Installing a sub

ZoomVT

Glorified Newbie
Contributor
:
2008 | BMW e90 |
hey guys, this weekend i decided to install a sub and i was amazed at how simple it was in the 4dr. I search around here for some help in getting the head unit out and finding the color of the wires, then what seemed to be the biggest pain was getting through the firewall. The only thing i found was a post of someone that drilled a hole right behind the clutch but i was able to do it much easier without drilling a hole; i found the hole used for the hood latch and was able to run the power cable through the same hole.
Is it different in the hatchback?
 
ZoomVT said:
hey guys, this weekend i decided to install a sub and i was amazed at how simple it was in the 4dr. I search around here for some help in getting the head unit out and finding the color of the wires, then what seemed to be the biggest pain was getting through the firewall. The only thing i found was a post of someone that drilled a hole right behind the clutch but i was able to do it much easier without drilling a hole; i found the hole used for the hood latch and was able to run the power cable through the same hole.
Is it different in the hatchback?

I would think the hatchback is about the same. I drilled my hole behind and above the fusebox on the passenger side because I couldn't see enough of both sides of the drivers side to make sure where I was drilling..
 
ZoomVT said:
hey guys, this weekend i decided to install a sub and i was amazed at how simple it was in the 4dr. I search around here for some help in getting the head unit out and finding the color of the wires, then what seemed to be the biggest pain was getting through the firewall. The only thing i found was a post of someone that drilled a hole right behind the clutch but i was able to do it much easier without drilling a hole; i found the hole used for the hood latch and was able to run the power cable through the same hole.
Is it different in the hatchback?


I used the hole for hood latch too :-)
8gauge power line goes easily into that hole.
Found 2 spare connection in the fuse box under the hood.... only ad a fuse to the connection block and plug in the cable... voil! Stealth install :-)
Would probably not work for a 4gauge cable though... but that would be overkill in my ride anyways.
 
there is probably goin to be some rubbin in with the hood cable, but not enough to worry about i imagine... i am using bigger cable so i am going to just drill a hole next to the wire transfer already on the passenger side, checked out the other side and looks easy enough.... (just have to remove half my dash...:()
 
I think there was a lot of space actually. There is a rubber washer sort of thing that makes fit snug but if you remove it the actual hole is actually bigger and i dont see why there would be some rubbing, its not like you are pulling on the cord all the time.
 
tsunami said:
there is probably goin to be some rubbin in with the hood cable, but not enough to worry about i imagine... i am using bigger cable so i am going to just drill a hole next to the wire transfer already on the passenger side, checked out the other side and looks easy enough.... (just have to remove half my dash...:()

Why go through the hassle of removing half your dash? Just pull out the glovebox and drill whatever size hole you need about 2-3" above the fusebox. There is PLENTY of room to use a drill since the glovebox is so big.
 
i didn't realize just the glove box could be removed so easily... sweet...


just got paid so i am headed off to some stereo websites to drop some cash on wires and distro blocks.... then wire and mount the new amps...(just got 2 300/2 jl audios... but it zapped my funds so they were/are sitting in my house till i got paid..(today!!!))
 
tsunami said:
i didn't realize just the glove box could be removed so easily... sweet...

Yeah, it is pretty easy. Just remove the carbon-fiber-looking trim piece, remove the 2 or 3 screws holding the glovebox in, and pull. There are just a couple of clips holding the bottom in.

When you're done your install, post some pics...
 
sweet thanks... will do...(just snag works digi for a bit) but i am havin a hard time tryin to figure out how i want to mount the amps (3 of em, though none are that big) i like your trunk set up and am thinking the same thing though with an aluminum bottom and a carbon fiber upper... i am just torn as to what/how i want it to look... been tryin to figure something out for about 2 weeks and all i have is some sketchs and material lists and even those don't impress me much... am going to be buyin the wires/distro blocks/terminals and such over the next week, then the install begins ready or not....
 
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