My 2006 Civic Install

[BrentMcGhee]

I just recently bought my self a new car (2006 civic) and have decided that this would be a good time to install my first car audio system.

I have decided to go with the polk sr6500's for my front speakers (i am not having rears) powered by the polk c300.2.

I have two jl 8w7's that will be housed in custome fiberglass enclosures in my trunk right next to each wheel well closest to the back of the trunk. Each of these will be powered by it's own polk c500.1.

As for my head unit, here is the great part. I am not going to have one. Since i like computers and work them alot i have decided to put a computer in my car that would handle everything a head unit normally would and a whole lot more. (MP3, DVD, Wi-fi, Gps Nav, Phone hands free, even things like nes and sega emulators courtesy of two wireless game pads in the glove box :)) All of this will be controlled by a 7" touch screen monitor that will be put in my front dash along with a lite-on dvd-rom drive.

Well anyway i started my install over the weekend i knocked out all the dynamatting (wow! it was alot of dynamatting, I put two layers of dynamat extreme on everything) and running of wires (power, speaker, vga, usb etc etc) and thought i would put some pictures up of my progress so far. I had no idea that dynamatting was going to be the pain in the ass that it was but i got it done and i must say i was pretty proud of the job i did especially beacuse this is my first time doing anything with a car. I was really suprised in how quite the inside of the car is now after i finished all the dynamat. Driving to work on monday was awseome, pretty much zero road noise :D!

I will post more pictures of my progress as it comes along. I am still waiting for my 6500's to come in that is why they are not installed yet. The next thing on my agenda is to get the work started on my screen and dvd-rom drive. As well as put the finishing touches on my carputer, i have it all assembled in a gutted amp case i am now just working with the software and tweaking it just how i want it before i put it in the car.


These are all before i started to gut everything out
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4540/10015652uf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/2567/10015235jy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img437.imageshack.us/img437/3783/10015248xl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img326.imageshack.us/img326/6590/10015268md.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

These are after i got everything out
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/7314/10015313xl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3716/10015321tp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is the completed trunk, including side walls, spare tire well and trunk lid. All three with two layers.
http://img467.imageshack.us/img467/8270/10015507mu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/649/10015490vw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Here is my work on the floor of the car, again complete with two layers :p
http://img467.imageshack.us/img467/5209/10015384by.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/1664/10015402nk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is my work on the doors (all four doors were done the same)

This is what was behind the door panel
http://img429.imageshack.us/img429/8227/10015520pg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is my first layer on the door. Notice I also put a lot of dynamat on the inside of the door as well against the exterior panel, that really changed the sound of the door.
http://img342.imageshack.us/img342/2261/10015530yr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Then here is the finished product of what all the doors now look like
http://img342.imageshack.us/img342/7702/10015591gz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

My 12volt and common ground distribution blocks are both located under the backseat. All wires are currently just hanging loose in my trunk waiting to be connected up.
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/4087/10015630ez.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/9500/10015648rz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)





What do you guys think, comments and kudos on a job well done welcome, criticism is not!. Haha I am just playing, I really want comments or suggestions on what I should do/ have done or things I might be doing wrong since I have never done anything like this before. I wanna make sure I do this right and end up being very pleased with my system…..

[Toxis]

damn brother. For a first timer with Dynamat, I'm VERY impressed. It seems everyone ends up with melted black goo all over. Great and clean job. Keep it up! How much did that end up costing you for all of it? I need to do it to my car... might soon!

[BrentMcGhee]

Well i actually was able to buy it on accomodation pricing direct from dynamat through my work so i got it really cheap. I bought 1 bulk pack, 1 trunk kit and 4 door kits, all of that eneded up costing me just a little over 200 bucks.

If you have been thinking about dynamting you car i can now say with expereice DO IT! It makes a huge difference. I have not been able to attest to the sound quality difference yet becasue i do not have my speakers installed, but to just hear how quite the ride is now is really phenomanal.

Just dont expect it to be a one day job :) all of that took me the better part of two days for the dynamatting part and then some of another day to take everything out and to put everything back in. Well worth it though

[neomagus00]

holy crap, dude... you decided to shred a brand-new car as a first project... that's bravery right there... and well worth it, too, by the looks of it... keep up the awesome work!

