Just got my subthump box today so I was looking where to mount the amp. Then I got to thinking how to mount it so I am asking for some ideas and knowledge.
I dont want to build a box or rack for the amp, I just want to mount it in the car. The Amp is about 9Lx14Wx2H inches (1000 watts).
First thing Im pretty sure I need to mount the amp to a piece of wood then mount the wood to the car. The negative cable will be grounded to the passenger seat as its the closests place I can find with metal thats grounded to the frame.
Now how should I go about mounting the amp to the floor in the rear of the car? Could I just use 1 1/2 inch self tapping screws and screw it right to the floor? I have even thought about just using a big peice of velcro, the HOOK side of velcro sticks rather well to the carpet.
If anyone has any ideas, pictures, or knowledge it would be greatly appreciated.
Taz....personally I do not like to put screws through the body of a car. What I do is silicone a piece of wood to the body and then screw my equipment to that. Or I use what is called a nutsert...that is sort of like a rivet that allows you to use a machine screw. You car already has alot of nutserts in it from the factory and I prefer to replicate what the factory does. You also have to be carefull in the back because of your gas tanks. I have seen people use the velcro on carpet method. Not a bad idea but I would give it a little test to make sure your amp will take flight if you have to hit the brakes hard. That reminds me of a funny story.
Years ago my little brother had a RX7. I built him a bandpass enclosure that fit behind his seat. He was to install it but only laid it in the car. It was hit in the rear and the enclosure flew out the windshield. On the way it hit him in the head giving him a bunch of stitches. Now he has me do the install from start to finish....lol.
LOL, Im going to test out the velcro method tomorrow. There is a little metal hook in the rear trunk area i can fasten a zip tie to the amp to ensure it doesnt take flight incase of accident or hard braking. Putting screws in the car really isnt an option honestly, I would see that as devalueing the Z06.
I dont plan on screwing down the subthump box either, altho it should stay in its place just fine.
Ill be sure to take pics when I finish it this weekend
Taz....personally I do not like to put screws through the body of a car. What I do is silicone a piece of wood to the body and then screw my equipment to that. Or I use what is called a nutsert...that is sort of like a rivet that allows you to use a machine screw. You car already has alot of nutserts in it from the factory and I prefer to replicate what the factory does. You also have to be carefull in the back because of your gas tanks. I have seen people use the velcro on carpet method. Not a bad idea but I would give it a little test to make sure your amp will take flight if you have to hit the brakes hard. That reminds me of a funny story.
Years ago my little brother had a RX7. I built him a bandpass enclosure that fit behind his seat. He was to install it but only laid it in the car. It was hit in the rear and the enclosure flew out the windshield. On the way it hit him in the head giving him a bunch of stitches. Now he has me do the install from start to finish....lol.
Thank the Lord he only got a few stitches I've nearly did the same thing in my college years. I hit a deer at 70 mph and a 6X9 box just about took my head off. That happen on my birthday
Safety FIRST!!! always fuse the power cable 6 inches from the battery
In my C5, I have my amp mounted against a reinforced(3/4 plywood that spans as much of the rear area as I could get) center back panel. The ground is connected to the frame at the right rear tail light area. It was extremely easy to get to. I pulled both tailights(5 minutes) and was able to get my drill in there with no problem, used a self tapping screw and in 15 minutes was all grounded. I think the ground wire is about 12 inches long.
Originally I had it mounted over the right rear fender well with big strips of Velcro. It was almost impossible to move, but took up some needed space.
A couple of years ago in Seattle a person was killed by their speaker box flying forward and hitting them in the head after a high speed accident, i think it was a football player but can't say for sure. Just make sure that it whatever you end up doing it is securily mounted.
OK well I messed around today with how I want to do it. Basically I am going to mount the bottom half of the amp to the subthump box with screws and velcro the top half to the floor. I will probably use the rear frame for the Amp ground. I already have an Inline fuse next to the power terminal coming off the BATT+ box of the battery inline with the power cable that came with my amp wiring kit.
Now my last question is, How do I secure the subthump box to the car? Only way I see is to actually screw it to the floor of the car, which is what I am trying to avoid. I know it wont go anywhere under normal conditions, but in event of an accident it could be a deady projectile.
Lets say you get in a side impact crash (I hope none of you do ) The power cable going back to the rear of the car (for amps etc.) could get pinched to the chassis. A large wire (ie 4 guage) will then be a very large heating element (like inside a light bulb or electric stove) and your car will go up in flames If a fuse is in-line near the battery, the fuse will pop if the cable shorts to ground, hence no fire. A car fire would definitely suck if you were trapped inside.
I bolted the subthump box to my floor with little issue. Go to Home Depot and pick up a couple lengths of threaded rod, 4 nuts, and 4 large diameter washers. Cut the rod down to the side you need, drill the holes in the box and floor, run the rods through then use silicone sealant in the speakerbox. Place the washers, nuts, and bolt everything together. Minimal modification to the car (2 holes in the fiberglass bottom and a secure, safe box in about 30 minutes.
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How and Where to mount amp
I've nearly did the same thing in my college years. I hit a deer at 70 mph and a 6X9 box just about took my head off. That happen on my birthday 
