HardHitter

Ok, well, I have been working on the exterior / performance mods for my RX-8 and have spent quite a pretty penny on some of it--even though I am no where close to finished--and I am ready to start modding my interior.

Now, I am a big car audio fanatic and have been installing/working with car audio for three years now, so I know a lot of information on products, brands, etc etc, however, with my 8, I think I'm going to leave it to the pro's to modify my car. This is what I want....

Pioneer AVIC-N2 Screen/Navigation custom fiberglassed into where the stock cd player/controls are, and the AC controls will be moved down to where my ash tray is. I've already seen something like this done, so I know it's possible. This alone will give me my navigation, cd, mp3, dvd player that I miss from having in my old car.

That will be my first upgrade, along with that I am going to replace the Bose system with high end components in the fronts and amped. I am looking at probably Focals or Diamond Audio, but it all depends on my budget. Put 100-150W to each channel, and the speakers should really sound great.

Now, I am debating if I want to do this or not, but add a sub to the car. I know it will complete the music, however, I do not want to add a lot of extra weight to the car. I have dealt with this before, and the boxes/subs can easily weight +100lbs. Maybe a 10W7 with 500/1 in a sealed box, who knows, once again this will depend on my budget.

Anyways, I just want to get around an estimate of how much it'd be for my first project to be installed (the custom indash) I know the unit itself is around $1700, and then I'm guessing labor/installation will be around another $1000 since everything will be customly fiberglassed. For those who have done something like this before, please let me know. Thanks.

forbidden

Here is a little something for you to think about. If you are going with a good but basic system, quite a few people use front components only and no rear fill. If this sounds like you, take out the rear 6x9" speakers and use that entire area as the output area for a under rear shelf sub encolusure. Choose a good sub that works in a small sealed box or a small ported box. Fire the port up one 6x9" hole and the sub up the other. Anything can be done depending on how adventurous you are. If you want rear fill, look for a sub that will mount into a fibreglass box in one of the corners, go with a sealed box type of sub for this such as the tried and true Eclipse aluminum series. For a fine amp to match those speakers you have chosen, look to Audison.

Read my grounding sticky on my home forum of www.the12volt.com in the car audio forum as it as usual will definitely apply to you and this car in particular as it has a **** poor ground return. Need more info, please....PUHLEEZ e-mail me instead of PMing me,to forbidden@telus.net or MSN at the same address. I am in the PST time zone located on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.

Rob

DreamWarrior

I would recommend going without rear fill as well if you really want any semblance of a soundstage. After having a car without rear fill, going back to it (and this shitty Bose system) is killing me .

As for forbidden's idea, I like the idea of using the rear deck to hold the subs, however I'd recommend against venting the port into the car for the sole reason that you may be annoyed by some audible port turbulence.