I just bought my MY00 of a friend a couple weeks ago and haven't been happy with the stock stereo, so by this coming weekend (6/7), I should have received all the major components of my new install and I'm looking for advice, tips and links from people experienced with these installs specifically in the s2k. I'm not an audiophile by any means so my goals are to have a modest system that is at least audible at freeway speeds with the top down and sounds reasonable under more normal conditions. I've installed head units, replaced stock speakers, soldered and done wiring before but never really to the extent I see doing for this project.

components on order or arrived:
Pioneer 790bt
Infinity Reference 6020cs component speakers
Rockford Fosgate 2 channel amp
Modifry wired DCI

I'm not sure exactly which amp it is 'cause it's one I bought 6+ years ago for my old acura. I'm pretty sure it's something like 40-80w rms and seems like it should do a reasonable job powering the components. It used to power some JL Audio 10" sub I had in a box in the trunk.

My current plan (other than sitting in my driveway reading s2ki on my laptop looking at other installs) is to remove the seats and pull the door pannels and the old HU (any links to the honda factory manual or good posts about screw locations would be appreciated... yes I've done some searches but there's a lot of info out there to sort through). I'll install the new HU, make sure it works, and then run the wires for the components and the amp.

Here's where my plan starts to get a bit vague and probably could use some help.

1. I've read that some people like to install the tweeters in the A pillars because they won't be blocked by my leg and are much cheaper to replace than the door panels (which are both concerns for me). But, some say that if the tweeters are more that about 12" away from the woofers, they may end up out of phase. It looks like they'd be around 22" away if they were mounted in the base of the A pillars. I also don't want to do a ton of custom fab work (making tweeter pods... the ones RS2000 made look sick, btw) as I don't think I have the experience for that. I'm fine taking a dremel to the door or the a pillars and making a hole to install the tweeters but don't want to go crazy. Will I really notice the phase problem? Any suggestions?

2. Where should I install the crossovers? If I mount the tweeters in the door, the crossovers will probably go there as well. Is there enough room behind the dash to put them there (so I can adjust them more easily)? How should I mount them? Adhesive velcro strips, double sided tape, screws?

3. Where's the best place to mount the amp? It's pretty small so I was thinking either under the passenger seat or behind the dash. I really don't know if there's room back there but I feel like there might be some... maybe under the carpet at the top of the passenger side foot well. I don't really want to mount it in the trunk but would if I really had to.

4. I'm planning on routing the bluetooth mic up the steering column and attaching it to the cruise control pod. Does that sound reasonable? I've heard of attaching it to the sun visor but I think I'll get better top-down usability by putting it on the steering column. I don't really talk much in my car except for quick calls so if there's a bit of wind noise it's probably ok. I understand that convertibles aren't really made for having an open mic in.

5. I'm planning on running the ipod cable to my glove box. How hard will it be pulling up the carpet? Do I really have to remove the center console crap to be able to drill a small hole in the glove box and feed the cable? If it's too difficult, I could use the mesh pocket in the passenger foot well, but it'd be nice if it ran to a place where I could leave my ipod w/o being worried someone would grab it when I park with the top down. Tips, suggestions?

6. I'm planning on getting some heat shrink tubing and a spool of some medium gauge wire (do I need more than 25-35'). I'll probably need some connectors to solder on for the amp and speaker connections. Should I just grab this stuff at radio shack or is there some super cheap deal I can get online? Are there any special tools I'm going to need? I don't think I really want to order a set of plastic pry bars for removing carpeting and plugs... do they make things way easier or can I just do it carefully with a flat-head screw driver? Do I need a heat gun for anything? How about a power screw driver? Right now, I'll have a dremel, basic soldering iron, socket set, screw drivers, etc. Do I need to stock up on anything (double sided tape, specific types of glue, zip ties) before I get started? How long is this going to take me? I've allocated all of Saturday and part of Sunday to the project and I've got a friend (who also has more enthusiasm than experience) who's going to help me.

Sorry this post is long but I'm sure you EJs recognize that I want to keep my s2k looking nice and do things the right way. That said, suggesting I bag the install project and take my car to a professional installer isn't very productive ... thanks everyone!

edit: fixed some grammatical mistakes.

 

Oh, I forgot, I'll take pics and let you know how this debacle... err experience goes.

 

I can't answer all of the questions, but I will give my $0.02 on some.

1. cannot comment -

2. Crossover location would be good in the door pannels.

3. do not put the amp under the carpet - not enough airflow to cool it. I don't think there is room in the dash to put it there either. If it is small under the seat would be good.

4. the higher the mic is the more wind it will pick up.