[drew spelts]

I can say one thing with absolute certainty, You are going to do some pretty amazing car stereo projects in your time. With that said, WOW I love it and can understand how much it should quite the ride down. Take care of the car more than ever now because it is not easy to recycle dynamat into another vehicle. But then again it all only cost you $200 WOW. Just make sure you put real quality speakers in now because it would be a waste to hear MTX in that thing. Also if you are looking at polk subs make sure you read ALL reviews first beccause I almost made the mistake of purchasing a pair of the silver ones with yellow paint on them. ALL in all good luck with the honeys and always wear a condom.

[neomagus00]

I can say one thing with absolute certainty, You are going to do some pretty amazing car stereo projects in your time. With that said, WOW I love it and can understand how much it should quite the ride down. Take care of the car more than ever now because it is not easy to recycle dynamat into another vehicle. But then again it all only cost you $200 WOW. Just make sure you put real quality speakers in now because it would be a waste to hear MTX in that thing. Also if you are looking at polk subs make sure you read ALL reviews first beccause I almost made the mistake of purchasing a pair of the silver ones with yellow paint on them. ALL in all good luck with the honeys and always wear a condom.
who drinks on a wednesday night?? :confused:

[BrentMcGhee]

Take care of the car more than ever now because it is not easy to recycle dynamat into another vehicle.

O i definatley will. This is actually my second one. I got this one i january but i got a black one in december but rolled it over a few times 10days after i got it. Luckily i had not put anything into it yet. let's hope i have better luck with this one :)


Just make sure you put real quality speakers in now because it would be a waste to hear MTX in that thing.

O no... MTX will not see this vehicle. This is strictly sq i am not into the whole spl thing. I am getting a pair of Polk SR6500's and two JL 8w7's.

[neomagus00]

am getting a pair of Polk SR6500's and two JL 8w7's.
i think cody will have something to say here, too, but have you done a direct comparision between the w6v2 and the w7? i've heard both, though admittedly in unequal conditions, and i liked the 6v2 better... something to think about...

and i'll say it before anyone else does... ahem... "there are better subs for the money than the w7, like the adire tumult, blah blah blah"... there, you get it from me, minus the brand-bashing and cursing you'll probably get from cody :p

[BrentMcGhee]

wow, i can def tell that i am not into car audio as much i have never even heard of those other names, i will have to check them out. I was originanly attracted to jl becasue i could get them on accomadation pricing as well.

Thanks neo

[aaharvel]

great car, great job.
those are wonderful looking cars. So much so that when I graduate in May I was hoping for an IS250 within the next year. After seeing the new Civic SI, I changed my mind and will end it up saving $15,000 in the process.

[neomagus00]

if you can get jl on accom., that's awesome... here (http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/dhuston/audioindex.html) is a list of almost all the car audio companies i know of... if i've built this properly, you should be able to figure out which sell subs... a few good names to look at:
adire audio tumult
cdt hd series
diamond t9 series
eclipse (yay eclipse!) (i own a titanium :p)
image dynamics idmax
polk SR series (coming in may!)

there are others with which i am less familiar... take a look, learn, drool, have fun :)

[Toxis]

wow, i can def tell that i am not into car audio as much i have never even heard of those other names, i will have to check them out. I was originanly attracted to jl becasue i could get them on accomadation pricing as well.

Thanks neo
it's not that you're not into car audio, it's that you haven't been introduced to all the internet only companies. This can be a very good thing at times. Stick with your w7's... no need to sway from a great thing.

But I'm sure some on here will tell you to sell your civic for a cobalt. I on the other hand favor the H.

[neomagus00]

But I'm sure some on here will tell you to sell your civic for a cobalt. I on the other hand favor the H.
of course you'll always find someone who will bash a product they don't like, but where's the harm in looking around before making a many-hundreds-of-dollars decision?

notice i didn't reccommend any particular company, just that there were others that might suit his needs better...

[BrentMcGhee]

Well today I got around to installing my speakers and kind of doing a dry fit on all the amps in the trunk. I dont think i have ever had to use my drimmel as much as i did today.

First off the speaker holes in the door were suposed to 6 1/2 but umm that was not the case. They used this special bracket that was 6 1/2 but the speaker itself was a lot smaller. I had to cut out alot of the door panel to get my sr6500's in place.

