So on the advice of many people, I decided to install my own system today. This included a deck, amp, components, and xm receiver/adapter. I started taking apart the doors at 9am...

I just came in for the night. The car sits out front with no interrior pannels- except the driver door, which is actually done. All I managed in 12 hours was to pull the car apart, run wiring (everything except for RCAs), adapt the speakers to the stock baskets, build an amp-rack, and finish putting one door back together.

Tomorrow, I STILL have to run the RCAs, connect the deck, connect the amp, do the passenger door installs, then put the car back together.

I've ALREADY broken the finish piece that goes around the door handle on the driver side. The stock driver side tweeter grill is also flexed outward from mounting the new tweets. The finish piece will have to be replaced from the dealership.

Even after the car is back together, having things like the tweeter grills bent is going to annoy the hell out of me. I feel like my car's no longer new, and it's only a month old.

 

Its only money man...and you didnt damage anything too extensive from your description.

Once its all fixed you'll enjoy the car all over again. Im the same way as you, if something goes wrong with the car I dont even want it anymore...as if it were tainted.

On the other hand, this is why professional installation is recommended. 9 out of 10 times its best to let people who do this kind of work everyday to do it.

I cant tell you how many times people have came to my shop who've tried to install their own stuff only to realize half way through they were over their heads. The mess they create just makes it more difficult on the installer they bring it to.

Dont give up...once its done you'll be happy you put forth the effort.

 

Now that I think about it, I probably wouldn't have chosen the S2000 as a car to do your first install on...

Just don't run the RCA cables next to the power cable.

 

Good work telling me this now

I actually did an install on my old Miata... but that was pretty basic, and the car wasn't new. All I did was a deck, two-channel in the trunk, and a sub. I even ran the power for the amp from the trunk light. Yes, I had to turn the trunk light on before using my system.

Anywho... I ran the RCAs tonight and worked on the wiring harness. Now tomorrow it's just a matter of a couple hours (I hope). Updates to come.

 

Also... quick question.

Right now, I have the tweeters mounted with them still slightly bending the stock grill. Is there any way to solve this, other than fabricating an entirely new tweeter housing? I used the bracket from the factory tweet on the back of the new housing... there really isn't much way to save depth there.

 

can you take a picture of it?

a blind suggestion: can you take the grill off your new tweeter and then mount it, using only the oem honda grille?

 

actually -- it sounds as if you're doing ok for time w/ an install of that size.

some closer pics of the tweeter, tweeter pod, etc. (out and from behind) will help us make suggestions on making it fit.

if nothing else, you can do what John (darkknight1999) did and if the tweeter is the right size, you can dremel out the OEM grill and mount the tweeter in the pod like that...

(bugger, can't find the photo from here. hopefully John will land in here and post it up for me. my connection at work is just too slow.)

 

Yup, the install is a toughy. I'm installing new HU, speakers, amp, cd changer -- THE WORKS.
You pretty much have to tear the car apart to run the wires. The wires to the door panel seem to be the toughest.
I will say that thankfully, nothing broke and my HU, amp, changer, and speakers are working. Having some issues with the DCI, though.
I'm at the point where I've run all the wire, but I need to tuck it all away nicely and put the panels back on. I think I still have another 3 hours to go. I've put in about 12 so far. Been a slow process, but I've been following instructions people have posted here and I know exactly what I'm getting. That is worth something to me.

 

When I get home I'll load those up for you Phil. The photo album here has been a little off, so I'll load them up into my hosting site and then link them from there.

I've done it both ways. Cut in they way mine are and from behind. Either way works fine. I like the cut in look better but that install way does not work for every brand unfortunately.

I'll load those up for you though. I'll even do it for you if you want me to. Just mail me the stuff.

 

OC -- you're not going to get a much more generous offer than that....