My buddy's Audi S8 with Ti5 elites

Have a cool car stereo? Post your install pictures here! No PG? No problem! Competition grade or sub-in-box setups: ALL are welcome!
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

My buddy's Audi S8 with Ti5 elites

Post by shawn k »

Things are finally slowing down a bit so I thought I'ld share some pics of what I've been up to lately.

I recently finished (well almost) this install for a good friend of mine, Charlie. He has a solid car audio background and once was an installer for Mike McNae. He now works for a home theater company doing very high end systems (like million dollar systems :shock: ) So basically the goals for this system were: keep it very clean and integrated (wiring included), make it sound fantastic, and keep at least half of the trunk functional & durable (hence the carpeted finish).

The later proved to be a challenge as I decided to go with 3-12's and two very large amplifiers. I had the car for three weeks, but was only able to really work on it for about ten days total. I wish I could have done a little more custom work, but the Audi had many obstacles of it's own that really limited and challenged me for time. The end result has what I like to call a "90's" feel to it, which is exactly what Charlie wanted and I'm glad he's happy with the outcome :wink:

Well enough babling.. on to some pics :mrgreen:

Making the sub box

Image

Image

Image

Getting some ideas

Image

This is where the factory Nav/changer/amplifier reside. All of these were removed and this became a usable storage space

Image

working some more on the box

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Last edited by shawn k on Sat Nov 20, 2010 3:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

Working on the amp rack

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

It was getting pretty tricky at this point. Getting the two amps to fit in front of the sub box, AND still allow the whole rack to lift and allow access to the spare was a challenge. Wire management was very important here. There's enough slack with each cable to allow mobility of the rack. It's not fun, but it is still possible to remove the spare if need be. Here you can also see that nearly every cable in the system has been Flexed and heat shrinked.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

Getting the xover wired up.. HEY IT'S EVEN PG :hurr:

Image

Image

Image

Image
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

The doors have tuned enclosures for the Bose mids. A fair amount of modification was done to get the Elite's to fit. Nothing fancy to look at as the final product is hidden behind the door panel, but it was a lot of work nevertheless.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

These drivers have had a long, active life so I didn't feel too bad about mounting them this way 8)

Image

Image

Image
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

Charlie made a nice choice for a source. Pioneer's AVIC920BT. There's no plug and play dash kit for this vehicle so 1/8th inch aluminum was used for mounting brackets. This was then screwed into the dash's sub frame (also aluminum) and she was solid as a rock. Furthermore, a custom trim panel had to be made for the front fascia. This was started with wood and body filler was then used to trim the deck perfectly. Notice how the trim panel flows with the buttons that protude outward. This was then finished with SEM black. To the eye, the black finish matches the rest of the vehicle's instruments better than what the pictures show.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Anyone who has installed one of these big bad boy multimedia decks knows that the wiring can get out of control real quick, so a lot of time was spent trying to keep it as clean as possible

Image

Image
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
Bfowler
Briaans..... BRIAAAAANNNNNNS
Posts: 10764
Joined: Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:06 am
Location: So easy, a cavewomen could do him

Post by Bfowler »

lots of nice work there. especially the tuned pods!
my ex-girlfriend said "its car audio or me"
i've had tougher choices at a soda machine...
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

making the trim for the amps

Image

Image

Image

Image

And here's where it's at right now. Still to come are: Aluminum grills and paint matched trim rings around the subs

Image

Image

Image

Image
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
kg1961
Got wood?
Posts: 9051
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:31 pm
Location: Calgary

Post by kg1961 »

:shock: :shock: OMG that is so great want to come to calgary and install a jetta..lol 8)
looks great
most of my gear is gone :liar:
2020 honda accord sport
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14783
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Post by ttocs »

never been a kicker fan but it is a clean install.
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

kg1961 wrote::shock: :shock: OMG that is so great want to come to calgary and install a jetta..lol 8)
looks great
Haha! I wish I could man. That would be fitting as I've been doing a bunch of V-dubs lately for some reason..lol
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

ttocs wrote:never been a kicker fan but it is a clean install.
Thanks man! I don't like the Kicker of late, but these amps are truly amazing IMO. These will walk all over the new Kicker in terms of SQ, and to be honest, I'ld put them right up there with some of the best sounding amps around. The XS/ZR line would definitely be in my top 5 for favorite amps I've had experience with. :thumbs:
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
dvnt88
Posts: 2330
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:13 am
Location: Portland, Oregon

Post by dvnt88 »

