Amp install questions.

[Screamin'3]

I've got a '04 5-door. Does the factory stereo have an external amp? If not how did you wire in a new amp? I think I will place the amp in the cargo area, mounted to the side.
I've poked around the forum and couldn't find anything regarding this.

 

[djltoronto]

I've got a '04 5-door. Does the factory stereo have an external amp? If not how did you wire in a new amp? I think I will place the amp in the cargo area, mounted to the side.
I've poked around the forum and couldn't find anything regarding this.

No the factory deck does not have an external amp.

There are several ways to wire in an amp...
You can use a LOC to convert the speaker level wires to line level and then run RCA cables from the front to the back and then run speaker wires from the amp to all the speakers.
Some amps have High level inputs so you wouldn't need a line output converter (LOC).

What are your intentions?
Do you have a four channel amp that you want to amplify the four factory speakers with?

 

[Screamin'3]

I am currently thinking about upgrading the 6 speakers (Infinity Referance or Kappa 6.5") and adding a 4 channel amp. I am not going to add a sub, I can't afford to lose cargo space.

 

[djltoronto]

I am currently thinking about upgrading the 6 speakers (Infinity Referance or Kappa 6.5") and adding a 4 channel amp. I am not going to add a sub, I can't afford to lose cargo space.

There are several ways to do it!!
I installed 2 pairs of Visonik 6.5" components (V650CS) . I happened to have them lying around.

And a JL audio e4300 amp.
I was very pleasantly surprised out how good it sounds, even without a subwoofer.

I did of course have to make 4 mounting plates for the 6.5's to fit in the factory 5 x 7 locations.
I mounted the crossovers inside each door.

I chose to use the high level inputs on the amp, and the amp fits nicely under the floor in the hatch.
I had to run a lot of wire..
4 sets of speaker wire from the back of the deck to the amplifier, and then 4 more sets from the amplifier back to the rear of the deck where I tapped into the factory wires which go to all the doors.

I ran a 4 gauge from the battery to the amp along the drivers side of the car, and all other wires along the passengers side.

FYI.
White/Black left front +
Gray/Black left front
White/Red right front +
Gray/Red right front
White/Purple left rear +
Gray/White left rear
White rear right +
Gray rear right
Orange/Black 12v constant
Orange/Black with silver dots 12v illumination
Yellow with silver dots 12v ignition
Black/Green Chassis ground

All doors have the same colour wires Grey (+) and White (-).


That should get ya started!
Here's a few pics...

 

[brendonli913]

if you add a sub like me you will not to lose cargo space, and have a good sound system with Sub !!!!

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/686000-686999/686402_15.jpg

 

[FrigginGLI]

Or like me either. Only .33 cu ft, can be pushed to the side.

 

[Screamin'3]

brendonli913: Very nice install. Would you please provide more details of your install?
What size of sub? What was your mounting depth? Did you keep the jack in place? What mods were required to the jack door to support the weight? How dose it sound with the rest of the mods.

pimpprotege69:How do you keep the box from tumbling around when you are driving, velcro?

One issue is that I don't want to mount the amp to the back of the seat. I may need to fold the seats down for cargo and don't want to damage the amp. Also, I use the bin under the floor of the cargo area for misc. auto stuff (jumper cables, towels, gloves, etc.). The bin is also useful when hauling dirty stuff from the Home Depot.
I was thinking of mounting the amp on the passenger side of the cargo wall, opposite where brendonli913 mounted the sub.
BTW, I travel for a living and am only around my car for the weekends, so I can't just go out and look.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Screamin'3]

Another question.
With a 4.1 amp, what wattage should I be looking at? I don't need to shatter windows or bust kidneys. Fidelity is the first priority. Though I havn't shopped for stereo components in about 10 years. I'm not sure of the wattage and brands that are good.

 

[brendonli913]

brendonli913: Very nice install. Would you please provide more details of your install?
What size of sub? What was your mounting depth? Did you keep the jack in place? What mods were required to the jack door to support the weight? How dose it sound with the rest of the mods.

Screamin'3: thank !!!. i didn't take any photo when i doing the Sub Box, anyway i copy some one from the net, and here is the link
http://www.sounddomain.com/memberpage/572021/3
with 8" subwoofer, and on the jack wall have a scaw hold scaw the sub and the sound is nice.if you want more idea here is other link many mods here
http://www.sounddomain.com/member_pages/search_results.pl?make=Mazda&model=3


other thing is the cargo wall may not able to mount the Amp, it is soft, and i adive by the professional installer don't install it in the Cargo wall opposite where brendonli913 mounted the sub.

thank !!!
brendon