How do i install an amp? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

The.Lunatic · 02-22-2004, 04:32 PM

So i'm not intrested in spending 170 dollars for the stupid local audo place to install my car stero amp.

So i was wondering if i could get any pointers from people who've done it before maybe a quick and dirty list of do's and don'ts or a tutorial website.

Thanks for any help

taylorspl · 02-22-2004, 04:41 PM

ALWAYS use a fuse within 18 inches of the battery. If you are making a hole in the firewall of your car to run the power wire use a grommet unless you don't mind a fire. And as long as you aren't running some mean ass competition amp which I'm guessing your not just buy an install kit that consists of some power wire/ground wire/remote wire/fuse and you should be set the rest is literally up to you. I suggest also not running the power wire with the RCA's because you will almost definetly get alternator noise. I'm sure theres more I'm forgetting that someone else will call me an idiot for forgetting but what do I care.

merkerguitars · 02-22-2004, 04:46 PM

www.partsexpress.com <----------go here to buy all your wiring....it's good wiring and it's low price.....i would do it yourself it isn't hard at all.

usualsuspect · 02-23-2004, 06:14 AM

It's not that hard. I did mine myself without any previous experiene. Look around on the net, there is a lot of how to info.
A brief overview:

Run 4 gauge power wire from your battery to the amp with a fuse within 18 inches of the battery. Look around in your firewall, you can usually find an existing hole to run your wire through.

Run your RCA cables from your head unit to the amp. It is a good idea to run your RCAs and the power wire on opposite sides of the cabin. (I run mine under the carpet along the step panels)

Run a 4-8 gauge ground wire from the amp to a bare metal surface (in ypur trunk). Scrape the paint off so there is a bare metal connection between the ground wire and the contat surface.

Connect your speaker wire from the amp to your subs/speakers.

Should be good to go. This is just a simple overview. Wire sizes are subjective.

Good luck!

Cynthetiq · 02-23-2004, 09:08 AM

take your time.
clean up your wires and tie them down.

measure twice cut once.

WarWagon · 02-23-2004, 10:08 AM

Be sure to mount the amp somewhere where it will receive sufficient airflow for cooling.

Scorps · 02-23-2004, 10:26 AM

170 bucks for them to do it...shit, the guy that did mine did it and installed my subs for 64

Rippley · 02-24-2004, 06:15 AM

Tip: With regards to grounding, I found that in myh Golf '94, I could use the bolts that are part of the closing mechanism for the trunk as ground. They aren't painted and they connect right to the frame.

Redjake · 02-25-2004, 09:40 AM

Run a thick gauge wire (4 gauge should do it) to your amplifier. Put a fuse 18 inches or closer to the battery, then continue the wire to the amp. Run RCA cables from your CD player/head unit to the amp. Run the antenna wire (usually blue colored) from the CD player/head unit to the amp (it turns the amp on). Run the speaker wire from your speakers to the amp.

Mount it in a dry location (make sure your trunk doesn't leak, if you aren't sure, put it under a seat or something).

You can probably find a hole in the firewall in front of the engine, you can run the amp power wire through there. If not, drill. But be careful.

The trunk firewall is usually thinner than the engine firewall, but it usually doesn't have a hole to work with. Just pick a place inconspicous.

Make sure everything is hooked up right. Wrap any frays with electrical tape. Wrap any ends that don't go anywhere with tape. Don't leave hot wire laying around.

Good luck!

splck · 02-28-2004, 10:07 PM

Ditto the fuse.
I always soldered any in-line connections. It takes a bit more effort, but it's worth it.
Don't skimp on wire, make sure you route your wires in a way that they can't wear.

SmileyG3 · 03-12-2004, 02:51 PM

Tip: Make sure you secure the amp to something stable like the sub-box or into the car.....It will not only stop the amp from tumbling around while driving but some auto insurance will not cover amps and or subs if they are not "bolted" onto the car.....and take pictures of it just in case they get stollen.

