FiveElements

Ok, so I want to pull the 4 channel factory amp from the lower passenger side area of the floor and put a 5 channel amp in. The problem is the 5 channel amp is about 11" long. Maybe I can find a smaller amp but have not found a 5 channel much smaller than 10 or 11" in length. Of course, there's the diagnostic plug there and a odd looking controller also (Antilock brake controller I think). Can I move those out of the way? Who has done this before?

The Forgotten On

If you want a good, high powered amp it is best to move it from the factory location and wire in a new amp in another location such as behind the seat backs.

There are amps that will fit in the factory location but have about the same or marginally more power and can cost a lot of money.

I know there are people who have put amps in that location but they were also 4 channel and might have been discontinued since I last read those threads.

MainePorsche

That is the cooling flap/cooling fan controller.
You have an 89 so I think you do have those shelves in the footwells. I have my amp on the passenger foot well shelf. Easy throw to wire to radio head. I built a wooden frame and covered it with black speaker cover fabric. It fits snug and can breathe for the amp. Looks great. My shelf and dash are black - blends right in.

Hilton

Your stock 89 amp is 6-channel. 2 channels for the doors, 2 channels for the woofers behind the seats, 2 channels for the tweeters behind the seats and mids in the rear hatch.

I also have a soundstream nano 4-channel amp which fits in the stock location.. plan is to power the doors and rear woofers off that, and use the head unit to power the rear speakers. (I had my stock speakers re-foamed - want to preserve the stock look).

Unfortunately, 928 stereo stuff has taken a back seat to other priorities lately, and I still haven't got around to experimenting with my calibrated microphone - I'm planning on measuring the 4" and tweeter performance and possibly redesigning the crossovers for the fronts depending on the measurement outcome.

Petza914

I'm going to put a 6-channel 85W/channel RMS Amp into a 928 Convertible I just acquired. I'm going to mount it n the rear seat center console and change the flip up solid lid that's on the console to the lid from a Rear A/C car so the heat from the amp can vent out through the lid (it will just look like a Rear A/C car when I'm done). Since it's a marine amp it's well sealed so there won't be that much heat from it.

The compartment size is 13"L x 7"W x 3" D and the amp I'll be using is a Clarion Marine XC6610 that is 11 3/8" L x 6 7/8" W x 2 3/16" D. The two rear channels can be bridged if you want to use them to drive a Subwoofer and end up with a 5-channel amp.

rnixon

You might find the information on this thread useful.

I eventually placed a reasonably compact, 5 channel, amplifier on the fuse panel kick-board. As you say 5 channels, I assume that you're running a sub. Where is that going? It may make sense to put the amp with it, depending upon your tolerance for adding new wiring through the interior.

Randy V

This recent thread may be helpful:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ng-places.html

Red Flash

I advise this for additional reasons as well. One is resale value, and the other reliability. Bad stereo installs cause problems, and if a potential buyer can be convinced it is easy convert back to 100% stock, he might pay more.

When I buy cars, I view aftermarket stereo installs critically. And I know others like me.

Cheers, John

FiveElements

Ok.. so I looked over the options. The rear AC unit seems like a possible plan. That thing is pretty weak and stinks of mildew anyway, even after ongoing cleaners, washes and deodorant spray. I do think it is better to be as non-evasive with hacking into everything. Hence my plan to put a better amp into the area the factory amp already is mounted. Hell, I may pull the rear AC just to have weight. Who has a writeup on doing that???

The console under the glove box already has a small 150w amp now. I hate it there. It's a total eye sore. My interior is gorgeous and the linen white carpet is like new. I want to just add a bass channel (5th channel) with minimal or no view of an amp. I think moving the fan/flap relays and diagnostic plug is possible. Even if they more over only a few inches. The amp I may use is only 2" x 6" x 10".

Randy V

If you can swing the cost, Hans' spare tire well subwoofer/amp is a very elegant solution.

TRA

Focal is making some high-end ultra-compact amps that might fit your spot;

http://www.focal.com/en/53-amplifier...res-processors

Petza914

For using a single amp to power the complete system, Focal's only 5-channel is 20" long. They do seem to have some nice and compact versions if you want to run multiple amps though.

TRA

True that. The size of the 4 Chan and the Mono for the sub is quite small, and can probably be stacked for added space savings, as long as you have a small air gap between them. They make some fantastic gear. At 7.75"x4.25", those are about as small as you can get with some real power.

If the heart is set on a 5-chan, Alpine has one that is 10.5"x8; http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/mrx-v70/Specs

or their higher end at 10.25x7.5; http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/pdx-v9/Specs

I have won a lot of SQ competitions on Alpine gear. It is always rock solid. The focal gear has a great reputation too.

Size isn't the only concern though, heat can be the killer. The more power you put in a small space, the more heat, obviously. So might want to keep an eye on that. I wish Alpine still made their Class-T amps, those ran really cool and were top notch.

FiveElements

Kenwood makes a decent 5 channel amp for $285 that is 10x2x6 inches. That is what I plan to get and somehow stuff into the current location of the factory amp.

The factory amp is NOT a 6 channel unit as thought. It has 6 speaker outputs but is a 4 channel amp with serious bass deficiencies. My system is a 5.1 channel surround sound system. It produces 4 separate fields and has a 5th channel with controllable subwoofer levels. So I need to either:

1) Use a 2 channel amp for subwoofers and the factory amp
2) use a 5 channel amp for all speakers and 3 true inputs (Front, Rear, Sub) and pull the factory amp.

Currently I have two 6.5" Klipsch subwoofers in the rear stock holes. The bass is very decent sounding and shakes the whole car. But the amp is just too large and ugly. I want nice sound, but hidden! Don't want to mess with anything that makes the car looked hacked into. Even the spare tire area. I actually want to pull all that stuff out and have the car lighter. I'd put manual 997 seats in if I could find a set in linen color, just to drop 50 lbs because the 928 has such a fat *** and need to loose weight.

MjRocket

I have an extra one of these exact Kenwood amps your speaking of, they dont make them anymore.

Its the one Han's designed the sharkwoofer to work with, fits perfectly.

Its 80 watts X 4 and 350 watts X 1 and is Very compact.

If anyone's interested in it I'd sell it for $185 plus shipping.

Thx