I'm putting this in the non-technical section because I won't be going into details about how I did the install. Maybe this will be helpful in giving you ideas for you own system. If you have any technical questions then just ask and I'll help as much as I can. I'm not an expert but I enjoy doing things myself. This is my first speaker box build. It is made out of 3/4" MDF and fiberglass. It isn't perfect but it works for now. I would have spent more time on it and been a little more professional but I am running out of time. I have been incredibly busy because I am deploying to Afghanistan soon. I have been busy with training and stuff so I'm happy I got this much done. I'll work on it again when I get back in a year.

Blaupunkt head unit


Phoenix Gold Xenon Amps




Phoenix Gold Xenon 10" subs and custom box






Kicker 5 1/4 and 6 1/2" components in doors and hatch

 

Looks Nice!! Very Professional.

 

are those rx8 seats? my interior is completely finished and door panels red and black and so is my dash. those seats would look perfect in my car......

 

Looks awesome! Are you leaving the box as-is or will you carpet it black?

Nice clean install. I like how you can still use the hatch area for storage. W/ my old system, it took up the entire hatch - yours is lookin good.

 

They are RX8 seats. I like them a lot, but they are big and heavy. They also sit higher so if you are very tall they may not work.

I am not too happy with the paint on the box. I just did it with rattle can because i don't have much time. You can tell much in the pics, but I used a Satin black. It was looking good with the flat gray primer, but when I hit it with the semi-gloss all the imperfections in the fiber glass started showing. I spent a lot of time patching tiny pin holes from air bubbles with bondo. There is also a little bit of bondo to fill in low places. If for some reason the bondo doesn't hold with the vibrations then I will either cover the box in carpet or the same black vinyl I used on the other interior pieces. That will bu much later though. After i get back from the stan.

 

ya i have plenty of headroom so too tall isnt a problem. were they boltin or did u reuse the factory sliders? and where did u purchase them from? all the ones on ebay are really expensive

 

If you go with the RX8 seats I would also suggest getting a slightly smaller steering wheel too, as you will lose room between your legs and the steering wheel. I got them from a member of the RX8 club. I paid $600 for them including shipping charges. I'm not sure what you consider expensive but I know I didn't get a super deal on them. The cloth seats are usually cheaper though, and lighter. I just wanted the leather though.

It was not bolt in. I had to drill new holes for everything. I retained the RX8 rails, but there are dozens of write ups on line about how to do it, and each one does it a different way. I drilled new holes near the factory mounting points, but for some places I had to drill new holes and go with a bold and big washers through the floor. I'm not completely satisfied with the set up. When I get back from Afghanistan I will probably pay someone to cut the seats up to make them mount lower, and weld some points onto the floor for better mounting. I will also lay sound proofing material under the carpet on the floor, with special emphases on the transmission tunnel. A lot of noise (and heat) come in from there. I already have sound proofing laid under the rear area from the seats back, and up the sides. When I re-do my head liner I will do the ceiling. I never did the doors because i was too lazy to cut out places where the holes are in the door. it would have taken longer.

You can search my previous posts and find better pictures of the interior if you are interested.

 

ok thanks man. ya the ones i found were around 900 dollars for the red and black so 600 sounds better. i appreciate the information

 

I like it. Are those components in the door just running free air in the open door panel? How did you mount them, mdf?

 

Yes, they are running free air. It was actually quite simple. I did a write up on it here:

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/step-step-door-speaker-instal-902483/

Anyway, the install was super easy and the speakers all sound great. It goes well with the bass and I have everything tuned so everything is balanced. I think I could a bit more mid bass so maybe some 6X9's will find their way in here eventually. I have 100 watts going to each speaker and there is no distortion. These speakers can take some power. After several months I still don't have any door rattle. I guess the member who insisted I will have door rattle didn't do it right when he put speakers in his doors. I think the most important thing is reinforcing everything. Anyone who says speakers in the door is a bad idea needs to come listen to my system. It will change your mind.

 

Nice system you got there man....love the amps on display.

I too run some splits in the front doors as well as some splits and a sub in the rear.

And I've got to agree, having speakers in the doors sound great when you have the system tuned correctly.

No rattles from me either.

Congrats on the build.

Cam...

My door pods:

 

I like your door pods. I originally wanted to do something like that but my solution only took about an hour total. I have been short on time lately. Eventually I will probably build door pods like that. I think my fiberglass skills can handle it after making that speaker box. I saw your pictures here before and that helped inspire me to go components in the doors instead of some wimpy 4" speakers in the kick panels. Not much room down their to play with.

 

Why don't you add some Caterpiller D-8 batteries to the rear, some 15's and an even larger box and get the curb weight of your little 1st gen to where it will be about 3600 pounds.... make it a real rotary rocket of a sports car like it was supposed to be!!

I guess what you are doing is cool.... but it looks like it belongs over in the "fast and the furious" forum!

 

Wow! That hurt. I guess i wont show pics of the inside of my car then.

 

You know I am playing Vince!!! I just think sportscars should be sportscars!!!

 

I think it looks nice. Is it very bassy? or does it have good sound quality?

 

I know you are man, i am just playing myself. If i went that route i would need another car for my system.

 

Yeah, I know its a little extreme for a sports car but I tried to be as practical as possible without going completely over the top. I didn't add a thousand led lights and all that stupid ****. As for sound quality it is great. It isn't too bass heavy. I have it tuned just right for a broad range of music. I mostly listen to rock so I was going for sound quality. That's why it is ran at 4 ohms and a sealed box. I know I could have gotten the same sound quality with one sub, and it would have been a lot lighter, but I was going for a certain level of balanced visual appeal that I don't think you can get with single sub set ups. And, 80's old school, that did hurt. Right in the ***** man. I don't even have anything to come back with.

 

80s old school was just playing, for real just joking.I had 4 twelves in the back of my 7 at one time and kind of got the same response.I am trying to go with a modest setup for my car.I want the best of both worlds. I like your set up, post vids of it if you can.

 

Hmmmmm, video. Never thought of that. I will have to find someone with a decent quality video camera. I don't know if i'll have time for that though. What kind of music do you think most people would want to hear?

 

No music. Just engine

 

Well, I would have to credit Fire85GSLSE for that. Chad was the mastermind behind most of the mechanics of this car. He had the engine and exhaust done. I didn't have anything to do with that.

 

Me, i listen to all kinds of music. Alice and Chains,Boston, Jamie Johnson, Beastie Boys, Eric Clapton, you name i listen to it.Rock,Rap. Everyone else on here i couldnt tell you.There is a wide age diffrence here but the same love of the Rotary!

 

rx-7ames,

good to see pics of her on here. I truly miss that car but glad she is doing well and good to know all my hard work is still holding up other than the headliner (I paid for that).

Seeing everything black and staying black makes me proud and makes me want to do another car.
That is the best automotive dye and it shows.

 

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