ejschultz' Build Log

[collin.k]

nice. the custom box looks way nicer than the pinner little thing you had it in before

[ejschultz]

Thanks

[ejschultz]

Okay, here's some pics of my Jeep now. I know it's not audio related, but I installed a Rubicon Express 2" budget boost. It made a little bit of a difference. The new shocks ride a lot nicer than the shot stock ones I had on there.





And the coil retainer extensions were a pain to figure out, instructions would have been nice...

[ejschultz]

Well, I blew the CVR so I ordered a Type R to fill it's place. I figured the Type R was a good choice because it gets pretty good reviews on here and pretty much everywhere else too. Also, according to Alpine, it will work well in my 2.5 cubes sealed. I'll get pics up when I get it and get it installed.

[ejschultz]

Well, I though I'd get pics up sooner of the Type R 1542D that I ordered, but I couldn't find my camera. It's still MIA so these are cell phone pics. I think they turned out alright. The Type R seems to be a pretty decent sub and it does like the 2.5 cubes sealed. I haven't given it the full power of my amp yet, but so far it's a really nice sub.




And here's one of my "amp rack"

That one's a little dark because of my 5% tint on the rear windows and the 15% tint on the hatch.

[ejschultz]

Well, I picked up a little something for both vehicles...

Caprice: Delco-Remy 140A CS144 alternator

Jeep: NSA 136A alternator

In the pictures, the Caprice alternator is the one on the right (left in the rear view).






I already have my 140A Powermaster alternator on the Caprice, but that's a CS130. The CS144 is a more reliable alternator that is capable of putting out more current at lower RPMs. I actually had one on there over the summer but it didn't fit right with the rear bracket so I sold it. I should have kept it. I also obtained a rear bracket for the CS144 alternator so I'll have no trouble getting it to fit on there now. The 136 amp for the Jeep is from a company called NSA. They seem to be a pretty good company for starters and alternators, from what I've read. It's a larger case than the stock 90 amp that's on there now, but it's a direct bolt on application. Both alternators were both factory options from the manufactures for my vehicles years. I was going to put the alternator on the Caprice today, but I'm getting ready to go to the Chicago Autoshow right now!

[ejschultz]

One last thing, I just won an Alpine MRV-F345 4 channel amp. I'm going to be using that to replace the MRP-F450 in the Caprice. It's a perfect match to the MRD-M1005, which is why I really wanted it. It'll make my install more symmetric, if that makes sense. Not only that, but it's built much better. The power is like 5 more watts RMS per channel. I don't care at all about the power. Hopefully it all checks out fine when it arrives.

[ejschultz]

Okay, my MRV-F345 came in 2 days ago and I got it in the car today. It's mounted on the opposite side of the box from my MRD-M1005. I didn't mess up my MRP-F450, I just wanted something a little higher quality and something that matched my other amp. So far, I like it, but I have some tuning to do. Because the gain is set with a digital display rather than a pot, I have to mess with both the gain on the amp and the levels on the HU. I have my work cut out for me now with that but for now, it does sound slightly better than the MRP-F450 and I'm happy with the "symmetry" now. On to the pics..



and the MRD-M1005 on the other side...

[ejschultz]

On a side note, I was going to swap the alternators on both vehicles today but I got too cold swapping out that amp. I guess that's another project for another day...

[ejschultz]

Well, I got the alt on the Jeep today. That was probably the most difficult top mounted alternator I've changed to date due to the external regulator, short factory wiring, and the lack of readily available proper tools. I also changed my ignition coil while I was in there and tinted my signal lamps. Since I finished up in the dark, I'll try and get some pics up tomorrow of everything.

[mlstrass]

Got a show on April 10th in Hammond, IN if you're interested. MECA rules, but also will have a few TL's just for fun and lots of demo's since it's the first show of the year around here...

[ejschultz]

April 10th... I'm putting in my time off request today. Hopefully I'll have the Caprice reinsured by then so I can take it up there. Thanks for letting me know!

[ejschultz]

****, 3 weeks and I still haven't posted the pictures of the new alternator on the Jeep or my tinted signal lamps. I'm slacking. I'll try and get them up later today, if it doesn't rain. Otherwise, I'll have them up by Sunday. Also, last night my D34/78 decided to start gassing off on me. I've got a 3 year free replacement warranty on it though so it's getting swapped out, after I cover return shipping... FML.

Also, I'm going to be at that show on Sunday. I'm not taking the Caprice because of the battery. I'm probably going to be without one for a week in there. I will have the Jeep. I don't know if it's worth entering the Jeep though because, well, you've seen the build.

[mlstrass]

don't have to compete, just come to hang out. I won't be entering anything either, not up on MECA classes/rules. DEMO time is plan for this show...

[ejschultz]

I'll definitely be there for sure. I just didn't know if I wanted to enter the Jeep or not. I still may enter it just to see how I can do on an RTA. I know I'll lose lots of points on my install because of my power wire and the mess in the back, and my box isn't secured. I think I'm pretty much good though for stock class in SQL though with it. It's probably not worth the $20 to **** completely. I'll be there for sure though. I know you're not competing, but is DOA going to be there?

---------- Post added at 10:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:50 AM ----------

Suck is sensored?!