installed speakers and sub:
New (used) 100Amp Alternator - Thanks Matt and Curtis:
CONTINUED BELOW...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
Take it home...
Finish tray and console install:
Finish Carpet install at Sills:
I used some standard aluminum flashing and doubled it over twice to create a samll channel that was bent and hammered around the exposed end of the gnarly looking carpet. This tucked under the sill plate to give a nice clean look that matches the dam at the rear:
Need to add a longer wire to the sub and tweak the power antenna (still chasing that gremlin), but all in all we're done...time to drive...
Enjoy, Steve
Finish tray and console install:
Finish Carpet install at Sills:
I used some standard aluminum flashing and doubled it over twice to create a samll channel that was bent and hammered around the exposed end of the gnarly looking carpet. This tucked under the sill plate to give a nice clean look that matches the dam at the rear:
Need to add a longer wire to the sub and tweak the power antenna (still chasing that gremlin), but all in all we're done...time to drive...
Enjoy, Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Phenomenal job man, truly. I have seen professional installers that can't do quality work like that. Fantastic. 
Are you leaving the sub standing up like that? It might get better results firing up or sideways.
Are you leaving the sub standing up like that? It might get better results firing up or sideways.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
I'll probably lay the sub on its back angled away from the cockpit...I'm just playing around with the details of the sound now so I'll experiment and see what sounds best. It's fairly directional the way it is now (ie I know exactly where the bass is coming from) and it would be nice to have a better overall blend with the kick speakers.
The HU has a lot of "detailed" settings for the bass/mid/treb that i haven't toyed with yet. Any advice on the best way to set these up?
Todd, the carpet had pretty lame binding on the end of the sill near the kick panels...I was looking for something cleaner. I like the way it came out (looks better than the pix)
Thanks to all, S
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 1
From: aurora
Thanks for the kudos Matt...couldn't have done it without you...
I'll probably lay the sub on its back angled away from the cockpit...I'm just playing around with the details of the sound now so I'll experiment and see what sounds best. It's fairly directional the way it is now (ie I know exactly where the bass is coming from) and it would be nice to have a better overall blend with the kick speakers.
The HU has a lot of "detailed" settings for the bass/mid/treb that i haven't toyed with yet. Any advice on the best way to set these up?
Todd, the carpet had pretty lame binding on the end of the sill near the kick panels...I was looking for something cleaner. I like the way it came out (looks better than the pix)
Thanks to all, S
I'll probably lay the sub on its back angled away from the cockpit...I'm just playing around with the details of the sound now so I'll experiment and see what sounds best. It's fairly directional the way it is now (ie I know exactly where the bass is coming from) and it would be nice to have a better overall blend with the kick speakers.
The HU has a lot of "detailed" settings for the bass/mid/treb that i haven't toyed with yet. Any advice on the best way to set these up?
Todd, the carpet had pretty lame binding on the end of the sill near the kick panels...I was looking for something cleaner. I like the way it came out (looks better than the pix)
Thanks to all, S
Looks great Steve
Todd
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Waterville Ohio
Very professional job 
. I'm looking on putting 6 1/2's in my kick panels as soon as I buy new ones so's not to cut up the originals. It's always nice to see a great job done on head & speaker installs
. I'm looking on putting 6 1/2's in my kick panels as soon as I buy new ones so's not to cut up the originals. It's always nice to see a great job done on head & speaker installs
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Here's where I got it, S&H was included. Prices have gone up a bit since I bought mine (gas once again...) but still the best deal out there and a really great vendor. Quick shipping and no issues. I needed just under 13 full sheets to do the complete interior on my 79 and I had virtually no waste. I expect to do the doors which will add another 3 sheets, 16 total.
http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/S...id/0/SFV/30046
Best of luck, Steve
http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/S...id/0/SFV/30046
Best of luck, Steve
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
Thanks to all...it's great to have it done and enjoy the fruits.
Here's exactly where I got it, same price too. Easily the best deal out there for Dynamat Extreme.
http://cgi.ebay.com/DYNAMAT-10455-XT...742.m153.l1262
Sound deadening is really good with the Dynamat. I have some pretty noisy sidepipes that I no longer hear when I'm cranking up the stereo (umm..duhhh), due to the combo of the speaker placement in the kicks and the deadener. I can't wait to deaden the doors as well to eliminate all of the road/pipe noise that comes in from below.
The real beauty is the heat block...I can comfortably drive on a 90 degree day without major foot blast, which I could not do before. I have some lingering issues but once I get them tackled it should be downright pleasant! It was amazing to me when I took a drive to test the system before I had the Dynamat and Reflectix fully installed. There was a spot on the DS floort that was bare, next to a spot with only Dynamat, followed by a spot with both Dynamt and Reflectix. It was HOT where naked, warm where Dynamat was, and just barely warm where the two layers were. Works for me!
Enjoy, S
Here's exactly where I got it, same price too. Easily the best deal out there for Dynamat Extreme.
http://cgi.ebay.com/DYNAMAT-10455-XT...742.m153.l1262
Sound deadening is really good with the Dynamat. I have some pretty noisy sidepipes that I no longer hear when I'm cranking up the stereo (umm..duhhh), due to the combo of the speaker placement in the kicks and the deadener. I can't wait to deaden the doors as well to eliminate all of the road/pipe noise that comes in from below.
The real beauty is the heat block...I can comfortably drive on a 90 degree day without major foot blast, which I could not do before. I have some lingering issues but once I get them tackled it should be downright pleasant! It was amazing to me when I took a drive to test the system before I had the Dynamat and Reflectix fully installed. There was a spot on the DS floort that was bare, next to a spot with only Dynamat, followed by a spot with both Dynamt and Reflectix. It was HOT where naked, warm where Dynamat was, and just barely warm where the two layers were. Works for me!
Enjoy, S
Last edited by Wuttin; Jul 7, 2008 at 12:41 PM.