System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
Figured I'll repost this, in case people don't read the "no dumb question" section:
I drive a Pontiac Fiero (don't laugh)
I would say the interior is very similar to a small cab pickup truck, as in the car ends with the vertical glass right behind the 2 seats. the cab may be a bit flatter and longer, as the seats are basically bolted to the floor.
I may do a custom dash, but for reference: 5 1/4" component speakers would fit in the top of the dash firing against the windshield. (I may cut out larger holes for 6 1/2" if one of you convinces me the reward is worth the effort)
The B-pillars accept 4"x6" speakers, should I need to use those. (I'm not sure yet how much I should care about a "sound stage", as I rather like to feel like I'm in the middle of the action, rather than "watching a concert in front of me.")
The dash on the passenger side is partially hollow (except for the stock airbox). Many Fiero owners managed to stick an 8" subwoofer there in a custom enclosure. (downfiring into the footwell)
People have cut holes for speakers in the door, but the speakers would have to be very shallow. (not sure if worth it)
Not a whole lot of room for kick panels as that is a foot rest, and the front tires are behind it.
Others cut the double walled firewall behind the seat (mid-engined car), and install a shallow subwoofer there, which would fire against the back of the seat. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to follow that route, that's why I'm posting here. (I think there is about 2"-3" between the firewall panels + whatever space the speaker would stick out past flush, which would push the seat forward)
This interior is similar to mine. (notice the large center tunnel, that's where the gas tank is located. It's quite a bit smaller than the picture might suggest, as there is a plastic console with ash trays, and an arm rest above it.)
These may show a bit better of what a naked Fiero interior looks like: Fiero History
The music I listen to is anything from vocal trance, country rock, top 40, classical, etc.
I don't have a budget set yet, as I don't know how much speaker I need to sound good (to me). At the same time my car is fairly loud, so I'm not sure if I'd be able to hear $4000 speakers anyhow. If I do have to set one I think $2000 (not including a hu) seems reasonable. I can always go cheaper. I'm also not opposed to by refurbished/used equipment from members/trusted sources.
Re: System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
I can't help you for the interior but my father had a fiero back in the day and the custom box for my firebird fit perfectly in the "trunk" space behind the engine. I'm not too sure what it would have sounded like but I always wanted to try it.
Good Luck! I'm interested to see what you come up with.
Re: System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
Pontiac Fiero.... mmm A really good opportunity to set up a SQ system for sure! great ergonomics help PLDs!
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Derick Veliz, My system may not blow your ears, but it will sweeten your senses. Toyota Yaris Sedan Pioneer P-99, I6SW Subwoofer, - Legatia L6 bass, - HL-70 3" Mids, - Pioneer DS-425A Tweeters
Re: System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
I have the same car. I'm planning a system based around a 10" Rockford center sub (in the console), door pods and components in the dash. It should be 11 speakers when complete. I'm designing the amp rack right now, but having trouble sourcing some of the pieces that I *think* I want/need ...
Re: System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonny Hotnuts
While you are at it google 'Northstar Fiero'. The 32v Caddy Northstar engines almost drop in with minor mods. No one ever laughs at 350 whp+ Fieros!
~JH
a) The Northstars are a wiring nightmare. (and I won't even talk about mechanicals!)
b) Due to the 90 degree V8 block, you need an adapter kit which adds a ton to the swap. See V8 Archie's site for that.
c) True, no one ever laughs at a 350 whp+ Fiero, but you'll never see it out of a Northstar unless you modify it. Straight out of the box, the Northstar only makes 300 at the crank in it's highest horsepower.
There are plenty of other options for engines. But I digress. The front compartment of our cars isn't that watertight. It actually has a hole in the bottom of the tire holder to allow it to drain. There is enough room to mount a sub in the floor area of the passenger side, or you can sink a pair of subs in the rear behind each seat (there's a small air gap boxed in that acts as a firewall).
Re: System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
Would love to see feedback and more ideas on what system I could build with the small cabin here.
Should I put speakers in the doors (not much depth possible, unless I extend it into the cabin), or keep them firing against the windshield?
(stock speaker enclosure top of dash (originally 4"x10") will fit 5.25" components.)
