1998 Grand Prix GTP

[rodneypierce 10+ year member]

Well, its been a few years since I have had an aftermarket stereo in any of my cars. Oh, a good 10 years or so. I came from a Cadillac Seville STS, which had a pretty good factory stereo, so I didnt have a need. Then bought this GTP and gave the cadi to the wife, and this factory stereo is HORRID!! I havnt heard such an ill sounding system in ages.

Long story short, decided to put something in the GTP to replace it. I didnt have a large budget, roughly 600.00 total. So went to work doing some research, and a few people I respect had pointed out the Aura's that were on factory buyout at PE. So I snagged up a set of 5.25 components for the front doors, and a set of 6x9's for the rear deck. I also scored an Eclipse CD7200 MKII. I already had an MB Quart DWG 254 DVC 10" sub, and a MB Quart PAB 5400 5 channel amp to power everything with.

I ordered a standard 10 inch sub box, but then decided that if I could build one myself I could probably retain a little more trunk space. (very important since we have a 4 month old daughter, and a stroller takes up quite a bit of space!)

I just happened to have a full sheet of 3/4 inch plywood here, so started hacking away on a box. below are the pictures of the box before and after carpet, and the amp rack that I made and also carpeted last night.

 

---------- Post added at 01:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:42 PM ----------

 

I have to run the amp upside down, so that i can get to the crossover to. Thats OK though, doesnt bother me much. Here are the pics:

Click to read more...

 

[rodneypierce 10+ year member]

Tonight Im going to make a small filler piece to go between the end of the box, and the tail of the trunk. I need that accessible to be able to replace bulbs in the tails. So we will see how that turns out. I just dont like that big void there, and think it would look much better with a nice filler piece there.

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

Nice and simple. I like it.

Was there not enough room to recess the amp a little to try and flush it out?

 

[rodneypierce 10+ year member]

Honestly pro, I never even thought about it. But I dont think there would be. The wheel well is right behind the amp there. I might have been able to gain an inch or so. I have some end caps that go on the amp, so it wont be open and visible like that. But I still might take a gander at that tonight. Now you have me thinking.

 

[wenn_du_weinst 10+ year member]

those cars have a ton of gain for such a ****** opening. I always liked those cars. I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up buying a red 2door

 

[rodneypierce 10+ year member]

those cars have a ton of gain for such a ****** opening. I always liked those cars. I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up buying a red 2door

I love the GTP's. I had a regal GS before the cadi, and loved it as well. But I instantly fell in love with this car after I test drove it. Something about them. Nice rides, and run forever if taken care of!

 

[rodneypierce 10+ year member]

Nice and simple. I like it.
Was there not enough room to recess the amp a little to try and flush it out?

Looked at this tonight, and there is not enough room back there. As well as the amp is right at the end of the board, so trying to flush mount it would just be awkward. Thanks for putting the thought in my head though, it was worth a look!!

I also decided not to make a filler panel for the end of the box. Its fine how it is.

I did get the Aura 6x9's and Components installed tonight though. They sound EXCELLENT! Even just being run off the stock HU, what a difference in sound quality they are!!

Will be easy to just switch out the wires on the front crossover's, and rear 6x9's when the CD7200 arrives. Then I cant wait to hear it! Should sound noticeably better feeding them the power that they want. They have pretty decent mid bass right now, so with another 30 watts or so (at least) they should sound even better.

I will keep everyone posted here as I move forward.

 

[rodneypierce 10+ year member]

Alright. Tonight I had planned to install all of the cables and power wire, etc. But the new dash showed up today, so i talked myself into that nightmare. What a PITA. I just now got done putting it all back together. I look like I got in a serious fight with a mountain lion. LOL. My arms and hands are cut to ****. (And no, this isnt my first dash removal, but by far the biggest PITA yet)

saturday I plan to get the wires and cable all ran, then its just waiting for the CD7200 to show up, and I will get it rocking!