Gearing up for a painful stereo install
I just got an 05 Accord EX V6 5AT, and decided to do IASCA SQ competitions with it. Before getting the car, I had decided on an Alpine w205 deck so I could use a Blackbird II with it, and with Hybrid Audio L8 8" speakers in the doors, L4 4" mids in the kicks, and L1 tweets in the factory location. I knew it had been done before in 98-02 Accords, so surely it wouldn't be much trouble on the newer body style, right? WRONG.
The only real option ot put an aftermarket deck in is to remove the pocket underneath the factory deck, which is really out of the way, so that was out. Fine, I can use LOCs to run to an Alpine 701 to control everything, no problem. Then, I get to looking at the kicks. The fuse panel and hood pop are all on the driver's side. I have no clue where to move that panel out of the way. Doors look to be shape molded to fit something that's 6" diameter max. Since the 8's will be doing midbass from about 50-150Hz, I'm not too worried about the grill covering some of the cone, but I have no clue if I can even get them mounted in there. They have a 3.6" mounting depth. The only thing on this install that still looks solid is tweeter install. I'm going to cut a hole in the top of the grill covers and mount the tweeter so it sits flushon top of the factory grill. Then, I'll cover the whole thing in Black acoustically transparent grill cloth. There's a seam around the factory grill between it and the dash, so the fit should be just about perfect. So, my biggest questions are: 1. How do you remove the doors? Where do I pull, where are screws? 2. Any suggestions on relocating that fuse panel on the driver's side? 3. Does anyone know the mounting depth inside the door? I had a 96 Civic before this and ripped it apart so many times I can do it in my sleep, but this car is a lot newer and a lot nicer. I really don't want to screw something up on this. |
RE: Gearing up for a painful stereo install
I saw a post today with a pretty nice install kit to give you a DIN opening. I don't recommend trying to relocate a fuse panel ..... very difficult. Look on Crutchfield for products that fit the depth for comparison. On my 2000 EX V6, there are two screws, one in the door handle and one behind the release. There's a plastic "clip", more like a plug near the side view mirror and clips around the sides and bottom. Then it lifts over the lock post and you have to unplug the corner light. I wouldn't expect the next generation to be much different if at all.
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RE: Gearing up for a painful stereo install
gotcha.
yeah that single din kit got some pretty crappy reviews. on the fuse panel, it must be moved. i know it's doable, just gotta get down in there and look. it's just easier if someone else has already done it and can tell me which direction to go with it. |
RE: Gearing up for a painful stereo install
If that's what you gotta do, by all means ..... that is what is going to make this install hard though. In building renovations, I do whatever possible to avoid having to move electric panels. Maybe there's a way to get it into the side of the dash like my 6th gen. Good luck!
BTW - MacLeod is the resident expert on A/V systems. Try talking to him. |
RE: Gearing up for a painful stereo install
Oh boy, where to start. Son you came to the right place. Im currently in my 8th month of trying to get this gawdawful car to sound good in SQ comps.
The only real option ot put an aftermarket deck in is to remove the pocket underneath the factory deck, which is really out of the way, so that was out. Fine, I can use LOCs to run to an Alpine 701 to control everything, no problem. Then, I get to looking at the kicks. The fuse panel and hood pop are all on the driver's side. I have no clue where to move that panel out of the way. Doors look to be shape molded to fit something that's 6" diameter max. Since the 8's will be doing midbass from about 50-150Hz, I'm not too worried about the grill covering some of the cone, but I have no clue if I can even get them mounted in there. They have a 3.6" mounting depth. The only thing on this install that still looks solid is tweeter install. I'm going to cut a hole in the top of the grill covers and mount the tweeter so it sits flushon top of the factory grill. Then, I'll cover the whole thing in Black acoustically transparent grill cloth. There's a seam around the factory grill between it and the dash, so the fit should be just about perfect. 1. How do you remove the doors? Where do I pull, where are screws? 2. Any suggestions on relocating that fuse panel on the driver's side? 3. Does anyone know the mounting depth inside the door? By the way, are you on Team Hybrids? I have several buddies on that team. Scott Buwalda is a great guy and a car audio genius and led those guys to SEVERALIASCA world championships this year. |
RE: Gearing up for a painful stereo install
Awesome, thanks for the heads up! Were you at NOPI Nationals in Atlanta? I was walking around with Andy Jones.
