I can't stand how the RF system sounds in the x and I knew the speakers could sound better so I decided to redo my stereo bypassing the stock amp but still using the existing wiring in the doors so I can switch it back to stock effortlessly. I just happened to have a brand new Pioneer Premier PRS-800 sitting around. As everyone knows, the wiring harnesses are crap plus I would still have issues bypassing the amp, so I decided to cut into the stock wiring harness at the amp outputs which are 14 pin and 18 pin connectors. At the radio, I cut into the 20 pin connector and used only the power, accessory, and dimming wires for the new head unit. I didn't like how the stock ground in the harness was 22 gauge and the head unit uses a 14 gauge ground, so I kept it 14 gauge and routed my own ground to the metal dash reinforcement bar. It took about 2.5 hours and 3/4 of a 12 pack to do that part.

I couldn't use the head unit to control the sub, so I decided to use an Orion HCCA amp I also just happened to have sitting around. This amp powered a 15" solo-baric L7 in single sub/amp competiton, so I was a little worried about blowing the stock sub. I stared at it for a half hour and figured why not, I'll just buy a new sub if I blow the stock sub. I pulled the sub out of the plastic box to try and assess what I was working with. It turns out that the stock sub is dual voice coil, 1.1 ohm @ 75 watts rms per voice coil. I wired the voice coils in series, only utilized the red and black stock wires, and left the other two wires free in the box because they have to stay in the grommet for the box to stay sealed. I cut into the wiring at the vehicle harness before the pigtail on the sub box so I could remove the box easily. I mounted the amp under the decklid at an angle to show it off a little, but the trunk is still fully functional. I am planning on making a mount that keeps the amp in the same spot, but makes it look like the amp is floating.

The head unit is awesome. The chassis is all copper plated and the specs are incredible. It has auto eq and time alignment, and even has an option to turn off the internal amp for if I am running a multi channel amp for all the speakers. I did the time alignment/ auto eq and then tweaked it to my liking (which suprisingly wasn't much I had to change). The head unit at 50% volume level is A LOT louder just using the head unit to control the door speakers than the RF system could ever be. I'm so glad I finally did this. After listening to the system for about 5 minutes, it was pretty apparent that the RF tweeters don't have frequency blockers. I bought some 400Hz blockers from best buy and installed them. Highlight pics below.

Now onto the short shifter. I finally pulled my buisness partner off of the show truck and over to the X. We pulled the center console and the shifter base. We calculated the throw to be a reduction of 58%. We shortened the top half by 1.25", and lengthened the throw (bottom half) by 1.25". Once I reinstalled the shifter and base into the car, it was pretty apparent we miscalculated the percentage of reduction in throw. It turned out to be exactly 70%. The throw from gear to gear when driving is a little more than the stock throw from neutral into a gear. I love the way it shifts now, and my shifts are lightning quick. Sorry no pics, we didn't start until 11 last night and I was too tired to think about taking pics.

Scosche kit
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/dj1explorer/GEDC0160.jpg

Where I tied into the stock speaker wiring & bypassed amp
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/dj1explorer/GEDC0157.jpg

RCA and remote wire routing under center console and rear seat
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/dj1explorer/GEDC0159.jpg

Frequency blockers
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/dj1explorer/GEDC0168.jpg

DVC stock crappy sub wired in series
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/dj1explorer/GEDC0163.jpg

Sub box

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/dj1explorer/GEDC0161.jpg

Wicked amp and shameless Speed Circuit plug
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/dj1explorer/GEDC0164.jpg

Amp on decklid- mock up w/ zipties (still have to make bracket)
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/dj1explorer/GEDC0165.jpg

zoomed out pic of trunk
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/dj1explorer/GEDC0166.jpg

not bad at all. I like it. i have the same hu, but non sss. boston z6 in all doors. tweets mounted on rear deck lid. if your still looking for some more sq out of this system i would highly recommend getting a bulk pack of dynamat(130.00)shipped off ebay. I did my trunk, all doors and mostly under the back seat and boy has that made a huge difference in sq. just a thought.

btw do you have your hu setup in 2 way or 3 way mode?

not bad at all. I like it. i have the same hu, but non sss. boston z6 in all doors. tweets mounted on rear deck lid. if your still looking for some more sq out of this system i would highly recommend getting a bulk pack of dynamat(130.00)shipped off ebay. I did my trunk, all doors and mostly under the back seat and boy has that made a huge difference in sq. just a thought.

How much did this help with interior noise? How much sq of mate did you buy?
Thanks

36 sq ft. i have had all speakers upgraded and hu and amp since two weeks of buying the car. The dynamat is the best sq upgrade i have done thus far. And the cheapest. took me about 6hrs from start to end but it was well worth it.

Mids are highly improved and the rears sound like small subs now... haha really small subs, lol

also just to note interior noise defeated is minimal, but noticable. if your looking for that type of sound dampning i recommend dyna liner by dynamat

btw do you have your hu setup in 2 way or 3 way mode?

I have it in 2 way. I would like to do sound deadening, but when I do I will use B-quiet ultimate.

nice, yea the sound deadn' stuff is a whole nother disccussion. haha, as long as you put something there! makes a big dif. though. Congrats on the system working out, good job.

36 sq ft. i have had all speakers upgraded and hu and amp since two weeks of buying the car. The dynamat is the best sq upgrade i have done thus far. And the cheapest. took me about 6hrs from start to end but it was well worth it.

Mids are highly improved and the rears sound like small subs now... haha really small subs, lol

also just to note interior noise defeated is minimal, but noticable. if your looking for that type of sound dampning i recommend dyna liner by dynamat
Thanks.

nice, yea the sound deadn' stuff is a whole nother disccussion. haha, as long as you put something there! makes a big dif. though. Congrats on the system working out, good job.

Your right, that is a huge discussion for another time. The only reason I was drawn to even look for another brand was because the original dynamat I had in one vehicle got hot over and over and started smelling.

that is wierd, what vehicle? I had it in my 03 accord w turbo and never had a problem with the smell. I know it does soften up quite a bit in heat though.

^ It was an 94 talon tsi. I asked the stereo shop near me about it and they said it was because it had some type of asphalt something or other in it. It was 9 years ago, so they might've taken that material out of it. I just liked B-quiet so much I never thought about switching back.

mmm, yea. that is good to know though. ill keep an eye on it. the dampning material that is being used now does have a tar like feel to it. maybe that is what the shop was talking about.