Nice work Shawn :thumbs: , very clean and the gear installed looks great. :twisted:
Audison Bit Ten
Hertz HSK163's (x2)
Hertz HX250 subs (x2)
Hertz HDP1
Hertz HDP4
PG Tantrum BassCUBE
XS Power D4900
Misc. PG Install Goodies


"Old-Skool TI-Whore"
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

^^ Thank you sir!
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

Here's the making of the grills for the subs. Again 1/8" aluminum was used. I tried to match the pattern of the oem wheels as much as possible. It took me about an hour and a half just to get the drawing to look right with correct proportions :idiot: These will be appoxied onto the rings once the rings are painted. Only one has been made so far. The other two are about half done. I don't have a heated garage to work in so we'll see when they get finished :whistle: It was about 8pm and 40 degrees (faranheit) when I completed this first one. My hands were frozen and it just wasn't safe to continue with the the other two :oops:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
stipud
Voltage Ohms
Posts: 14719
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 1983 4:00 am
Location: Burnaby, BC
Contact:

Post by stipud »

Wow, what a bad ass install! I love the "90's" style. Super neat and tidy.

Great job!
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

Thanks man! Charlie was an installer a good decade or more ago. This is what he's use to, and exactly how he likes it. Plus he still has a fair amount of trunk space left for stuff. I'm not the biggest fan of carpet, but lately these installs required it for form & function. He's happy so I'm happy 8)
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
brenzbmr@sb
Booty Connoisseur
Posts: 1606
Joined: Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:49 pm
Location: as ziggy marley said" on a beach in hawaii"

Post by brenzbmr@sb »

nice job shawn.
You may have subs in your car........but my doors sound better!
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

^ Thanks a bunch!
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
Stryker
Posts: 1567
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:22 pm
Location: Calgary

Post by Stryker »

nice, real pro job! 8)
screw car audio, I'd rather go fast....errr, wait a minute.
smokeyand thebandit
Posts: 120
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 6:54 pm
Location: Delta,BC

Post by smokeyand thebandit »

you got some Sirius talent there bud. Really like the pics
HP = FUN
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

Thanks for the kind words guys :thumbs:
AKA "THE HATER"
User avatar
Ahsmo
Ssssssailor
Posts: 523
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 5:01 pm

Post by Ahsmo »

Obviously you have no idea what your are doing.
'98 Maxima gone
'03 350z gone
08' Silverado gone
13' Audi S4
Thumper88
Posts: 1122
Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:03 pm
Location: Michigan

Post by Thumper88 »

Ahsmo wrote:Obviously you have no idea what your are doing.
agreed, don't quit yer day job. :P :lol:

The aluminum grills are cool...how long did it take to router that out...not the whole design process...but how slow do you need to go?
Doubleside sticky tape to hold to mdf?
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14783
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Post by ttocs »

I have used sticky tape for alot of router projects. Use the 3m stuff and you will need to be carefull how much you put down for fear of not getting them apart.
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
User avatar
shawn k
Posts: 757
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: Maine

Post by shawn k »

I'm a "stay@homedad" so I don't plan on quiting my "day job" anytime soon :P

Working with aluminum is all about patience and definitely takes time. When making trim pieces or grills like these, I personally find it best to first rough cut the pattern using a jig saw with a metal cutting blade and go slow & steady. The blades won't last very long on 1/8" aluminum however. So don't be stingy and just pop a new blade in when you feel like you're having to force the saw too much. You could use some WD40 while cutting and get a little more life out of the blade, but I didn't bother with it here. I basically went through four blades ( $8 ) for these three grills, but it is what it is. The next key comes when routering. I find it works well to start with an oversized bearing on the flush bit. Never cut more than 1/16" at a time and spray the bit with WD40 for every 5-10 seconds worth of cutting. This takes a bit of time, but seems to work for me anyway and at the same time extends the life of the bit.

And yeah, I usually use either 3M (black not white) or Kent double sided tape to hold the jig and aluminum (or whatever) together. Don't be stingy here either. Form experience I can tell you the last thing you want is the have the piece you are working on "walk" on you when routering because there's not enough adhesive holding the two pieces together :idiot: :wink:

FWIW: Just one grill took close to one & a half hours from rough cut to the finished beveled product. This doesn't include the time it took to make the jig either. I only have one router table (and it's a pretty basic one at that) set up right now, so a fair amount of time was lost just changing bits & bearings however. I'm sure I could have knocked off a good half hour with the set up I had in my old bay.
Last edited by shawn k on Tue Nov 23, 2010 6:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
AKA "THE HATER"
Post Reply