Fiberglass or MDF
If I am gonig to build a custom box into the back of my TC, something that would be very similar to the http://www.quaterwavedesigns.com single 10" enclosure, would I be better of building it from MDF or using the styrofoam piece that is there as a base and molding a fiberglass enclosure?
I should have pointed out my abilities, sorry. I have not made a speaker enclosure or any other actual structure from fiberglass before..........but..............
I am actually a Textiles Engineer. I specialized in College in Fiberglass and High Performance Composites (Carbon, Kevlar, etc) so I have a pretty good grasp on what I would be doing.
I am actually a Textiles Engineer. I specialized in College in Fiberglass and High Performance Composites (Carbon, Kevlar, etc) so I have a pretty good grasp on what I would be doing.
I'd say make the baffle from MDF first, then tape up the foam and glass over it from underneath... then glass the 2 together.... make sure to put some sort of dowels or something in the panels of glass for extra suppost and rigidity
I'm looking at the same thing.
I'm probably going to build the walls out of MDF (using the general shape of the foam insert), then glass in the bottom (using the floor as the mold).
After I figure out the airspace in there (I've done some rough math, I might have to make it curve around the wheel as well to get some more airspace), I'll decide if I can flush mount the amp into the box as well... at that point, I'll build the baffle/flushmounting stuff and put it all together, seal it up, deaden it, bondo and paint it and install the woofer...
I've been looking at this woofer:
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=16657
It's shallow enough and takes a little box, so I think that I could make do with removing some of the airspace for a small amp (like in the 8x9x2" range). Might have to add a small vent fan to vent the amp out around the spare (unless I go with an older blaukpunkt class T PA2150 amp... they are supposed to run really cool).
I'd end up with plexi over the amp, a grill over the sub and having to cut the carpet over both.
Anyone know how much a new mat costs? LOL.
I'm probably going to build the walls out of MDF (using the general shape of the foam insert), then glass in the bottom (using the floor as the mold).
After I figure out the airspace in there (I've done some rough math, I might have to make it curve around the wheel as well to get some more airspace), I'll decide if I can flush mount the amp into the box as well... at that point, I'll build the baffle/flushmounting stuff and put it all together, seal it up, deaden it, bondo and paint it and install the woofer...
I've been looking at this woofer:
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=16657
It's shallow enough and takes a little box, so I think that I could make do with removing some of the airspace for a small amp (like in the 8x9x2" range). Might have to add a small vent fan to vent the amp out around the spare (unless I go with an older blaukpunkt class T PA2150 amp... they are supposed to run really cool).
I'd end up with plexi over the amp, a grill over the sub and having to cut the carpet over both.
Anyone know how much a new mat costs? LOL.
I am probably going with the Bazooka EL Series 10" Subs, not sure if I am going to do 1 or 2 of them, and either an Alpine or Bazooka amp. I know the Bazooka tubes and the factory options for the TC suck, but having been around car audio for a while, I know the EL series subs are pretty decent. They also only require .33 cubic feet of air which is TINY!!
Take a look at that sub I linked to (there's a 12" version as well).
It's only like 2.8" deep and takes .15-.33 cf... Sure it'll use more, but we don't got more
I don't want to have to find a place to hide my amp, so I'd like to all-in-one it...
It's only like 2.8" deep and takes .15-.33 cf... Sure it'll use more, but we don't got more

I don't want to have to find a place to hide my amp, so I'd like to all-in-one it...
Those are pretty neat subs.... shallow mount makes a big defference... I've never heard the sound of them though...
I know Elemental Design's Eu-700's are 6.5" woofers that are mean little biatches!! they take .3cuft each sealed and are 150RMS watts... I've got 2 in a ported box and they cover all the frequencies rather well... they've got some good pressure to them as well for being small 6.5's....
Eu-700s CLICK
Eu-700s cranked video CLICK
Eu-700's excursion vid CLICK <<< that's a 30Hz sine tone with a ~31fps recording... gives you an idea of max excursion from the woofer... not too bad for $50each
I know Elemental Design's Eu-700's are 6.5" woofers that are mean little biatches!! they take .3cuft each sealed and are 150RMS watts... I've got 2 in a ported box and they cover all the frequencies rather well... they've got some good pressure to them as well for being small 6.5's....
Eu-700s CLICK
Eu-700s cranked video CLICK
Eu-700's excursion vid CLICK <<< that's a 30Hz sine tone with a ~31fps recording... gives you an idea of max excursion from the woofer... not too bad for $50each
maybe its just ____ty audio on the intergalactic clip, but those sound like ____... there's not even a trunk lid over them to blame for the "80 year old *****" floppy sound to them...
Edit: Sh.. = poop, but ____ty comes through? :D
Edit: Sh.. = poop, but ____ty comes through? :D
Originally Posted by goofygrin
maybe its just ____ty audio on the intergalactic clip, but those sound like poop... there's not even a trunk lid over them to blame for the "80 year old *****" floppy sound to them...
trust me, the Eu's sound BEAUTIFUL!!!
OK I'll buy that... plus it was ported and I'm sure the port noise wasn't helping...
Those are pretty deep though (almost 4 inches... the foam in the back is 5" tall... so 1/4" of fiberglass + 1/2" mdf (thins .75" mdf routed down 1/4" to flushmount) = 4.25"... a tight fit...
Those are pretty deep though (almost 4 inches... the foam in the back is 5" tall... so 1/4" of fiberglass + 1/2" mdf (thins .75" mdf routed down 1/4" to flushmount) = 4.25"... a tight fit...
I have heard nothing but good about the EU's and those are probably going to be what I go with when I start the sound system (just bought an 01 4Runner for the fiance.. so cash went another direction here lately
) .
I have done VERY little fiberglassing, but will be going all fiberglass when I build my next one. I used to do alot of custom wood work, and mdf is pretty simple and forgiving to build with, which is what I built my last few out of. My last was a box for 2 10s that is completely hidden between the back seat and trunk tensioners on my saturn. MDF is nice because you need little damping material, it is cheap and easy to work with. But, it is heavy. For the small enclosure you mention though, it wouldnt be too bad. Fiberglass is also nice because of the ease of making limitless shapes (other than the pain of working with glass to start with).
If you use mdf, make sure to use good mdf, dont mistake particle board for it. Use 3/4" and it comes out nice.
I have done VERY little fiberglassing, but will be going all fiberglass when I build my next one. I used to do alot of custom wood work, and mdf is pretty simple and forgiving to build with, which is what I built my last few out of. My last was a box for 2 10s that is completely hidden between the back seat and trunk tensioners on my saturn. MDF is nice because you need little damping material, it is cheap and easy to work with. But, it is heavy. For the small enclosure you mention though, it wouldnt be too bad. Fiberglass is also nice because of the ease of making limitless shapes (other than the pain of working with glass to start with).
If you use mdf, make sure to use good mdf, dont mistake particle board for it. Use 3/4" and it comes out nice.

before
after

when Bill built my boxes he used MDF board an built the sides an then built the rings an put them on sticks an positioned them in the right spots then took polar fleese an pulled it over an got his shape then put resin on the Fleese an fiberglass an built it up inside the box---
I dont have any pics on how he did it but he does if you want to see pics let me know an I can get them for yea--






