talizman

iTrader: (1)

I've had a look under the rear shelf on my STI 8 and there are holes in the rear shelf for speakers.

As far as I can see, the hardboard/cloth shelf would require to be cut, and possibly the child seat tethers done away with.

There is however, a small box with wires under the drivers side speaker hole, but I haven't had a close look to see what it is.

Has anyone done this to their car, as I am probably about to and was wondering if there are many pit-falls?

Cheers

hades

I've done it with a MY02 WRX, and I believe the shelf is the same between the two.

THe thing on the drivers side is a radio aerial booster or similar, and - if you remove the metal mounting bracket - can be placed in a hole (preferably wrapped in foam to stop it rattling!) at the top of the suspension turret up there.

I made up MDF moutting plates and fitted Infinity 605CS. Kept the original shelf, and drilled a large number of 2.5mm diameter holes from the bottom of the parcel shelf - kind of a make your own grill. Works fine like that, and due to the "fluffy" nature of the fabric on the shelf, you can only tell there is a speaker there if you look closely in good light. Mounted the tweaters against the C pillars on the parcel shelf, again reasonably out of sight, but well within earshot.

The difference, IMHO, is well worthwhile.

The other thing some people have talked about is mounting Genesis 6*9 subs into the rear shelf. They'll probably need an amp (I have an amp anyway, makes everything work nicer), but will give more bass than just component speakers.

chiark

The thing is a smoothing "device" for the heated rear windscreen - it can be moved...

talizman

iTrader: (1)

A "smoothing " device????

What does it do?

DrEvil

I'm looking into doing the same (similar) with my '03 STi.

My plan is to install Alpine Type R 6x9s in the rear, but will need to:
- move the 'heater smoother'
- possibly remove the ISO fixing points for the child seat
- cut holes in the rear shelf

I'm going to run two small (ish) v12 amps positioned either side of the ski hatch, one to power the rear speakers, and the other the front.

If I can get DDDrive for the front I will, otherwise its Kenwood dual-mags again, as the Type R's (13cm) won't fit in the front doors.

Alex

chiark

All it is is a couple of heavy duty inductors. I guess it takes noise out of the system as inductors act as low pass filters. From this, I'm assuming that it's to make sure that there's nothing electrically noisy near to the screen mounted aerial.

The amp for the aerial is a clarion branded unit that's in the head lining and looks completely different.

Cheers,
Nick.

talizman

iTrader: (1)

So Chiark, do you think having noisy and vibrating 6x9's close to the rear screen aerial could cause damage/interference?

DrEvil

tailzman

it should be fine, it was the same set-up in the '02 cars, I know of a couple of people that have had similar set-ups on those cars.

Rgds, Alex

chiark

No, when I say noise I mean electrical noise in the circuit. You really won't break the aerial - the M12 hasn't done it yet

talizman

iTrader: (1)

Good stuff...glad to hear it. Thanks guys.

dr_ming

I'm pretty sure that the 'thing' in the box is a radio frequency filter that stops the DC power part of the rear window coupling with the FM antenna input on the radio, if it weren't there, the power feed for the rear screen would appear as a dead short across the FM antenna, and it wouldn't work.

talizman

iTrader: (1)

The 'thing' has a Clarion logo on it and it connects directly to the aerial in the rear screen. Furthermore there is a second one under the trim on the nearside C-post.

I started the rear shelf modifications today by cutting holes in the hardboard shelf.

I then constructed a section of MDF which slots into the aperture in the factory shelf.

I had to do away with the child seat securing points to fit the MDF.

This will be covered with acoustic cloth and then the speakers will be fitted to it.

It will then be screwed down to the rear shelf to provide a nice solid platform for the 240W 6x9's.

I'll post some pics later, once my digi-cam has charged.

chiark

The clarion "thing" will be the aerial amp then

Could you let me know exactly where it is? I have a 5 door... It's in the roof lining.

The aerial has a metal box, the smoother/decoupler has a plastic box with vents in it

talizman

iTrader: (1)

No idea where it is on a 5 door, as on the 4 door its suspended across the driver's side speaker hole.

talizman

iTrader: (1)

Here are some pics of the progress so far.

I removed the rear hardboard shelf to allow it to be cut and to use it as a template to fit the mdf.

This was a bit of a pain, as, just like the classics, the rear seat (2 parts) and the c-post trims have to come off to get the shelf out.

Rear shelf in car with speaker holes cut out




MDF Section which sits in the recess on factory shelf



This part will be covered in matching acoustic cloth and speakers fixed to it.

The entire section will then sit in the recess and will be screwed down from the underside.

The seatbelt requires a slot to thread through for the centre belt.