Suggestions/Help?

[99_accord_4dr]

Okay, im getting a new car in a year... most likely a WRX STi... but for now, I have my 4-banger, 4-dr., '99 accord.

I am going to hold off on huge changes, just for money's sake so I can get the wrx later.

But, I do want to get some sort of system... what do you reccommend brand-wise? (Im thinking 2-10"s, and a 1000-watt-4 ch. amp)...
-- maybe buy it off eBay for cheap and get it installed somewhere...


I also have an AEM intake to install... and I wanted to do the exhaust, header, and limo tint.. any suggestions, info. on how much it should cost?


One more tech. question... I know its frowned upon because of quality, etc... but instead of paying like 300+ dollars converting my headlights... can i cheat and put in the lil friggin bulb? Or is this a real bad idea?

[matts]

if i were you, i would just save the cash. but if you really want some subs, the best way to do it is install it yourself. i estimated that my system cost around $1500 at retail price, including some installation. i paid around $800 for everything. i did all the installations, made my own custom box, which fits much better anyway, along with deal shopping. especially around the holidays, i know circuit city has free installation of head units, and i just saw an ad for buy one get one half off for subs.

[TheFirstNutZo]

yeah if you are shopping smart you can get stuff installed for cheap or free, but like matts said it is cheapest to do it yourself. I personally find it liberating too, but if you don't have time you don't have time. If you are getting a pair of subs, I would just get a mono amp instead of a 4ch amp. I got a Sony Xplod 500w RMS 1 channel amplifier for $157 shipped on eBay. It was 500w RMS @4ohm, 900@2ohm, 1600w peak. You probably don't need anything that powerful, but probably 300-500 RMS oughta do the trick. If I were you I'd go into your local car audio store (be that circuit city, best buy, crutchfield, etc.) and see what kind of deals that they have. I know my local Crutchfield had a Sony sale... a Sony MP3-CD player, Sony 800w amp (300@4, 500@2 RMS), and a pair of Sony Xplod 10's that matched the amp. Now I'm not saying buy a Sony, but that sort of deal (it also had free installation) is pretty good. (It came with a box and wiring kit, and ran around $250 or $350 can't remember which)... that sort of thing is probably going to be your best deal, especially if you don't want to deal with install headaches.

[bcramer915]

the only problem w/ running 2 subs off a mono amp is the power required to run it is pretty high....your subs will end up running at 1ohm instead of the standard 4ohms....and ull start taxing your alternator and ur headlights will dim when the subs hit....what iv done when shopping around for systems is go to local shops to pick out what u want...see how it sounds...see the specs on it and what not....then go to ebay or some other discount site and buy from them...local shops alllways charge way too much extra for their audio...

and the best way to have ur audio installed is by yourself...shops will charge an arm and a leg to install(at least 50 an hour here)...unless u get stuff through them...in which case ur paying extra for the item...running amps and headunits is a very easy thing to do...and plus...it gives u a better understanding of what may be going wrong if u do happen to have any problems in the future...

if ur going to get a system...its a very good idea to get a decent head unit...they give better control over ur sound and higher/more clear power to your other speakers

[TheFirstNutZo]

if you run two 4ohm subs parallel on a mono amp... its got a 2amp load... thats how the math is at least and so I assume thats right... am I missing something?

I do know that I run my subs at 2ohm and I have a 1farad capacitor and my lights STILL dim.. I don't know if I should get another 1f capacitor or whether to add a battery to the trunk or what exactly I should do. :-/

In any event mono amps to have their place.

[bcramer915]

yeah u can wire it to a 2ohm load...but even a 2ohm load requires alot more power than a normal 4ohm,...im running my 2 subs bridged at 2ohm on a 2ch amp...and my amp is only 400 peak watts and my headlights dim and rpms drop at idle when the bass hits...but when wired normally to 4ohm i dont have a bit of trouble....

i just like how the 2ohm hits harder

[TheFirstNutZo]

yeah my new amp is :) kicks the subs a lot more.

[jaccord96]

i bot most of my equipment fr circut city. get the floor modles or opened box buys for less than half price with 2 year warranty and youll come out way ahead. then just blow up the subs or amp and return it to get your brand spankin new gear befor the 2 years is up :)

[TheFirstNutZo]

hehehe.... thats technically wrong in ways I suppose but Circuit City has screwed me in the past so they deserve it :)

[99_accord_4dr]

Alright, thanks for the advice guys.. does anyone have any suggestions about what I should do for the other stuff? I mean, saving the money is always an option... but ima have this car for a little over a year still.

