[coldsoda]

Hey guys,

First wanted to thank all for the input from this forum while I asked questions in the "help me pick parts for my car" thread. I learned a TON and look forward to getting this completed.

I set a tight budget on this, and know this won't reach the quality of the many awesome builds I see on here, but wanted to share a beginners build and hopefully you guys can jump in and correct anything I miss along the way.

Here is the parts list. I know I could have done many things differently and still second guess a few things here and there, but it is what it is and I just had to just jump in sooner or later.

Head Unit: Alpine CDE-HD149BT
4-Channel Amplifier: PPI 900.4
Mono Amplifier: PRS-D1200M (Pioneer stage 4)
Front (Door/Dash)Speakers: Precision Power P.65C3
Rear (Door) Speakers: TS-D1702R
Subwoofer: TS-W252PRS (Pioneer stage 4)
Amp Install Kit: Kicker PKD4
Signal Cable/RCAs: KnuKonceptz Krystal 4ch 4m (I had a kicker z-series 2ch RCA on hand already I will use for the sub)
Subwoofer Box: Ground Shaker HB110B
Head Unit Dash Kit: Scoche SU2027B
Speaker Harnesses: Metra 72-8104 (3 pairs)
Speaker Baffles: DEI 050330 Boom Mat (going to cut it open, just use for rain protection)
Sound Deadening: SDS CLD tiles, MLV for the doors, CCF for any rattles, etc.
Head Unit Harness: from ae64.com, which includes the 3 extra wires for the ASWC-1 for steering controls and picked up the the Metra AX-TOYUSB to Retain the factory USB socket.
Speaker Adapters: from subaruaudio.net, I liked the fact that the adapters are made from 3/4″ thick PVC

Total spent for everything came out to $1,510.52 shipped. I kept a spreadsheet to track everything and keep me on budget. Will this be an awesome show winning setup? probably not... but for my use I hope it turns out alright. I may consider going with a DSP if I cant get the sound set up the way I like, but won't know until after I get this stuff in first and see how it sounds.

Pics coming shortly. I have been able to get most of the SDS materials installed as I have had time waiting to purchase the rest. Everything is on its way now, so I should have more pictures and be done with it all by the end of the year.

 

[coldsoda]

A couple pictures of the car.. for good measure:

Here is the door, stock with door panel removed:

Inside the door panel, added the CLD tiles:

My first time working with MLV, had to paste some scraps back after removing a bit much using the vinyl cement from Don at SDS:

Rear doors were a bit easier, came out cleaner:

Fitting the speaker spacers on the rear doors there is quite a gap I need to fill... Was thinking about cutting up some CLD tiles and using that to seal the gap?

Here is the trunk. I think I need to add a bit more tiles here, not going to do the MLV in the trunk, just the CLD tiles.

 

[teldzc1]

Nice parts list. Great car! Looking forward to this build.

 

[Babs]

Nice Rex!! This is gonna be good.

 

[HertzGuy]

Some Duct Seal, May help with those gaps around your speaker spacers. Pretty cheap when you can find it!

 

[coldsoda]

Some Duct Seal, May help with those gaps around your speaker spacers. Pretty cheap when you can find it!

sweet - thanks for that. I will be on the lookout for some.

 

[Roper215]

Where are you installing the amps and enclosure?

 

[beerdrnkr]

Nice! I have the same car in the same color. lol. Checkout my build log. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. Looking forward to the build.

 

[bonesmcgraw]

In for another suby build!

 

[Roper215]

Nice! I have the same car in the same color. lol. Checkout my build log. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. Looking forward to the build.

Yeah I have a 15 sti and my girlfriend has a 15 wrx. I have installed a few systems in a few subarus. I will be glad to answer any questions too. I did a build of a fiberglass enclosure in the spare tire well.

Have you thought of putting anything under the seats?

The studs under the seats Between the rails are m6 and the center spacing is 11.5 inches fyi.

 

[coldsoda]

Where are you installing the amps and enclosure?

Well I wish I had more fabrication tools and knowledge, but in this case I am going to keep it real basic for now.

Purchased the enclosure solely because it was one of the few I found at a reasonable price that was .97 cu ft sealed - which is what this sub calls for (1cu.ft., +/- 7% according to Pioneer). That will go in the trunk. Not 100% sure how I will secure it yet, but I will have plenty of left over velcro I got from Don at SDS which is pretty strong stuff... I was on the lookout for the custom fit enclosures but they are hard to come by, and expensive. I also figure this way I can remove the sub if I need to haul anything and that gets in the way.

