Audionut

I have been working on a nice fiberglass box for the Miata and thought I would post my progress. Its nothing to do with turbocharging but I don't care for Miata.net so I thought I would share here instead. This picture is of the basic shape and size of the box. Basically building a plug to later create a mold from. I work with composites for a living. The lack of a decent subwoofer is why Im making my own. The trunk mounted subs just dont cut it very well,and the footwell sub is weak in my opinion. Its really tough to get decent bass in a convertible without giving up a ton of trunk space. I am planning on squeezing 2 ten inch low profile subs in this box firing down.

Audionut

here you can see how the top folds down neatly behind the box. My car is a 1995,I have found this box would fir any Miata from 1989-1998 as long as it has a soft rear window. I designed it so the crossbar holds it firmly in place so if someone in front of me slams on the brakes it wont hit me in the back of the head and kill me. Also this probally wouldnt work with any sort of roll bar but oh well we can't have everything.

Audionut

Here it is again at a different angle. The gray coating is gel coat and it will be polished and wet sanded super smooth to cast a mold from. I figured as much work as this has become I mine as well make a mold in case some other Miata drivers would like one. There is a ton of Miatas in my town.

Audionut

As you can see I have been working on this for quite a while I just switched it to this forum because Miata.net frustrated me. This picture is of the plug and finished mold. The actual box will be black. I want it to look like it came with the car. I made the mold nice and smooth so my main box pulls out nice and smooth and has a good finish on it. I own a JL stealth box and was always disappointed with its performance. This box will hold a pair of low profile ten inch subs and hopefully kick the JL to the curb. I made it downfiring and the same basic design as the JL box but slightly larger. I also added a center brace and made my box from fiberglass mat and extra thick and strong. With the woofers downfiring all the bass is not hitting you in the back of the neck its non directional so it seems to surround you. Also the woofers are hidden and to the untrained eye most would not know its a sub. Also the subs are protected from rain. The cross bar keeps the box secure and makes it difficult to steal.

Audionut

Here it is finally finished and in the car. It looks like its suppose to be there and fits great. The satin black finish is a epoxy PPG car paint. Very durable stuff. The top opens and closes like normal,the box does not interfere in any way. I also put some polyfill inside the box which does 2 things. It makes the box seem larger to the speakers and it helps it sound nice and dead like a MDF box. The bottom of the box is a piece of MDF and I covered it with a black textured vinyl thats designed for speakers. I found 2 woofers that fit and are reasonably priced. The Pyle 10" chopper low profile and the Lanzar low profile.

Audionut

Im sure others would fit but I am on a budget. I found the best prices at buy.com and sonicelectronics.com. The JL low profile woofers look sweet and I think they would fit but they are too expensive right now for me.

Audionut

Another shot of the finished box. I used nice gold plated high quality terminal cup and decent speaker wire. I built a spare because I have the mold and the hardest part is done (making the plug and mold).

magnamx-5

iTrader: (7)

hmm one question where do i put my nitrous bottle if i have a sub sitting behind me? still some nice work there man gj.

Audionut

Another angle of the finished box. Im pretty happy with it. Its quite strong and fits great. I bought a circle cutter for my router and the speaker holes fit the woofers perfectly. Also the box could be painted to match the car,but black is my choice. I received my pyle chopper woofers and it does pretty good! The cheap 10" pyles put out a lot more bass than the lil 8 " JL's ever did. I only have 200 watts from a small class D amp. The pyles can handle a lot more power,Im sure with 300+ watts this would really perform!

Audionut

Thanks...lol. I think the nitrous bottle belongs in the trunk with a remote opener wired to it. I would not feel comfortable with a nitrous tank next to my head.

apariah

What about a roll bar?

Audionut

This dosnt make the car any faster but I think its a cool upgrade. I never liked the stock stereo. Anyways its posted here because Miata.net is too controlling for my taste. The box dosnt weigh a lot either because its 85% fiberglass with just a MDF bottom. The thickness of the glass is about 3/16" just shy of 1/4". My internal volume ended up being 1.2 cubic feet. My feet on the bottom are 1 1/4" so the woofer can move a lot before hitting the carpet. I had to add 3 washers under the crossbar to raise it slightly but the stock bolts are plenty long enough and it dosnt weaken it by raising it 3/16".

Audionut

Im pretty sure roll bars and this sub box won't work together. There may be some that will go but I can't say for sure.

Audionut

This lil 1995 Miata is a project car and still a stocker. I recently replaced the top with a robbins top and they fit great and it went pretty smooth. About 4 hours start to finsh and it looks good,no wrinkles. The stereo upgrade was next. Which is always a work in progress. When it cools down I plan on painting the car which it desperately needs. Its a southern Miata and in good shape besides the paint being a bit faded from the brutal sun here in N.C.

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

Nice work man, not my thing but still nice. Maybe you could make something that would hold 1 10" and fit with roll bars?
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Audionut

Anyone has any questions about the box let me know. Also email me direct if your in a hurry at Azenis29@aol.com. If anyone needs to replace the top don't pay a upholstery shop they are easy. This was my first one and it was cake. I think a roll bar that mounts to the floor area and not into the area the box goes would work.

Audionut

As much work as this was making something else is not high on my priority list. I need another project like I need a hole in my head. The other reason I made this box hold 2 tens is because its needed. Getting decent bass in a Miata has always been really tough. More cone area helps a lot. Bigger is better in this case. Ive been trying to find a solution and have researched and read up on the footwell subs,trunkmounted subs etc etc and this works the best. With the top down doing 70 I can still feel some bass,with all others bass did not exist at all with the top down.

CRXican

iTrader: (2)

looks really clean, nice job

elesjuan

iTrader: (11)

I agree great job. Two years ago I would've been all over buying one of these!! Not my interest anymore, don't even have a stereo in the dash now.

Audionut

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments. My interests change as I get older. I did make a extra box if anyone wants one. My previous project car was a RX-7,a lot of Miata stuff is interchangeable with the first Gem RX-7. I did a fuel injected V8 conversion of that lil 7 and turned it into a neck snapping drift machine. Steering was easiest with the throttle. Torque is fun! I since sold it and moved on. Miata.net seems to dominate the Miata forum market and posting this there would be better. But they are total control freaks and will edit your posts and control every word you say. I don't like that and feel freedom of speech is a right we all have. Anyways I stopped posting there and this was the next forum I found. Besides I have turbo'ed a few cars made custom harnesses and megasquirted. Not much I haven't done to a car.