Installing a sub into an existing aftermarket enclosure
 

My apologies if this is a repeat of a recent post. Did a quick search but didn't see anything.

I'm looking to install a new 12" driver in a ported box. The box houses my existing driver, a 12" Kaption that has served me well and one that I still use occasionally. However, the Kaption has a lot of miles on it, so to speak, and though it still thumps nicely, I have noticed it getting a bit flabby when pushed (sort of like myself these days.......)

It's good box (will need to doublecheck the volume again) and am thinking of just throwing in a new driver. I'm thinking of throwing in a layer of fibreglass to stiffen the box a bit and make sure it's airtight. I might also throw in a 2x2" brace both vertically and horizontally.

Is this a good call? Will the fibreglass make any difference? Are the braces the better way to go?

Beyond this, given that I'm looking for tightness and hard, rapid bass, should I be adding any sort of stuffing agent to the box before installing the driver?

Finally, when I'm about to physically screw the new driver into the box, should I be adding some sort of sealing agent or gasket between the driver frame and the mdf box?

thx

most prefab enclosures are undersized and tuned high

if you add fiberglass and bracing this will eat up the inner volume
making the enclosure even smaller and raise the tuning even more
(this would be going the opposite direction from sound quality)

I would put a thick bead of wood glue on all the interior seams and make
shure all the panels have a solid bond

and I would not use any adhesive between the sub and MDF....
thin rubber weather stripping works well though

the cut out hole might be too big or too small if you are going to a sub with a different style basket. even if they are same size.

your best bet is to build or buy a new enclosure. i stress building one yourself, rather than buying a prefab one.