[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by ergoyo

MendotaMike, great DIY.
Gotta tell you, I have looked at dozens of other installs for the SWS and the aftermarket amp and they all left me with unanswered questions. This is by far the most elaborate and better explained one I have seen.
Really quick questions, when you talk about the molex and OEM connectors when installing the underseat subs, it wasn't clear if you cut the original wiring or what? If not, what did you connect up to the OEM lead?
Also, you did not have to shave the "ribs" off of the bottom of the subs OEM enclosures before putting the SWS, right? I see hundreds of people saying they had to do this even with JT spacers, but I really do not want to do it and believe you didnt either.
Thx

I don't think you need to do it if you're using the spacers. I shaved the bottom ribs down and installed some weather stripping between the sub mounting flange and the enclosure so I was able to get mine in without the spacers. The spacers sure make it a whole lot easier though.

[MendotaMike]

Originally Posted by ergoyo

Really quick questions, when you talk about the molex and OEM connectors when installing the underseat subs, it wasn't clear if you cut the original wiring or what? If not, what did you connect up to the OEM lead?
Also, you did not have to shave the "ribs" off of the bottom of the subs OEM enclosures before putting the SWS, right? I see hundreds of people saying they had to do this even with JT spacers, but I really do not want to do it and believe you didnt either.
Thx

Yes, I cut the original connector off the car side of the subwoofer harnesses, then stripped the wires, crimped on some pins, and put on two-pin Molex connectors. Someone more resourceful than me could probably source a connector that would mate with the factory subwoofer connector, but I'll leave that to the "experts."

As for the ribs, I didn't have any problems at all. I used the JT spacers and some foam weatherstrip from Home Depot (maybe the weatherstrip added some extra height?).

[Jaya3666]

Hi Mike, why did you need the PDX5 with 5 channels (I think) when you only have the front speakers and the subs? I have an e90 with front and rear speakers and the subs, would the PDX5 be able to handle that? How would I wire both subs into the one channel?

[MendotaMike]

Originally Posted by Jaya3666

Hi Mike, why did you need the PDX5 with 5 channels (I think) when you only have the front speakers and the subs? I have an e90 with front and rear speakers and the subs, would the PDX5 be able to handle that? How would I wire both subs into the one channel?

I actually do have the rear OEM speakers hooked up to the PDX5. The gain is turned down as compared to the fronts, just enough to have some rear fill. Keep in mind, nobody spends much time in the back seat of an e93, so great sound quality at elevated volumes back there wasn't much of a priority for me. With an e90, you might want to upgrade the rear speakers as well as the fronts. As for the subs, mine are wired in parallel to the 5th channel of the amp. Works great.

[Jaya3666]

Thanks Mike. Actually, i'd already changed the speakers to the BSW stage 1, but didn't seem to make that much of a difference. Although their obviously better speakers. I've got 2 new SWS 8 waiting to be mounted, just waiting for Jason's spacers in a couple of days. I just ordered Technic's harness and have been advised to contact VP for a XD600/6. I originally had the 6600 in mind, but Technic mentioned the XD which is new and smaller in size, I hope it fits in as neatly as the job you did Mike. Anyone know how I can get in touch with VP, can't PM yet.

[Snootch]

MendotaMike,

Any issues with the PDX overheating when the floor panel is installed over it? Have you had it cranked up for an extended period of time? (road trip) Did you install some kind of cooling system? I am curious since i'm sure a 600w amp creates a little heat.

Additionally, how are the BSW speakers handling the 75W each? I would like to pretty much duplicate what you have done, except install a JBL MS-8 inline before the amp, and install a center channel (extra BSW mid & tweet) and run it off the MS-8 internal amp. Thanks for your excellent write-up.

[spdy330]

Great job!

[Jaya3666]

Snootch, in Mendotamike's pix of the amp upgrade, there's a vent on the side of the amplifier, any idea where that goes. I was worried about the heat as well.

[Jaya3666]

MendotaMike, would a JL Audio XD600/6 fit in the space the way your PDX5 fit?

[Snootch]

Originally Posted by Jaya3666

Snootch, in Mendotamike's pix of the amp upgrade, there's a vent on the side of the amplifier, any idea where that goes. I was worried about the heat as well.

