buickid

Anyone done a wall in a 1st gen xB? Currently running the setup pulled from my previous xB, a 2nd gen 2008. Its currently a Fi BTL 18 on two Sundown SAZ-1500Ds.

Gonna wall up the 1st gen right behind the front seats, time to do it big. Got most of the equipment, just gathering up the final bits before I jump into it. Equipment I'm running will be:

4x RE Audio SX15 D4 (The old style SX's with the 12 spoke basket)
4x Sundown Audio SAZ-1500D (Again, old style 1500Ds, not the v2)
1x Pioneer TS-D1720C 6.75" Components (Front doors, powered by S44)
1x Pioneer TS-D1702R 6.75" Coaxials (Debating where to put them, powered by Pioneer or Massive)
1x TruTechnology S44 (200Wx2 of underrated American made power)
1x Pioneer GM-5400T (125Wx2) or 1x Massive Audio D800.4 (Supposedly 480Wx2 bridged, I don't believe it, maybe 240Wx2 tops)
2x DieHard Platinum Marine Group 31 batteries (100Ah ea.)
1x DieHard Platinum Group 35 (35Ah)
2x Custom built batteries (150Ah and 100lbs ea.)
1x MechMan 270A HO Alt (To be purchased)

Power wire is all KnuKonceptz Kolossus Kable, 1/0 positive and negative from front to battery bank. From the bank it'll go to a buss bar(s) with one or more 1/0 runs, then short 4ga runs from the bars to the amps.

Deadening will be CLD Tiles from Sounddeadenershowdown, Don sells a great product.

Whichever amp I don't use for the coaxials, I'll probably use to power some outdoor PA horns under the car and firing out the rear windows (when rolled down), hooked to a switch to turn them on/off.

The only thing I'm concerned about is the weight. My automagic is a little dicey going into 2nd gear when cold. I loaded all the batteries plus the BTL/Box and two 1500D amps in the other day to get an idea, and it was almost tucking tire. I'll probably end up installing a trans cooler. I might need helper bags or have some HD springs wound to keep it from dragging everywhere and riding on the bump stops. Some high-temp brake pads are on the list as well, looking at EBC.

Any thoughts, compliments, comments and constructive criticisms are welcome! (You're crazy would be a compliment)

JIMXB

Your only crazy if you don't have a extra set of ear drums

Are you going to upgrade to a high output alternator? OEM is only 80 amps.

Good luck on your build

buickid

Yessir, gonna grab a Mechman, had a bad experience with the DC Power in the 2nd gen xB. Mechman rates their unit at 220A, but they all dyno around 270A (Matt from Mechman's words).

ScionFred

iTrader: (1)

You're crazy.

JIMXB

wow 220 amps + 270A dyno, that's really high. I personally would be sure to see the bench test results for proof before you buy if thats what they claim.

My alt is 150 amps with bench test proof.

Good Luck....

GenomeTuning

oh my. take lots of progress pictures. interested to see

JIMXB

Just spun a bearing, but presently my 150 amp alternator is working, which I bought from Ohio Generator about 35K miles + 7 yrs ago.

After comparing your DC alternator review + online reviews, I ordered today from Mechman 220 amp Alt. $549.00 alot more than DC 320amp $529.95. Even thought both companies kinda rate overall the same.on disputes + satisfaction. But, hopefully it will save me a headache.

Plus, I'm getting the silver chrome powdercoat $50 + now need to upgrade to 0 gauge wire kit $40. Estimated 4 days to built alt + they out source the powdercoating = delivery time 3 weeks or less . Hope my present alt keeps working till then.

GQQSE13

Curious to see as I've only seen a Wall in 2 First Gen xB's (one in STL and one in Cedar Rapids).

________

JIMXB

It's kinda rare, but they do or did exist in the NJ/NY/PA area. There's one audio installer Bayridge section of Brooklyn, NY that has the xB walled with subs + 19" LCD monitors by the rear doors on both sides + smaller monitors in the rear hatch area also.

buickid

DC Power rates theirs around 320A, but hot it makes ~270A, according to them. So 270 sound fair.

