I've finally started my front end install and I have a few questions that I hope you guys can help me with. Normally when I build kicks I have a pre made set of "woofer boles" to help me get my aiming done. When I get the placement I want I build the kick around it. The only problem is that this won't work properly for my current car. I drive a 2000 NEON and I'm cutting out the kicks (the metal) in my car to help increase the pathlengths as well use the air space in that cavity as the enclosure. My bole trick won't work in this case because they will stick out too far.

What are some of your tricks for aiming your top end? This car is being built for IASCA and has been in the works for nearly a year. So I want to get it right without making 20 sets of kicks if it's possible.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanx

 

Make a back plate and secure it onto the kick-panel wall (with a big hole for the venting into the wall). Make sure that the mounting method is accessible so you can remove this plate. I have used a bolt system in the past. Takes more time but well worth it. This also provide a secure foundation for the rest of the kickpanel so when an IASCA judge (me) grabs onto it, you're not ending up watching me pull it out and fling it across the p-lot

From there, I usually cut out my mounting ring(s) and get the hot melt glue gun somewhat ready. Then with towels and scrap wood, I aim and test the driver location (hours involved here). Once I have it where I want it, I hot melt the scrap to secure the baffle ring ........ and part way through I'll remove the driver as well. Then I further hot melt the ring in place until it's REALLY secure. Then unbolt and fibreglass away.

The reason for using the towels is to create a sort-of enclosure for the driver BTW.

Then I'll move onto the tweeters. Mids ALWAYS first. And once again, developing a VERY solid mounting plate is so critical. Not only does it secure the kick to the car, but after you've taken out the kick to fibreglass it, you're pretty much garantteed that when you re-install it, it's going back in the same way you set it up hours before.

 

Thanks for the tips. My trim rings are being made out of aluminum. So my guess is that they are more then strong enough. I like your towel idea. I think I do somthing similar except I'll use scrap vynal. I was a judge this past year for IASCA but I think I will skip the judging next year and concentrate on competing.