I have one more piece to add to my system before I can start really enjoying it. An OZ Audio 6-1/2" component set. Because of the mounting depth (about 4 inches), they won't fit in the kicks unless I make custom kick panels that take up half of my foot area. The only option I can think of is the doors. So the next dilema is since I have manual windows (for now anywayz) I can't really make any good door pods. Now the real question: should I wait to install them until I can get the power windows in and make some cool door panel enclosures, or should I just mount them infinite baffle style in the doors until I make the conversion? Has anyone listened to the same system with the front stage installed both ways? Will it be a huge difference in SQ to have each mid in it's own enclosure? Has anyone mounted really deep mids in their kickpanels without sacrificing too much room?

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'91 RS 3.1
SSM SFC's
Energy Susp. Hyper-flex kit
GTA Sway bars
Clarion, Phoenix Gold, JL Audio, etc.
Quote "If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten."
- George Carlin

 

Install in kicks, but cut the metal out of the way to make more depth. You have a stick or auto ? If auto, you can make the kicks stick out further.

With power windows, you can only mount the speakers about 1" into the door before you hit the power window motor, so the pods need to come out a good bit.

mike

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custom 3rd gen kickpanels at http://www.lachernet.com/kickpanels

 

I have an auto at the moment, but I plan on switching to manual in a couple of years (with the LS1 swap ). I didn't think about the power window motor, thanks for bringing that up. Another thing I don't like about kicks is that when you have a passenger it seems like their leg blocks out a lot of the highs (from the tweet). Is that usually the case, or does it matter? I've mounted the tweeters in the dash and the drivers in the kicks before (in a different car with different speakers)and it sounded great, but everyone who knows has told me not to seperate them because of unequal path lengths, so maybe I was just lucky. Any thoughts on that?

 

Separation of mid and tweet is different for every car and speaker. When they are close, they almost always sound good. When separated, it's hit or miss. Depends on the speakers and install.

Good luck with the ls1 swap! I swapped my whole 3rd gen for an ls1 .

mike

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custom 3rd gen kickpanels at http://www.lachernet.com/kickpanels

 

Sell-out!

 

I put 6.5" components in the doors of my 86 firebird without building custom panels. On manual crank windows, you have just enough room to squeeze them into the bottom of the door. They did rub the outer part of the kick panels a bit, but a heat gun and a door slam cured that problem. In my IROC I've got power windows so that option was out. I built custom kicks that only stick out a couple inches. I haven't tried it yet, but I'll throw them into the gta (5 speed) and see how much room I have. Anyway, the improvement in sound quality from the doors to the kicks is substantial. The kicks provide a huge, huge, huge improvement in imaging and staging.

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The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

Must be nice having an extra 5-sp GTA laying around

Do you have your Driver & tweet together? Did you have to cut out any of the sheetmetal? About how much mounting depth do your kickers have?

 

Jim, have you tried your kick-pod in the 5-speed yet?

 

Nope. No time, and the cars are rarely together. If I ever get a chance, I'll throw the kick into my Sport Coupe. That's a 5 speed too.

------------------
The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah