Custom Sub Install for all you S14 guys out there- take a look! DIY!

[97ka-t]

(This was originally more detailed, but it ended up being deleted because of a popup, so I had to create a shortened version.. Sorry guys!)

Hey guys, I haven't really posted anything to help out my fellow S14 owners, so I figured why not now. Now this isn't going to help you shift faster, boost higher, or weigh less- but I thought that this was a nifty little design to make use of that space that is directly under your rear 6 1/2" speakers. Anyways- on with the DIY sub enclosure!

Materials Needed:MDF Board- the dimensions are designed for 3/4" MDF, can be purchased at any local hardware store for around $20-$25 a sheet. Electric DrillDrill BitsPhilips Head Bit1" Wood Screws8" Subwoofer (I used a Polk.. Personally, I'd recommend JL Audio or Eclipse)Silicone Caulking Gun

If you trust your local hardware store's wood cutting skills, you can tell them the following dimensions:

Dimensions Qty15" x 10" 211.5 x 6.75" 215" x 6.75" 2

Put the pieces of wood together- I put the screws 1" or 2" apart, depending on which piece of wood I was drilling.

You now have a nice box assembled, get out the silicone and caulking gun and fill all the cracks. At this juncture, get a beverage of your choice, and a snack of course. Wait till dry.

The hardest part is to make the circle for your 8" sub.App. 4 1/2" in on the wide side, and 2" in on the short side. That should be the outer edges of the circle.You can use your method of drilling for this, sawzall, hack saw, whatever you want, just make sure your sub fits snugly.

As far as wiring goes, I just drilled a small hole and stuffed 12 gauge wire through it, and put a little silicone over it.

You can choose to carpet over it or not, I just left it plain MDF, hard to see when mounted anyways.

This sub will clear the trunk and everything. It fits perfectly, and still leaves enough room for it to hit hard without the sub itself hitting anything!

I know the sub may be putting some pressure out over the 6 1/2" speakers, but it should not significantly distort or affect the SQ.

Anyways, there ya have it- a secret, concealed sub, that will produce enough bass for any type of music you want to listen to! I'd suggest powering it with some type of amp that has an output of maybe 125RMS at most. Besides the 8W7 , not too many 8"s can comfortably handle more than that anyways.

I'll post some pics if you'd like- please feel free to ask any questions. Thanks again!

Modified by 97ka-t at 9:12 PM 7/28/2005
Modified by 97ka-t at 9:29 AM 7/29/2005

[yoozef]

pics!!! i want to see how does it look before i decide to go with it...

[drifter_for_life06]

need pics

[MAXIMUS Nismo]

not pointless, but pics will add eaven greater credibility to this DIY.Come to think of it, any DIY needs pics.

I'm about to do an audio system install with a sub in the wheel well enclosure, so this new info will come in handy.

[Dano]

pics would help, i still like the subs behind the rear interior side panels

-Dan

[97ka-t]

Here's another pic. Please ignore the improper caulking, the unmatched sides, and general crudeness of the entire box. This was the first prototype, just to get it up and working. All dimensions have been evaluated/slightly changed to ensure proper fitment and secure seals. I'll get some pics of it inside the car in a few hours.

EDIT: Also, I will be making another box that will actually look decent within a week or so. It will be carpeted, and much more flush and visually appealing.

[drifter_for_life06]

not too bad for a home made box

did you find plans to make it?

b/c from what i know is that if the box isnt large enough for the speaker/woofer the sound is not at its full potential, certain size boxes require certain size subs to make em perform the way they should

or maybe thats just with bandpass systems

[97ka-t]

The amount of space in the initial enclosure I created was app 0.39 cubic feet (I filled some of the original 0.52 cu.ft. space with pieces of scrap wood.) The factory recommended space was 0.35 cu.ft. I was just 0.04 cu.ft. off from perfect factory recommendations.. I think that's pretty good!

EDIT: I created the design for the sub myself. It is copyrighted.

[drifter_for_life06]

lol

hey wasnt there a bass system install guide on 240sx.org a while ago?

[hannibal]

And this box fits on the trunk pass thru self below the factory rear speakers?? Looks kinda big...

[drifter_for_life06]

looks like it should fit just fine to me

[cyrus240sx]

any pics of it installed... i wanna see what it looks like in the trunk.... i made a custom one for my car but it went into the spare wheel well and has 2 12's in it....

[drifter_for_life06]

got pics of that one?

[GEO]

extra weight..

[97ka-t]

Aw come on... 30lbs tops! 8" SubBoxAmpNot that bad. Anyways, here are a few pics of the box in the car.

[97ka-t]

Pic 2

[97ka-t]

Pic 3

[97ka-t]

Pic 4 - my amp mounted nice and flush with the floor board. I can put all the groceries right on top of it- if necessary

[RedRum240]

lol what does showing us your rear seat do?

[97ka-t]

Haha just thought I'd show off my nice leather seats and how the sub doesn't interfere with closing your seat.

[drifter_for_life06]

bet it vibrates the persons back like crazy though

i hate that feeling

[MAXIMUS Nismo]

bet it vibrates the persons back like crazy though

i hate that feeling

what person? No human can fit in the back of a 240. Except the ones you want to punish.

[drifter_for_life06]

and your kids

[i2ice4m3]

[drifter_for_life06]

cant stand the fact that i know that first hand being 17...

gotta love em though

[97ka-t]

I think I hold the record for the amount of full grown males in a S14. 5. It was not comfortable, for anyone.It's nice though, the typical single passenger has a lot less tendancy to crap up your interior than 5 guys trying to squeeze in your car.

[Dano]

thatswhy my back seat is gone and i made a replacement back there

-Dan

[97ka-t]

Replacement?

[drifter_for_life06]

back seat gone is the bet excuse for no passneger

and a replacement?

[KDashy]

Nice writeup, unfortunately I also have a 8 inch sub but its in its own bandpass enclosure and takes up TONS of space, but sounds pretty decent.


Modified by KDashy at 1:45 PM 7/30/2005