Subwoofer enclosures; LAST CALL

[Tungsten]

Wow

I got my enclosure and just finished printing the installation instructions. You guys are amazing~!!! Thank you for taking the time to do this and please pass my appreciation along to Ash as well. This is great piece of work out of the goodness of your hearts. Pretty neat:thumbsup
Don

 

[ViperJoe]

Shadowman and I are aware that many of you have downloaded the modification procedures and are preparing to perform the work. Accordingly, it is imperative to reemphasize that under no circumstances should you attempt to play the subwoofer until it has been securely mounted in the new enclosure. Failure to comply with these instructions will result in damage to the subwoofer.

 

[MAD IN NC]

Thanks guys

Shadowman and ACRJoe - thanks. Box arrived and it looked great!

Quick question to al - I did notice that the speaker cone in my sub is "paper". Has anybody thouoght about changing with an aftermarket "polyprop" speaker?

 

[Shadowman]

Shadowman and ACRJoe - thanks. Box arrived and it looked great!

Quick question to al - I did notice that the speaker cone in my sub is "paper". Has anybody thouoght about changing with an aftermarket "polyprop" speaker?

You are correct; as for whether a polyprop is even available would be the bigger question. The front magnet designed subwoofer's are limited. I have shared that the OEM subwoofer in the new enclosure sounds wonderful. However if you find a polyprop 8" subwoofer with the same design and measurements I would enjoy hearing about it; more for durability than anything else.

BTW; it looks even better once in place; thank you and I will share your feelings with Ash as well.

Shadowman

 

[Shadowman]

Shadowman and I are aware that many of you have downloaded the modification procedures and are preparing to perform the work. Accordingly, it is imperative to reemphasize that under no circumstances should you attempt to play the subwoofer until it has been securely mounted in the new enclosure. Failure to comply with these instructions will result in damage to the subwoofer.

Let me add to this;

When removing the subwoofer from the OEM enclosure it is flush mounted so if after you remove the 8 securing screws it does not come right off "DO NOT" yank on it but rather slide something (such as a thin putty knife) under the edge of the speaker at the enclosure and slowly lift it up. There is a foam seal and sometimes it sticks a little. Now here is the "BIGGIE";

1. ACR Joe already stated "DO NOT" under any circumstances use the speaker unless fully (meaning all 8 screws in place) secured to the enclosure.

2. If once you have the subwoofer installed and properly secured in place you ever need to remove it take the 8 securing screws out and gently attempt to remove the speaker. If it does not lift out use a small hook tool of sorts (this is required because the custom enclosure have the subwoofer recess mounted rather than flush for better looks) and insert it into one of the holes "MAKING CERTAIN" that you are under the lowest edge of the speaker and then gently lift it up. You may have to do this process at a couple of the holes before it will pop out easy. The reason for the sticking is as mention above however the reason for this critical information is as follows;

The speaker is assembled in two significant pieces and these are held together with nothing more that a very thin piece of heavy paper that has adhesive on both sides. The purpose it to keep everything together and properly aligned during the installation process only. It is "ONLY" when the speaker is properly secured that the risk of separation is eliminated. To use Ash's word "this design speaker is extremely delicate when not fully mounted.

No worries folks just consider this a heads up so no one has any trouble.

Takes care

Shadowman

 

[FlorIdaho Chris]

Wow

I had the good fortune today to meet with ACR Joe and check out his installation. All I can say is WOW. The only thing better than the look of the installation was the sound quality. Incredible. I would wager it is better than the stock sound since the woofer is not booming right next to your ear. Very impressive. With all of Joe's pointers I am ready to tackle mine when I get home.

Thank you Joe, and a big thank you to Shadowman. :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

Here's a couple of photos I look during my visit with Joe.

Oh, and in case you are wondering the wire you see in the second photo is for the seat belt, not the stereo.

 

[Shadowman]

Thank you Chris; I called Ash and shared your comments as well. This made him very happy after an (at times) trying project.

ACRJoe called me shortly after you left and share that he enjoyed the time with you and then restated how extremely happy he is with the final results too.

Furthermore as stated before; I am glad that you agree that the looks are without question much nicer and that the performance of the systems was improved as well.

I could not agree more.

All the best

Shadowman

 

[Mark O]

For those of us who are new to their GT, & to here, are there going to be any more of these conversion boxes made?

 

[ViperJoe]

For those of us who are new to their GT, & to here, are there going to be any more of these conversion boxes made?

Only Shadowman can speak to this question with any degree of authority. On the other hand, ChipBeck's comment in post #47 above put forth a rather unique (and IMO quite histerical) point-of-view.

 

[Mark O]

Only Shadowman can speak to this question with any degree of authority. On the other hand, ChipBeck's comment in post #47 above put forth a rather unique (and IMO quite histerical) point-of-view.

As Scooby-Doo would say: Rot Runny!!!!

 

[ChipBeck]

I got my......

.....cool new engine cover/map pocket/or what ever the hell you call that thing that goes where the sub-woofer used to go. And I got my beautifully hand crafted Shadowman speaker box. I just printed out the instructions. All I need to do now is go out and PULL THE LADDER UP!!! He who hesitates, is lost! Everyone else is forever condemned to driving around with a giant speaker stuck in your ear.:biggrin :biggrin :biggrin :banana

Chip

 

[Shadowman]

Huuum... Ash and I spoke of whether more enclosures could be made in the future as ACRJoe was quick to mention the fact that once in many more would want. It is funny because initiall I asked Ash to fabricate 10...... then as in Field of Dreams I said if you build them they will come so the number became 20 and to a unit they were all shipped out.

