mk3 build thread

[B-chi]

Well i've finally got off my ass & have uploaded the latest install pics, so thought I'd do a build thread.

First up the front.





6.5 inch comps running off 180wrms a side. Alpine HU running 3x amps & ipod ai net box.

Couple of pics of cable running & such.









I've run uprated knukonceptz speaker cable throughout. 12awg from amp to crossovers behind the glovebox & 16 awg from crossovers to doors. Tweeters in standard location & mids in standard location but I will be fibreglassing the back to add strength.

If anybody wants to know how to do the big 3 or run cables let us know & i'd be happy to help. I've also fully deadened the inner & outer door skins with loudboy (from TA) sound deadening.

Next up the boot.

[B-chi]

The boot!






This is the second boot build, wasn't happy with the first so redid it.

The rails are gripfilled to the boot floor. The battery floor is attached via the spare wheel stud. Then I screwed the amp floor down to the rails, fitted the amps & dizzy blocks, & wired the 2 batteries up together.

[bodgeandlegit]

Nice, must do something like that with mine, I`ve still got the original, and it`s sh*te!!!!!!!

[Adam]

Nicely done mate.

Did you gain anything from doing the big 3? Any pictures or tips to do that?

[Shady Pioneer]

Keep this updated chap, I'd like to know how it turns out, I have a lot of free time on my hands this summer so was going to do some sort of boot build for my car

[B-chi]

Well its been a while since of updated so here goes.

The electrical tape is only temporary, but shows what ive done. I do feel I have seen an improvement. Playing music loud & i mean loud she doesn't drop to below 13v. Batts float between 12.8-13.1v. So there hardly being touched.

In this pic it shows the battery earth in the standard location. I wasn't completely satisfied so drilled a new one just next to the battery.





Ideally I could run another run of 0awg straight from the alt to the batt as well. I've run out of 0awg though.

I've also changed what I'm running now. 1 of the monos has gone & all 4 powerplants are up for sale & i'm building a monster box for 1 12inch nv. The box is inch thick with a double baffle, subs recessed, 30inch long slot port, neutrik speakon connections. It's going to drop. Will get pics up as soon as the box is finished.

[autoelec]

Nice clean work in the boot mate, nice to see you have taken your time on this and got the results that show all your hard work.

A few questions and pointers about your wiring though, I hope you dont mind some advice

What batteries have you used on this? I ask as they look like marine batteries, marine batteries are not really suitable for this application as unlike automotive batteries they are designed to take long slow discharge until nearly flat and then recharge, they are not really suitable for heavy duty discharge and charge like this.

I cant see a fuse on your feed to the amps where is it?

This looks like the standard alternator, in which case the cable you have used us way over the top as the standard alternator only pumps out 70 amps max and that is when it is new and only for short periods. So that cable is about 10 times bigger than you need. You would be much better connecting the alternator output directly to the battery rather than adding an extra connection to the starter, we all know how quickly the starter connection gets covered in cr_p and spoils the connection.

You did solder all the connections to your power leads didnt you?

Running the speaker wires so close to the instrument cluster is not a very good idea as you are likely feed interference to the instruments that could affect their accuracy and even the life of them.

[Len]

All those amps and only got front door speakers?

[B-chi]

The batteries in question are sonneschein a512s. Sealed gel deep cycle batteries. There capable of putting out 2 & a half thousand amps over 5 secs each.  That's what the spec sheet says anyway!

Although the cable is over the top, the thicker the cable the less resistence thus meaning less voltage drop. That was my understanding of it! I'll also be running a seperate cable straight from alt to batt as well.

I was under the impression that soldering large cables can make them brittle when terminated via crimps. Fir this reason only I haven't soldered. Most of my other connections have been soldered.

Didn't know that about cable runs near instruments? Not sure which other way to run them.

@Len. I've now sold one of the monos & only have one sub not four. It was 2 monos for the subs & one 2 ch for the front.

[Len]

But where are the subs? I see no pics of them which is why I asked the question!

Your thread title implies its the whole car!