Subs and Amp

[Shaheed]

I have been debating if I should get a amp and sub put in.
I have a 05 Scion with a stock alternator I believe. Originally
I was going to install two 10" alpine type E with an alpine mrp500 mono block
Amp.

After doing much reading I decided not to put them in because
of the strain it could out put on the alternator and cars electrical system.

Recently I found a local seller selling a custom sub box for the tc.
Once again i got fever to purchase a decent sound system. This time
im wondering if I should put only one 10"sub.

What advice can you give me? I would prefer not to buy a bigger alternator and battery

at this time. Will I mess up the car putting stress on stock part.
I'm trying to keep it simple and clean. I'm not one to listen to music so loud that
the block has to hear it.

Thanks in advance. I apologise for the text. I'm typing via my cell phone.

[CadenceScion]

A sound system isn't going to harm anything, the only thing that will occur is strain on the vehicle battery. I would suggest getting a capacitor. 1000 watts is equal to 1 farad. A performance battery like an Optima would be your best bet, which will yield higher CCA's and CA's and better reserve power.

I would also suggest a speaker box that is made from MDF and a slot port or aero port boxes sound the best IMO.

[Shaheed]

I am looking at this box by the seller.

New Custom Box Scion tC - Houston-Imports.com

What about the alternator? Does it make a difference on the alternator with the capacitor?

[CadenceScion]

That is a clean and simple box for some bump, nothing too extravagant. As far as the alternator goes, the capacitor won't affect it. Withe the engine running and the alternator charging the battery, you'll have no issues, a capacitor stores energy.

[Shaheed]

So i should be in the Clear, Yay!!! Can't wait to get it installed. Since i am only running one 10" sub, what size capacitor would you recommend? 1 Frad or should i go higher?

[CadenceScion]

How much wattage do you plan on going w/?

[Shaheed]

The amp
Alpine - 500W Class D Mono MOSFET Amplifier MRP-M500

500W RMS (continuous) power x 1 @ 2 ohms, 14.4V, 20Hz - 20kHz,
300W RMS (continuous) power x 1 @ 4 ohms, 14.4V, 20Hz - 20kHz,

Signal-to-noise ratio: 100dBA

The speaker 10" Alpine Type-E
Handles up to 750W peak power (250W RMS) Each

[CadenceScion]

A 1-1.5 farad capacitor will be plenty. The capacitor will help so your lights won't dim or as much w/ the current draw.

[Shaheed]

Thank you Sir,
Greatly appreciate you advice. Any suggestions on best place to hide the amp? Is it possible to hide it behind the left tail light? is there room there?

[CadenceScion]

I wouldn't suggest hiding an amp. Amps tend to generate heat, and need adequate cooling for them to perform properly. If an amp over heats it will go into a safety shut down mode, or worse the heat could melt upholstery or catch something on fire.

[Shaheed]

I understand, so where would you recommend putting the amp? Putting it behind the back seat doesn't appeal to me and in my opinion it doesn't look good. Another thought what happens if I had to put the seat down for some reason, wouldn't it pull on the wire? I had considered putting it under the passenger side seat however one of the threads on here someone said it wouldn't be a good idea for two reasons. One being that the amp needs to be installed vertically, and second that the amp would need proper ventilation or space to keep it cool.

I agree with you,I shouldn't hide it. Just trying to have a clean look. I think I had seen someone hide one on the inside side panel behind the drivers side on one tC. Again that would be a ventilation problem. I'm in Houston and we have been having a tough summer and I usually drive with my windows up.

Appreciate your help and wisdom. You and navy are like Jedi masters with all the knowledge you share. On another note do you still have those leds for the headlights? I'd be interested in getting one and installing them on my car
Thank you.
~S

[CadenceScion]

Yes the LED strips for the headlights are still for sale and still in stock. IMO, I would install the amp on the floor of the hatch like mine are. You would need to get yourself a piece of press board or something that is between 1/4 to 1/2 inches thick and trace out the hatch flooring and transfer that to your new piece and drop the new floor right in.

[Shaheed]

I will inbox you regarding the LED lights.

Do you have any pics of your amp installed and what it looks like in the hatch? Visually it would make more sense to me.

Thank you
~S

[CadenceScion]

Yes there is a link on my signature for Cardomain.com, click on that.

[Shaheed]

Here is the link. The guy installed his amp on the rear passenger side wall. Would this give enough ventilation for the amp?

Club Scion tC - Forums - Built my sub Box and installed it.

[CadenceScion]

That's a really cool idea, but once that panel is re-installed, the air flow to cool the amp will be restricted. You can try it and see how it works for you, but I personally won't hide an amp there.

Here's my set up:

[Shaheed]

Hello again,

So i looked at this custom sub box
New Custom Box Scion tC - Houston-Imports.com

Its a very nice box, however i only saw a small hole at bottom of the box for the speaker wires to go through to the sub. Is that what its suppose to have? shouldnt the back have something that looks like this, and not just a hole?
http://www.halfpricecaraudio.com/ima...HRES-01-01.jpg

[CadenceScion]

That box looks correct, that is a backing plate for the speaker wire, basically keeps it looking clean and to the point.

[Shaheed]

Ok, So i purchased the custom tC box today. The box is very clean and comes with a bolt to be installed with. Has one small hole at the bottom to allow the wires to the sub.

Once i get it installed I will post some pics.

[CadenceScion]

Sounds good man, keep up the great work!