Will try! I often get in the zone and forget to take pics

Ah, I think you'll be happy with Mechman. Their 220A does close to DC's 320A, and I'm sure idle is much better. DC winds in the stock case, Mechman winds in a slightly larger hybrid case. Seems logical to me!

I've seen one here, but it was a pure SPL build, not daily

No fancy LCDs here, just raw audio. Gonna see if I can get the four 1500Ds side by side by side by side when you open the trunk. Always liked that look


Deadening arrives tomorrow!

bmxScion

I have a 220A Mechman in my 05 xB. I installed it just before I deployed and it works great. I still need to fine tune the belt alignment on it as the belt is wearing premature due to it being slightly off. It squeals at startup and I just didn't have time to get it properly adjusted before I left. Not a big deal but I do have a constant 14.4V - 14.7V at full tilt with AC on, both sets of HID's on, and system up loud. I can adjust the output voltage on it as well. As you can see from the pics it is much larger than the stock alternator.

JIMXB

Just put in the Mechman specially chrome polished 220a alt, with the 1 gauge alt wire kit. Plus, you need to change the size in the alt belt to 4k490 AC Delco brand, which they don't tell u what size to change to. The new exact belt size was hard to figure it was trail + error after the tension was done. It's a wierd size + was hard to find at the time of my install yesterday. But it's done.

bmxScion

I had to get a slightly longer belt too when I installed mine. I used a Gates Micro V-AT belt. I don't know the model number on it. But I will be getting another belt when I get home from this deployment. Like I stated in my other post above it is not adjusted properly at the moment and has caused pre-mature wear which will eventually lead to complete failure.

buickid

Hey guys, sorry for the lack of updates, its been really busy lately. Anyway, I got it all walled up, it did a 151.5 @ 35Hz on a Termlab, at the dash, windows up, etc.

I got the alternator in today, but installing this is the biggest pain in the ___ ever. Anyone got pix of it installed? I assume the washer go on the bottom bracket to shim and align the belt, but where does the large black spacer go? The adjustment arm on the block doesn't line up with the top of the alternator. Perhaps I've done something very wrong.

I'll try and get more pix up later!

buickid

Hey guys, sorry for the wait, but here it is! Didn't take many picture during the build, since it was just me. Pictures are in no particular order
With the beauty panels in, I did a 152.3dB @ 35Hz, and I can do a 150.1dB @ 30Hz.

JIMXB

I can hear the beats now.......Good job.....

buickid

Thanks Jim
Next project is to glass some kick panels for a set of 6.5s for a little extra on the front stage!

JIMXB

I have two 12" subs + 6.5" 3 ohm Soundstream w/crossovers in rear hatch area, 8" 3 ohm Soundstream w/crossover in my rear fiberglass doors, 6.5" 3 ohm Soundstream w/ crossovers in my fiberglass front doors and I had put in my xB mounted on top of the corner dash grilles with the round tweeter ball domes that come with the Earthquake model#TW-35S 1.5" 300W Silk Dome Tweeter with crossover package A.K.A. "The Screamer" can be used for competition, good reviews + ridiculously loud + not as harsh as the bullet/horn tweeter. $70 pr.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...ke_TW-35S.aspx

Good Luck on your kick panels

GQQSE13

wow i dont know how i missed the udpate before. looks good!

let me know how the kick panel process goes. i'm going ot venture into trying my hand at it this winter and then if goes well try it for the hatch for my monitors.

buickid

Thanks guys, still haven't started on the kicks yet. Its hard to get the motivation together to play around with fiberglass and get itchy haha. I acquired a pair of RE XXX mids, no tweeters. Might throw those in the kicks, and feed them 300W each with an old school Kicker ZR600 I have, instead of the RE coaxials as originally planned.