XP SP3 install

Tonight (hopefully) I will install XP onto a dummy ATA drive. I just need to scrounge an old ATX PS and the old hard drive. Shouln't be too hard with all the crap I've got scattered about.

I plan on installing XP SP3, then using nLite to strip it down to all the necessary files. I am going to run it with EWF (Enhanced Write Filter) and HORM (Hibernate Once, Resume Many). I'm going to run roadrunner and haven't decided on the GPS software I will use for navigation. Probably either Delorme Street Atlas, iGuidance 2009, or Garmin Mobile PC.

My main objective right now is to get XP installed and everything running without EWF, HORM, or nLite. This shouldnt be too hard. I then plan on reducing the size from there (under 512mb ideally)

Sub enclosure

I haven't done much more work to the enclosure. Currently I need to sand the sucker down, a bunch. I added a lot of body filler to smooth it out for the next coat of fiberglass. I think itll take about one or two more layers of fiberglass before its ready for the front to be fiberglassed. The front piece of MDF that will hold the sub itself is ready as well, just needs to be mounted, stapled with fleece and coated. and we should have a pretty little enclosure.

We'll see....

Bezel update

So I have made great strides on my bezel. I have cut it from the ABS and mounted the screen opening into it. My next step is to mount the screen frame on the back side and spot putty the whole thing up and sand and test fit. I do need to create the mounting brackets for it still, but that shouldn't take too long (hopefully).

I decided to not place the opening for the dvd drive in yet. I am unsure if I am going to integrate this right away or wait. It was kind of what was holding me up in the first place with the fabrication so I ignored it. Unfortunately the bezel was designed to fit it, so there is some space in the bottom of the bezel now where I can either add it later or I will have to create a new one at another time. Maybe I should just purchase the drive and get it over with?

Door Speakers.. WOOO!!!!

I bought some 6.5" Boston Acoustics SL65's this afternoon off ebay. $145 shipped. Hopefully I wont have any problems mounting them. The installation of these will probably be one of my last steps since they are 4ohm rather than the stock 2ohm.


Order of Work (of final install) - long time yet
I plan on building the sub enclosure and amp rack (false floor) and getting those in and all the wiring ran through first. Then I will install the PC and not give it power. Then I will remove the stock EHU and place the LCD/DVD head into the dash and tap the speaker wires that need to be tapped (unless I decide to run new wire for those too).

Then after all the wires are tapped I will give everything oower, toss in the SL65's, and spend the rest of the day EQing/tweaking.

Fab and other stuff

I went up to Reno this weekend and got the car serviced. They also replaced the damaged wheel well and undercarriage cover for me, which was awesome.

I just made a couple of big orders from Parts Express and Ebay. I goto the distro block, some ABS sheets and a lot of miscellaneous accessories (wiring etc...).

I should have everything by Friday which will give me next weekend to really try and bust out the dash pieces.

Fabricating the dash

My last resort is going to be to buy a fascia kit from italy and modify it for my lcd. i realize this might be the easiest way, but i cant justify spending the money like that. id rather spend money and mess up something from scratch and learn from my mistake then buy a 120 dollar piece of plastic just to mess it up and end up in the same boat i was before. so here is my idea...

16 guage (or thinner) aluminized steel. cut as a frame for the lcd. bent into a U shape with the screen opening milled out. mounts for the screen and the circuit board placed on it with some stand offs and support bars.

then taking a piece of styrofoam and tracing my full scale autocad mockup of the fascia kit. ill then scrape out the styrofoam and use as a mold and start dumping in some duraglass. eventually once i get the duraglass strong enough, take it out of the foam and clean it up and get it ready for the cage. mount it to the cage.

i will need to fabricate some steel mounting brackets to actually mount to the car as well. this shouldnt be too tough. i will just replicate the mounting system currently in use.

i am going to make it so the cage mounts to the mounting points of the vehicle with some slots to get it adjust correctly. and then the fascia will mount to the cage with a series of of slotted screws so I can adjust the fascia to line up perfectly as needed.

i think i covered it.

Audio Decisions

Well, I've decided on the amp and sub. I'm going to be purchasing a JL 10W1V2-4 and power it with a JL a1200. The a1200 is a 175w RMS @ 4ohm amp, 500w Max monoblock A/B amplifier. It's a good match for the sub and its not too big and doesn't require a lot of power, but has had great reviews. As for the sub, i've read nothing but great things about them. So I'm stoked! I'm gonna MDF/fiberglass a sealed enclosure on the passenger side of the trunk in the spot where the cubby is. That will come out and i will match the contours of the other side of the trunk to make the trunk symmetrical (because im weird like that).


Mid-bass Door 6.5"

i still havent decided what 6.5" door speakers im going to get. i'll probably just go with some of the phoenix gold ti-6 by morel that i spoke of previously.