So, I wanna do somethin'... plus my parents said just to get some things that I want for christmas and they'd reimburse me... I figure i'll do the:

Tint, (limo, I guess)
2 subs, amp, (10s, and prolly the mono)
I,E,H, (should i bother with catback? im not really gonna be racing, just for look)
headlights (dono if I can cheat on these),
taillights.

Any ideas on the prices for this shit? Figure i'll get most off eBay or forum classifieds.

[TheFirstNutZo]

okay...

Intake - get a el cheapo ram intake off ebay, don't bother with the CAI or a AEM/ other name brand, its good enough.

Headers - again I think el cheapos off of ebay may be good enough, but my el cheapo (DC SPORT style) came with the part that fits on the headers slightly warped... wasn't a problem for me bacause i can sand it off, but if you don't have a bigass shop with tools and belt sanders that would be a problem for you.

Exhaust - if your not racing, just get an axleback or a plain old performance muffler. HOWEVER if your not going to be racing, and you just want looks, why the intake and headers?

for the subs I'd go with ebay again, if you are gearing for two 10s chances are a 200x2 or a 400x1 (RMS) amp oughta do the trick, then get a pair of subs that are 150-200w RMS.

unless you really want tint, avoid it. Cops don't like it and are way more inclined to give tickets to people with tinting.

headlights - I assume you want projectors? those look nice :) taillights I personally don't like altezzas but thats an opinoin thing.

Prices:

Intake - no more than $40 incl. s/h
Headers - no more than 150 for el cheapos, not sure about the expensive name brands.
Exhaust - full catback - $300 or less (incl s/h), axleback not too sure
Headlights - under $200
taillights - not too sure.

[bcramer915]

-ebay intake is good...
-look into an obx or megan racing stainless header....they r still cheap but the wear will be alot better...i got a megan racing ceramic coated and its already chipping
-get an axle back or a cheaper catback...i regret just getting a muffler welded on...id rather have an exhuast or stock but budget rules me
-headlights and tails...
-i have some black halo projectors and black jag style tails for sale if u want them....i have pics etc if ur interested...the headlights have 2 small scratches on each which are hardly visible...the drivers side light housing is broke where the corner area is....but still holds a corner lense find....also have pics depicting this

[bcramer915]

oh k.....dont mind my stupid ass about selling my headlights/tails....i forgot i was posting in the 98-02 forum(mine 94-97 stuff)....whos the goose.....its me...its me

[TheFirstNutZo]

yes its you, its you. hehe we all make mistakes pay it no heed and skip along :)

[jdmaccordbo!916]

there will be no skipping along in this forum....(insert fruity little white skipping thing hear)... lmao.. i know you remember that thing from the old forum..hehehe

[TheFirstNutZo]

that thing is gone? That sucks I loved that little guy.

[jdmaccordbo!916]

hahaha thats right you use to use it all the time didnt you.. that thing was kind of funny to watch sometimes...

[TheFirstNutZo]

I never actually used it.... somebody would post like 6 of them in a row and it looked totally awesome.

[jdmaccordbo!916]

heheh i remember somebody made a hole post using them...

[TheFirstNutZo]

yeah, who was that guy? that was really cool lookin and hilarious

[jdmaccordbo!916]

idunno.?? i dont feel liek serching the hole forum for it either..

[TheFirstNutZo]

ah well. life doth go on.

[takezo]

Talking bout cheapy stuff, I went to Fry's last Friday.. They selling 15" Kicker Comp Subs (and they had Dual Voice Coils) only $69.90 each... that a big stealll...

[jdmaccordbo!916]

ya thats pretty good coming from FRY'S.. there is a stereo place out this way that just had a sale, buy one 12" sub fro $59.99 an get two free.. i wish i had the money i would have bought two an got 4 for free.. an sold the dam things.. they were fosgates at that.. damit being broke again sucks...

[takezo]

Yeah.. go to Fry's always fun, when I went upnorth, visit one at Fremont once....

[jdmaccordbo!916]

ya i know a few guys that come down from the freemont area to sacramento because are store seems to have more shit then theres.. but i dunno, never been to that one myself..