My Custom Subwoofer Enclosure Project

studeow · 01-03-2011, 08:53 PM

This is my first fiberglass custom subwoofer enclosure built for the 370Z. It took about a couple of weeks to finish (actual condensed work time was about 3 days, but I'm no professional, and set it aside a few times!). It houses a 10 inch T3 woofer which kicks hard and sounds great in the little Z, and costs about $150 to make with parts I got from Home Depot. Attached are pics of the process from start to finish. If interest in this design is high enough, I will annotate the pics and give out details and advice to whomever is interested. This was truly a labor of love and worth every minute. There are multiple tutorials available online for this sort of project (several of which I took direction/pointers), but I encountered unique issues with this particular design/install due to the uniqueness of the 370Z and will be happy to lend advice where necessary. The stereo is a Kenwood DNX-5140 with Kappa 652.9 Kappa Coaxial in the doors and a Kenwood 600Watt amp under the seat. It simply sounds great!

bigaudiofanat · 01-03-2011, 08:59 PM

Looks great so far man

studeow · 01-03-2011, 09:03 PM

Notes:
1) Six layers of fiberglass cloth were used to create the solid finish, which could easily hold my 200+ lbs frame!
2) Packing peanuts were used to confirm the final volume of the enclosure which turned out to be a nice 1 cubic foot - perfect for the sub!
3) Flushmount ring was purchased from a custom speaker ring designer to subwoofer specifications (dowel rods held the ring in place prior to cloth stretching phase). Rings can be custom-cut and ordered from Elite Installer Supply - Speaker Rings & Templates for Installers

The last pic shows the finished subwoofer installed in the 370Z. It is housed in the trunk near the driver's side rear wheel well and utilizes the extra depth provided by the small storage compartment (not available on the passenger side) - a perfect fit!

More notes to follow upon forum interest

studeow · 01-03-2011, 10:06 PM

Thanks BigAudio! Check out the final pic - It was truly one of the coolest projects I've ever done, and it doesn't even take up much trunk space! I love that car

metz · 01-03-2011, 11:06 PM

Your layup for the mold looks great. The only thing I would've done was work the ribs out. Other than that it looks great for a first time project.

studeow · 01-04-2011, 01:27 AM

Thanks Metz!
I was wrecking my brain thinking of how to do that after I stretched the first cloth layer, when a friend said that he thought the ribbed-look was kinda cool - like a Batman subwoofer, or something. I used his comment as an excuse to be lazy and learned to view it as some form of modern art, I guess

chops · 01-04-2011, 02:06 AM

aw you beat me to it! finished bondo/sanding mine today. tomorrow's task after work is to wrap it in vinyl and mount the sub

i also tested mine by jumping on it, however i only used 4 layers of fiberglass cloth, then 1 layer of fiberglass mat, 1 layer of short strand fiberglass/bondo, 1 layer of bondo. im amazed by how strong it is

studeow · 01-04-2011, 03:22 AM

Nice! It's amazing how strong the Bondo is - 6 layers might be overkill, as the cloth layers make it exceptionally strong - I think your 4 layers might be perfect!

bigaudiofanat · 01-04-2011, 07:01 AM

Just a heads up on the bondo. It may be strong but bonds is brittle and will not take a lot of vibration. A small layer of bonds is fine for the finished outside but its not strong enough to hold its own.

metz · 01-04-2011, 01:43 PM

I think hes calling bondo the resin cause that was the brand.

studeow · 01-04-2011, 03:37 PM

Thanks Metz - you are right. The brand is Bondo, but this is pure fiberglass, both resin and cloth. The layers I refer to are the applied layers of weaved fibrerglass cloth. The enclosure was actually built several months ago, and has withstood constant heavy bass and vehicle vibrations beautifully. I haven't had the time to post the pics until now.

01-03-2011, 08:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	Looks great so far man __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

01-04-2011, 07:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	Just a heads up on the bondo. It may be strong but bonds is brittle and will not take a lot of vibration. A small layer of bonds is fine for the finished outside but its not strong enough to hold its own. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

01-04-2011, 03:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
studeow Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 15 Drives: 370Z-Sport Pkg-PG Rep Power: 16	Thanks Metz - you are right. The brand is Bondo, but this is pure fiberglass, both resin and cloth. The layers I refer to are the applied layers of weaved fibrerglass cloth. The enclosure was actually built several months ago, and has withstood constant heavy bass and vehicle vibrations beautifully. I haven't had the time to post the pics until now. P-Kidd likes this.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Wicked cas 370z stealth magic box subwoofer enclosure sub box	Wicked CAS	Audio & Video	312	02-20-2014 06:26 PM
Custom Subwoofer box, ported, covered in black vinyl with JL Audio 10W3	jtroun	Parts for sale (Private Classifieds)	11	04-17-2012 09:28 AM
10” Subwoofer, Custom 350Z enclosure, Subwoofer Guard Rail - $150	my2004Z	Parts for sale (Private Classifieds)	0	11-06-2010 12:59 PM
JL 13TW5 custom suybwoofer enclosure	2fast4thelaw	Audio & Video	13	09-03-2009 05:50 PM
Custom Sub Enclosure - 370z KY owners	customboxman	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	40	04-06-2009 06:37 PM

01-03-2011, 10:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
studeow Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 15 Drives: 370Z-Sport Pkg-PG Rep Power: 16	Thanks BigAudio! Check out the final pic - It was truly one of the coolest projects I've ever done, and it doesn't even take up much trunk space! I love that car

01-03-2011, 11:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
metz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 347 Drives: 05 Roush, 2010 40th Rep Power: 15	Your layup for the mold looks great. The only thing I would've done was work the ribs out. Other than that it looks great for a first time project.

01-04-2011, 01:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
studeow Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 15 Drives: 370Z-Sport Pkg-PG Rep Power: 16	Thanks Metz! I was wrecking my brain thinking of how to do that after I stretched the first cloth layer, when a friend said that he thought the ribbed-look was kinda cool - like a Batman subwoofer, or something. I used his comment as an excuse to be lazy and learned to view it as some form of modern art, I guess

01-04-2011, 02:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
chops A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NA Posts: 1,732 Drives: NA Rep Power: 22	aw you beat me to it! finished bondo/sanding mine today. tomorrow's task after work is to wrap it in vinyl and mount the sub i also tested mine by jumping on it, however i only used 4 layers of fiberglass cloth, then 1 layer of fiberglass mat, 1 layer of short strand fiberglass/bondo, 1 layer of bondo. im amazed by how strong it is

01-04-2011, 03:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
studeow Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 15 Drives: 370Z-Sport Pkg-PG Rep Power: 16	Nice! It's amazing how strong the Bondo is - 6 layers might be overkill, as the cloth layers make it exceptionally strong - I think your 4 layers might be perfect!

01-04-2011, 01:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
metz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 347 Drives: 05 Roush, 2010 40th Rep Power: 15	I think hes calling bondo the resin cause that was the brand.