EliteCM.net

Here's a sub enclosure that I recently completed for Steve (InFuMoUs) over on g7a.  Here's a few pics to show you guys the process I went through.  While I was finishing up the enclosure for Steve he and Piero were nice enough to take pics while I was doing the work.

After I covered the area to be fiberglassed with 2 layers of masking tape, I covered it with a layer of aluminum foil to help release the mold a little easier.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1937.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1938.jpg)
The rest of the trunk covered with a plastic drop cloth.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1939.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1940.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1941.jpg)
Fiberglass chop mat laid down and ready for resin.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1942.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1943.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1944.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1945.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1946.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1947.jpg)
Chop mat soaked in resin.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1948.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1949.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1950.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1951.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1952.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1954.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1955.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1956.jpg)
Mold pulled after curing.  This was actually for a project that was supposed to be an enclosure that was a lot larger to include an amp rack.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1957.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1958.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1959.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1960.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/IMG_1961.jpg)
Cutting out the trim rings.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/001.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/002.jpg)
Finished mounting trim ring and flush mount trim ring.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/003.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/004.jpg)
Gluing the rings together.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/005.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/006.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/010.jpg)
Test fitting the mold and subwoofer placement before trimming.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/007.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/008.jpg)
Trimming the mold.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/009.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/011.jpg)
Mold trimmed and test fit again.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/014.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/012.jpg)
Mounting the trim ring.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/018.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/019.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/020.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/027.jpg)
Trim ring mounted.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/021.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/022.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/023.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/024.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/025.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/026.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/028.jpg)
Stretching fleece over the enclosure for the final shape.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/029.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/030.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/031.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/032.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/033.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/034.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/035.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/036.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/037.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/038.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/039.jpg)
Another test fit to check for clearance.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/040.jpg)
Soaking the fleece with resin.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/042.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/043.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/044.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/045.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/046.jpg)
Trimming the fleece away to cut out the center of the subwoofer mounting ring.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/047.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/048.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/049.jpg)
Subwoofer mounting ring cut out.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/050.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/051.jpg)
Test fitting the sub.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/052.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/053.jpg)
Finishing the carpeting.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/054.jpg)
Installing the sub.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/055.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/056.jpg)
Finished!!
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/057.jpg)
Installed!!!!!!!!
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/058.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/059.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/060.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/061.jpg)
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/timot_one/Steves%20Sub%20Enclosure/062.jpg)

Tim you truly are an artist! A very well done piece! Keep up the excellent DIY's and keep churning out those beautiful pieces of artwork!

Terrific job. Big ups to you my friend.

Hell of a job Tim! How long did it take you? From the pics it didnt look long at all but I have no clue about fiber glass molding and what not.

Well, I made the mold of the trunk a long time ago actually.  The enclosure can be made in about a day if the conditions are right.  I.E. - starting early enough, having all the supplies you need, tools working properly.

There's a lot of prep work involved in doing this kind of stuff, so I usually take most of my time with masking off the trunk, test fitting things, and making sure that everything is ideal before the work is actually done.  Doing the actual work doesn't take that long though.

Amazing stuff there. No wonder my Amp & Bazooka install makes you sleepy!  

I never said that it made me sleepy Rick.  I just want people to know that they can have a good audio set up without taking up too much space or buying an aftermarket h/u.

I will be doing another install on Arie's car this summer also.  This will be a full install, utilizing his OEM Navi h/u.  I have been working with him on getting the best products to suit his needs for an audio system.  I feel that his install will provide seamless integration with the existing OEM equipment with clean and non-intrusive amp rack and subwoofer enclosure while retaining the majority of the trunk space, providing easy access to the spare tire, and being easily removable if needed.

It was a joke son!

 

One of these should appear in my trunk with a matching amp rack, some interior speakers, and a nice alpine head unit. Any free time this spring Tim?
?

I will probably have some free time this spring to work on your car Mike.  Just let me know and we'll get started.  I should post pictures from Arie's build in here too.

Arie's build was beautiful as well. I expecially liked what you did with his amps.

So much work but so totally worth it. Your builds are one of a kind, Tim.

I'm going to have to buy him some nice lobsters to do a built for me!

As long as they're cash lobsters, I'm down.

You dont like to be paid in shell fish?

That's a very nice custom sub enclosure. I've never built a box out of fiberglass but I've done a few custom enclosures with MDF.  Heavy stuff...but works damn well.  When building this enclosure did you account for the optimum internal volume of the box in relation to that driver? Or did you just wing it? I'm guessing the later. You never mentioned how that sub sounds...also what watt amp did you couple it with?

looks freakin OEM (in a good way)...freakin sweet. Is the amp getting a rack in the future?

man that is nice! that's exactly how i would want one. how much do you charge?

I'm wondering this as well.  

BTW, awesome writeup Tim.

