97'Scort's spring Audio/Suspension Build

[97'Scort]

It has finally begun! I've been waiting all winter for this to start, and it finally has.

I've been without sound of any kind in my car since mid-October last year (bad move) when one of my amps blew a transistor. Since then I've had nothing to listen to other than the purr of the inline 6 and the clunk of my failing rear shock mounts.

Here's what's waiting to go in:

- Focal Power 4.75 and 1.800 amps
- Focal 27V2 subwoofer
- Audiocontrol EQQ
- Whole bunch of Connection Audison

Already in the car:

- Pioneer Premier DEH-8MP
- Focal Polyglass 130 V2 up front and 130CV1's in the rear deck
- Optima Yellowtop :drool:

Sub box has been started:

http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0012.JPG

5 layers of fiberglass curing :)
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0013.JPG

This is where the amps will end up: behind the rear seats, on the floor. If you fold these seats down, anything long enough to rest on them has a considerable gap between its bottom and the floor of the trunk near the seats. Since this is basically wasted space, the amps can live there :) We'll make a removable cover just for extra protection too:
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0014.JPG

The first update of many, I'm sure. There are TONS of suspension goodies waiting for the street sweepers: H&R Touring Cup Kit (Tunerworks), Ground Control RSMs (Tunerworks); front and rear control arms, urethane bushings, new hardware and bits and pieces (Bimmerworld.com).

We'll only really get one day a week to work on this (which will be the picture schedule too), but I still plan on having it fully done by DTP.

[2m0a0x2]

I've been waiting for this thread. Awesome bro!

[Hash_man]

you doing the install yourself for audio? looks really good so far.

[97'Scort]

Myself and my friend Garrett over at Method Acoustics. I've been working weekends for him all winter to pay for this :) Frankly, my woodworking abilities start and end with cutting two-by-fours for framing rooms, so I need somebody who can do all the MDF work.

[Glenn 328is]

That is crazy dude. Nice work. Subscribed.

[97'Scort]

Sorry for the lack of updates! We really got swamped at the shop with the new dealership opening here and *somebody* passing around a cold.

So the update will be brief, but some new toys have arrived :) The Audiocontrol EQQ has been scrapped in favour of a snazzy Alpine PXA-H700 (I wanted my time alignment, dammit!). New floor mats (a treat for me, really) and a new center console. My old console is the plain-jane one, with just the ashtray and a hole for the e-brake.

Well, thanks to the good folks over at Bavarian Auto Recycling (www.bmrparts.com), I have a whole new, black leather armrest console on its way here. The plan is to have... well, you'll just have to wait and see, won't you? :devil:

[e36bmw///]

nm

[2m0a0x2]

Is the EQQ for sale? :D

ps. How do the V2's sound?

[97'Scort]

Originally posted by e36bmw///
hey just wondering if the sub can be moved?
to access the battery
are you gonna do the same set up on the other side?

You bet. The box will be a pressure fit, so it won't move unless I want it to. You basically have to slide it just the right way for it to move (in other words, it won't be flying around my trunk). The other side is kind of up in the air right now: I'm only going to have a single sub, so the other side will probably be some sort of crossover/eq module access.


Is the EQQ for sale?

ps. How do the V2's sound?

EQQ is for sale, I can get you a price on it (it belongs to a friend of mine). V2's sound great, I much prefer the crossovers to the V1's.

[2m0a0x2]

Originally posted by 97'Scort


You bet. The box will be a pressure fit, so it won't move unless I want it to. You basically have to slide it just the right way for it to move (in other words, it won't be flying around my trunk). The other side is kind of up in the air right now: I'm only going to have a single sub, so the other side will probably be some sort of crossover/eq module access.



EQQ is for sale, I can get you a price on it (it belongs to a friend of mine). V2's sound great, I much prefer the crossovers to the V1's.

