So I am wondering which would be better for the Z, a fiberglass enclosure under the strut or a wood one? What are the pros/con of each other?

 

Fiberglass is heavier and more expensive, but it looks nicer if it's color-matched to your car. I went with MDF 'cause it's lighter and easier to remove for track days.

 

Idunno, but i just got a triple wicked Cas fiberglass.. pushing 3 JL w3v3 10's and havnt heard it yet.. i wonder what the pros and cons are also... and should i get some dyno mat and spread it out around.. and if so where?? hrrrrrrrm

 

Fiberglass heavier than MDF?

 

You mean for a given thickness? Are you referring to structural rigidity/lbs?

To answer your question yes I believe fiberglass is heavier than wood for a given thickness, it is also significantly more dense and structurally rigid.

Meaning 1" thick MDF is less rigid and weights less than a 1" thick piece of fiberglass.

 

I would have never thought...

Anyway, IMO fiberglass looks a little too ricey. I went with a Zenclosures single 10 and it looks like it came from the factory that way...

 

x2 ive had nothing but compliments

 

IMO the reason to use fiberglass is to put a sub in an odd place where you cannot get a good fit with with wood.

I would still recommendusing wood for the face and the visible surfaces and then carpet (avoid ricey look)

Say you were going to put a sub in the spare tire well... you'd almost have to use fiberglass to make the bottom, but then use MDF for the side and top surfaces.

I used fiberglass in my rsx and yes it was ricey, but it was cool... just depends on the look you are going for. My opinion is also unless you are competing fiberglass is just a very expensive, very labor entensive alternative to a wooden box.

 

Ricey???

My fiberglass........ (never thought it was ricey.)

 

That is clean. In fact it's incredibly clean. Nice install.

Like I stated before, fiberglass is useful when you cannot get wood into the shape you need to make a box. Or it is an unusual shape, etc..

You used fiberglass (with a wooden sub structure) for the face, but that's b/c wood didn't lend itself to that application.

I was speaking in general terms, not as a blanket statement.

I am thinking more of the fiberglass enclosures that take up the entire rear area of the hatch with two - four drivers and ports finished and color matched.

They look sharp, but I find them ricey, just my opinion.

I am into clean installs, not showy or particulary fancy. I like everything to have it's place and be purposeful in application with a clean look.

These are just my opinions. I really like most of bing's installs. They are clean, hidden (typically) and have an appropriate amt of flash.

 

Fiberglass isn't ricey, it's just the finish. If you cover it in vinyl or carpet it's just the same as MDF. It's just nice for odd shapes or if you need every single last cubic inch for volume. Weight is dependent upon how thick you lay it, and that depends on what you're going to run in it. I needed over 2 cu. ft., I didn't want to lose access to my spare, and I didn't want something flashy.

 

I'm a big fan of the Zenclosures understrut box + a 10w7. Very clean look.

 

if going sealed and you want it painted then glass

otherwise mdf either in a zen or a custom ported