Just started I.C.E Install

[GaseJo]

Hi all,

After days of reading threads, asking questions & spending money at last today i started my I.C.E Install. List of equipment brought.

2 X VIBE VP2 600w amps
2 X VIBE Exact 8 8" Subs 600w.
VIBE SE-K50 Component Speakers 270w
VIBE POWER4 Wiring Kit
2 X VIBE Flat Y Cable RCA Splitter
VIBE FLAT13 Bass Cable
2 X VIBE Sub Enclosure GT2 Terminals
Voodoo Digital Distribution Block

DAY ONE.

My first step was to fit 100amp breaker to battery and run power from engine bay into cockpit. I spent 20mins with my head in lots of different positions trying to find somewhere that i could thread the cable (4awg). Then i had a thought!!! My thought was that the main loom into the car to feed ECU ect has to come in somewhere so i removed the passengers wing and hey presto a spare unused rubber bung above the plastice inner wing 10 Sec\'s later wire was emerging into the passengers footwell. I patted myself on the back and had a coffee. This is where i left the power cable for now until i remove passengers seat so i can run cable under carpet into boot area. So i turned my attention to the components. Off came the drivers door card very easy after i read the thread telling me how to do it. Old speaker and plastic holder out. Now came the problem the speakers i got look so nice i wanted them on view the only place on the door card where they could possibly go was on the speaker grill so out came the wire cutters and cut out hole for fitting the speaker into, screwed speaker into place, mounted Xover inside door card just under mirror controls (as old speaker plastic holder is removed Xover fits snugly into hole left in door). I then fitted my tweeter to the window plastic triangle. THEN water stuff started falling out of the sky so tools packed up car locked up & now i will have to wait until next weekend to continue. So until next weekend THANK YOU for reading first installment of this SAGA.

Cheers Garith.

[trotter]

Nice one GJ! Always feels good to get stuck right in! Sounds like its gonna be a kickin\' install! keep us informed!!!

[probedb]

Nice one It is possible to get cable through from the door through to the car btw as well. Lots of messing but a friend of mine did my drivers door....just need the other one doing at some point.

[GaseJo]

Hi Paul,

I have not run the cable from the door to the car yet as i understood a hole needed drilling to get the wire through. Is this the case? Or did your friend find another way, If so could you let me know.

Cheers Garith.

[GaseJo]

This is why i wanted to surface mount these speakers.

Tweeter

Head unit That 1Gb memory card inserted in the top has 25 Music Videos on Viewable on the 3.5" screen (another 1Gb card has 3-400 MP3 songs on. That should keep me going.)


Here are a few Pics (sorry about the darkness crap camera phone will take some better ones as i go along with a proper camera)

Next step Build double sub box & Fit components to passemger side.

Cheers Garith

[leggysrx7]

Hi Mate,

I\'ve got that stereo in my *cough*puma*cough...you\'ll need  power cap...the screen flickers when the base kicks in....and by the sounds of it you\'re gonna have a lot of base lol

Marc

[GaseJo]

Hi Marc,

Thanks for that, I was going to get a power cap but was told i should not need one. I will get one now that i know that. Any ideas on what one to get?

Cheers Garith.

[trotter]

if you want to keep ure system one brand (and u do think this should suffice...

http://www.vibeaudio.co.uk/index.asp?page=p-accessories-power.html&header=p-accessories-h.html&footer=p-accessories-f.html

[GaseJo]

Hi trotter,

Nice power cap but it is only 1 farrad, I have found another VIBE power cap which is 1.5 farrad and another power cap which is 2 farrad. Does higher farrad mean it is better as it gives more power or does that not matter on the system i am running?

Cheers Garith.

[trotter]

the farad rating is a measure of how much capacitance the power cap(acitor) stores. Higher number = higher capacity. The amount you need is dependent upon how much juice your sytem is using IIRC, and I dont have the calculations to hand. Most installs should be able to run on a 1F cap, you only really need 1.5 and 2F if your running MONSTER amps, it also depends on how good your existing electrics are (battery/alternator/etc). Put it this way, I can run 2x 600W 12" subs and a 1200W amp in my fiesta with no capacitor. I shall have a look later though...

[D2BBA]

Looking good bro!

Just a tip, when you come to build the box for your vibe subs speak to vibe to get the exact box dimensions!  Should keep it sounded mmm mmm good

Chris

[GaseJo]

Hi Chris (D2BBA),

Thanks for the info, I had allready got the sizes from an earlier thread. 0.8 cubic feet internal measurments per sub internally ported from one sub to another for as i have been told CRYSTAL CLARITY BASS. I can\'t wait just hope it is not raining tomorrow so i can build it.

Cheers Garith.

[GaseJo]

Day 2

Building & installing SUB BOX.

Lots of measuring as i wanted a nice fit under the Rear Strut bar. Removed panel divider between boot and car as the box will have a face panel fitted there for 2 reasons, 1. To secure sub box into position 2. to finish box off and cover up opening. Set up my tools and started cutting MDF i went for 18mm building the box did not take long at all. Here are some pictures:-









I made sure everything fitted nice and secure and with the face plate on in last pic there is now way it can be removed as it is locked in tight.

I then removed the box again for the fitment of Subs & speaker connections.





After refitting the box i ran the RCA cable under the drivers side carpet and into the boot. Fitted the amps to top of SUB BOX and started wiring them up.





Still need to run power cable under passenger side carpet and into boot and still have to fit passenger side components but the install is nearly done a few little bits like fit distribution box and power cap but this is a job for next week. Thank you for reading my thread and questions i will gladly answere and any orders for SUB BOX\'s just let me know.

Cheers Garith.

[GaseJo]

Hi all,

A quick question.

Would it be better to cover the box in acoustic material or just paint it? any ideas.

Cheers Garith.

[trotter]

that looks the shiznitz.....well done that man!!

as for finishing, that is entirely upto you...I covered mine in that chequerplate roll stuff, think it looks ace, but thats just IMO!!

what would look really sweet, would be to cover the box in a black-leather or vinyl type fabric that would blend it in with the surrounding plastic...you know, make it look like Mazda put a huge sub box in there!!

ps: did u need to use that program, or did you just wing it?