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I just ordered a stereo and power amp for my 80, and want to hide the amp. I see a lot of guys just put it on the rear cargo wall, and I would prefer not to see it, so I was thinking maybe under the storage tray behind the passenger seat. (Where the jack is supposed to be.) I think it might fit there, but then I was a little concerned about heart build up.
Maybe I could use a sheet aluminum base for a heat sink, and it would be OK.
So I'd like to see where others have tucked their amps if you have pics, that would be awesome. The amp I bought is about 10x4x2 inches, 150 watt.
I have a 73 I bought and it was in the storage tray (amp) the black paint was melted off so gets way too hot. Maybe if it had a fan but then it would need to exhaust. Probably why an open area with airflow is better
I totally understand your dilemma. I resisted better kick panel speakers and an amp because I did not want to take away from the stiock appearance. However, after a couple years of nightmarish sound experience, I bit the bullet and bought both.
I did not like the idea of the heat issue when hiding it away. It was also a concern that I have a roadster and no room to begin with. Unfortunately I had to settle on placement on the rear deck beneath the courtesy light, a spot that Paul74 used cleanly. If you use Velcro and don't drill any holes, it works OK and the decent sounds are worth it.
I kind of thought heat build might be an issue, and the velcro idea may have to do. Right now I have a set of Cerwin Vega bookshelf speakers just to test things out,...using velcro. Once the HU and amp are wired and fired,...I may end up doing better speakers.
I am looking at getting my speakers in side galleys on top left and right at t back. Mine is a 73 but I see you have covers left and right side? Any chance of you mounting speakers in them and freeing up room to put your amp? Either on floor or back wall?
I have a small cheap amp located behind my passenger dash panel. It's a good place if your amp is not that big. My car is a non-AC car so I can't say if there is enough space there in an AC equipped car.
I don't listen to my radio that much as my Custom Auto Sound unit is a POS. Someday I might upgrade the sound system but that's waaaaaay down on the budget list.
I like listening to the engine anyway.
I mounted mine inside the right storage bay, behind the passenger seat. I dont think it is any hotter there than anywhere else. My msd 6a is mounted above it on the aft wall of the same compartment. 2 yrs and no issues. I've thought of running a little fan inside of enclosure, and venting it, but again. Nothings overheated as of yet. I built a dedicated speaker box that runs from fender to fender, I made the woofer enclosure per speaker specs, both 6x9's are also seperated from the woofer by panels. I used 3/4" mdf. I have speakers mounted in the kick panels too. Im using a retro sound model 2. All in all, its a nice little system. The photo taken is before I finished installing the compartment door, and wrapping up the carpet installation. But it gives you an idea of which direction I went.
Last edited by Sunstroked; May 5, 2017 at 12:38 AM.
Heres the other photo I was looking for. Pretty much all wrapped up. except I fixed the area where the carpet is pulled back on the left side aft of the compt door.
Heat was one of the reasons I put my amps on the back wall. Size of the amps was another. I also wanted to keep enough space to be able to put my t-tops in the bags back there. I also wanted a sub woofer in the car and there aren't a lot of places to put one and still keep the back wide open.
It may not be your first choice but it may be your best option.
In my 74 you can't see them unless you are looking for them, in your 80 the bubble window lights up the back a lot.
Sorry for the poor picture quality, I need to take better ones when the car is outside.
Heat was one of the reasons I put my amps on the back wall. Size of the amps was another. I also wanted to keep enough space to be able to put my t-tops in the bags back there. I also wanted a sub woofer in the car and there aren't a lot of places to put one and still keep the back wide open.
It may not be your first choice but it may be your best option.
In my 74 you can't see them unless you are looking for them, in your 80 the bubble window lights up the back a lot.
Sorry for the poor picture quality, I need to take better ones when the car is outside.
Where do you hide a stereo power amp?
