Well bit the bullet and launched into my first install in my 04 Cavalier.

Found some great info in here and on various sites that really made things go pretty well. I learnt plenty and Im sure doing it again would be much quicker.

I have ended up with a very funny half-way system until i can build my door pods for my Eclipse components (couple of weeks).

Right now i have my new HU coming through the factory fronts and the sub is running a little but not setup. I spliced into the Pioneer harness and ran feeds to the rear left and right speakers, but that didnt seem to work. The sub is running but at a very low level and Im reading up on how to setup the JBL amp. All the wiring is run and ready for the finish up.

Once i have the door pods built i will install the crossovers and hook up the Eclipse components and tweeters and then really get this thing going!

Not rocket science as people have mentioned, but some of its pretty time consuming, and man I had a lot of car on the floor!

Thanks for your help people, appreciate it...

Im sure theres some more questions coming before you see the end of me

Cheers!

Goose

 

Do you have pics of the door pods? I have a very similar car as you can see.

 

Hey Sunfire...

I haven't built the pods yet, will do so this week, but in the mean time i have drawn up the Eclipse 5 1/4" components and thought out how to make the pods.

The method is as supplied by others in the 'Door pods on curved trim - how?' thread, but i dont want to cut holes in my doors, so i have designed the pods to clear the fibreglass base. I will remove enough of the base to allow the door to continue being an enclosure to help with the lower frequencies unless someone who knows what they are talking about tells me that is a bad idea



Cheers!

Goose

PS: The dimensions are indicative at this stage!

 

From that drawing, it looks like a small, sealed enclosure. I have seen people stuff them with polyfill to make it appear like a larger space to the speaker.

I have a set of Boston Acoustics in my doors, mounted on an mdf adaptor in the factory location. My bass response up front changes depending on window position (up, down) and my doors rattle all to hell (time for dynamat). I think you would be happier making the pods sealed, as they would provide a consistant output.

 

Hey Sunfire...

Interesting comments.

I had planned to cut a hole in the back of my pod behind the speaker to allow the grille in the door trim to be a part of the enclosure, but now with your sealed enclosure comments, I'm not sure.

I guess i could try them out sealed and cut the hole afterwards if the performance isnt up to par.

I cant mount the Eclipse's in the doors, way too deep, but considered MDF baffles to get the correct mounting depth with a large hole cut in the grille position on the door. But dont wanna cut the doors if i can help it, so this is plan 'B'.

Interested to hear more...

Cheers!


Goose

 

I don't have the funds right now to add a set of components to my doors yet. When I do, my plan is to get a set of grills from the sunfire gt/cavalier z24. They have components from the factory (maybe not all of them). Just from eyeballing the factory grills in parking lots, it could give an extra inch or so of clearance.

On the sealed vs. open issue, I have given you all of my knowledge on the subject (not much). The SQ guys would be able to help you with that. I am interested as to how your project turns out.

 

PS: check out j-body.org for car specific info. They have an Audio and Electronics forum.

 

Hey... thanks for your input.

I have modifed the design a little to build the MDF surround up to flush with the Eclipse grille rather than have it sit 'on top'. Little more styley...

I will be playing around with my router this weekend and hopefully have at least the fibreglass bases made up if not the baffles as well.

I still have to figure out some weirdness with my wiring and setup, but you get that when your a noob.

Will have another look around J-bodies too...

Cheers

Goose