Can you install your own ICE?

toot · Post by **toot** » Wed Jul 02, 2003 3:01 pm

If you can, I have a couple of questions.

Firstly, I want more sound from the back compartment. I have a windstop and I'm wondering if it would be possible to feed the back speaker cables out of the enclosure and hang a couple of 6x9's under the windstop (I realise the WS wouldn't be strong enough so I'm thinking build a custom parcel shelf type thing to attach to the WS by the rim then attach the speakers to that). Would this be possible and would it soup up the sound? They would be powered by a Kenwood KAC8401 amp.

Now, if this is possible, is there anyone willing to help me with it? I can't do this stuff so I would need someone to help me get the wood, cut it to size etc and attach it then actually install the speakers and possibly adjust the amp settings (bearing in mind the fitted speakers are about 120w peak and I want to fit 300w peak 6x9's).

If you can help with this and live 50-60 miles from South London (or I'm in Doncatser occasionally so if you are local-ish to there too), then please get in touch. For your help I'll bung you a Â£50 or a couple of cases of beer or something. I don't know what is considered reasonable, just let me know.

Thanks all!

MattB · Post by **MattB** » Wed Jul 02, 2003 3:49 pm

Of course you can install your own, and it's much more fun!

I never had the windstop so don't know how strong it is and as I don't have my CC any more I can't even do any measurements! But as long as you can get a strong plank of wood in there you should be fine. You're also right not to bother about the speakers in the sides at the back - to be honest I'd probably unplug these totally as they're only going to distort and sound crap.

If you have problems creating a false back shelf you may want to consider building some small boxes and placing the 6x9s in them on the back seats. I've seen a CC where the back seats have been totally removed and some big subs placed in there instead which looks great!

Unfortunately I'm a bit too far away to give you any hands-on help with this, but good luck and more importantly just enjoy it!

(bearing in mind the fitted speakers are about 120w peak and I want to fit 300w peak 6x9's).

Ahem... I guess you mean 180 Watts at 4 ohms RMS per channel for that amp (KAC-8401) - don't use Peak/Max as a guide!!!

Alex LS · Post by **Alex LS** » Wed Jul 02, 2003 4:02 pm

Stealing Derek's thunder slightly...

http://www.ecosse-peugeot.co.uk/show_product.asp?id=386

toot · Post by **toot** » Wed Jul 02, 2003 4:03 pm

i don't know the RMS of the 6x9's I was looking at which is why I qutoed the peak, just to emphasise that they are theoretically upto 3 times more powerful (I think the 1077ie's that i have fitted are about 30w RMS).

I like the idea of ripping out the back seats but I would need too much stuff in the back to cover it and make it look right. can't afford it and would be too much of a pain to remove when I get rid of the CC, want it all to be undo-able. Also, I'm sure the boxes would work but as I have no boot space,

I would like the back seat to put my sports bag and so on in there.

Oh, I know you can install your own ICE of course, I meant it more along the lines of "do you know how to install your own ICE" really. Sorry, used a 2 meaning sentence

toot · Post by **toot** » Wed Jul 02, 2003 4:06 pm

Stealing Derek's thunder slightly...

http://www.ecosse-peugeot.co.uk/show_product.asp?id=386

See, I do think that looks soooo cool (although the bit where the hoops normally are looks a bit boxy) but surely having those subs right behind your head would just be toooooo loud?!?!?

T3DCF · Post by **T3DCF** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 1:30 am

Interesting you say about "creating" a parcel shelf as I only discussed the idea with a friend of mine yesterday. I have found someone who is able to cut the wood and secure it to the windstop, and am going to speak to another friend to see about wiring them in, I will disconnect the original back speakers, but will want a quick release catch incase i ever want to take the windstop off (friends home from town etc).

Issues that I am thinking about are:-

will the windstop deflect alot of the sound?, it does stop wind afterall and sound is really only more wind.

will the bottom of the speakers have to be housed or will the sound not
really escape from the bottoms of the speakers

will they be able to be seen through the windstop -security issues!

