Spent some coin and Layed down the D over Easter Weekend
 

I spent about 10 hours dynamatting and about 20 hours installing, NEX4000, Polk Components, Alpine PDX9 amp, and a ported box I found on ebay, I prefer ported over sealed, just my preference. Box is built to JL W3V3 10 inch specs. Dynamatting was well worth it, I noticed the difference immediately. I am not a pro audio installer and I took my sweet time and I am a perfectionist, don't judge me. I bought almost everything off Amazon with the exception of the box and a few miscellaneous items.

How does it sound you may wonder. Pretty F&^N Awesome!! sounds beastly, like I am in a concert. Old music sounds new again with the clarity of certain notes that I never heard before. I listen to just about everything, rock, rap, digital, urban, jungle, classic rock, dubstep, country, and reggae. I tuned it by ear and its perfect. I seriously need to invest in a bass remote knob now. (not my first car audio system, but it has been a while since I've had one over 4 years).

What I bought/installed

bulk pack of Dynamat (9 sheets and after all I put into the Z I still have two and a half sheets left over. I didn't do the floors or the roof...yet)
Dynaliner (still have quite a bit left over, going to do the roof possibly)
Dynamat Finishing Tape (must have for a clean look, even though I will never see it, I have OCD)
Alpine PDX 9
Fitted/Ported Box 1.25 cf tuned at 32 hz
Amp Install Kit
Nex4000 (loving this --removable face plate all the bells and whistles and the price was right)
Polk DB651 components ---without an amp they don't to well, with the PDX9 they are freaking awesome!!
Polk 3.5 for the rears (remember I have OCD they just need to be there)
14 gauge Speaker Wire roll,butt connectors, 4 gauge wire, ring connectors, fasteners, heat shrink zip ties etc etc
HDMI Cable iPhone/iPod Lighting charging cable
JL Audio 10 W3
Metra Dash Kit (not worth it imo)
PAC Steering wheel controller a PIA to get just right
E-Brake bypass
Esky reverse camera (great reverse camera under $20)
Power Accoustik 3F Capacitor always used a cap, just preference for me, it's ok for now...want a better one
MDF Spacers for doors

Total cost was a about $1700 for everything shipped/picked up (amazon, prime-ebay, radio shack), and it was well worth it!! (DIY if you want to save $$$, the guys at the local audio shops are great but their prices....well not so great) Plus it feels really damn good knowing I did this myself and it sounds amazing.

Be prepared to spend time doing a project like this if its your first time and by yourself like in my situation. Use gloves when dynamatting at all times if possible and the roller, for the corners and tight spacers use the wooden handle of the roller to get in there. Most of my research came from this forum so thank you guys once again! Now time to save up for some breather mods :) If I can do this so can you, if you are not familiar with audio, just take your time and research.

disclaimer: I have never done an audio install project like this before, but I have helped with some installs, usually pulling panels, stripping wire, and going on pizza and beer runs. Here are some pics of the madness.
http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...aii/audio1.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...aii/audio2.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...aii/audio3.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...aii/audio4.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...aii/audio5.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...aii/audio7.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...aii/audio8.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...aii/audio9.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...ii/audio10.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...ii/audio14.jpg

and a little something extra:tiphat:
http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...ii/audio12.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...ii/audio13.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...ii/audio15.jpg

love these emblems/badges

Very nice. I have the db6501 components as well and absolutely love them.

Dig the badging, looks better than the Z turn signal everyone was putting on their amuse front fascia.

What was the hardest part with the steering wheel controls? I've got a, AVH-X2700 awaiting installation this weekend with the same ASWC.

Thanks, yeah I was debating between black and chrome finish, I got chrome because I could always paint it black later on down the road when I get tired of it.
Programming, took me about 8 times to get it right with the programming. Make sure you have a good ground. Also after I installed the steering wheel controller and tested it, it would work sometimes then sometimes it would not. I took a break from the controller to install other parts. I disconnected the battery in the engine bay for a few hours to install other audio equipment, then when I put everything back together and tested it again, it works perfect, skips to next track, fast forwarding when holding down, and volume controls work perfect. Don't get discouraged if it does not work the first time or is glitchy in the beginning. If it is glitchy DC the battery and see if that helps after reconnecting. I thought I was going to have to reprogram it but I guess it has memory built in. Either way good luck:tiphat:

edit: sorry I made a mistake on the original post, I used a PAC SW controller instead of Metra's kit. From what I have read Metra's kit is much easier to install. I am sure you will have no problems, I went with PAC because it was cheaper than Metra, but then I spent more time trying to get it right. I should have got the Metra for $15 bucks more, would have saved me some headache and time.

does the dynmat help the z as far as being more quiet on the inside now and less roadnoise? also how much for the dynmat by itself and did you also purchase it on amazon?

GJ. :D

im amazed at the little pieces of masking tape you cut to surround the emblem!!
i usually do that in one piece. :rofl2:

Dynamat and Dynaliner
 

Does the DynaLiner go down over top the DynaMat? Is the Liner adhesive like the Mat or do you have to apply glue? And you seal the seams after with the tape?
How tough was it to pull the door panels to mat them?

Love the Z emblem. I need one of those.

Thanks

104

Nice! Thumbs up on the badge also- where did it come from?

I purchased it from Amazon price was $150 bucks for 9 sheets of 18x32 with a .067 thickness, not too bad. The Dynamat helped out tremendously for the trunk, much less road noise. I still have some left and want to do the floor in the front.

Thankss:tiphat:I did not lay the dynaliner over the dynamat, although that is a good idea if it will fit. I used the dynaliner on the inside of the panels of the trunk and rear. Both the dynamat and the dynaliner are self adhesive and very sticky. I used the roller to get a good seal on the edges of the dynamat. I used the tape to give it a clean finish, but it quite possibly sealed it as well now that you mention it. I did use the tape after the putting on the dynamat for the trunk and doors. I was running low on tape when I was almost done, so I started the second door with tape instead of finishing it with tape. The door panels are very easy to pull, make sure you get all the bolts for the doors, I believe there are 3 10mm bolts on each door from my memory, also disconnect the electrical and lock cable very easy to do. You will have to reset the windows when reinstalling.

Thank you :tiphat:I got the badge from Evo R through their ebay store, shipping was extremely fast (3days) came from china. Same quality as the stock emblem just looks nicer IMHO.

Nice work bro... I wish I went with a ported box. I bought a single 12 sealed box from zenclclosures. I'm gonna have Randy Molina in kalihi build me a custom ported box