drill out OE front speaker grills?
11-05-2006, 05:27 PM
#1
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drill out OE front speaker grills?
I'm installing some component Kickers for the front speakers and was wondering if there'd be a down-side to drilling out the OE speakers grills...the top portion of each grill has the holes in it, but aren't actually open. (I'm thinking that if I drill each hole out, that it'd let more sound from the speakers through)
thanks,
Peter
*I'm not interested in kick panel, door pods...trying to keep an OE look, but improve on the sound quality.
thanks,
Peter
*I'm not interested in kick panel, door pods...trying to keep an OE look, but improve on the sound quality.
11-05-2006, 07:27 PM
#3
Originally Posted by 350ZREDLINE
ya it does improve sound quality, but drilling out each hole would be a pain.
one idea would be to cut out the center, and cover it in speaker cloth.......
one idea would be to cut out the center, and cover it in speaker cloth.......
11-05-2006, 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by hndumafia
cutting and using speaker cloth, or sanding down the plastic on the rear to expose the holes would be way easier than drilling all the holes. i actually tried drilling the holes, and it didn't look good.
I tried that as well, it really looks bad when your done, alot of little plastic pieces hangin off the grill.
I ended up buying a replacement grill and eventually bought door pods
Last edited by Ichigo; 11-05-2006 at 07:37 PM.
(been to lazy/busy to buy replacement grill for the one i drilled d'oh)
11-06-2006, 07:29 AM
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thanks for the repsonses...I had already tried drilling out a few of the holes and so far it looks good (just like stock-my smallest drill bit is just smaller than the holes). Next time I'm watching TV, I'll bring in the drill and grilles and finish the job...I do agree that it's time consuming, but if it'll help the sound, it's worth a shot.
thanks!
thanks!
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11-06-2006, 10:13 AM
#9
i have tried it withtheg rile off, it helps, but, there is still the thing with the door panel buzzing...so take your time and dampen the plastic door panel and the metal behind it too and it will really help..
none of this will get you good midbass, but at least it can take away some buzzing and vibration
b
none of this will get you good midbass, but at least it can take away some buzzing and vibration
b
12-01-2006, 06:26 AM
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so here's a quick update on drilling out the holes...it looks 
I tried a few holes at first to see if it'd look okay and I thought that I couldn't tell a difference from the OE holes to the few holes I drilled...but once I was 25% done, I took another look and I could see grey/white flecks on the outside (the color that plastic turns when you bend it past it's yield point). I tried a bunch of things to try to remove this (re-shave each hole, use a light flame to burn away burrs on exterior [this worked the best so far]...), but none worked - I've given up and begun kicking myslef for doing this - but that's how it goes
before:
outside after:'
inside after:
-I'll probably spend a little more time trying to make it un-noticeable, and then put it on and hope no one sees it...good thing they're down low.
-Peter
I tried a few holes at first to see if it'd look okay and I thought that I couldn't tell a difference from the OE holes to the few holes I drilled...but once I was 25% done, I took another look and I could see grey/white flecks on the outside (the color that plastic turns when you bend it past it's yield point). I tried a bunch of things to try to remove this (re-shave each hole, use a light flame to burn away burrs on exterior [this worked the best so far]...), but none worked - I've given up and begun kicking myslef for doing this - but that's how it goes
before:
outside after:'
inside after:
-I'll probably spend a little more time trying to make it un-noticeable, and then put it on and hope no one sees it...good thing they're down low.
-Peter
12-01-2006, 06:45 AM
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yeah after about an hour of this, your hand gets tired and you start making new holes. Wait till those stress flakes are all over the entire portion your drilling out, it looks really bad.
12-01-2006, 08:01 AM
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Originally Posted by hndumafia
that's exactly what mine looked like. it ends up looking pretty terrible. so i think cutting out the entire center section and covering with speaker cloth is the way to go (though i still haven't tried it and just roll with the grills off).
Same thing happened to me. Once all the holes are drilled, it will look odd from angles. I considered cutting and adding cloth but ended up just driving around without them on.
Alas, don't beat yourself up about drilling them. Replacements can't cost more than $10 ea or so.. Buy them when you sell the car.
12-01-2006, 08:03 AM
#14
if you guys are going through this much trouble, make usre to dampend the plastic door panel too, cuase i know even wtih the grille completely off, a good enough midbass will cause the door panel to buzz and rattle...
my suggestion would be to drill a bunch of holes randomly, sand it down smooth, and then cover it in grille cloth and pop it back in
b
my suggestion would be to drill a bunch of holes randomly, sand it down smooth, and then cover it in grille cloth and pop it back in
b
12-02-2006, 01:02 PM
#17
I was the first to do the grill cloth. I posted a "how to" about a year ago. Either way here are some pics of the final product on the door and what it looks from behind when you cut the entire plastic off. You basically end up with a plastic trim ring that is covered in grill cloth. I have since upgraded to door pods.
12-04-2006, 03:03 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by THEDUKE
I was the first to do the grill cloth. I posted a "how to" about a year ago. Either way here are some pics of the final product on the door and what it looks from behind when you cut the entire plastic off. You basically end up with a plastic trim ring that is covered in grill cloth. I have since upgraded to door pods.
please post linky
12-05-2006, 05:40 AM
#19
door mids
Originally Posted by first350
I'm installing some component Kickers for the front speakers and was wondering if there'd be a down-side to drilling out the OE speakers grills...the top portion of each grill has the holes in it, but aren't actually open. (I'm thinking that if I drill each hole out, that it'd let more sound from the speakers through)
thanks,
Peter
*I'm not interested in kick panel, door pods...trying to keep an OE look, but improve on the sound quality.
thanks,
Peter
*I'm not interested in kick panel, door pods...trying to keep an OE look, but improve on the sound quality.
i just mounted X162S RF comps in my Z
tweeter and mid range 6.5" and 1"
used factory location fits beneth door panel
looks 100% stock
don't butcher the door panel IMO
Last edited by 350zspl; 12-05-2006 at 05:44 AM. Reason: X162S
12-05-2006, 09:35 AM
#20
Originally Posted by THEDUKE
I was the first to do the grill cloth. I posted a "how to" about a year ago. Either way here are some pics of the final product on the door and what it looks from behind when you cut the entire plastic off. You basically end up with a plastic trim ring that is covered in grill cloth. I have since upgraded to door pods.