Also for the tweeters what i thought was going to be a blank hole where they would put the tweeter for the upgraded sound system just turned out to be a solid peice of dash under a pretty usless plate. I had to drimmel that boy up as well to mount my tweeters in the dash. All in all though i think it looks pretty good.

As for the amps in the back, well there is not much to say about them the only thing i need to do now is decided how i am going to fasten them in place, i was thinking of putting them on a shelf raised up just a tad but i dunno.

O, and in case you were wondering, that blue thing on that back of my seat that looks like another amp is actually the computer i built for the car. :)

[ledhed]

Looks great. I know nothing about CA but, I have always toyed with the idea of using a comp in my car. What are the full specs of the comp?

[audiobliss]

There's a sticky at the top of the car audio forum called something like SR6500 white sheet. Also here (http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/specs/sr6500/) are the specs listed on Polk's site under the SR6500's.

[BrentMcGhee]

Looks great. I know nothing about CA but, I have always toyed with the idea of using a comp in my car. What are the full specs of the comp?

The computer is built off of one of via's mini ITX boards with an integrated Via C3 1.3Ghz processor on a 400Mhz fsb. Using 512Mb of DDR 2100 with timings of 3-4-4-5-t1. I am using the integrated via rage graphics on the motherboard. Sound blaster audigy 2 Nx in a pCMCIA slot. 60Gb western digital 5400rpm 16Mb cache 2.5" hard drive. The os i am using is a hacked copy of windows xp embeded running with the nlitexp patch.

It is plenty fast for the the applications that i am running off of it wich is mainly music playback and gps navigation. However some of the other software i have put on it is;

DVD playback
MP3 Playback
FM Radio
XM Radio
Custom web browser that is touch screen friendly
phone tools(turns my phone into hands free going over my car speaker via blutooth)
Sega and ninteno emulators (with many games :) )

I keep adding more and more to it everyday.

[neomagus00]

There's a sticky at the top of the car audio forum called something like SR6500 white sheet. Also here (http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/specs/sr6500/) are the specs listed on Polk's site under the SR6500's.
i was momentarily confused, then i realised... 'comp' vs. 'comps' (components)... now i see :p

[audiobliss]

ROFL! Wow...gee...man. So that means my post was completely useless! :p

I need to take a reading comprehension test...no, wait...I think I already know how I'd do...

[aaharvel]

gorgeous. a gorgeous 19k car.
i still can't believe this is a CIVIC! :eek:

[audiobliss]

I can't believe you think it's so gorgeous. ;)

[CrBoy]

I think is a nice car, but Honda is not my cup of tea... :p

[Tim Staudinger]

looks like a saturn

[1996blackmax]

I think it looks nice, and nothing like a Saturn.

We have a 2000 Civic EX and it has been great, no issues at all.

[Demiurge]

Looks really good. I wouldn't have the stones to pull my brand new car apart like that.

[1996blackmax]

That is actually something I can't wait to do once I get my new car :D.

[BrentMcGhee]

Well, everything is almost done with my car. Here are some pictures to get yall up to speed to everything that has been done since.

[BrentMcGhee]

And here are some more pics. Only a few more days, i hope, until i can drive around in my car with my new toys :)

[basmoq]

Hey man, just wanted to let you know you inspired me to do the dynamat as well. I was already in the process of installing amps, sub, HU, all around speakers and the Hornet 727t factory alarm upgrade system with an extra sensor for breaking glass and remote start. The dynamat will be a nice addition while I've already got the car in pieces... Good job with the install, your doing a great job if your just a first timer. The Civic is my second car, but at least I got it with power locks so I didn't have to install them myself, now that wasn't fun with my last car... Now if I can just get the oil leak and the vent in the center console fixed by the dealership.

[BrentMcGhee]

well yes i am a first timer..... but i can not take credit for the dash peices though, A friend of mine at work is doing all of that, I would have no idea how to do that.
you will not regret the dynamat basmoq, car will be a whole helluvalot quiter

[basmoq]

sweet, that's what I'm shooting for. Now I just have to wait for my sister to graduate in 2 weeks so she can move in with me and watch my son while I do it. It's really really really hard to get anything done in the car when you have a 10mo old in the back wanting to play with you.

