DIY: E36 budget SQ stereo-system installation

[m3f_pbonsalb_ba5494e5cb]

Quick update: Everything is going well with the bondoing, sanding and painting of the kick panels. Although it is going slow because I only get a couple hours every evening to work on it.



The biggest challenge I have right now is that the "satin" paint is too shiny and the "flat" is too flat. I am still searching for the perfect finish.



I would use fabric or a wrinkled or textured paint.

[m3f_EXQUZ M3]

A good alternative to paint would be to cover those panels in some matching felt or alcantara and color matches grilles. Would keep it fairly low key and probably easier than matching paint.



Alcantara would be a good idea, especially since the seats are done in that material. Two thoughts on this idea:





I would want to do the door sills as well so the transition went smooth .

How does that stuff stretch? I suppose I could do some hidden butt seams since there are many parts of those pods that are not visible.





Interesting idea --- might make another trip to the fabric store to see what I can find.



I would use fabric or a wrinkled or textured paint.



Textured paint is what the plan was until I found that the Fleck Stone style paint does not come in a solid black - it always has some funky color mixed in with it. The hammered look seems popular in spray paints - but I don't want to spray them and then hate it and have to sand that hammered crap back out again.

[m3f_hcaleman_e2771eaa1d]

I think your mitigating factor is that these things are going to be mounted in the floorwells. Make most of the seams face the floor and front of the car so they won't be visible to passengers.

[m3f_EXQUZ M3]

I think your mitigating factor is that these things are going to be mounted in the floorwells. Make most of the seams face the floor and front of the car so they won't be visible to passengers.



Yup, you're right on. My thougths exactly.

[m3f_EXQUZ M3]

The pods are finished (still waiting for grille cloth though). I am pumped about how they turned out using some black suede upholstery that very closely matches my alcantara interior. That suede didn't stretch one bit in the store, but with some heat from a blow dryer it did stretch enough to make the visible parts smooth. Any creases, overlaps or gaps should not be visible once installed in the car (except for the seam on the dead pedal - no way around that one). I used 3M Super 77 spray adhesive, 3 brand new razor blades, a little bit of patience and a helpful wife with the blow dryer.


I'm very satisfied; given my skill level, I couldn't have expected anything better.


Without flash (shows more detail):

http://mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0778.JPG


With flash (this closer resembles what they will look like in the car):

http://mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0776.JPG

[m3f_A30ZCP]

great job:thumbsup2:

[m3f_EXQUZ M3]

Grille cloth finally made it here today --- next step, in the car!


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0782.JPG


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0783.JPG


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0784.JPG

[m3f_EauNatural_0c2e9565cc]

I've heard it before... sa'll about the install! awesome work so far!!

[m3f_anarekist_03779a4241]

wow, i just replaced my speakers but i just stuck with the same as stock size. :taser:

[m3f_hcaleman_e2771eaa1d]

Progress looking good, lets see them in the car. You somewhat motivated me to finally finish my my stereo upgrade. I have a BSW upgrade on a stock system, my head unit crackles badly and drops channels when I adjust volume. I ordered an older Eclipse CD7000 headunit that can do time-alignment and go fully active and bought the ipod adapter to go with it.


Just ordered a set of new massive audio CK6 6.5 components and NX5 five channel amp to power the front stage and a sub. I guess it will be some work to get the 6.5s up front but other than that hoping everything is straightforward.

[m3f_EXQUZ M3]

Sorry about the delay everyone --- life kicked in and I lost a weekend due to family responsibilities. Then, I got frustrated and just finished it without posting. So now I a going to post the rest of the DIY.


Used the Peel and Seal from Lowe's. CHEAP, and awesome. I highly recommend it. It doesn't stink, it sticks well, and as far as I can tell - it dampens as well as Dynamat.


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0785.JPG


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0787.JPG


Installed, they look amazing --- by far my best work.


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0807.JPG


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0808.JPG


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0810.JPG


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0811.JPG


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0812.JPG


Are they perfect? No. In fact, I have a small issue on the passenger side. Unfortunately, I didn't catch during the test fit that the passenger side under panel dips down about a 1/2". (Lesson learned - test fit with all the panels installed!) Therefore, if you look at this picture closely, you can see that it is sitting about a 1/4" too low. I will be pulling this panel out and making a modification to the pod. Currently, it is securely in place, but it bugs me that it is not right.


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0803.JPG

[m3f_EXQUZ M3]

Amp & Crossover rack


Remember that my goals are to be light weight and that which cannot be light weight (sub enclosure) should be easily removable. Trunk space was not a concern (as long as I can fit my laptop bag I'm good), and I did not intend it to be show quality.


Amp rack (focusing on being light weight). I used a 2x4 to mount the devices. L-brackets on the top an bottom make it secure. I made a custom plate for each the amp and crossover to mount it to the 2x4; only the size of the device to reduce weight. Very happy with the design and implementation.


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0791.JPG


Note that in this picture, they are not leveled with the 2x4 (which is leveled with the ground); they are leveled with the trunk.


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0794.JPG


And then after the wiring (note I have no access to the controls on the end of the amp --- this is a bummer, so during tuning time I need to disconnect the 2x4 to swing it around. I supposed I could also unscrew the amp from the board, but the 2x4 is actually easier):


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0797.JPG

[m3f_EXQUZ M3]

The sub enclosure


Unfortunately, with the massive 14mm excursion on this sub a bandpass enclosure is not realistic. The port opening area would have been stupid --- and the larger the opening, the longer the port needs to be to keep it tuned to the same frequency. I think that my desired bandpass enclosure required something like a 65" long port. It can be done, but the port would have displaced over 1.5 cubic feet --- which is just silly.


So, the sub enclosure is a very basic sealed box - 1.3 cu ft filled with a dense poly fill. To be honest - for a SQ install, this was the best choice.


Here is the progression:


Just the box

http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0813.JPG


With trim pieces cut:

http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0814.JPG


And the finished product. Note that changing the color of the trunk from gray to black makes it look very nice. I have my wife to thank for recommending this. Yes, you can see a seam and I will be fixing this by hinging that panel to the enclosure and using a monolithic sheet of carpet to cover the whole thing.


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0815.JPG


http://www.mydinanm3.com/images/stereo/DSCN0816.JPG

[m3f_12vElectronics]

Looks great..more importantly, how does it sound?

[m3f_EXQUZ M3]

So how does it sound?


I'd give it a solid B+, which might be upgraded to an A- after I spend some time tuning. I'm so glad I did the pods to get the separates angled. The staging is amazing, but the vocal image is not as good as I expected. I might need to play around with angling the tweeters.


The sonic quality of the inexpensive Soundstream separates ($68) is very impressive.


What's next?


I need to fix the rattle of the rear deck. It will be coming off really soon so that I can peel-n-seal the whole thing and keep it from rattling.

Fix the passenger side kickpanel so it fits right.

Get an RTA so I can tune it better. Sound quality music sounds incredible, but some stuff that has a heavy base line doesn't sound as good. It is fixable, but I just need time.