DIY Side Mount Sub Box-Done!! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

mkmgraham · 04-17-2020, 02:06 PM

So I am a DIY'er and hate to buy things I can build for the most part. It is fun thinking up projects and using your own hands to save your family dollars, especially in today's world. I wanted to add an 8" sub and amp as I don't listen to rap and just wanted to round out the BA system in my 2013 SS. I didn't want to see the amp and like the Sub-Th solution of Altrend SBA (sealed box amp) concealed in the end of the box. I also had some 3/4" plywood lying around (I know MDF is better).

So I got to work with cardboard, then the bottom plate, then the box part, then the fascia board, fitting the speaker, amp and carpet. Sourced the speaker and amp from amazon, the wiring kit and carpet from parts express and that was about all I needed.

I spliced the wiring in and soldered them. Easy peazy, took like 30 minutes max. Tapped the battery positive and grounded the amp near the rear seat column. I omitted the bass control knob as it didn't seem to do a lot.

Overall I am happy with the system. Hits pretty good and rounds out rock and country very well. It does shake the mirror, but I only have the gain turned up 1/2 way until it breaks in and I can push it to distortion to see the upper limit.

I have order a Kicker 10" grill to fit overtop of it and will install this weekend.

Anyway, hope this helps to motivate someone to try it. It really was easy. I used a sabre (jig) saw to cut the box and drywall screws. Take your time and cut slowly and you can make a nice finished product. Good luck!

cfosceola · 04-18-2020, 03:32 PM

Looks good. Why plywood and not MDF though? Just curious

Camaro2ss2010 · 04-18-2020, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfosceola

Looks good. Why plywood and not MDF though? Just curious

That was going to be my question. I agree though it does look good

mikeman · 04-19-2020, 03:52 AM

Wow, that looks very professional. Great job!

Valkyrie14 · 04-19-2020, 06:09 AM

Awesome

mkmgraham · 04-19-2020, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfosceola

Looks good. Why plywood and not MDF though? Just curious

Had some lying around

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mkmgraham · 04-19-2020, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeman

Wow, that looks very professional. Great job!

Thanks mikeman!

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mkmgraham · 04-19-2020, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camaro2ss2010

That was going to be my question. I agree though it does look good

Thanks!!

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lionssfan · 04-21-2020, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfosceola

Looks good. Why plywood and not MDF though? Just curious

I just installed a mdf box man is it heavy. the jl woofer didnt help either.

Leo72793 · 04-21-2020, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lionssfan

I just installed a mdf box man is it heavy. the jl woofer didnt help either.

Go Birch next time. Light and much more structurely sound.

BAD DAB · 04-21-2020, 06:41 PM

Nice work

mkmgraham · 04-22-2020, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAD DAB

Nice work

Thanks!

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mkmgraham · 04-22-2020, 06:59 AM

So I finally got it tuned up and the crossover set and man it can pound for a little 8”! Played a bass track on you tube and it shakes the mirrors and has no audible distortion. Very happy with it for my kind of music. If you play rap or would replace the factory speakers I think I would go 10”. Sundown 8” and Altrend 300.1SBA amp. Amp barely gets warm.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mkmgraham · 04-29-2020, 08:18 PM

Got my speaker grill finally done. Extended a kicker grill 3/4”, added the center cap, sanded primed and painted it all.

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04-17-2020, 02:06 PM	#1
mkmgraham Drives: 2013 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 115	DIY Side Mount Sub Box-Done!! So I am a DIY'er and hate to buy things I can build for the most part. It is fun thinking up projects and using your own hands to save your family dollars, especially in today's world. I wanted to add an 8" sub and amp as I don't listen to rap and just wanted to round out the BA system in my 2013 SS. I didn't want to see the amp and like the Sub-Th solution of Altrend SBA (sealed box amp) concealed in the end of the box. I also had some 3/4" plywood lying around (I know MDF is better). So I got to work with cardboard, then the bottom plate, then the box part, then the fascia board, fitting the speaker, amp and carpet. Sourced the speaker and amp from amazon, the wiring kit and carpet from parts express and that was about all I needed. I spliced the wiring in and soldered them. Easy peazy, took like 30 minutes max. Tapped the battery positive and grounded the amp near the rear seat column. I omitted the bass control knob as it didn't seem to do a lot. Overall I am happy with the system. Hits pretty good and rounds out rock and country very well. It does shake the mirror, but I only have the gain turned up 1/2 way until it breaks in and I can push it to distortion to see the upper limit. I have order a Kicker 10" grill to fit overtop of it and will install this weekend. Anyway, hope this helps to motivate someone to try it. It really was easy. I used a sabre (jig) saw to cut the box and drywall screws. Take your time and cut slowly and you can make a nice finished product. Good luck! Attached Images __________________ 2013 2SS Blue Ray Metallic/Silver stripes, black Interior. Halo conversion, Diode Dynamics grill lighting, LED interior and fog lights. Sundown 8" DVC, Altrend 300.1 Amp, Handmade side-mount box. Soon to be BBK Headers and hi-flow cats.

04-19-2020, 06:09 AM	#5
Valkyrie14 Valkyrie14 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin Posts: 962	Awesome __________________ 2014 SS LS3/LSA Supercharger, 10% Super Damper, 2.55 upper, AGP Dual Pump, ID 1050 injectors, Pegasus solid rear cradle bushings, LT Headers, Roto-Fab CAI, Elite E2 catch can, E85 corn fed, 160 Thermostat, Monster Twin Disk, MGW Short Throw shifter, Tick Clutch Master Cylinder, HP Tuners, JL Audio system.

04-21-2020, 06:41 PM	#11
BAD DAB Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Black & Silver Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 8,228 View My Garage	Nice work __________________ STAINLESS WORKS HEADERS-TUNED BY JANNETTY RACING-C.A.I. INTAKE-TAYLOR 409 WIRES-SOLO AXLE BACK EXHAUST-ELITE CATCH CAN

04-22-2020, 06:59 AM	#13
mkmgraham Drives: 2013 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 115	So I finally got it tuned up and the crossover set and man it can pound for a little 8”! Played a bass track on you tube and it shakes the mirrors and has no audible distortion. Very happy with it for my kind of music. If you play rap or would replace the factory speakers I think I would go 10”. Sundown 8” and Altrend 300.1SBA amp. Amp barely gets warm. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 2013 2SS Blue Ray Metallic/Silver stripes, black Interior. Halo conversion, Diode Dynamics grill lighting, LED interior and fog lights. Sundown 8" DVC, Altrend 300.1 Amp, Handmade side-mount box. Soon to be BBK Headers and hi-flow cats.

04-29-2020, 08:18 PM	#14
mkmgraham Drives: 2013 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 115	Got my speaker grill finally done. Extended a kicker grill 3/4”, added the center cap, sanded primed and painted it all. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 2013 2SS Blue Ray Metallic/Silver stripes, black Interior. Halo conversion, Diode Dynamics grill lighting, LED interior and fog lights. Sundown 8" DVC, Altrend 300.1 Amp, Handmade side-mount box. Soon to be BBK Headers and hi-flow cats.

04-18-2020, 03:32 PM	#2
cfosceola Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 75	Looks good. Why plywood and not MDF though? Just curious

04-19-2020, 03:52 AM	#4
mikeman Banned Drives: 2015 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: My Garage Posts: 1,125	Wow, that looks very professional. Great job!