I will be interested to see how you get on.

May be we could share ideas etc.

David

toot · Post by **toot** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 1:46 am

Hiya David.

Having had a hatchback before with a custom parcel shelf, I can't see the windstop would cause sound muffling. Its very thin fabric and I was thinking you would cut the holes for the 6x9's in the wood and the windstop would just act as the fabric you normally cover the shelf with. As its full of holes, i don't think it would be a problem. Lets face it, it couldn't be worse than having 2 10cm, 30w speakers behind the plastic siding in the back can it.

I don't think people would see them. bear in mind the windows of a CC are slightly tinted and its dark in the back with the roof up and the seats back so, as long as you built it right and put the speakers directly behind the headrests, that shouldn't be an issue. Paint the board you use black and it should be ok I reckon.

The only issue is with the housing. I had a chat with the guy that did my setup about the possibility of what I have mentioned. he reckons that because they aren't in an enclosure, they would not sound so good at all because they don't have anything for the sound to bounce off. I'm not so sure on this though. As I said, I've had 6x9's in a hatchback but most recently a friend of mine has a Saab Turbo. he has 6x9's in the back and when you open the boot, they still sound just as phat and punchy. I don't see how this differs to being in the back of the CC. There is hardly a gaping space between the 2 seats, i think it would work.

I don't reckon you can make it an easy to take out thing though. You'll obviously be able to just take out the stop and speakers but you'll need to actually disconnect the speaker cable (but as they just slide onto the speaker pins, thats hardly an issue).
i want to disconnect the back speakers and just plug in the 3-ways as a test before even building a board etc but I can't get the back seats out or work out how to get the cables off the speakers

I've read instructions but I can't do it

I think though the speaker cables just need to come out of the seatbelt slot though to attach to the windstop.

Where are you based mate?

Erm · Post by **Erm** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 2:13 am

i can put u intouch with my mate who is an ICE Guru

altho not sure he'd take up such a messy job

toot · Post by **toot** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 2:18 am

i can put u intouch with my mate who is an ICE Guru

altho not sure he'd take up such a messy job

I'm not so sure it would be that messy actually. You only need a slim stretch of wood as you would put the speakers lengthways and the connections on the outside so there wouldn't be a load of speaker cables hanging around. plus it would be under the windstop so it wouldn't be hugely noticeable.

Do you think you could have a word Erm and see if he reckons it would work as far as the sound aspect goes? If it does, then it should be easy to find someone to just build the stuff and put it together, I'm just not 100% on the logistics of it.

Cheers.

T3DCF · Post by **T3DCF** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 12:54 pm

hey toot,

I am based in Bristol,

I hope to start on the building of it in a week or so. I will let you know what happens.

The enclosure is the only think I am thinking about - not sure if its neccesary or not!

any ideas give me an email.
t3dcf@tiscali.co.uk

toot · Post by **toot** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 12:09 am

Bristol? Quiet a way

had a chat with Erms mate today and he reckons we could do something with it so gonna meet up with him when he's available and have a bash at it. Likewise, will let you know how it goes if mine is done first.

stephen T · Post by **stephen T** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 12:15 am

i wouldnt bother with all that. just get a 10 inch sub in ya boot. will be ample.

toot · Post by **toot** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 12:17 am

I have a 12" sub in the back but the rear speakers are too weedy, the only time I really hear them is if they start to distort. I want to get some punch from the rear seat area to back up the front speakers.

stephen T · Post by **stephen T** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 12:24 am

just replace the rear speakers then. get some quality components.

toot · Post by **toot** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 12:29 am

The rear speakers have been replaced with kenwood 1077ie speakers and are being powered by a kenwood amp pushing out 60w per channel x 4 (or something). With 10cm speakers, it seems hard to find any that go over an RMS of about 30w. Hence going for some 6x9's With a 300w max rating.

Can you fit components in the rear? Where would they be mounted?