Running wires for Amp and Subs?

[Shades]

Hey all sound bugs! I've never installed an amp or sub(s) in any car, but I've don't lots of decks. So I'm new to this... but know about wiring and stuffs...<P>I'm wondering where to hide/run the wires from the battery and deck to the back trunk area, ***uming I install the amp in the back? Through the roof, or under the carpet, or through the side panels?<P>Also, would it be better for security reasons to install the amp under one of the front seats? (I think I just answered my own question) <BR>Is it hard to do, install it under your seat? <BR>If I do install it under my seat, how would I go about running/hiding the wires for that?<P>There's something about shop charges that I don't like... I mean if I am capable of doing something myself and saving myself $200, GREAT! Also, if I do it myself... later down the road if something goes wrong, I have a better idea of how to fix it.

[monty73741]

i had a the shop run my wires because i got free install on the deck.........so the actuall cost was 50 buck total for the ampkit & deck..........<P>its pretty easy........run the wires under the carpet...that is the best...<P>in the dohc I4 there is a hole right behind the battery........tun the poser through their......run your remote, power, ground...on the driverside.......run your rca's on the p***anger side...to cut on so you wont have a hum in your subs..........<BR>dont forget to put you inline fuse 6 inches from you battery<BR>jason

[BumpNGlow]

when you pull the carpet back, you will notice that there is a VERY easy run for wires along the doors. I was able to fit 2 4 awg and 1 8 awg run of power wire through, and I still ahve room. On the other side, I have 3 RCAs ran, w/ plenty of room still. I think that MX-3 were designed w/ large stereos in mind ! Too bad we have a back seat though(wish we were more like the CRX !)<P>And don't put the amp under the seat UNLESS its very small. Usually, the amp will overheat very quickly. If the amp is small enough to fit under there, you will have to poke holes in the carpet to get the wires hid perfectly.

[Shades]

Hmmmm... sounds good thanks for the advice.<P>About the carpet... is it glued to the car? What hold it steady... I've never ripped the car apart.<P>Would you recommend going with high quality cables like Monster Cables... they make some high quality stuffs! I was looking at their site and it's $100US for 1M of thier good quality RCA wire. I would assume if you are going to do it once do it good, right?

[tk1138]

Your wiring should be of a grade that's comparable to that of the rest of your system. The higher the power the more important the RCAs are. Twisted pair are usually the best type of signal wire.<P>Make sure that you run your power wire on the oposite side of the car as your signal wires. Ideally the signal wires should not be near any other wires.<P>Make sure your power wires are sufficiently large, to reduce power loss there. <P>If you can afford 100$ per meter of wire, then go for it, but you probably won't notice a difference over 10$ per meter stuff.<P>The carpet is mostly held down by the trim panels, so take them off & it's pretty easy.<P>Good luck

[Ogimoj]

Something that BumpNGlow said that is a good idea: run your power wires and signals (RCAs) separately. I have my power line running along under the carpet by the driver side door. If you go with the more expensive RCAs, you can save on length by running down the center, too. It's a bit more difficult of a run, but not impossible.<BR>The carpet is just held in place by clips which are covered by the trim. Careful when pulling the plastic trim at the bottom of the door opening - it's held by four plastic snaps which break pretty easy.

[your2slow]

I just had my stereo done by a close friend who does it for a living. He ranthe power cord for the amp on the drivers side under the carpet and the RCA cables from the passengers side. He said it would help with line noise to keep them apart. It only took him about 4 mins to run the wires under the carpet and he driled the Rockford Fosgate amp that i got to the back seat on the left hand side. Bye doing that i can remove my subs when i wanna use the trunk without taking out the amp. And it looks good to. Very neattly done

[loudsubz]

RCA's are important, to a point. I very highly doubt your gonna notice the diff between 1 $100 RCA cable and $15 one. Stinger makes some good rca twsited pair cables. You can always make your own out of wire and solder on RCA ends, thats what I did.<P>Work very well.

[BumpNGlow]

when buying RCAs, its important to get decent ones. Although 100$ a meter is a bit extreme, don't go to the other extreme either. IMO, Stinger Hyper Series works just fine for the price. But don't go down a level and get the Drone series... they are barely even shielded.

[Shades]

Hey your2slow, do you have any pics of your setup?<P>Where did all of you put your amp?... where would be a good place to mount it?

[DiGiTaL]

I mounted mine to the back of the drivers side rear seat.

[your2slow]

NO pics yet. But soon. I mounted my Amp on the passangers side pack seat. I bought my amp at Future Shop for 200 dollars Cdn and my sub from there also. It's a Pioneer. Also bought my 6X9 MTX front speakers. All in all it sounds great for the price of everything. Plus with the warrenty from future shop i plan on Blowing the MTX speakers and the SUB in about 1 year so i get the next grade up. if they don't have the speakers you bought in stock they give the next best ones. :)SHHHHHH don't tell anyone my evil plan :p