Lotus Elan Central

Here is a step-by-step of the custom speaker install I recently completed.
The new enclosures allowed me to install 2no 6x9 200W Kenwood bass speakers with the amp under the passenger seat.

Hey Paul

Thats really neat

Think you've got the wrong forum, this isn't vauxhallnovacentral

There's probably just enough room to drop a CD multichanger into the top of one of the boxes (mine sits on top of the standard Lotus speaker box).

dapinky wrote:There's probably just enough room to drop a CD multichanger into the top of one of the boxes (mine sits on top of the standard Lotus speaker box).

That is a good idea Dave, and I'm sure there would be enough room, but all of my music is on my mp3 player which i plug into my head unit. Its like a cd changer but for 500 cd's

Gary wrote:Think you've got the wrong forum, this isn't vauxhallnovacentral

I know what you mean Gary, but the quality of sound out of the standard set-up is really poor. Take your car out one day and turn the head unit on...I think you'll agree.

BTW the head unit is located toward the centre of the dashboard, above the heater position control and ashtray.


The subs were not installed for loudness, but more for the overall sound quality. They do make a big difference

And, I can easily revert it back to the original speaker enclosures when I sell it on.

paulwatkins wrote:when I sell it on.

I'm impressed with the project (as with many on this forum), but it's not one for me - being deaf in one ear anyway, and tone-deaf in the one i have got - as long as i can hear my music above the road noise i'm happy!
My head unit puts out 4 x 40w, and the Pioneer speakers in the door and rear can cope with 120W, so the only consideration for me would be a smallish amp and maybe an extra bass speaker.

It's all well down the list though!

Im just about to sort out the stereo system in my elan .If it looks half as good as yours i'll be well happy!!

When I saw the box of Cheerios in the first picture, I was thinking to myself "oh God, just how Heath Robinson is THIS going to look?!?", but I steadily got mote and more impressed until the last picture when I exclaimed out loud.

It looks fantastic - well done Paul.

What's the little black box on the top of the enclosure behind the passenger seat?

PS: FFS don't mention the four letter S word, especially within earshot of your Elan. You KNOW how temperamental they are and it will probably spit a piston again just to spite you!

Paul,
That looks brilliant! How have you fixed the boxes in position? Do they obstruct the seats going all the way back (doesn't look like). When are you going into production of the templates?
Nice work
Mark

Enright13 wrote:What's the little black box on the top of the enclosure behind the passenger seat?

Thats a small control unit for the amplifier for setting the cross over and output level.

Enright13 wrote:PS: FFS don't mention the four letter S word, especially within earshot of your Elan. You KNOW how temperamental they are and it will probably spit a piston again just to spite you!

I'll keep that in mind Neil

paza1 wrote:......How have you fixed the boxes in position? Do they obstruct the seats going all the way back (doesn't look like). When are you going into production of the templates?
Nice work
Mark

Mark,
To fix the enclosure in, I cut 8 triangular shaped brackets out of 18mm mdf - at the same rake angle as the OE metal frames - and glued them into pairs. These were then drilled and screwed into the lower part of the bulkhead. The enclosures were then screwed onto these brackets.

The seats can go all the way back and recline all the way back. They dont protrude that much further than the OE speaker boxes.....just the extra thickness of the mdf board really.

It was pretty straight forward to do the templates. I did take a bit of time over this just step to make sure they were right! But if I can do it, anyone can! You just need to eat lots of cereal and save up the empty boxes!

Are those 6x9 Kenwood bass unit and 2 way speakers Panasonic?

You did a very neat job there. I'm impressed.

Ekapol wrote:Are those 6x9 Kenwood bass unit and 2 way speakers Panasonic?

The 6x9's are part of a Kenwood subwoofer system that comprises the amp, remote control unit and speakers in one package. KFC-WDA69RC.

The 2 way speakers are Pioneer units (I dont know the product number off-hand - I'll update this again)

Paul,

Do you think that there's any way of fitting an amp inside the box on the bulkhead behind the speakers?

Enright13 wrote:Paul,

Do you think that there's any way of fitting an amp inside the box on the bulkhead behind the speakers?

It could probably be done on the install I did - but it would have to be for a fairly small amp. I guess the enclosures could be made to suit the size of the amp and the spacing off the bulkhead increased a bit to suit.

You may get a problem with the amp overheating though, with the lack of air circulating around it. That would be my concern.

At least I wouldn't have to worry about the lake under the seat if it was on the bulkhead