astrochex first ever build - MINI Cooper S
So here we go, a rookie build log.
I've done some deadening already, with more to come. Equipment selection was guided by deals on what I thought would function well. As you will see, that will give me some challenges in the amplifier installation I could have avoided with more patience and resources. This will be a function over form install. My goal is for it to at least be clean.
I look forward to questions and recommendations, because I know I have not asked enough.
The car, 2006 MINI Cooper S Checkmate Edition (Astro Black color)
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3431/3...dbdcec2d_o.jpg
The gear
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/9...5b1895ed_z.jpg
The environment
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6201/6...68515a2a_z.jpg
Re: astrochex first ever build - MINI Cooper S
Good luck chex, looks like you have got a good start with your equipment! Just don't skimp on the deadening/ sealing of doors......trust me this is something you'll want to get right the first time, not something you'll want to revisit, I promise!
Re: astrochex first ever build - MINI Cooper S
Nice car! We had a Pioneer company demo-car like that.. No S haha.. just a 1.6
I can recommend placing the tweeters up higher than the stock locations if you want a high and wide stage ;)
When is the build gonna start? :D
Re: astrochex first ever build - MINI Cooper S
Quote:
Originally Posted by
claydo
Good luck chex, looks like you have got a good start with your equipment! Just don't skimp on the deadening/ sealing of doors......trust me this is something you'll want to get right the first time, not something you'll want to revisit, I promise!
I've had the door panels off a number of times already so that is actually a part I am very comfortable dealing with. I've deadened the door panel, but I still want to add closed cell foam to the door panels to reduce rattling and provide some noise blocking.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
WOOSEY
Nice car! We had a Pioneer company demo-car like that.. No S haha.. just a 1.6
I can recommend placing the tweeters up higher than the stock locations if you want a high and wide stage ;)
When is the build gonna start? :D
I am sticking with OEM locations for now. I have minimal tools and this is my DD so I need to minimize downtime. A plus one would be a-pillar locations. Interestingly, the Genesis MINI demo car had switch that would change the tweeter output from OEM door to kick panels locations.
Re: astrochex first ever build - MINI Cooper S
Nice looking ride. Glenn used to have one so he might could toss in a few pointers.
Re: astrochex first ever build - MINI Cooper S
Sweet car and sweet equipment. I wanna see how this pans out.
Re: astrochex first ever build - MINI Cooper S
Remember with that 9877 that it comes lit up stock to do L=R for crossover, etc.. you want L/R and it opens up a gamut of possibilities.
Re: astrochex first ever build - MINI Cooper S
An update from 2 years ago, lol.
I have finally started deadening my MCS which is particularly vibration prone due to an aftermarket motormount and worn out shocks. I got a deal on 11 sheets of damplifier Pro, which happened to be the black. That motormount turned out to be a POS that was since replaced with a sweet unit.
I've only completed the hatch and the front wheel wells, but already I have felt a difference. I've used one and a half sheets so far. DP is really easy to work with. Initially, I used a utility knife to cut the material, but I switched to kitchen shears to speed up the process. The shears worked great, it is a snap to create complex shapes to fit complex spaces. I am glad to have so much more material to work with. I see how this can become an obsession.
I am thrilled with the results. It feels like a different car. My rearview mirror does not vibrate any more nor does the extensive plastic in the interior. I am going to tell my MINI peeps about DP since many do suffer the same rattle maladies that I used to. This effort has taken less than 3 sheets.
Doors and rear wheel wells are next.
The hatch with panel removed.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5190/...13956e96_z.jpg
Hatch after cleaning with mineral spirits. The cream colored areas had some kind of fiber board that peeled off easily.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/...9e19bae7_z.jpg
Left side hatch DP (single layer). Not the prettiest or most thorough, but enough to get the job done. I used DP scraps on the hatch panel. I figured it was not a bad idea.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/...206e2f07_z.jpg
Right side hatch DP (single layer).
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/...a8ce1cf7_z.jpg
Left side front wheel well before cleaning. The solid aftermarket motormount is the black triangular thing (right of the spring) that you can only see a part of.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/...7d6d6239_z.jpg
Left side front wheel well with 2 layers DP. I put it in four locations. The first one is near the motormount, in the pic its covered with heat reflective tape. The half-moon shaped region was workable because it was smooth. More tape on selected edges for insurance. The other two locations are on the left, the flat-black regions. The DP was easy to cut with kitchen shears. It took more time to make the paper templates. That structure ties into the upper shock mount, if I was faster I would have added more DP.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/...f167e467_z.jpg
Right side front wheel well with 2 layers DP in the mirrored locations as the right side. The templates I made for the right worked also for the left side.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/...96f80376_z.jpg
Re: astrochex first ever build - MINI Cooper S
Another update from the past.
Got my next deadening fix by doing the rear wheelwells. Was more effort than the fronts with more area and difficult access angles. I did notice a further improvement in dampening, the car being a little smoother than before.
Passenger side after cleaning:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/...1238e6df_z.jpg
Looking aft/up
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/...5906cb7d_z.jpg
Looking forward/up
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/...33d93abd_z.jpg
Passenger side with single layer of DP:
Looking forward
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/...440af78d_z.jpg
Looking aft/up
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/...af1d300a_z.jpg
I put three layers of DP above the shock because thats what it took to pass the knock test. The third layer is more like a patch.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/...f8404b2b_z.jpg
Drivers side with single layer of DP:
Looking forward/up. The gas filler tube is the black thingy.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/...434ee59e_z.jpg
Looking aft/up
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/...e9f8fc50_z.jpg
Same layup as the passenger side, I put three layers of DP to pass the knock test.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/...5daffa05_z.jpg
Re: astrochex first ever build - MINI Cooper S
And another past update.
Alright, I completed the doors. In total, I used 9 sheets of the DP on the car. I have two left but I am letting my dad use them on his Focus. I've got a bunch of scrap that I will use on the door panels and interior plastic.
Passenger side door.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/...9395ddaf_z.jpg
Drivers side door with the panel removed and cleaned. I left the factory dampener on.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/...b74f378c_z.jpg
Drivers side with a single layer of DP. I learned that, although DP fits behind the crash bar, its really difficult to install a sheet behind it. On the passenger side I went with top and bottom sheets, a much easier process.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5228/...51438602_z.jpg
Passengers side with a single layer of DP. I tried to cover as much area as possible. I guesstimate I covered at least 80% of the possible outer door skins.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/...6110f681_z.jpg
Forward on the passenger door.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/...893cd30f_z.jpg
Aft on the passenger door.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/...83573828_z.jpg