[chylld]

this thread has really inspired me, been searching for what people have done with their '06 civics and this really hits the spot - full sound deadening of the car.

i live in australia, the model here that i bought is called the civic sport and looks pretty much the same inside and out as the one you guys get. this weekend i intend to rip as much of the car out as i can to see if i can get it as bare as you got it brent, but i want to ask: do you have any tips for removing the interior trim? i have a rough idea of how to do it from reading the service manuals at collegehillshonda.com, but want to know if there are any special techniques/tools that would make life easier / reduce my chance of breaking something. :)

[fisheric]

ive always wanted to put a computer in my car with a touch screen. where did you find a suitable one? it would be cool to have some hot keys built into the console or dash dont you think?

[BrentMcGhee]

chylld - the only tools you need are a socket set, a panel popper, phillips and flat head screwdriver. Those will do the trick. Everything came apart pretty easy, the center console was a little tricky, there are two screws hidden under the panel for the stick. Other than that it just takes time, i had to do it all by hand i do not have an air compressor :(

fisheric - I actually built the computer, I bought most of the parts for it on a site called MP3Car.com. They have eberything you would need including a tremendous forum section where you can get any and all questions anwered.

I am almost done with everything, pics of the final product will be up shortly

[audiobliss]

Wow, I missed all the updates on this. You sure have been on it a long time...but it looks like it has most definitely been worth it! It all looks great! I can't wait to see what it looks like when you've finished.

[chylld]

brent: i just wrapped up my project yesterday - 4 full days of dynamatting for the floor, rear seat, boot and all 4 doors (inside and out). you're right, you don't really need any special tools (i didn't even use my panel popper) but i did put a 90 degree bend in a small flathead screwdriver to help pry up the armrest consoles in the doors.

here's a pic of my floor done... followed the way you did it pretty much, but kept the wires and plugs accessible:

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/4417/floor6us.th.jpg (http://img235.imageshack.us/my.php?image=floor6us.jpg)

[BrentMcGhee]

I see you did not feel like messing with the carpet, you just kind of propped it up out of your way, haha. I almost did the same thing but decided to just cut it

[1996blackmax]

Nicely done :).

[josh_parsons626]

Hey brent I was just wondering if you could maybe e-mail with a DETAILED explanation of how you did your subs. The way your box was and everything. Cause I have a 93 Mazda 626 that my subs are gonna be facing you when you lower the back seat down. And I'm having a hard time figuring out how I'm gonna go about doing all that plus a unique place for the amps too. My email address is Josh_Parsons626@yahoo.com

[josh_parsons626]

I also wanna say that man first time or not first time that Civic or yours from the pics I've seen looks awesome man! I mean honestly you have really done a good job on that custom work. But I have to ask you though I'm concerned with your subs fully installed in the trunk are you still having room for your spare tire? Cause that's been a big issue in my installation in my car.

[Pinkank]

wow, thats pretty awsome

[themexicankid]

Did you run 8 gauge to your amps? or was that 4 gauge in disguise

[avhomedesigns]

Wow, nicely done

[Sherardp]

Awesome install, really caught my attention. Wanting to see the finished product as well.

[Popeye89]

sick..

[dendritic007]