What are the differences in crossover between the V2 and the V1? Is there a -1dB setting on it? I'm running V1's right now, and although I like the sound, I'll either need an EQ to properly attenuate the higher frequencies, or use some crossovers with the proper range and a -1dB setting. I'm using -3dB right now and I feel as though I'm losing a lot of clarity up top, but some of the music I listen to is really harsh to my ears (symbol crashes and high female vocals). Where did you install your tweeters?

Yeah, a price would be swell!

[TomcoPDR]

Cool install, keep us updated.

[97'Scort]

$225 for the EQQ, OBO. It's only 4 channel EQ, kinda bulky, but it works and it's brand spankin' new.

I, personally, don't like built in crossover boxes, like the V1. V2's have a seperate crossover with -3,-6,-12 dB attenuation. If you want to tune out the harshness, though, you'll need an EQ of some kind. The Focal tweeters just naturally respond funny at certain frequencies, like most speakers. It doesn't help, also, that the V1's are running an aluminum dome tweet (V2's have a silk dome) as aluminum is definitely rougher on the cymbals.

Edit: I put my tweeters in the stock location, by dremelling out the stock mounts until my tweeters fit the hole. A little hot glue and it looks pretty good.

[97'Scort]

Well, I can only comment on the 4.75 so far. I really like it. Runs very cool compared to a lot of amps. The high and low passes are pretty accurate and they have very good reproduction. Build quality is top-notch.

The 1.800 is still in the wrap :) I've heard it in other applications, though, and loved it. 600W to my dual 4 ohm sub :drool: Can't wait!

[2m0a0x2]

What tweeters do the V2's have? I was under the impression that all focal tweeters are some for of metal or other. I know they do get less harsh as you move up the line though.

[97'Scort]

The V2's have the TN-47, "Tioxid 5" dome tweeter, and the V1's have the TNA, "aluminum/magnesium" dome tweeter. The stuff the TN-47 is made out of is not quite a silk dome, but it's more like the cone material for the polyglass drivers.

The new VR line, which is replacing the V2, has the TNB "aluminum/magnesium" dome tweeter. I've heard it is supposed to be less harsh than the TNA, but I haven't seen one in person yet.

[2m0a0x2]

wow that's interesting. I'll have to keep an eye open for some TN-47's then.

[Top_Dogxxx]

Kyle,

how much do you charge for an aftermarket Headunit to be installed in my car?

[97'Scort]

How much to *I* charge? Case of beer plus shop supplies, if you supply the harness, adaptor and stereo. I can also get the first two and you can pay me back. So basically a 12 pack of Heineken plus $15 for heat shrink, soldering.

If you bring it to the shop it'd be about $120. But I've got no issues doing it outside the shop for you.

[Top_Dogxxx]

dude!!

you're my new best friend!! hehe ... freaking lost my blackberry over the weekend ... will pm ya : )

[The Cosworth]

sweet dude, looking forward to this.


btw nice start! looks like it is the beginning of an epic build

[97'Scort]

We've made some progress since then :) We're building the bottom and the frame that will go over the battery tomorrow. Pictures then, I promise!

[97'Scort]

Alright, here's the latest. Sub box is just about done! The carpet you see there needs to be coated in resin, then cut around the trim ring. Inside the box needs another round of glass, but it's getting there! Hopefully we can start on the bondo stuff this week.

http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0130.JPG
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0131.JPG
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0133.JPG
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0136.JPG
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0137.JPG
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0138.JPG

[97'Scort]

Long-overdue update, but no pictures yet. I have a pile of them, but I'm trying to decide whether to post them, because they show where a lot of very expensive stuff is hiding. I'd rather not reveal those to the whole world just yet.

Anyhoo, the sub box is done, amp rack is about a third done, and I finished a massive gutting and re-wiring of the entire system today. Put in the new processor and all the connections, removed a pile of old ones, and put in a brand new 10A noise suppressor on a dedicated power line to the head unit. This should hopefully kill the alternator whine I was having.

