1976 Chevy Caprice

[Nor-Cal 707 Premium Member]

Hey guys, I recently purchased this Caprice with hopes of restoring it and also installing a nice sounding system.

Currently running:

Kenwood HU

Zed audio Draconia

Zed audio Minotuar

Soundstream Exact 5.25 components(front and rear)

Soundstream Exact 12" subs 2ea.

I have 1/0 running from the front to the back.

My question is, I was getting ready to do the Big 3 upgrade but noticed that the wire coming off the alternator does not go to the positive of the battery, it runs down to the starter.

Would I be able to just add a 1/0 gauge wire from the alt to the battery and leave the existing wire that runs from the alt to the starter?

Click to read more...

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Just run the cable straight to the battery. Leave all the stock cable in place.

 

[CerwinVega_Fan 10+ year member]

What he said ^

 

---------- Post added at 09:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 AM ----------

 

Btw got any pics?

I love caprices/impalas

 

[Nor-Cal 707 Premium Member]

Should I be concerned about fusing the cable(3 foot run of 1/0 gauge) that goes from the alt to the battery?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

It's recommend

 

[Nor-Cal 707 Premium Member]

It's recommend

What size would be recomended?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

1/0 OFC 300 amp.

1/0 CCA 250 amp

 

[Nor-Cal 707 Premium Member]

1/0 OFC 300 amp. 1/0 CCA 250 amp

Thanx!

 

[Nor-Cal 707 Premium Member]

What he said ^ 

---------- Post added at 09:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 AM ----------

 

Btw got any pics?

I love caprices/impalas

Ill post up tonight...

 

[Nor-Cal 707 Premium Member]

Hey guys, would I benefit by by adding a XS D3400 to replace the stock battery? at the moment I am running an older Kragen stock battery...

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Hey guys, would I benefit by by adding a XS D3400 to replace the stock battery? at the moment I am running an older Kragen stock battery...

I'd say it's always a good idea to keep a fresh modern battery in your car, particularly when running aftermarket electronics.

 

[Nor-Cal 707 Premium Member]

I'd say it's always a good idea to keep a fresh modern battery in your car, particularly when running aftermarket electronics.

With that said, if i were to add a second Minotuar and run each 12" with its own Minotuar, would adding a second battery in the rear be all I would need to run the system without having to invest into a high output alternator?

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

With that said, if i were to add a second Minotuar and run each 12" with its own Minotuar, would adding a second battery in the rear be all I would need to run the system without having to invest into a high output alternator?

Depends on your listening habits, but I expect unless you push things really hard all the time you'd be fine. I'm running 8 Minotaur on 4 additional batteries and that seems to hang pretty well... Of course I use a HO alternator but mine doesn't put out a ton of current at idle.

That being said, if your subs are the old school Soundstream the pair will have a hard enough time hanging with 1 Minotaur much less a pair. Also, be sure to not wire them down below 2 ohms. They will definitely go into protect a lot and possibly blow up.

 

[Nor-Cal 707 Premium Member]

Depends on your listening habits, but I expect unless you push things really hard all the time you'd be fine. I'm running 8 Minotaur on 4 additional batteries and that seems to hang pretty well... Of course I use a HO alternator but mine doesn't put out a ton of current at idle.
That being said, if your subs are the old school Soundstream the pair will have a hard enough time hanging with 1 Minotaur much less a pair. Also, be sure to not wire them down below 2 ohms. They will definitely go into protect a lot and possibly blow up.

Forgot to say that I will be upgrading to either Sundown or DC Audio subs, I listen to mostly rock but always like the low lows of rap...

Out of the two subs mentioned what option/level of build by either of these companies would work best with single minotuar at first then a minotuar to each sub, paln on building a sealed enclosure...

Was thinking level 3 for DC audio or X series with Sundowns

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Forgot to say that I will be upgrading to either Sundown or DC Audio subs, I listen to mostly rock but always like the low lows of rap...
Out of the two subs mentioned what option/level of build by either of these companies would work best with single minotuar at first then a minotuar to each sub, paln on building a sealed enclosure...

Was thinking level 3 for DC audio or X series with Sundowns

The Sundown X series sounds really nice. That's what I have in my car right now. They can take a lot of power.

I've heard that DC's have sh*tty soft parts. I don't know if they still do