Subwoofer Installation in 99 Z28

**marcusnewtonz28** · 04-10-2009, 08:45 PM

So I have had these 10'' kicker subs sitting in the garage for quite sometime and I am thinking about buying an amp and doing the whole sha-bang-a-bang. Here is the thing..the audio store says (with the ego big enough to back it up) that I can just put the box right in the slot where the T-Tops lie. Well that would be great, but then I would have no room for my tops and I dont want to put them in the back seat. The other option I was thinking about was hole cutting above that panel (right behind the back seat). I have seen it done in the 80's camaros but not so much on our newer ones. I know the gas tank is near there though. Any suggestions guys? Thank ya much.

-Mark-

**02WS6dream** · 04-10-2009, 11:32 PM

buy/make sub box that fits in the area to the side of the t-tops.. Know there is one pre-made ready for purchase that fits in driver side; and many have made box that fits in passenger side although i imagine those interfere with the spare tire as it is stowed there...

**JoshieDoom** · 04-11-2009, 02:50 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stealth-sub-box-...spagenameZWDVW

Guy on here is actually selling these....

**Too Fast** · 04-11-2009, 03:59 AM

I've been wanting to post pictures of my sub set-up, maybe I will later if I get motivated. I have 2 10s on the panel that shuts off the t-top area, it folds like the OE panel and has the same interior color as my car. A bonus is when I have it shut, the bass has a lot more punch. It's an easy way to modulate the bass, the wife doesn't appreciate it like I do. I also can still store my t-tops, but the lid has to stay open. I put the amp on the back wall of the trunk. One thing I didn't know was the t-top shades will store right there and I can't do that now.

**LS1Jason** · 04-11-2009, 04:25 AM

I've got 2 P1 10's in the spot for the T-tops to sit in. And I can still lay my tops in the front part of the hatch with plenty of room. I'll get some pictures of it this afternoon when i get in from work to give you an idea.

**LS1Jason** · 04-11-2009, 10:40 AM

Look at box/speakers from back seat

Another angle for of the box/speakers

Box set up out of T-Top holders

Amp on bottom -- box is wide enough to sit on each side of T-Top holders

T-Tops set in back -- hatch still easily closes, nothing rubs, nothing rattles around.

Hope this gives you a little bit of an idea.

**marcusnewtonz28** · 04-11-2009, 06:46 PM

Thanks everyone for your input. Jason, I like your setup. I will probably look into doing something along those lines.

**ramz-28** · 04-12-2009, 08:43 AM

If your that worried about storing your tops....than you can always get something like this from subthump

http://www.subthump.com/images/camaro/ttop/ttop2.jpg

You may have to put something in between the glass so they don't rattle and it doesn't use the factory T-Top holders but they claim they are still very secure....just a thought.

**b.lee** · 04-12-2009, 09:06 AM

**Too Fast** · 04-12-2009, 12:05 PM

Here's my setup:

With them flipped down, you can't tell it is not the OE panel unless you really know your cars. I like the stealth factor that way too. Also, the bonus is when they are flipped over and enclosed, the bass hits much harder.

**mild2wild** · 04-21-2009, 07:54 AM

TooFast, did you have to modify and strengthen these (red outline in photo)? If yes, what did you use? I've been toying around with an idea similar to this except it will house one 12" and 2 6x9's.

**Too Fast** · 04-21-2009, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by mild2wild

TooFast, did you have to modify and strengthen these (red outline in photo)? If yes, what did you use? I've been toying around with an idea similar to this except it will house one 12" and 2 6x9's.

That is an excellent question. I forgot about what I had to do, I put a washer between the back nut and the pivot stud. The back nut being the outer most point of the stud that allows the sub assembly to pivot. I did no modifying to the side panel itself, it is showing some wear tho. Before I put the washers on, the sub assembly would come out of the panel, mostly with hard braking.

**mild2wild** · 04-21-2009, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

That is an excellent question. I forgot about what I had to do, I put a washer between the back nut and the pivot stud. The back nut being the outer most point of the stud that allows the sub assembly to pivot. I did no modifying to the side panel itself, it is showing some wear tho. Before I put the washers on, the sub assembly would come out of the panel, mostly with hard braking.

Thanks for the info, I'll have to give it some more thought and see what I can come up with because I want to be able to remove the box when I'm at the track but not have to worry about it jumping or moving up out of the side panels when its in use and thumpin

**Too Fast** · 04-22-2009, 03:02 AM

I take mine out when I go to the track also. It's not hard, but the amp is bolted in on the rear of the lower "trunk", so it stays. The speaker setup probably weighs ~45 lbs.

**mild2wild** · 04-22-2009, 05:50 AM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

I take mine out when I go to the track also. It's not hard, but the amp is bolted in on the rear of the lower "trunk", so it stays. The speaker setup probably weighs ~45 lbs.

Great thanks!

**fieropope** · 04-25-2009, 06:03 PM

if you look at the thread "check out my budget sub setup " you can see what i did and the reason i made mine this way is just for the ease of removing, for those days when you go to the track ,or if some#%$&&#&# goes and rips it off he wont bust up your whole car lol, but i mounted my amp to the box so all i have to do is pull the fuse to the power lead and and the power and rca cables and itll lift out amp and all . also you can use your t top slots without having to flip your subs. i have all the info on how to build this,as i just built it yesterday . hope it may help ....

**nillam1** · 05-11-2009, 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by LS1Jason

Look at box/speakers from back seat

Another angle for of the box/speakers

Box set up out of T-Top holders

Amp on bottom -- box is wide enough to sit on each side of T-Top holders

T-Tops set in back -- hatch still easily closes, nothing rubs, nothing rattles around.

Hope this gives you a little bit of an idea.

I think this is a bad idea, the way I drive the t-tops would be all over the place besides if you get in an accident those t-tops can kill you. They need to be held down thats why GM supplied holders. Just get a stealth box with one 10" sub it will sound great!

**M-ManLA** · 05-13-2009, 02:37 AM

Marcusnewton, this is the route I think you want to take. Pretty pricey but will include two subs and keep your T-Tops safe from harms way.

These will hold two-three 10" subs, or you can get one that holds two 12" subs.

http://www.subthump.com/acamarottop.htm

I personally want to go the Stealth Box route.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting

This will fit a single 10" sub in the cargo area, on the drivers side.

**nillam1** · 05-14-2009, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by M-ManLA

Marcusnewton, this is the route I think you want to take. Pretty pricey but will include two subs and keep your T-Tops safe from harms way.

These will hold two-three 10" subs, or you can get one that holds two 12" subs.

http://www.subthump.com/acamarottop.htm

I personally want to go the Stealth Box route.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting

This will fit a single 10" sub in the cargo area, on the drivers side.

Are the T-tops just sitting in there? Whats to hold them in if you have an accident? Just wondering?

**M-ManLA** · 05-15-2009, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by nillam1

Are the T-tops just sitting in there? Whats to hold them in if you have an accident? Just wondering?

I guess they just sit there. I'm not sure. Most people I am sure don't lock their Tops down anyway. These seems like they will not jump out as easy though.