Hi All. I'm putting in a separate amplifier in the Z. Normally I'd just re-use the existing speaker cables. Is there any use / benefit or re-runnning new cable to the speakers, or is reusing the existing wiring just as good? Anyone see a problem with mounting the amp in the boot / spare wheel well in the space towards the front on the passenger's side, under the wheel cover/carpet? Thanks, Simon.
ventilation If you mount the amplifier in the spare tyre well, chances are you will have ventilation issues. Amp will continually go out on Thermal Overload. You have a 2 or 2+2? Mounted both of mine on the carpeted panels behind the seats (2+0) model.
you will need better ventilation to the amp mate also its generally a good idea to replace the wiring with a new amp due to more power running through it and being 20 years old i did mine and found much of the wire was badly oxidised
Mine's a 2+2 Auspec. Didn't want to interfere with the rear seat operation, or take up room in the 'boot'. Seems to be a bit of space around the wheel on the inner passengers side. It's not a massive amp (70w x 4 = 280W, or 2800W PMPO if you believe that stuff). My issue is my carputer needs an amp. ATM it's running through my stereo, which is tucked behind the touch screen. Bit of a waste..... I'm interested in the sub encolsures http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283591, and thinking I could mount it under / in those? Thinking Sub on one side, storage on the other..... Thanks for the advice on the wiring - good points.
i would mount the amp behind the rear seats.. screw it onto the back of the rear seats... and there isnt a point in running new cables because ur not running high end audio.. if u can be bothered doing it its up to you... i didnt and im running pretty high end stuff... still works great..
keep same cables voltage/ohms aint changing.....no need to rerun. u connect RCA cables to back of head unit to amp anyway, and 'new' speaker cable from amp to speakers. I dont recommend amb behind seat as u have a 2+2, under seat is an option, throw some neons for wank, or mount it to the boot wall on the side/back on some MDF board.
Amp won't overheat if done right. I don't think amp will overheat under the cargo carpet. I ran a 90w RMS amp for about 12 months like this in my grey Zed - never overheated once - and at some high volumes. Although, I didn't have it mounted in the spare wheel well. The stock 2+2 hatch has masonite sheets that the hatch carpet sits on. These sheets rest directly on the spare tyre. My amp was mounted next to the spare wheel and had air above it between it and the masonite. Hope that makes sense. If you are considering removing the spare wheel and mounting the amp in the wheel well, then you may lose the benefit of an air pocket above the amp. Cheers, Peter
Peter, that's pretty much exactly where I want to put it -Thanks. I think because there will be air all around it (above, below, left, right, front rear) it should be OK, and it's out of sight. Oh, I don't go for "neons" etc. I like factory look. Even the carputer project will look 'factory'. Having a subwoofer might be the only challenge to the 'factory' look.
if your 2seater, it wont, as you could mount it in the back seats and make it look factory with a speaker cover grille type over it....
When I eventually insalled a sub woofer and mono block amp in addition to the 90w amp for the front speakers, I mounted the sub where the 90w amp originally was under the masonite and, as I also had a 10 stacker mp3 player under there as well, the amps had to go on the back of the rear seat. You may struggle to have room for both a sub and have an amp under the rear hatch floor. Pic of current setup here - floor is now solid mdf. It still looks factory(ish) with the cargo cover in place. Cheers, Peter
