PPH Posted November 17, 2019 Report Share Posted November 17, 2019 (edited) Dear all, I am actively new to this forum but have been following it for a while. I own a 2018 Exige in Black Metallic with EX460 upgrade by KomoTec and am using the cold (and wet) season for some upgrades including ICE. The setup will be quite simple: - Headunit - 4CH Amp incl DSP in the dashboard - Subwoofer in the passenger foot space - Extended range speakers with important Xmax (EAD H100HD MK II) in the dashboard. I started disassembling the dashboard, removing the original speakers and steel supports, replacing them by 10mm aluminium rings that subsequently were bonded to the dashboard (alumnium charged epoxy glue and aluminium putty). The speakers will be glued on the dashboard rings and they will be fixed with anither 10mm ornamental ring that will hold the protection grill. I am uncertain on about how to finish the ornamental rings and see three options (plus one - I need your help there): a) Anodizing as the other interior aluminium Lotus parts - afraid of reflections b) Painting in metallic black as the interiour colour pack - may be too much? c) Powder coating in a colour close to dashboard colour - may be too boring? d) Anything else you might think of! Thank you in advance for your feedback and comments! Patrick Edited November 17, 2019 by PPH Typo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrP_ Posted November 17, 2019 Report Share Posted November 17, 2019 Personally I’d trim the dashboard and spacers in the same non reflective material as anything shiny will be a huge distraction. Looks like a good project thought. Are you mounting the amp where the airbag goes? Quote instagram.com/mycarsetc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted November 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2019 5 hours ago, MrP_ said: Personally I’d trim the dashboard and spacers in the same non reflective material as anything shiny will be a huge distraction. That’s what I’m afraid of as well, even if from a purely esthetic point of view a contrast might me nice. As it will be difficult to nicely bend leather or faux leather around the ornamental ring due to its relatively sharp corners, a matte black paint or powder coating matching the dashboard’s colour seems like a more practical option. 5 hours ago, MrP_ said: Looks like a good project thought. Are you mounting the amp where the airbag goes? As I do not want to delete the Airbag, I am thinking if squeezing the amp behind the trinket and above the subwoofer. I am not sure if and how it will fit, so I might need to reconsider this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrP_ Posted November 18, 2019 Report Share Posted November 18, 2019 6 hours ago, PPH said: As I do not want to delete the Airbag, I am thinking if squeezing the amp behind the trinket and above the subwoofer. I am not sure if and how it will fit, so I might need to reconsider this. You could mount under the dash and make a bracket so it hangs underneath instead. If its thin enough you won't even see it 6 hours ago, PPH said: That’s what I’m afraid of as well, even if from a purely esthetic point of view a contrast might me nice. As it will be difficult to nicely bend leather or faux leather around the ornamental ring due to its relatively sharp corners, a matte black paint or powder coating matching the dashboard’s colour seems like a more practical option. Maybe a brushed finish might work? Quote instagram.com/mycarsetc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted November 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2019 On 18/11/2019 at 09:15, MrP_ said: You could mount under the dash and make a bracket so it hangs underneath instead. If its thin enough you won't even see it I think that would be a smart solution as it would preserve easy access to the (hopefully never needed) fuses. The amp is quite small (L: 183 mm x W: 146 mm x H: 50 mm) so once it is finally released I can start and try accomodating it in various places and see what works out best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted December 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2019 After several trials I got the rings powder coated in matte black. I think they look pretty nice. I now need to fix the grilles to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted December 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2019 As the powder coating took more than expected I went for a 2-DIN conversion from SSC This is how the „guts“ of the dashboard look now: The kit came with flexible pipes for a different AC plenum so I will be replacing them with rigid piping between dashboard and plenum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted December 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2019 I did many installs but the cabling in the Exige is demanding due to space constraints in my opinion. On a positive note, fitting the side vents with a chrome ring was very easy and I think they look great: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted December 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2019 Worked on the wiring loom and it starts looking decent: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted December 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2019 Grilles fixed to the rings with Sikaflex: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted January 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2020 As I got got caught up with other things I am just posting progress now. The wiring is finally final (I undid the previous one as I was unhappy with the looks): Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted January 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2020 I finally decided to install the amplifier behind the air scoop on the driver‘s side. I built it out of multiplex wood that was subsequently painted and fixed on the available threaded bars: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted January 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2020 Amplifier finally installed... it really shouldn‘t be larger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted January 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2020 This slowly starts looking like a car again: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted February 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2020 This weekend I focused on fitting the remote control for the amp. I had to 3D print a new front panel for the remote that I subsequently bonded to the the left side “pocket” of the A-Pillar / Side Sill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PPH Posted February 9, 2020 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 Finally all re-assembled and running 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted March 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2020 In order to compensate for the extra weight of the audio equipment I decided to install a LifePo battery. I designed a plug and play battery holder that was 3D printed in Carbon Filled Nylon and was finally delivered today: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted March 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2020 (edited) Battery without charge control: And with charge control: Edited March 6, 2020 by PPH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Five50 Posted March 9, 2020 Report Share Posted March 9, 2020 Great work! Keep us updated 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akajak Posted March 20, 2020 Report Share Posted March 20, 2020 great work, a real labour of love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted May 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2020 Finally, last step was the subwoofer install. I had built an MPX enclosure for a JL Audio 8W6v3 but ultimately settled for a JL Audio fibreglass enclosure hosting a 10W1v2. After fitting an spacer (powder coated aluminium) I was able to fit a 10W1v3 that offers higher XMAX and better power handling. I also replaced the alumium cover in the center of the car for the RHD drive one as I did not lile the look of a square box (subwoofer) being partially hidden by the triangular shape of the LHD cover. After tweaking the amps DSP, I have to say that I am happy with the final result. I think I am done with the ICE 😀 Lastly, I cut the original carpet and had it piped for an OEM look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Five50 Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 Looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPH Posted May 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Thanks, I appreciate the positive feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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