370z Audio Install

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Page 3

Capacitors
Before I get into this I just want to say for most of the systems I have seen, and for what the stock alternator is capable of putting out. NO ONE will even need to worry about running one of these. That being said they DO reduce or omit light dimming, but they are not a fix more like a band aid. What a capacitor dose is stores a charge of power that can be depleted very quickly, this allows some of the strain to be taken off the factory charging system. But the cap still have to be recharged over and over again. This in turn may cause damage to your charging system over time. Do not feel bad if you have run one before as even I have at one time. So if your lights do dim a lot it might be time to look for a new alternator and or a second battery that would be mounted in the trunk. The only time you will have to worry about this happening is if you are running over 1000 rms all the time.

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Hush mat is a foam rather than something that just sticks to the surface like dynamat. Dynamat keeps things from moving which cause vibration. Where as a foam material usually pretty thick absorbs the sound that is transmitted through the metal.

Originally Posted by 2x4

Ok so I guess my question then would be how likely is it that it would damage the charging system?

And overall for installation, how expensive is it usually to install a system like this? I just want to compare the cost of getting it done versus the time cost of me having to research and do it myself including the risk of messing something up...




So which of the two would you recommend for a system like mine hypothetically going into a 370z base trim?

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

It is not a high chance you will harm something in the near future but in the far future they can damage your alternator. Again you do not need it for the Z get rid of it and save yourself money on install. For a sub, amp, and the entire car getting hush mat and dynamat your looking at around 400 because of the labor of the dynamat and hush mat.


As 90 said you can run both, as I did in a Z install 2 years ago. It takes much more time.

Originally Posted by CSA0890

I would save the money for something else. Installing this stuff is super easy. The hardest part and also the longest is getting everything tucked away and out of sight. The rear comes apart very easy. Nissan uses nice clips on everything so as long as you go slow you wont break anything.
Good luck

Originally Posted by 2x4

Unless it's something I can start and finish on the weekend, I'd rather pay to get it done so I don't have to take days off work in order to finish it. I figure I might as well get paid and pay rather than not get paid and avoid paying. If I can get some help from a friend of mine in Atlanta who helped me set up my last system, I'd definitely do it myself.

Originally Posted by CSA0890

Theres no reason you shouldnt be able to get it done in a weekend. Ive done a few myself and it only takes about 4 or 5 hours. It helps to get a lot of stuff pre-assembled. Like get the sub mounted in the box and have an idea on where to mount your amp.
I dont know how much electrical experience you have so draw up a diagram of how all of the wiring will go.
Are you using an LOC or do you have a factory sub?

Originally Posted by RonRizz

Definitely do the dynamat. Its well worth the time and effort, and if you have the coin, add the hushmat for sure.
As for Capacitors.....well, there are many that will argue both directions, but in my experience as an installer for 25+ years, they are a waste of money Unless you have a sufficient charging system behind it. They add additional strain to your charging system because they are constantly being depleted and need to recharge. Spend the money upgrading your charging system if you feel the need for it.
Just a side note, and someone correct me here if I'm wrong, but the newer cars with HID headlights will not dim like older models because they are ballast controlled.
Just my 2 cents......