The amps will go under the seats - at least that is the plan for now. I did not want them directly on the carpet, and also did not want to screw to the floorpan, so I picked up a piece of MDF from homedepot and had them cut it down to fit under the seats so I plan to screw the amps to the MDF pieces, then velcro the MDF to the floor. I checked height and everything seemed to test fit OK. Will have pics once I get started on the build, here is a pic of one of the MDF pieces:

Nice! I have the same car in the same color. lol. Checkout my build log. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. Looking forward to the build.

yep - been subbed to that thread for a while... Thanks for some good inspiration there lol.

[...] Have you thought of putting anything under the seats?

The studs under the seats Between the rails are m6 and the center spacing is 11.5 inches fyi.

see above ^ thanks for the stud info, that is likely to come in handy.

 

[Roper215]

Well I wish I had more fabrication tools and knowledge, but in this case I am going to keep it real basic for now.

Purchased the enclosure solely because it was one of the few I found at a reasonable price that was .97 cu ft sealed - which is what this sub calls for (1cu.ft., +/- 7% according to Pioneer). That will go in the trunk. Not 100% sure how I will secure it yet, but I will have plenty of left over velcro I got from Don at SDS which is pretty strong stuff... I was on the lookout for the custom fit enclosures but they are hard to come by, and expensive. I also figure this way I can remove the sub if I need to haul anything and that gets in the way.

The amps will go under the seats - at least that is the plan for now. I did not want them directly on the carpet, and also did not want to screw to the floorpan, so I picked up a piece of MDF from homedepot and had them cut it down to fit under the seats so I plan to screw the amps to the MDF pieces, then velcro the MDF to the floor. I checked height and everything seemed to test fit OK. Will have pics once I get started on the build, here is a pic of one of the MDF pieces:

yep - been subbed to that thread for a while... Thanks for some good inspiration there lol.


see above ^ thanks for the stud info, that is likely to come in handy.

Do you have access to a saw of any kind? A drill press? Its 2 pieces of aluminum and 6 holes. Its an easy fabrication, I understand if you don't have the tools, a lot of them are needed, and its a PITA when you have to buy them all at once. Buy good tools, I've never regretted spending more money on a tool before.

The materials are cheap from Online Metals, and they can even make you the plate you want to custom dimensions.

You would just have to template, locate and drill the holes to make it a much better install instead of using velco. .02.

 

[coldsoda]

I have a small hand saw... with an old blade on it.. haha. I do not have a drill press, but do have an electric drill and some bits. I agree that buying tools is important, and I have tons of good metric tools, a nice tool box, and have been working on getting more, but it has been a long term accumulating type thing. We don't own a house yet and have moved rental to rental so getting settled in a garage with the bigger tools hasn't happened yet.

I was just throwing velcro out there as an idea, glad to have some other input too.

 

[BumpinJetta]

+1 on finding another solution other than velcro. it works, but wont for long.

 

[coldsoda]

^Okay I'll continue my search for another solution. I appreciate you guys helping out... definitely a learning opportunity for me.

 

[BumpinJetta]

why not use some body filler to fill those gaps behind the speaker rings? readily available from most auto parts stores and easy to apply.

 

[coldsoda]

why not use some body filler to fill those gaps behind the speaker rings? readily available from most auto parts stores and easy to apply.

Heck I even see bondo at Walmart...lol. That might be more substantial than the duct seal. Doesn't it crack if I put it on too thick or is that not a big deal?

 

[BumpinJetta]

once it hardens you wont have a problem with it cracking. it will be and extension of the speaker ring and will be an exact match to the door.

 

[Babs]

There are options for mount on a carpeted area..
1. you could use a 1/2 mdf board, under the carpet, with bolts coming through the carpet for the amp mounting points. The carpet itself actually serves to hold everything.

2. You could do a couple rivetnuts directly into the floor, my new favorite tool.. Basically puts a threaded nut in the floor wherever you want it.. If you're comfortable taking a drill to sheet metal, and confident you're not going to drill through into something important on the other side. But that would give you something to attach the amp mount board to nicely.

3. Use option 1 board under carpet, held by carpet because of the bolts through it, attached to an amp board over the carpet. Then the carpet holds everything, a board underneath provides support, the board above attaches to the board underneath. Amps then to top board. Nice and clean. One board and amps only thing seen, besides wiring of course.

 

[BumpinJetta]

nut-serts have become a big hit here too. great alternative!