02-22-2004, 04:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
The.Lunatic Psycho Location: Somewhere just beyond the realm of sanity...	How do i install an amp? So i'm not intrested in spending 170 dollars for the stupid local audo place to install my car stero amp. So i was wondering if i could get any pointers from people who've done it before maybe a quick and dirty list of do's and don'ts or a tutorial website. Thanks for any help __________________ Proud memeber of the Insomniac Club.

02-22-2004, 04:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	www.partsexpress.com <----------go here to buy all your wiring....it's good wiring and it's low price.....i would do it yourself it isn't hard at all. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

02-23-2004, 09:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	take your time. clean up your wires and tie them down. measure twice cut once. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

02-23-2004, 10:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	170 bucks for them to do it...shit, the guy that did mine did it and installed my subs for 64 __________________ A.K.A. PainTrain

02-24-2004, 06:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Rippley Insane	Tip: With regards to grounding, I found that in myh Golf '94, I could use the bolts that are part of the closing mechanism for the trunk as ground. They aren't painted and they connect right to the frame. __________________ roadrazer - 300kgs, 300hp = pure fun.

02-22-2004, 04:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
taylorspl Insane Location: Tucson, AZ	ALWAYS use a fuse within 18 inches of the battery. If you are making a hole in the firewall of your car to run the power wire use a grommet unless you don't mind a fire. And as long as you aren't running some mean ass competition amp which I'm guessing your not just buy an install kit that consists of some power wire/ground wire/remote wire/fuse and you should be set the rest is literally up to you. I suggest also not running the power wire with the RCA's because you will almost definetly get alternator noise. I'm sure theres more I'm forgetting that someone else will call me an idiot for forgetting but what do I care.

02-23-2004, 06:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
usualsuspect Upright	It's not that hard. I did mine myself without any previous experiene. Look around on the net, there is a lot of how to info. A brief overview: Run 4 gauge power wire from your battery to the amp with a fuse within 18 inches of the battery. Look around in your firewall, you can usually find an existing hole to run your wire through. Run your RCA cables from your head unit to the amp. It is a good idea to run your RCAs and the power wire on opposite sides of the cabin. (I run mine under the carpet along the step panels) Run a 4-8 gauge ground wire from the amp to a bare metal surface (in ypur trunk). Scrape the paint off so there is a bare metal connection between the ground wire and the contat surface. Connect your speaker wire from the amp to your subs/speakers. Should be good to go. This is just a simple overview. Wire sizes are subjective. Good luck!

02-23-2004, 10:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
WarWagon Loser	Be sure to mount the amp somewhere where it will receive sufficient airflow for cooling.

02-25-2004, 09:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	Run a thick gauge wire (4 gauge should do it) to your amplifier. Put a fuse 18 inches or closer to the battery, then continue the wire to the amp. Run RCA cables from your CD player/head unit to the amp. Run the antenna wire (usually blue colored) from the CD player/head unit to the amp (it turns the amp on). Run the speaker wire from your speakers to the amp. Mount it in a dry location (make sure your trunk doesn't leak, if you aren't sure, put it under a seat or something). You can probably find a hole in the firewall in front of the engine, you can run the amp power wire through there. If not, drill. But be careful. The trunk firewall is usually thinner than the engine firewall, but it usually doesn't have a hole to work with. Just pick a place inconspicous. Make sure everything is hooked up right. Wrap any frays with electrical tape. Wrap any ends that don't go anywhere with tape. Don't leave hot wire laying around. Good luck! __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

02-28-2004, 10:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
splck it's jam Location: Lowerainland BC	Ditto the fuse. I always soldered any in-line connections. It takes a bit more effort, but it's worth it. Don't skimp on wire, make sure you route your wires in a way that they can't wear. __________________ nice line eh?

03-12-2004, 02:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
SmileyG3 Tilted Location: San Antonio TX	Tip: Make sure you secure the amp to something stable like the sub-box or into the car.....It will not only stop the amp from tumbling around while driving but some auto insurance will not cover amps and or subs if they are not "bolted" onto the car.....and take pictures of it just in case they get stollen.