Audio wattage question

[mastersapo]

Hi,

I am wondering if anyone knows or could share the maximum wattage they have safely pulled off of the 2.5 engine without power problems. I ask because my 2 12" subs have been sitting in my closet since I bought my coupe last Feb and I am just now getting around to making custom fit boxes for the trunk. I am already running 600 watts for the internal speakers and if I add the 2 subs it will be around 1900 watts total. All wattage values are RMS values btw. Ideas people?

[AppleBonker]

I don't remember exactly what the stock alternator on the 2.5 puts out, but I think it's close to 115 amps. With that and the power equation (P = V x I) we can calculate a power output of P = 14.4V x 115A = 1656 Watts. This is all theoretical, so if your amps are actually rated to put out what you say they are, they will be drawing more power because there is obviously some loss in there. What amps are you running (IE, model numbers needed)? I might be able to help a bit more with this info.

My guess is you'll be ok, though you DEFINITELY need to upgrade the big three, and this will kill your alt a bit faster (though the 2.5 alternator is relatively easy to replace, at least in comparison to the 3.5). You'll also definitely want to upgrade the battery under hood, or think about adding an auxiliary battery to the trunk.. I'm running about 3k watts RMS in a 3.5 of the stock alt, but I've got an extra battery. I haven't had any issues yet, but I have a feeling my stock alt will go out well before it would without the stereo (unfortunately, I don't know of anyone having their alternator die on them, so I don't really have a time frame for this on my car).