No, I'm not a member of team hybrids, but have talked to several of them. I'm going to try and compete in rookie class this upcoming year. I've been talking to Scott a lot, hoping to get on the team. However, after what you said, I'm not sure if that's doable with this car. Are you on DIYMobileAudio.com or sounddomain? Anyways, after some serious thinking, I'm going with the factory deck with LOC to the 701. Also, I'm going to start off with a 2 way, L6 in the doors, L1 up top. On the tweeters, I considered a-pillars, esp since they're already covered, but the dash locations seemed easier and Kirk Proffit's Acura TL has them on the dash. I planned on mounting the tweets above the grill to give a little bit more height and help with imaging and location. On the pillars, I figured I can just remove the cloth, cut a hole, anchor the tweet, and recover with grill cloth. Yes/No/Maybe? I'm still in the air on whether or not to go with Raammat or SecondSkin for deadening. Opinion? To date, I haven't become a member of IASCA, but I will be soon so I can get a copy of the rule book and make sure I don't miss anything when anchoring the wires. Also, where can I get 1/0 through the firewall? And how much hell am I in for when I try to run speaker wire through the doors? I figured I'd get some 16 gauge 4 channel speaker wire so there'd only be one wire to go through the plug. Thanks so much for the help, and let me know of any other suggestions. |
RE: Gearing up for a painful stereo install
Awesome, thanks for the heads up! Were you at NOPI Nationals in Atlanta? I was walking around with Andy Jones. No, I'm not a member of team hybrids, but have talked to several of them. I'm going to try and compete in rookie class this upcoming year. I've been talking to Scott a lot, hoping to get on the team. However, after what you said, I'm not sure if that's doable with this car. Are you on DIYMobileAudio.com or sounddomain? Anyways, after some serious thinking, I'm going with the factory deck with LOC to the 701. On the tweeters, I considered a-pillars, esp since they're already covered, but the dash locations seemed easier and Kirk Proffit's Acura TL has them on the dash. I planned on mounting the tweets above the grill to give a little bit more height and help with imaging and location. On the pillars, I figured I can just remove the cloth, cut a hole, anchor the tweet, and recover with grill cloth. Yes/No/Maybe? I'm still in the air on whether or not to go with Raammat or SecondSkin for deadening. Opinion? To date, I haven't become a member of IASCA, but I will be soon so I can get a copy of the rule book and make sure I don't miss anything when anchoring the wires. Also, where can I get 1/0 through the firewall? And how much hell am I in for when I try to run speaker wire through the doors? I figured I'd get some 16 gauge 4 channel speaker wire so there'd only be one wire to go through the plug. Thanks so much for the help, and let me know of any other suggestions. The doors are a whole other story. Yes youre in for a lot of pain and agony. There is a way but its rather drawn out and Im tired of typing so when you get to that part, give me a shout and Ill talk ya thru it. ;) |
RE: Gearing up for a painful stereo install
thanks for the info. I had considered MECA, but didn't know the requirements.
On the 701, I had considered the cleansweep, but didn't know if it was really necessary. If it'll help take the noise out, then it's done. Any good suggestions for temp mounting tweets for testing? On a side note, the pillar flattens out near the very bottom by the windshield. Would that be too close to tame, or is it better since it's farther away? I've always been SQ oriented in my installs, but in no way have the ears to tune for the cars I heard at NOPI. Any input on locations you can give would be great. Finally, how far do you think I could go with a 2 way setup up front? I don't think I could win semi-pro with it, but maybe rookie. Oh, and I'll be in Nashville in November for the MECA show. Will you have your accord? |
RE: Gearing up for a painful stereo install
ORIGINAL: Thumper26 thanks for the info. I had considered MECA, but didn't know the requirements. On the 701, I had considered the cleansweep, but didn't know if it was really necessary. If it'll help take the noise out, then it's done. Any good suggestions for temp mounting tweets for testing? On a side note, the pillar flattens out near the very bottom by the windshield. Would that be too close to tame, or is it better since it's farther away? I've always been SQ oriented in my installs, but in no way have the ears to tune for the cars I heard at NOPI. Any input on locations you can give would be great. Finally, how far do you think I could go with a 2 way setup up front? I don't think I could win semi-pro with it, but maybe rookie. Oh, and I'll be in Nashville in November for the MECA show. Will you have your accord? |
RE: Gearing up for a painful stereo install
Great to hear. I'll be checking it out. I've decided to go with an all Dynaudio set in the car. I have to call a couple of dealers tomorrow to see what that's going to cost me.
On your pillars, did you take them out to look at them? If so, how'd you do it? |
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