My_third_Z's SQ system
 

I've been waiting to make this thread for awhile, and now that I finally have all the equipment in hand, it is time.
I wanted to build the system right the first time, with no (at least very few) expenses spared. I didn't want to look back in the future and say "I really should have opted for something better".
So here is the list of stuff going in:
Head unit: Pioneer AVIC-A130BT
Front speakers: Focal K2 Power 165KRX2 - 6.5" component set
Additional Fronts: Focal 165 KBE - 6.5" midbass drivers
Subwoofer: Focal K2 Power 27 KX - 27cm (11")
4 channel amp: McIntosh MC431M
Subwoofer amp: McIntosh MCC301M
Equalizer: AudioControl EQS

My plans may have to change some, after seeing the size of these amps. I've been around car stereo for a long time, and when I tell you that McIntosh makes some amazing stuff, I'm not exaggerating. These amps are huge and heavy as hell. I was planning on fiberglassing an amp rack to hold the amps and eq directly behind the seats on those shelves. I don't think they're going to fit. The amps and sub are just gorgeous.
My plan was to keep as much of my hatch as possible, but we'll see.
I've already started fiberglassing kickpanels to hold the 6.5" midbass drivers. I'm going to send them off to Tony when completed to be wrapped in carbon fiber. The rest of the fiberglass work will most likely be painted to match the outside of the car. I will continue to update the thread as progress continues. Just don't expect it to be done soon. haha

Nice gear!

You going to run active? Those KRX2 are sweet, I am getting ready to order my KRX3's and start ordering either mosconi or focal amps, Macintosh is right there with them as far as sound quality.

Way to go!! You made good decisions. You will never second guess yourself!

Looks great Jeremy! Let us know when you get some updates posted.

dang...:tup:

great stuff.... let me ask the audio pros, is there any benefit to running a processor in a small car like the Z??? Like a Bit Ten???

Yes, because of the DSP and time correction. It also helps with tweeter harshness is your running your speakers in active.

The bitone or ten are a little pricey if you wanted to go with something for half the price check out the JBL ms8. Either way you should be running some high end stuff in order to get the best out of your processing.

I did a install where the owner has a set of low end Memphis components running off the MS8, after changing them to focal polyglass there was a world of difference.

sorry to thread jack....

I am running Hertz HSK165XL and the new Hertz Slim Line 10" sub powered by a HDP5, my problem is I heard that tuning the DSP is tricky and you have to know what you are doing - I don't when it comes to audio.

Sound system
 

My install with similar focal speakers (K2P) should be completed this weekend. Like the sub you chose but due to its size I went with an 8" sub. I fiberglassed an enclosure that houses the sub, amp, and signal processor located in the hatch area foam piece. I am running an active system using a bitTen signal processor.

Space is limited in this Z for large sub(s), amp, etc. You may have to forgo the spare,jack, and foam inserts to create a sub box adequate for that sub and amp, and signal processor. Your sound system should sound great!

Yes you are correct usually take me about 2 hours to get everything right or 3 trips to a customers house before they are happy as they are not sure what they are missing at first.

I was just out trying to fit the stuff in different configurations. I'm at a loss right now how it's all going to fit in there. I definitely don't want to lose the spare, but other than that, I'm fine taking all the free space. The sub is going to be mounted inside out. That will help cut down on the amount of air space required since the basket and magnet structure will be outside.
I'm still trying to figure out a way to have the amps and processor on the shelf behind the seats. They'll all fit there, but I was wanting to have the processor centered between the seats and the 4 channel amp makes that impossible. :mad:

Nice equipment! Where do you plan on installing the second set of 6.5? I am trying to figure out this myself Atm.

One set is going in the stock door location and I'm building a set of kickpanels to hold the other pair.

Awesome, would love pics when you get to that point. Thanks.

You wanting a lot of mid bass?

I would recommend running the KRX3's and put a 4 inch in the custom kick panel. Just some advice. :tiphat:

I've considered getting that set and putting the 4" in the door with the 6.5" in the kickpanel. I'll see how this sounds after it gets done. It wouldn't be difficult to swap out the door speakers if I decide it's too much midbass. I was planning on setting different crossover points for the 6.5s so they play a slightly different range, but honestly it will just involve some tinkering with the EQ once it's done.

Definitely. I'm in the middle of 13 straight days of work where I'll put in about 145 hours, so spare time has been limited. Hopefully I can make some good progress in the next couple weeks and get some pictures up. I'm planning a couple weeks of vacation in May, so that will probably be when most of the work takes place. I was just excited to finally get all my stuff in, and couldn't resist showing it off already. :tup:

Their is a ton of space for the amp, sub, audio controll, if you loose the spare and jack inlcuiding its foam pieces. If so, add a 12-volt tire pump, and a few cans of fix-a-flat and your will have almost the same emergency tire equipment. Plus the weight savings of no spare, jack is a plus.

I don't blame you at all, amazing gear for sure.

I am pretty interested in the kick panel build. I thought about that but was told there wasnt really enough room on the driver side. Anyway, looking forward to seeing how you do it. Also looking forward to see how you like that much mid-bass.