There were numerous patterns and fixtures fabricated in advance so that to an enclosure they would all be the same so he has the tools and yet at the moment he has no desire to fabricate any more. I think that 20 enclosures was much more that he expected.

Having shared this as time passes I suspect that one here and there "maybe" doable but for now let me allow Ash to forget just how much work they actually were.

Nothing could have pleased me/Ash more than the many kind words about what was created. They look awesome and fit perfectly and allow the gal to be the conversation piece rather than the doom in-between the seats.

Takes care

Shadowman

 

[fjpikul]

Shadowman, would you be willing to share the pattern? Then everyone that wants one now and in the future can fab their own. Just a suggestion, for when your patent runs out.

 

[Shadowman]

Shadowman, would you be willing to share the pattern? Then everyone that wants one now and in the future can fab their own. Just a suggestion, for when your patent runs out.

Without a doubt; I will gladly share the the measurements etc....etc...etc... The enclosures were unique in the design because there are numerous angles and then method Ash elected to use to assmble the enclosure was akin to fabricating a nice watch box or ?? There is no doubt that the process can be duplicated by another.

I shared at the onset that I was to receive and wanted no personal gain from this project; I enjoy the conversion very much and simply wanted to offer an option for folks that felt similar to me.

Takes care

Shadowman

 

[Shadowman]

UPDATE 12-18-06

This was just received from one of the board member in which is a point of clarification with regards to one of the Torx bolt sizes.

"Seasons Greetings Bill,

I’m very pleased to report that I finished up “Operation Sub-Relo” on my gal this past Saturday and the results were well the effort and expense. I should have taken pictures in progress, but you’ve already been there and done that. I will send you a couple of shots of the finished product later in the week. I covered the aluminum panels in leather, matching what is already in the interior, so the end result is really factory appearing through and through. Thanks again to yourself, ACRJoe, and Ash for time and effort you all extended to assist people like myself to make this conversion a reality.

I took my new modified gal to the annual Cobra Owners Club of America (Orange County) COCOA/OC Christmas Brunch and got a full round of thumbs up on the modification. Carroll and Cleo Shelby were even attending there to help celebrate the season. Fun was had by one and all.

Glad to hear the most recently received care package was what you were after. I haven’t been on the Forum for almost a week now so I need to do some catching up.

Happy Holidays.

John

P.S. BTW, I noticed that my car had four T-25 Torx head screws per side on the console cover, not the five T-27’s as the installation guide called out. Don’t know if my car is different than others, or if an update should be made to the guide, that’s your call. In any case the guide was very helpful as I didn’t really have to do any fitting, I just made the panels as described and they fit perfectly!! All in all the guide was a great time saver

 

[FlorIdaho Chris]

... I did order the proper terminal ends, and if others doing the modification need the information here it is:

Description Molex Number Mouser Number Digi-Key Part #
1) Mini Fit, Jr Receptacle
(5577) Dual Row 39-01-2025 538-39-01-2025 WM23700-ND
2) Mini Fit, Jr Plug
(5559) Dual Row
(free hanging) 39-01-3029 538-39-01-3029 (N/A*)
*must order panel mount style if you order from Digi-Key WM23600-ND
3) New Mini Fit Conn (F) 39-00-0168 538-39-00-0168 WM5961-ND
4) New Mini Fit Conn (M) 39-00-0096 538-39-00-0096 WM5963-ND

The project calls for:
1 of item 1 to be used to connect sub enclosure lead to the amplifier.
2 of item 3 to be used in the item 1 terminal connection.
1 of item 2 to be used to connect the lead inside the enclosure to the subwoofer.
2 of item 4 to be used in the item 2 terminal connection

With the incorporation of these simple parts, the termination of the original connections can all be retained (left completely stock) to simplfy a reverse procedure in the event one were to ever want to take the system back to its original state....

Where did you buy these connectors?

 

[MAD IN NC]

Chris PM sent...

 

[Craig]

Mac Free at last

I recieved the Mac Delete Sub woofer replacement part today. Now I can finish the relocation job tomorrow, first thing. It took a little longer than expected becuase when the center counsul cover was removed I thought it would be a shame to replce it without installing the short throw shifter first.

Soon to be Mac free:biggrin

Craig

 

[RSR1975]

Shadowman - Did you ever get the photos from "John"?

Shadowman -
Did you ever get the photos from "John" that were noted in your 12/18 post?

I will send you a couple of shots of the finished product later in the week. I covered the aluminum panels in leather, matching what is already in the interior, so the end result is really factory appearing through and through.​

Is John active on the forum? I would love to see the results of the leather-covered panels. It would also be nice to know the specifics of where he sourced it and the application process.

 

[FlorIdaho Chris]

Well my install is complete. So much for waiting until after Christmas and spending the day shopping...

A couple thoughts on the installation for those that haven't tackled it yet.

1. I was able to unwrap the stereo wires and extend them the required extra length WITHOUT removing the center console. I just undid the Torx screws and lifted it up. I stuck a rolled up towel under it just in back of the shifter and there was enough room to modify the wiring from the passenger side. Since I did not remove the center console I did not have to remove or struggle with the e-brake bezel either.

2. Instead of painting, I used a piece of black heat shrink tubing around the blue wire where it comes out of the new speaker housing. Worked like a champ.

3. Order the electrical connectors discussed above. It makes for a cleaner install IMHO.

I am really pleased with the way everything came out. I truly does look like a factory install. I know I've said it before, but thanks again Ash, Shadowman and ACRJoe. :thumbsup