Do I need the metal frame that i circled in red? Does all this metal add rigidity to the car? I am thinking about ripping all of it out!

Add a 4 pt roll cage and install the audio! But if i dont need the roll cage, even better!

All that metal taking up space seems like a waste for 2 crappy 6.5 speakers

 

hmmm im gonna have a stab at this since its a very interesting thought. Firstly i think all that metal is there not only for speakers, but also for all the storage compartments, which also contribute 99% to the Z's total storage space. Also its a parcel shelf, all cars have them and i really cant imagine what the car would look like without it, from factory that is. Thats me defending that huge plastic covered metal thing.

Now, i really doubt it forms any structural part of the car, the steel isnt reinforced, the opening is hollow, and if it were a vital part of the car, it wouldnt have all those storage gaps over the majority of it. Also the rear strut brace looks to b the main rigidity foible.

btw, u should b able to work it out by looking at how the parcel shelf is attached to the chassis of the car. If its all heavy duty riveted/bolted, then ud assume its a necessity.

 

that was my thinking as well. I am gonna start putting together this audio project.

Everyone watch out! I will debut this in November time frame.

 

Wrong big time on the structural comment. Nissan would not have all that expensive stamped sheetmetal and welding for no reason. Partly its there for the convertible, but it also adds a lot of rigidity to the coupe. If you want your car to handle and ride like a GM or Ford sports car then go ahead and remove it.

 

um, i did mention a 4 point roll cage.

 

get out the saw, this one looks like fun

 

Just spec'ed out what I would want to install. All JL Audio and Pioneer compenents. looking for installation sponsor.

Will keep everyone informed.

 

I'd bet it does add some stiffness to the body since it is a unibody designed car, but probably not much. If you replaced it with a small cage you'd be fine I'm sure. Like ZEXC-33 said though, I'd look closely examine the welds to find out the real purpose. If they're just small spot welds, it can't be doing much good.

 

Jesus man. I felt bad enough cutting 2 4in holes behind the brace for my ports. Youve got bigger ***** than me. I would saw a customers car in half, and not blink, but on my own car I hate even making screw holes. How is the G35 set up? Is the brace your speaking of even there? Also I remember seeing a post of a full race 350z. It still had the brace behind the seat, even though other seem to be important parts were removed. It also had a roll cage. I dont know what to tell you, but good luck.

 

Hmm... how to put this nicely. Well GM Only makes one sports car, the corvette, go take one out, a z06 if you can, and tell me how it handles? Also the f-body's while muscle cars, not sports cars, with subframe connectors handle very well, take a look at the autocross standings. Thanks come again.

 

I would like to know if you can cut it out and not have any negative effects. I might want to make the 1st 3 seater 350Z!

 

Let me know what happens.

Good luck!

 

I can't afford my dream system guys. Sorry. I was quoted around $15,000 just for fiberglassing and installation. No i am not being ripped off. I was aiming to have my rear trunk area look like the Alpine 1 show car civic. depicted here:



I rather keep saving for my custom twin turbo. So i am going to do a stealth install and keep my weight down.

Sorry to dissapoint.

 

Urg, why would you even think about doing that to your car...it looks like it was broken into in the 80's and spray painted...

 

I think it looks like something from the movie "Independance Day"

 

Very Geiger-ish...dunno if I want actually want that in my car!

Pv

 

if you saw the car in person, it was absolutely amazing. there are better pictures on the alpine site (if you click on the civic si on the bottom right hand corner). the install was A-MAZING! i posted this on another thread somewhere in here....haha.

 

I've seen this car in the August issue of Performance Auto and Sound. WAAAAAY too organic looking for my taste.

 

The Alpine civic is hands down the best car audio install ever. I got to see it in person at CES. I looked at every inch of it for about an hour and found zero flaws. Steve Browns BMW M3 was just as flawless. I talked w/ Chris Yato and he said just wait to see whats next. He said it makes the civic look shadtree. Too much for a daily driver yes, but for a car that shows off your product ding ding. Brown and Yato are gods in my book.

 

Don't make a big deal about the alpine 1 civic. I cannot do my original planned install. I asked a trusted friend who owns a collision shop and he saw the cross brace. He said it is very important and you cannot remove it without replacing it with something. He did say I could open the space up with something as simple as welding some cross braces that take up less space. But I will save that for some other time.

To give you guys an update, I have interviewed over 10 installation centers in the NY Tri-state area.

Here was my criteria:

1. They would have to sponsor all labor and installation
2. Rattle free guarantee
3. Prep for power supply output at car shows with main battery discconected
4. Hungry for new business from 350z referals
5. i must listen to at least 2 of their past installations

Let me tell you, not many were qualified. I know #1 is a major barrier, but i work my butt off for my sponsors. I will be showing at the NY Auto for several consecutive yrs from this yr on, and by Xmas, I would have gone to 18 car shows, since March of 2003.

Also some shops were too "high brow" for my tastes. One installer almost had me. But he messed it up when he asked me, " Does your 10W7 need air space?" Um. Arent you supposed to know this?

I think i have finally nailed it down to 2 installers. Here is the list of ICE that will be going in, on time for Nopi Nationals.

2 JL 10W7
2 JL 500/1 amps
1 JL 300/4 amp
2 JL Evolution 650csi speakers
2 7" IconTV in sunvisors
Alpine IVA-D900
PS2 with wireless controllers

One thing I have to keep in mind when it comes to rattles is that it is hard to eliminate them 100% with such powerful subs in a hatchback, no matter how much dynamat. A friend with four 10W7 broke a deli window this summer.

Oh and this should take away about 25-50whp since it will weigh well over 200 lbs with all the Dynamat and hardware.