370z Custom Subwoofer Install - thought I would share

MrAurora

Hi All,

I am always tackling little projects to get out some creative energy and work with my hands and thought I would share this one. I use to have an aftermarket 10" sub in my 2003 350z in the stock spot behind the seat. I took the stuff out after my brother killed her (he borrowed my car and totalled it !! I already had my 370 when that happened so I wasn't too upset. At least he wasn't hurt). At any rate, the stuff has been sitting in a box for a few years and I thought I would stick it in my 370z. After searching around for ideas, I didn't really find anything that worked for me. It basically came down to using the spare tire well and filling up the entire hatch back area with heavy wood or encasing in in fiberglass. I drive my cars and neither of these sounded very appealing to me. So I took a shot at fiberglass for the first time and I am happy with how they turned out so I thought I would share. I am sure there are other Z owners that would like to add some subs but there isn't really anywhere to put them in this car. This was my approach and thought maybe some other my like this idea and do it too.

Below are some pictures and I also shot some video while I was doing it to share how it went. I posted the video on youtube so if you have any interest in tacling this, it should give you some decent direction on how to go about it. Maybe you will come up with a better idea, who knows. If anyone does decide to tackle it I would love to see what you do, so let me know.


At any rate, here is the video link:

Nismo 370z - My First Attempt at Fiberglass Subwoofer Enclosures - 10" Kicker Install - YouTube

and here are some pictures:

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Jimmyusmc

Awesome job !!

Huck

I like the third picture the best, they look stock. the first one has a weird shape, but either way they all came out nice.

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RITDR

Very good work!
Especially considering you say that's your first time doing fiberglass.

Unexpectedfar

but lets say someone ask you to make one for them.... how much just for the fiber glass?!

KSFastah

That is pretty cool....can you see the subs through the hatchback glass?

Did you put in an amplifier too?

I have both my sub and amp hidden...less of an invitation for anyone to try anything stupid.

Nismodean

Outstanding work! These are the best I've seen yet!

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The Truth, it hurts sometimes. FI LTH & FI CF CBE. This is a 370Z forum, if I want to fling poo at another brand of car and your feelings get hurt, then you're hanging out in the wrong forum (cry elsewhere).

axmea?

Thanks for sharing. Very cool. I like the idea of placing them in that nook. You made good use of that useless space and kept easy access to your spare. I would do the same thing if I were ever to install a sub. The only thing different for me would be the size of the sub for that space. I would put a 12 lol. Seriously tho, an 8 would do it for me in that spot. Great job!!!

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harry370z

Looks good! How dO you secure the box to the car? I'm a little concerned it might go through the windscreen

MrAurora

Sorry, but I wouldn't do them for money. You really need the car to do it - at least I would. I didn't make a mold - I don't know how to. I would have to do them in my car again and it's not worth the risk to me. You dump that resin over and your replacing whatever gets hit. Not only that but it will probably smell for the rest of the time you own the car ! Once was enough for me in the car. It really wasn't hard though. If you like the idea, give it a shot ! I thought it was fun. I would like to tackle something else now. Just not inside my car !. Below is a picture from a winter project I did 2 years ago and back then I wanted to do something alot more slick looking. I was looking for a Z dash to use instead of wood but that were too hard to find, too expensive, and an overwhelming amount of work to try and mount it a clean fashion. After doing this project, however, I have this little voice in the back of my head saying "Redo it and make a fiberglass dash !"... haha. I probably never will but it really has been on my mind lately.


As far as how I mounted, you are probably going to think I am nuts but I used velcro. Industrial strength velcro. You gotta keep in mind these things weigh nothing. I would guess a half a pound each, maybe less. So, basically, all you have to fasten in place is the weight of the magnet. You also have to consider that since these are molded to my actual car, they fit in there like they were made at the factory so they will stay put without even being fastened. Would I drive it unfastened ? Not a chance ! They would go flying across the car, I am sure. But I put a few 3 inch strips of velcro on the sides (as well as the back) and they aren't going anywhere. I have a birth defect - my right foot is really really heavy. It's made out of lead. I havenpt had a medical diagnosis, mind you put I am pretty sure because the right pedal always seems to go to the floor against my will.

Seriously though, I have driven it about as hard as I can thru the windy roads in my area and they aren't going anywhere. Since the velcro is on the side, the woofer aren't pulling away from the strips, they are pulling sideways on the strips. You have to pull like a mule to get them out of there.

I don't know if you have ripped your car apart back there but there isn't anything there. The sides panels are in with plastic clips, the bottom is literally foam blocks which have been cut to fit, and its covered with a piece of plastic and a carpet. There isn't anything to fasten them to unless you cut into the molded side panels. No thanks, I'll sick with the velcro.


Yes, you can definately see them through the back window. I don't drive this car to places were it is at risk tho so it's not really a concern for me. If I have to go to a store or something, I have another car so I take that. I would hope that a thief would realize that they aren't going to fit in anything but a Z tho ! And yes, I ended up having to buy a new amp. My old stuff was crap to begin with and time did it no favors. I picked up a cheap little 500 watt kenwood amp. It sounds really good though. I am impressed with it. It's not really stealable tho unless someone has alot of time on there hands. It's underneath the rear floor in between the subs. There is a rear cross brace under there and the amp is in between the brace and the cabin.

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w0rM

The boxes look amazing...

Not sure what that last picture has to do with it but I want! lol

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| SOLD September 14th, 2013 | My Build Journal

cdoxp800

Not bad for your first time.. looks like it turned out well for you.

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2011 Brilliant Silver NISMO 370z. #: 0046.
PPE LTH | MillSpec Cats | F.I Exhaust | Akuma Intakes | Rotora 6/4 Brakes

anthonyy

very clean!

axmea?

For your safety, find a way to secure your subs. That was a good question by harry370z.

Strangler

What's that video game thing you have at the end picture? How much did that cost you?