12 hour days for 13 days straight, ugh...

I was always under the impression that fix-a-flat damaged your rim somehow if you had to use it. Am I wrong in believing that?

Those long days of overtime are what's helping pay for this little bit of craziness. I don't even want to look at my credit card statement this month. It'd be great if I could log-in blindly and just click "pay".

:rofl2:

Spare Tire Options
 

I heard that as well but, I have not heard anything conclusive. I do not know if SLIME has rim issues or not.

Cadillac's vehicles include a similar can of fix-a-flat that supposely does not have rim issues. I think you can order there emergency kit from any of those dealers.

I will have some updates with pictures tomorrow evening. If all goes well, the kickpanels will be done by then. I'm still planning on sending them out to get wrapped in carbon fiber, so they won't be totally complete, but my part will be done.
On a side note, to anyone else considering kickpanels with a manual transmission, you may want to consider something else. The driver side one is being a pain, but I think I've got it figured out now. It's definitely going to be a tight fit. Hopefully it won't hamper pushing in the clutch.

Only a day late on this update. Stupid weather yesterday was not conducive to working on a car. I was hoping to have the base for the amp rack built, but I don't have a garage and it was pouring rain.

Here is my progression with the kickpanels. Steps so far...
1. taping the area, laying down aluminum foil, and then taping over that
2. covering everything nearby in plastic (fiberglass in carpet = permanent)
3. putting down the resin and fiberglass mat
4. the molds after removal from car
5. speaker rings mounted
6. passenger side wrapped and first couple layers of body filler added. It's looking really good so far, but there's still a lot of sanding left.

You'll notice the driver's side panel has a hole cut in the back. I had to do that to get the speaker far enough away from the clutch. I'll go back later and full enclose it, but left the hole for now. Thankfully there's enough room to recess that speaker some. Weather permitting, next weekend I will have the amp rack started.

Nice work, how man layers did you wrap the top before the layer of bondo? At least 3 I hope.

looks good dude but that is a little much on the bondo it is there to fill un even areas you hardly need to cover an entire piece as it does not add much strength

I did the layer of fleece and then two layers of mat on top of that. It's solid as a rock.
I know it's bit too much bondo, but some of my skills have diminished over the years. It's been at least 12 years since I did any fiberglass work and I'm having to relearn some tricks. That's why I started with the kickpanels, since they're the smallest parts I'm planning on fabricating. In the end they'll be strong and look good, although it may take a good bit more sanding than someone who is proficient at it.

Wow, nice work. I actually had no idea how any of this worked. Pretty cool to see the pics like this. Thanks! Keep updating if you can.

:tup:

Impressive. From your choice of equipment to the fabrication. I have always wished I could afford some McIntosh gear for the house and had no idea they made gear for cars. Love the Focal speakers, they sound incredible. Gonna be worth every hour of work you put in to pay for it!

Thanks! There was a shop around here 15 years ago when I first started getting into car stereo that sold McIntosh home and car audio. I always loved the look of their equipment, and later learned how amazing they actually sound too. I figured I'd only be doing the stereo once, so do it right.

I'm thinking about buying a second Focal subwoofer. I like the symmetry of having two subs. I can't really explain why, but thinking about just having a single sub in the hatch makes me feel strange. Purely from a cosmetic standpoint. Probably similar to how someone with OCD has to do things a particular way. They can't explain it, but they know they have to do it to feel right. Anybody have any thoughts on this?
I don't think the car's sound will be inadequate with only one, but visually I want the second one. :confused:

I have OCD for balanced stuff on my car however its more on the outside. If your going with 2 subs and your already happy with the sound of one than your going to be blown out of the car with 2 be ready to turn your gains down.

I don't know how one will sound in the car. I've never sat in a Z with a single sub to be able to have something to compare to. I haven't started the sub box, so it's not too late to add another one.

How is this project coming along? Hope all is well!

It's going well. I'll have some new pictures up in a couple days.

It's been awhile since the last update. Since the beginning of the year I'm averaging 58 hours a week at work, so time to work on this has been slim. Here's where I'm at now: kickpanels are 95% complete (just some finishing touches before sending them out for carbon fiber wrapping), amp rack is mostly built, and the sub enclosure is about half way done. Unfortunately, the amp rack had to be changed on the fly due to some unforeseen fitment issues. It's kind of ugly at the moment, but it will be fine after this weekend. As my brother the construction worker says "Caulk and paint make what the carpenter aint". It'll take a little more sanding and bodyfilling than I had hoped, but it will look good when done.

Oh, and a picture thrown in of my new carbon fiber hood.

Very nice! Thanks for the updates. Hood is nice also ;)

I thought I was doing well with mine, but I'll have a transistor radio in comparison. :tiphat:

Kenwood DDX719
Zenclosure
(2) Zapco Reference 350.2 amp (2 channel, 350watts)
Focal 165KR component speakers (6.75" woofers, tweeters, crossovers)
JL Audio HD750/1
JL 10W7

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1333858903