5. I ran mine down the center tunnel under the center cover. I had to grind off some plastic in the corner so the box would close.

6. The door pannels come off pretty easy. I removed mine with just my fingers.

Remember when running your wires. power wires and signal wires should be run on oposite sides of the car. Also if they cross it should be at 90 degree angle to limit wining.

I am not a master, but I know a little bit.

 

here are some useful sites/threads (there are a lot more if you search):
http://users.rcn.com/dhintz/Michelle/Audio/audio.html
http://www.s2000.org/mods/index.shtml
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=389622
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=483566
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=261466

 

grease the coat hanger real good if you choose that method to route your speaker wires. god that was a PITA!

 

Good luck on your install. Seems like you put some great thoughts into this already. Hope this helps:

1. Phasing will be a problem. Due to reflections and distance from the woofer. It's very difficult to tame. If you need to install the tweeter up high, put it at the corner where the dash, a-pillar and windshield meet. If you must install in A-pillar, try to angle it away from the windshield and windows. If you don't care about how it looks, then the best place is to put it where I place my tweeter pods, but instead of make a pod, just cut an aluminum strip, spray it black and mount one end to the plaster door handle cover and mount the tweeter on the other end. I saw someone else on the forum did that.

2. When I had my crossover, I velcro them in the space behind the dash volume controls on driver side, and below the airbag on the passenger side behind the removable plastic panel. Door location also works if you don't mind exposing the XO to the elements (not recommended)

3. Have you considered inside the spare tire or behind the driver seat?

4. No comments. Haven't done this.

5. Once you have the seat out, removing carpet is a breeze - I'm referring to the carpet on the side of the center console, not on top. You can run the cable along the side and into the glove compartment from the back without removing the center console panels. I remember that's a bit easier to do.

6. The radio shack stuff will add up eventually. Best way is to get a cheap amp install wiring kit, or at least find equivalents of what's in there so you don't have to buy stuff midway during the install. Knukonceptz sell cheap stuff online but I recently found that their quality control is as good as the price. Also get some electric tape and make sure you have the socket set to remove the seats. For snaking wire through to the door/through firewall, tape the wire to a long zip tie, add some soap and you will be done in no time. The only special tool that's worth it in my mind is the plastic clip removal tool, considering how many clips I broke trying to pry it out.

 

ncsu -
good point about the amp airflow and how to run the wiring

oth -
Thanks for the links. I've see a couple of those before but it's good to have all the links in one place.

smurf2k -
Yeah, I saw a few people that said the hardest part was getting the wires into the door. Did you use a silicone grease or what?

rs2000 -
Thanks. It seems like I may have to suck it up and install in the door. I saw that metal strap install and think I want to make it a little more finished than that. Is it a bad idea to use the mounting cups that the tweeters come with? Or, can I just flush mount it into the door by dremeling a hole and then using some sort of glue to cement the tweeters in?

Good tip on the cross over location. I'll see if there's room there.

I'm not super psyched about putting it in the spare tire but might consider behind the drivers seat.

Maybe I'll look on amazon and get my friend to prime some connectors and wire instead of going the radio shack route.


Thanks everyone for the advice and keep it coming if you have any other input.

 

many people (including me) have put the crossovers in the little boxes in
the doors that appear made for crossovers (remove the door panel and
you'll see, or look through the install photo thread which is a good idea
anyway). it's protected by the door moisture barrier, and as far as I know
no one has had weather problems with it. advantage is only one pair of
wires needs to go into the door; disadvantage is it's difficult to adjust them
if need be, and there are potentially heat issues.
and speaking of heat issues (I've had none, but YMMV), here's another
potential location for an amp:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=398729
as for underseat, I believe the consensus is that there's more room under
the driver's seat, but I don't know for sure...

 

I'm not sure what the dimensions on the amp are but it's pretty small. My guess is maybe 12x8x2". I'd rather put it under the passenger seat because I'm considering lowering the drivers seat. But, I guess it'll fit where it fits. What's the best way to secure the amp to the carpet? Should I use metal strips and create a bracket, build something out of MDF, or use stick on velcro? I'm assuming there isn't anything under the carpet to screw it to.

 

I don't think it's a bad idea to use the mounting cups that the tweeters come with. Personally, for a DIY first install, I'd go the aluminum strip route to avoid cutting the door - it's expensive to replace it if anything goes wrong or you decide to relocate your tweeters down the road. Tweeter placement is crucial. If you have time, I'd also suggest listening to your tweeters at different locations before picking where to install them. Once you start drilling, there is no turning back.

Would love to see how your install turn out. Post some pics if you have a chance!