Fiberglass Dilema

Situation: I have a 96 Saturn Coupe that I've decided to move the coax from the rear deck to the arm rest area in the back seat. This is for better imaging, and I will leave the 2 holes in the rear deck (covered with OEM plates) to allow the sub to better fill the cabin. When I removed the armrest panels there is a large indentation and at the center of the indentation a triangular piece that can come out. I am assuming it was for outer skin access, but it almost looks like it was designed for speaker placement.

So...to the fiberglass dilema. I am wanting to mount a 6.5" coax flush with the panel. There is a large indentation which will allow the depth of the midwoofer, but nothing to screw into. I was also thinking I could remove the triangular piece to give it more air volume.

1. Should I tape and fiberglass the mold of the space, remove and stretch cloth over and fiberglass that so I will have a surface to mount the speaker? If so, what would be the best method to do so?

2. I could just mount essentially a cone of mdf. I could make rings with the first one attached to the metal and just layer until flush with the panel. With the depth, and at 3/4" mdf, this would take several rings and may not be sturdy unless the rings were 2-3" wide. To get the air volume I would again remove that access panel.

With both options I would add sound deadening mat. I am leaning toward the second option. I could just use my router and cut several rings of 3/4" mdf with the outer diameter around 9" and the inner one to snugly fit the midwoofer. Once flush, and knowing the hole spacing for the speaker I would countersink a t to be able to just screw in the mdf tightly.

Any and all opinion and options are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Pics! For stacking the rings it should be sturdy if done right. In my car i have 3 rings stacked on top of each other, and they only have a width of about 1.5 inches. They are very sturdy, and are secured with large self tapping screws.

I will try and take some pics tonight and post.

Here are the links to the photos I uploaded:

This is what the side panel looks like roughly in its position
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...ps40e3f0ac.jpg

This is the indentation with gasket
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...psd3ab0042.jpg

This is with the gasket removed
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...ps55cb7b9b.jpg

This is a closeup inside behind the gasket and you can see the car's outer skin
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...pse8b3cad6.jpg

What I have been thinking of doing is to stretch fiberglass tape across the indentation and seal it all up. Apply several layers of fiberglass and cloth (making sure the armrest won't interfere with fiberglass). Apply sound deadening over fiberglass. Get pattern from JL and cut hole in armrest panel so speaker flange fits over for flush fit. Put up panel and mark circle on fiberglass of where to cut out. Cut mdf rings 2" wider than speaker flange diameter and mount to mat with adhesive. Stack rings as needed until flush with panel. For added strength bolt mdf to fiberglass with washer behind fiberglass in 4 location flush. Countersink female "T" in mdf for bolt pattern of speakers. Put panel on. Screw speakers in. Done. I plan on leaving off the gasket for added air volume like it is in the door panel. I don't think any more dust/moisture should get here than in the door panels. Let me know what you think.

It looks like that is some sort of vent, is it on both sides of the car? In my car it is only on the drivers side in the trunk. If its what i think it is, it is suppose to vent un wanted odours.

I asked on the saturnfans forum and someone noted it is what you described, to help the car breathe. He noted that's why at 45 mph with the fan on turned off it feels like it's on level one with the car standing still.

So I guess if I fill that area so it is sealed up I shouldn't fart in the car;)

But seriously, I was thinking some more. On the outside I can take off the wheel well liner to access that area. I was thinking of doing so and creating a bubble or something to seal with fiberglass to create an enclosure.

Is that necessary? Any recommendations?

speakers behind you do nothing for imaging....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ctmeans

Here are the links to the photos I uploaded:

This is what the side panel looks like roughly in its position
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...ps40e3f0ac.jpg

This is the indentation with gasket
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...psd3ab0042.jpg

This is with the gasket removed
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...ps55cb7b9b.jpg

This is a closeup inside behind the gasket and you can see the car's outer skin
http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...pse8b3cad6.jpg

What I have been thinking of doing is to stretch fiberglass tape across the indentation and seal it all up. Apply several layers of fiberglass and cloth (making sure the armrest won't interfere with fiberglass). Apply sound deadening over fiberglass. Get pattern from JL and cut hole in armrest panel so speaker flange fits over for flush fit. Put up panel and mark circle on fiberglass of where to cut out. Cut mdf rings 2" wider than speaker flange diameter and mount to mat with adhesive. Stack rings as needed until flush with panel. For added strength bolt mdf to fiberglass with washer behind fiberglass in 4 location flush. Countersink female "T" in mdf for bolt pattern of speakers. Put panel on. Screw speakers in. Done. I plan on leaving off the gasket for added air volume like it is in the door panel. I don't think any more dust/moisture should get here than in the door panels. Let me know what you think.

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Looks like pressure vents to me. So you don't stress and or blow out window seals when you close the doors. Are you planning on retaining the rear panels or making new ones?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BassMechkanic

speakers behind you do nothing for imaging....

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They can, and do if utilized correctly and tuned properly