I think that's just a flapper valve to maintain constant air pressure in the cabin. Most cars have these in that same location. It keeps you from popping your ears when slamming the door shut.

His install may be alright if there's enough airspace all around the amp, however over time I think the surrounding air would become heat-soaked enough that the amp would get hot enough to go into protection mode.

[Jaya3666]

I received JTSherri's spacers in the mail and had my sws-8s installed. Followed azwilnj's instructions and everything went well. The spacers fit perfectly and saved me a lot of time and effort. Thanks to both of you. However, I think I need the amp upgrade and i'm waiting for technic's harness to arrive along with my XD600/6 amp. I really hope after all that money and effort spent, there's a major difference in sound. Frankly, so far the sound has improved but there's an overlap in the bass frequencies somewhere. Hopefully I can adjust the gains etc on the amp to get the sound just right. Anyone know where there's instructions to do that?

[freespace303]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm lookin into buying an E93 and doing exactly what the OP has done. The current car I have ('04 Honda S2000) has had a stereo overhaul and I am using the same AMP as the OP used! How awesome is that?

What crossover points and levels did you end up setting on the PDX-5?


here is what i'm using in my S2000 if anybody is curious... (which I might be parting out soon!)
front - 6" Infinity reference components
rear - 5.25" Infinity reference components (inside S-Pods, mounted inside rollbar hoops)
Alpine PDX-5 amp
Alpine 9887 HU
Alpine Type-R 12" subwoofer
eBay trunk box
Modifry dash control module and harness
Modifry dash mount and iBolt car phone dock (for my Galaxy Note 2)

[junitos]

great work subscribed

[sunmans]

Beautiful install!! Hats off to you Dude!!

[Dust Devil]

Hey guys, another old post. Anyone have an online source for the battery connectors shown in the OP's post?

i.e. 61-13-6-925-166 and 61-13-6-920-092

I looked online, and called my dealer but no luck on either side.

Thanks.

[pak1s0ul]

hello i have 2011 BMW M3 E93, i was going through the trunk and i ended up spotting this cable it was cut im trying to figure out what this cable is for and also it looks like fiber cable not sure i need help from the brown side of the cable not sure what it connects to.

[nguyenhh]

I know this is a very old post but I just ran an issue with my 2009 328i after hurricane Harvey. Somehow water got in the amplifier compartment caused random cracking and popping noise although radio still works fine. However after I removed amp clean & dried it, AM/FM radio is no longer working, if I turn volume really high. I could hear tiny statics radio sound as if antenna was not connected correctly. Does any one know where the black cable is supposed to be connected to? I will try to upload a picture so you know what I am talking about.

Thanks in advance,

[ctuna]

e93 has two antenna's one is used with the roof up the other with the roof down.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970

If you have a pre 09 the cars came with pre wiring
for options like the cdc . This may be an unused
cable kind of hard to tell from your picture.

[Danger-Zone]

Originally Posted by MendotaMike

I actually do have the rear OEM speakers hooked up to the PDX5. The gain is turned down as compared to the fronts, just enough to have some rear fill. Keep in mind, nobody spends much time in the back seat of an e93, so great sound quality at elevated volumes back there wasn't much of a priority for me. With an e90, you might want to upgrade the rear speakers as well as the fronts. As for the subs, mine are wired in parallel to the 5th channel of the amp. Works great.

Mike, this is an old thread that I'd love to revive. I have an 08 E93 with the hifi system (based on previous example provided in this thread to determine what system)

Listening to music, I hear the faint and sometimes very obvious sound of the bass tones "rattling" or "buzzing". My initial thought was a speaker had a rear or rip in it; or, it's on its last limbs. Sound is coming from the passenger front side, at least my ears suggest that's the location. However, when I force fade to the front or to the back or balance left and right, I can't really replicate the buzzing I get when I leave everything centered.

I thought it might be the front passenger 4" in the door. But maybe not? Any other ideas, based on your experience with audio in these cars?

One day I'll take on the project similar to yours. But I do want to address the buzzing.

Thanks for any insight!!

JB