Car goes in Wednesday to get the suspension/diff work done. This is both good and bad: I really wanted to do this work myself, and would have, but I can't get the thing on a lift to save my life. Now it's going to cost me two days labour at a shop to get it done. Oh well. At least it'll be done for the show and shine this weekend.

Lastly, new stuff has arrived: new trunk seal gasket, jack pads, brake light switch, and all new leather armrest/ebrake/shifter boots. Still waiting on the UUC clutch stop, ZHP shift knob, B&M Technik shifter, OE fogs with 6000k HID, and floor mats.

Pictures soon!

[2m0a0x2]

LMK what you think of the B&M shifter. Is it the 45125? Why'd you go with B&M over the other brands?

[97'Scort]

Our parts supplier happens to be a B&M supplier, so I got to order wholesale :) However, it remains to be seen whether it actually arrives. It seems the Technik shifter has been discontinued.

[97'Scort]

After some drama with a vendor (E36werkes.com) and not getting any of my order, I had to issue a plea to the vendors at bimmerforums.com to help me out.

Big thanks to Wayne at Pelicanparts.com for stepping up and getting my jack pad/panel clips done and shipped the same day!

Also a big thanks to Doug at Turnermotorsport.com for getting me a great deal on the ZHP shift knob and B&M Shifter (45126).

Floor mats are still somewhere between here and Germany, same as the last three months :banghead:

New fogs with the HID kits arrived yesterday, and I installed them last night. They look phenominal, and combined with the HID low beams really light up the road!

[2m0a0x2]

Originally posted by 97'Scort
After some drama with a vendor (E36werkes.com) and not getting any of my order, I had to issue a plea to the vendors at bimmerforums.com to help me out.

Big thanks to Wayne at Pelicanparts.com for stepping up and getting my jack pad/panel clips done and shipped the same day!

Also a big thanks to Doug at Turnermotorsport.com for getting me a great deal on the ZHP shift knob and B&M Shifter (45126).

Floor mats are still somewhere between here and Germany, same as the last three months :banghead:

New fogs with the HID kits arrived yesterday, and I installed them last night. They look phenominal, and combined with the HID low beams really light up the road!

Let me know how that 45126 feels!!

[97'Scort]

Finally, some pics I can upload!

Front struts removed, Powerflex sway bar bushings in:
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0144.JPG

New Meyle control arms and ball joints, along with the Powerflex control arm bushings! Those tie rod ends and end links are new, but I did them last fall. Amazing what one winter does to your stuff, huh?
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0145.JPG

Rear shock assemblies in place, with the H&R Cup Kit shocks and springs:
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0146.JPG

Ground Control RSM's strutting their stuff (I iz funny, no?):
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0148.JPG

Another rear end shot. I'm not a huge fan of those half axles laying down like that for fear of the U joints, but Frank insists they're fine:
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0149.JPG

New (for me, anyways) 3.15 LSD from a '95 M3, with only 30k miles. Redline gear oil on the bench with assorted hardware. All the flanges have been swapped here to match my axles/driveshaft. Took me a good couple hours to clean this up when I got it:
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0150.JPG

Front struts starting assembly on the bench:
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0151.JPG

Alright, a little audio teaser. I've decided not to show much other than the finished product, since we used some pretty sneaky techniques and I'd like them to stay a bit of a secret.

Here's Garrett with one piece. This "cover" piece goes over the middle of the actual amp rack for everyday use, so the amps aren't exposed. Note the excellent scroll work and hand sanding that made the Focal logo in the middle:
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0152.JPG

A sheet of clear Lexan glued to the underside:
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0153.JPG

And finally, a shot of Candy Apple Red. LED's will be countersunk into the main body of the frame, so when the cover is placed on, the Focal logo will light up red:
http://www.kg-dj.com/images/IMGP0154.JPG

Big thanks (at this point) to:

Garrett at Method Acoustics
Frank at Alberta Motorworks
Rob at Tunerworks
Jay at Bimmerworld.com
Uli at Bavtoys.com
Wayne at PelicanParts.com
All the guys at Turnermotorsports.com