94 Grand am GT Subwoofer questions

[Pontifex]

I need help with my sound system. I just got my 12 inch Lightning Audio
P3.12.4 today. I went online and ordered a box, and it is on the way. It also comes with tweeters. I was just wondering, under my seat there is a crossover network with the positive and the negative spot on it. What kind of wires do I get to hook up the subwoofer to the network? Also, I had one more question, do I need an amp for my sub too or can I hook up the sub straight to it.

I know a lot of you here with the sweet custom grand ams know how to do all the wiring very well.

Thanks,
Mitch

[dajuiceman]

well, i guess i never realized that in 92 GM had a special system setup. I'm assuming that youre running an aftermarket headunit because in 92 they probably only had tape decks. I do know this, you will need a separate amp to run you 12 inch sub. If you have an aftermarket hu youre better off anyway to run your own amp and connect it to the preouts on the hu.

[Pontifex]

Sorry, I messed up on the year. It is a 94 grand am gt. It has an aftermarket crossover network or something like that, it is very simple. I am assuming it has a amp because there are aftermarket speakers in the drivers and passengers side.

[Lowizle]

If you want the best out of your subwoofer, i would highly recomend an amplifier, you will want an amp thats Rms out put matches the RMS handling of your sub.

[bryan]

Did you make sure the box matches the recommended air space of the subwoofers?

[Korbendallas68]

because in 92 they probably only had tape decks.

Incorrect. They had CD decks as well.

[Pontifex]

yeah l made sure l got the right box. I will Post what kind I got.

[Pontifex]

Okay, for my 12 inch sub, I got a 12" ported subwoofer sub enclosure mdf box, is this good?

This is what it looks almost exactly like except the carpet is a different color.

http://scimg.auctiva.com/imgsc/4/6/3/8/7/8/sc/170127390556.jpg

[Matt95GT]

First of all, you need to reverse engineer whatever is in the car now. Don't go just connecting things.

Second, not knowing if a sub requires an amp or not leads me to believe that you need to do a little research on car auto systems in general. It would really be in your best interest to start learning now, before doing something the wrong way.

Did you make sure the box matches the recommended air space of the subwoofers?

And even more importantly... if you measured and compared the trunk dimensions before you select a box.

[MXculture]

yeah dude...get an AMP...make sure its more power then your subwoofer actually...beleive it or not...underpowering your subwoofer is alot worse then overpowering it...u want a little more power...i know ALOT about systems...ive been thru alot of systems...installed them on the side for friends and ppl that friends recommended me too...all u need is a wiring kit, an amp, a sub and make sure your box has the proper cubic inches of air for your sub (it will be in the manual your sub comes with)...if you cant find one with the EXACT number..just pick one out with the closest thing to it...cuz going custom is pricy..go to any audio/video store that sells subs...they will do it all up for you...plus u go to a cheap place u never know what kinda wood u can have under the carpeting...if ur asking questions like u did...like everyone says on here...i suggest u dont wire it yourself...if u have a aftermarket deck...itl make things alot easier for ya...then if u really want it to sound good pick yourself up some aftermarket speakers a small 250W to 450W 4 channel amp...then you'll have a nice thumpin system.

[Blackhawk]

Custom is only pricy when you have somebody else do it, I made my box and it came out to about $30 after I got rid of the half sheet of mdf/hdf that I had left.

[Big Joe]

Incorrect. They had CD decks as well.

:agree: but their pretty rare.

[Big Joe]

First of all, you need to reverse engineer whatever is in the car now. Don't go just connecting things.

Second, not knowing if a sub requires an amp or not leads me to believe that you need to do a little research on car auto systems in general. It would really be in your best interest to start learning now, before doing something the wrong way.
before you select a box.

Yeah defintily. You seem to have very little knowledge on the subject. I'd do a hell of alot more reading up on the subject and then start out with small stuff and work your way up. Either that or find someone who knows what their doing and see if they can help you.

[Korbendallas68]

:agree: but their pretty rare.

Yup. Originally had one in my GT, but it ate a CD and was being a general nuisance. lol

I sold it on eBay for a good chuck of cash. I kinda wish I would of kept it. lol

[Ralph]

what are the dimensions of the box?
what are the space the manufactures for the sub?
whats the RMS of the sub?

First answer those questions then

What gauge wire do I need?
Do I need a distribution Block?
What size fuses do I need?
Is my stock battery fine?
Is my alternator fine?

This is by no means a direct plug and play install

[Anniku989]

yeah dude...get an AMP...make sure its more power then your subwoofer actually...beleive it or not...underpowering your subwoofer is alot worse then overpowering it...u want a little more power...i know ALOT about systems...ive been thru alot of systems...installed them on the side for friends and ppl that friends recommended me too...all u need is a wiring kit, an amp, a sub and make sure your box has the proper cubic inches of air for your sub (it will be in the manual your sub comes with)...if you cant find one with the EXACT number..just pick one out with the closest thing to it...cuz going custom is pricy..go to any audio/video store that sells subs...they will do it all up for you...plus u go to a cheap place u never know what kinda wood u can have under the carpeting...if ur asking questions like u did...like everyone says on here...i suggest u dont wire it yourself...if u have a aftermarket deck...itl make things alot easier for ya...then if u really want it to sound good pick yourself up some aftermarket speakers a small 250W to 450W 4 channel amp...then you'll have a nice thumpin system.

LMAO

So in that theory, every time you turn the volume down from the volume that you set your gains at, you'll risk blowing the subs because you'll be under powering them... Great theory

Your forgetting about the tuning frequency of the box...

Building your own "Custom" box is actually cheaper...

Nvm, I'm done, your post has given me a headache...

[Pontifex]

Yeah, I got MDF wood for my sub box

[xtantman]

LMAO

So in that theory, every time you turn the volume down from the volume that you set your gains at, you'll risk blowing the subs because you'll be under powering them... Great theory

Your forgetting about the tuning frequency of the box...

Building your own "Custom" box is actually cheaper...

Nvm, I'm done, your post has given me a headache...

I agree building ur own box is not very expensive. If u have basic wood skills, there are lots of sites out there to help u with all the specs so it matches ur sub specs. I used RE audios box calculator for my last box. Its very easy to use and tells u about everything u need to know. I built a 3.5 cubic foor box tuned to 32hz for y 15 FI Q and only cost me maybe 50 bucks total. I dont recommend getting a box before u know the specs of ur sub.

[Pontifex]

Well I spent 45 dollars for my box with shipped price. Good Deal for MDF wood?

[xtantman]

thats not really the point. yea thats a cheap price. but i would never get a box without knowing all the specs for the subs. cubic feet, freq., port length, port area. But i guess in ur case u are a newbie and running lower end stuff so that box will work.

[Pontifex]

lol exactly

[xtantman]

lol exactly


pm sent

[Blackhawk]

Mitch, being new to it isn't a great excuse. I'm barely older than you and just put in my first system a month ago. I researched everything that I could, including space requirements, and built my own box. It turned out pretty good other than the HU tuner crapping out.

[Pontifex]

Yeah I know I'm new to it, I got some help installing the amp, and subs, I had the headunit to work with it. I hired him to install everything. I am looking for a new headunit by the way..