Modding a new car is the greatest. You get to take something that is sharp and make it spectacular. If I am planning on modding my vehicle I do it when it is new and comes apart more easily. I bought an 05 Lexus is300 in 06. They had to locate one for me as the 06 were being released. Why I did not get an 06? All in the engine, 06 has a not so modable v6 motor where the 05 has inline 6. Which is limitless. None the less car had 1 mile on it when it went next door from the lot. New set of Foose 20" wheels. Also picked up 18" in the same wheel, for when the suspension is changed. Car had 7 miles on it when it went into my garage where it stayed for approx 2 weeks. Forget model number and dont wanna go look, HU is Eclipse double din with navi touchscreen. I believe it is the first touch double din eclipse made. Focal components for front and I forget the model but the best polk audio 6x9 *(at the time) for the rear. All powered by 300/4 Jl audio, Subs were 2 13.5 jl w7's powered by 2 1000/1 Jl amps @ 1.5ohms. Phoenix gold 20 farad cap, digital volt meter that attached to cap. Had to put second battery Yellow top Optima in trunk as well.Replaced front battery with Red Top Optima, it has more cold cranking amps. Car would not run without trunk battery while stereo was just barely booming. I have pics of all of the stages of my install that i will post soon. I do it all myself, so when i am done it is all my creativity not others. To the person that said that they could not tell the difference between a jl w7 and a jlw6v2, must have just been looking at them!!! Maybe the w7 wasent being powered properly. I only have experience with Memphis, JL audio, and Eclipse. I tried using Eclipse's 1000 watt mono amp to power a W7. Bought am new for like 900 bucks,(Junk) went straight to Ebay! IMO Eclipse makes a better sq amp than jl when it is use for highs, jl takes the cake with power. Yes I know there are cheaper amps out there that are powerful, audiobahn being one. Save your money get what you know, dont take shortcuts. Now my wife has a new civic hybrid, new project!! No subs with her just 6 new speakers and a nice 4 channel amp. I am gonna use the Eclipse class D 100 x 4 amp, I have used this in my truck in the past, the sq is great and plenty of power 100 x4 @ 4ohms. The main reason to choose a JL amp for your subs is not just the boom or the sq. The 500/1 and the 1001/1 amps do not change the rms wattage output depending on ohms, so if you ever change your sub configuration which could change the ohms, your amp will still be putting out full rms wattage. Also avoid cheaper amps that say 1000 watts max power. What a joke!! Most amps that say that are only 500 rms and 1000 with a musical peak. RMS wattage is all that matters. now for my question, what 6.5" components should I use for my wifes car? I want to try something new. I am using components for the front and rear.

[dendritic007]

Modding a new car is the greatest. You get to take something that is sharp and make it spectacular. If I am planning on modding my vehicle I do it when it is new and comes apart more easily. I bought an 05 Lexus is300 in 06. They had to locate one for me as the 06 were being released. Why I did not get an 06? All in the engine, 06 has a not so modable v6 motor where the 05 has inline 6. Which is limitless. None the less car had 1 mile on it when it went next door from the lot. New set of Foose 20" wheels. Also picked up 18" in the same wheel, for when the suspension is changed. Car had 7 miles on it when it went into my garage where it stayed for approx 2 weeks. Forget model number and dont wanna go look, HU is Eclipse double din with navi touchscreen. I believe it is the first touch double din eclipse made. Focal components for front and I forget the model but the best polk audio 6x9 *(at the time) for the rear. All powered by 300/4 Jl audio, Subs were 2 13.5 jl w7's powered by 2 1000/1 Jl amps @ 1.5ohms. Phoenix gold 20 farad cap, digital volt meter that attached to cap. Had to put second battery Yellow top Optima in trunk as well.Replaced front battery with Red Top Optima, it has more cold cranking amps. Car would not run without trunk battery while stereo was just barely booming. I have pics of all of the stages of my install that i will post soon. I do it all myself, so when i am done it is all my creativity not others. To the person that said that they could not tell the difference between a jl w7 and a jlw6v2, must have just been looking at them!!! Maybe the w7 wasent being powered properly. I only have experience with Memphis, JL audio, and Eclipse. I tried using Eclipse's 1000 watt mono amp to power a W7. Bought am new for like 900 bucks,(Junk) went straight to Ebay! IMO Eclipse makes a better sq amp than jl when it is use for highs, jl takes the cake with power. Yes I know there are cheaper amps out there that are powerful, audiobahn being one. Save your money get what you know, dont take shortcuts. Now my wife has a new civic hybrid, new project!! No subs with her just 6 new speakers and a nice 4 channel amp. I am gonna use the Eclipse class D 100 x 4 amp, I have used this in my truck in the past, the sq is great and plenty of power 100 x4 @ 4ohms. The main reason to choose a JL amp for your subs is not just the boom or the sq. The 500/1 and the 1001/1 amps do not change the rms wattage output depending on ohms, so if you ever change your sub configuration which could change the ohms, your amp will still be putting out full rms wattage. Also avoid cheaper amps that say 1000 watts max power. What a joke!! Most amps that say that are only 500 rms and 1000 with a musical peak. RMS wattage is all that matters. now for my question, what 6.5" components should I use for my wifes car? I want to try something new. I am using components for the front and rear.

[bigaudiofanatic]

Honestly man if he did the dash pieces I would have him re mount those tweeters into the pillars it would look and sound so much better. Just a suggestion.