It was the latter.  I just winged it.  The enclosure actually got destroyed and needs to be rebuilt in the spring.  At that point I will make sure to get the Thiele/Small parameters and build it at the proper size for the type of sound that Steve wants, taking into account that fiberglass enclosures need to be about 80% of the size of an MDF enclosure.  I don't know the specs of the amp he had it hooked up to.  Hopefully he will chime in and tell us.

Great enclosure, love the look of it.

One question though (i apologize for being such a n00b   ) How did you secure the enclosure to the car?

Tim that looks awesome. You make it look so easy. ( I know it's not easy, but it looks great)

Usually velcro will keep it from toppling over.  You can also bolt it into the floor of the car or trunk panel too if you want to.  Most of the time, just the weight and low center of gravity keeps the enclosure in place.  Unfortunately, this enclosure wasn't as strong as I wanted it to be and the mounting ring broke.  I have it sitting in my storage space so I can fix it and get ti back to Steve this summer.

^^^ Couldn't have said it better  ^^^

Thanks, but please don't associate me with those guys.  Nothing against Remy, but that shop is a total rip off because Will Castro can get away with overcharging professional atheletes.

wow great work on that build

Tim's work on Arie's car was the direct inspiration for mine:
(http://www.agaveandlime.com/sub.jpg)
(http://www.agaveandlime.com/trunk.jpg)
(http://www.agaveandlime.com/rack.jpg)

Thanks man.  I can't wait to do my own build this summer.  I'm just debating whether I want to have 1 or 2 JL Audio 13TW5's.  Probably 2.

That sounds nice, great sql!  I am having the box massaged a bit and going into a 12" W7.  Having gone single, the X just isn't quite giving me enough.  I had considered the new Memphis Mojo, but it isn't quite the sql unit that the W7 is.

Tim, go with your classic dual sub enclosures.  

Also, as soon as I finish I will post some pictures of the twins Tim did for him self a while back and was gracious enough to sell forwards to me…  

Since I got them from Tim I have used them as storage enclosures in the trunk but I am going to out fit them with a set of 15” RCF Woofers.  

I will post the pictures ASAP.

OFF TOPIC:

PS. Unique Auto Sports SUCKS!!! The newer guys that came into the shop had better skills than Remy.

I would rather spend money with Chip Foose.  Unique has done some bullshit ass work on most of their customer cars and I can’t believe the overage he charges these poor rich athletes.

Poor rich athletes? That doesn't make much sense.

Yeah, I know it’s kind of redundant but you know what I meant to say.

Poor = Suckers

I would reconsider the enclosure design before spending money on another sub.  A single 12 should be plenty if yu're going for SQ.  Have you made sure that the enclosure is the correct volume, taking into account that fiberglass will appear to be larger than a MDF enclosure of equal internal volume?  A poorly designed enclosure can make a very nice subwoofer sound like shit.  A well designed enclosure can make an inexpensive subwoofer sound like you spent a lot of money.

OK, thanks Tim.  I was thinking of having them reduce the volume, as it is +/-1.15 cu ft and being a glass box, it probably looks like 1.5 to the x-series.  I will have them reduce volume to .80 to start.  Thanks again, as always your advice is greatly appreciated.

Who is them?  If you built that yourself, you can reduce the enclosure's volume.  I don't have subwoofer enclosure design software because nobody makes it for Mac and I don't really want to spend the money on it right now, but I would recommend trying some sort of free enclosure design software to find out what size the enclosure should be for the sound quality you want (tight and accurate, or boomy and sloppy, or somewhere in between).  Then when you get the volume of what the enclosure should be, remember that an enclosure in fiberglass should be 80% of the size of an MDF enclosure since all enclosure design software and manufacturer assume you're using MDF.  What is the volume of your current enclosure right now?  Why are you not happy with the sound quality?

Sorry for the cell phone pictures I have been posting in the past few days buy I cant seem to find the charger to my point and shoot.

Anyway, here are some pictures of my trunk and the enclosures Tim did.

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/ibcnunv/ECM/IMG_0089.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/ibcnunv/ECM/IMG_0092.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/ibcnunv/ECM/IMG_0091.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/ibcnunv/ECM/IMG_0090.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/ibcnunv/ECM/IMG_0093.jpg)

PS. They are hand me down woofers!

^ Nice Piero, finally filled them enclosures... trunk is looking very nice dude!

Ohhh.  There are speakers in there now.  How nice.

Tim, I had a friend with one of the more respected shops here in Vegas do my build and install.  The enclosure volume is right about 1.15 cu ft.  I want to get tighter and I am having an issue with over excursion on the sub, which has forced me to lower the gain on my PDX-1.1000.  I believe that reducing the volume will lower the chance of over excursion and allow me to turn the gain back up and have the tightness, as well as the SPL I am looking for.

This inspires me. Pun intended.