8" sub enclosure would fit under dash passenger side, firing downward.
Car has 4"x6" speakers in the B-pillars right by the seats. Will probably delete those. Probably no point in "rear fill" in a 2-seater.
Many years ago I hear a wonderful system in one of these, it had a pair of punch (original) 8'behind the seats and 5.25" components in the front. It was simple, and really accurate.
I don't think there was any rear fill but the cabin was full of sound.
I would try to keep the install simple and if it wasn't enough, add more.
Posted from Imperial walker 17a via planetary datcom server
Re: System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
For SQ.... with TA in your budget:
If... from your normal driving possition you can see the kick area.... I would go:
6.5 MidBass in kick area (I know you wrote: "Not a whole lot of room for kick panels as that is a foot rest, and the front tires are behind it." but if you are planing on rebuilding the dash area you can remove the foot rest.
The interior of the Fiero gives you great PLDs to work with that will help you in your system.
Tweeters in A-pillars or depending on views maybe keep tweeters in kick area too.
a small woofer up front similar to this:
If kick area is too small you can go with a 3 way and fit MIDS 3" or 4" in the kick area and MidBass in the doors like I did.
This is my kick area fitting 3" MID:
Let me put it this way... would you like to trade cars! I rather have a Fiero than a Yaris for SQ system!
D.
Derick Veliz, My system may not blow your ears, but it will sweeten your senses. Toyota Yaris Sedan Pioneer P-99, I6SW Subwoofer, - Legatia L6 bass, - HL-70 3" Mids, - Pioneer DS-425A Tweeters
Re: System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
Really? I didn't think my car was all that easy to do an SQ system in. I'll see how much room there is, but I don't think the dead pedals (foot rest) are removable.
Re: System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
Check out these 2 diagrams I made, .... look at the proportions and the speaker location in different cars.
Have you heard the expression "Singing on top of the hood" (see the stage on the Mustang)
My Yaris:
This Ford Mustang benefits from it's ergonomics for a better stage, same with a Fiero:
Derick Veliz, My system may not blow your ears, but it will sweeten your senses. Toyota Yaris Sedan Pioneer P-99, I6SW Subwoofer, - Legatia L6 bass, - HL-70 3" Mids, - Pioneer DS-425A Tweeters
Re: System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
There were some systems done in Fieros back in the 1990s that I remember seeing in Car Audio & Electronics, Car Stereo Review, and such. I don't remember names or specifics, but the front trunk was almost always used for a subwoofer and the output was piped through the firewall.
Re: System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
Quote:
Originally Posted by HondAudio
There were some systems done in Fieros back in the 1990s that I remember seeing in Car Audio & Electronics, Car Stereo Review, and such. I don't remember names or specifics, but the front trunk was almost always used for a subwoofer and the output was piped through the firewall.
Thought about that. Not sure if I'd be willing to give up the storage. It's already a premium on this car. I was thinking about removing the spare tire out of the front and carpeting it and having a second trunk in the front, like the Porsche Boxster. It's nice that unlike real mid-engine exotics I have a vertical trunk behind the engine. Even with it's odd shape it fits quite a bit.
Re: System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
I'm waiting on better images of a "gutted" Fiero interior, but here's some ideas:
This is likely where I'd mount a 8" downfiring subwoofer (passenger side against right fender):
Stock this location had an optional 5"-6" "subwoofer".
A Fiero forum member is working on an enclosure that maximizes the available airspace under the dash. Can't wait to see it finished.
The notch is because the stock 4"x10" speaker goes here firing against the dash. Depending on where I mount my speakers I may expand the box to use up this space as well. Just not sure if the effort will be worth that tiny bit of airspace. I hope someone on here can chime in.
Here are some other solutions people have made for this location:
I actually have a dash similar to the above collecting dust. (it's missing the vents and the door cards.) I was considering putting the tweeters where the side vents are, and maybe fabricating a small vent that goes next to the tweeters.
Gallardo inspired dash (not meant to be accurate):
This would be another option, but the builder has not finished it yet. (as you can see)
System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
Re: System for all speakers in small cabin (Mid engined 2-seater Pontiac Fiero)
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