Cyrus951

Hey,

I have an Aiwa CDC-Z127 headunit, an MTX thunder 4122 AMP, and a Polk Audio GNX104 10" Sub. My car has 4 tweeters and two 5 1/2" speakers.

Here are the specs for the amp: http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-Mtx_Thunder_4122

Here are the specs for the headunit:
http://ecoustics.audioreview.com/psc...0_2861crx.aspx

Here are the specs for the woofer:
http://www.shopping.com/xPF-Polk_Audio_GNX104

So, now that you know the specs of each of the units, I want to know how to install the sub and amp. The headunit has been installed for over a year.
The headunit has a single RCA preout, and the amp has an RCA input and output.

Do I need to use these RCA ports to get the amp and sub to work right?
If so, how do I install them?

Also, what wire gauge rating do you guys reccommend for running to the battery, and grounding to the chassis? I'm hearing 8 gauge stinger wire is the way to go.

Thanks!

ernestedward

Run the rca preouts from the headunit to the amp. Run the proper gauge speaker wire from the amp to the speaker. Pretty much that simple. Looks like your amp has a built in crossover. This should work OK. Just set your amp to use the filter which cuts out the high end. Installing an amp also involves running a remote turn on lead from your head unit to the amp. The amp directions will have this, and the head unit directions will tell you which wire to attach it to.

8 gauge wire is fine. Make sure the hot and ground are both the same gauge. As for "stinger" wire, wire is wire. However, it might be worth it to buy some premade stuff with a fuse built in. 40A fuse will work fine. Of course remember the fuse goes 18" (or less) from the battery. Make sure all the connections are good.

Cyrus951

So I have to connect both the RCA cables and the wires to the speakers?
My installation instructions don't go over that remote turn on lead..
It has ports for power/ground/power antenna

Other than a car audio shop, where can I get the RCA cable and 8 gauge wire?
Does 6 feet of wire sound right?

xsboost90

the radio has rca output...it sends the signal to the amp. Plug the rca into the radio---->amp.

the amp has wire outputs, or a spot to plug regular speaker wires into the sides.... Plug a speaker wire from the amp------> speaker. Make sure the wire is big enough to handle the amps, no little dinky wires.

the rca outputs in the amp are for if you are running a separate equalizer after the amp, since you dont have one, you dont need to plug anything into those.

ernestedward

What he said.

Your amp has something called "Smart Engage" auto-turn-on circuit, whatever that is, so maybe you don't need the turn on lead. Basically all it does is send a shot of juice to the amp when you turn the head unit on that tells it to "wake up." After that the amp draws power from the 8 gauge run to the battery. You can get the wires at almost any place that sells electronics. Best Buy, Circuit City, Radioshack, Target, etc. Depending on where you put the amp and sub, you'll probably need at least 15 feet of rca and 6 feet of speaker wire to be on the safe side. I'm assuming you want to hide the wires nicely, which means a very indirect route from the head unit. As for power wire, just look at where your battery is in relation to the amp and decide from that.

Cyrus951

Thanks, I'm heading out to get the wires now.

Jakerx

good luck with your setup...show us pics when you're done

ernestedward

Remember to run the power wire and and the RCA on opposite sides of the car if possible..To avoid electonic interference.