Tirefryr

You know what sucks? When you have a guy make a sweet as enclosure for you and you can't even use it because it prevents adjustment of the shocks. F U C K!

Good idea on the thread. We can just have one that will be pinned. Here's what I do: If it's new paint, I suggest having it wet sanded. Any new paint job will really sparkle with this as it will rid the paint or any orangepeel or runs. It's especially good with a black car. Next have it buffed, BY A PROFESSIONAL. Actually a professional should be used for both. It can be rather pricey, but these extra steps are key to a mirror finish. Now, Here is what I do everytime I clean my car. This is a weekly ritual for me, but I am very anal, so other will not need to take it to this extreme. 1. A good wash with dish washing soap. This will strip all the old wax and does a great job loosening baked on bugs. I wet my hand first then just take the soap and rub it into the bumper cover before I do anything. Let it sit a couple minutes and it will loosen stuff up aiding in cleaning. Wet the car and wash. Start at the top, work top to bottom, front to back, one section at a time. 2. Dry the vehicle with a good chamois or something similar. This is key. If the opportunity presents itself, cover the vehicle in a garage and let it sit overnight. This will make sure that all the residual water in the cracks will be dry or receeded and will not interfere with the following processes. 3. Clay bar. Nuff said. Buy one at the local autoparts store and use it. You will be astounded with the difference. 4. A paint cleaner. Similar to a wax, this is just an extra step I take to make sure it's clean. It provides a "prime" for the polish, but it is NOT necessary. Some may not even see results. 4B. A good swirl/scratch remover. If this is necessary, now is the time to do it. 5. Polish. Many people don't realize that paint actually breathes and needs essential oils to maintain it's finish. This is the reason particular dry and heavily sunny areas have oxidation problems. The UV light dries the oils in the paint. Polish is the KEY to getting a good deep lustre. I myself like to use the colored polishes as the oils used in these polishes have a pigment in them that is in the same color spectrum as the paint. Some may not notice the difference, but I do. That's why I use them. More coats of polish the better. I do 4. 6. Wax. Wax is NOTHING MORE than a protectant for the finish beneath it. That is all. Again, here, more is better. At least two is the best. Here again, I do 4. 7. Glaze. Not a necessary step, but just something I like to do to add a little more lustre to the final effect. Once again, this is similar to the polish as it contains some oils. Be leery though, this will attract more dust and you will be dusting your vehicle quite often. For that "show quality" finish, this step is a must. One coat is good. 8. Grab a 6 pack and relax and enjoy the day. If you're a bastard like me, you'll have your girl come over and tip the brew for you as you just don't have any arm strength left to do it. DO NOT USE THE SPRAY ON TIRE PRODUCTS, like NO TOUCH. They sit on top of the tire and do not soak in. Once the wheels start spinning, you'll be left with greasy looking splothes on the side of your vehicle. This is especially bad with dark colors. Now, make sure you don't overlook the details. Everything on my vehicle gets done this way. Open up your gas door and make sure you follow the steps there too. Under your hood, trunk, etc as well. Don't even forget about the door jambs. Trust me, it'll score you some brownie points when you open the door for your date and she notices how much care was taken to make sure the vehicle she's riding in looks first class. Men relate cars to women (unless they are ) and a woman will feel special if she see the care and pride you take in your vehicle. She feels she'll receive the same. Of course we all know better. Make sure you use a proper wheel/tire cleaner and get the proper brushes. Take some time in these areas. I have open wheels and I like to remove them to clean them. Don't even be a B I T C H and not clean the backs of the wheels. If this is not feasible for you, I suggest cleaning the tires/wheels first as most brushes will throw debris all over the place, possibly contaminating your freshly detailed machine. If you have chrome or polished aluminum, keep up on it. Use a good polish and follow that with a couple coats of wax. This will really help in portecting the finish you worked so hard to get. It will also aid in the cleaning for the next time. I have more but it's time for a break.

Hey Aaron, If Dom can make the large case GM unit work on yours, let me know. I just bought a 220 amp from him in the SD group buy, but I have no use for it now. I'll make you a killer deal. would we ship it to him? and swap cases? I don't know. You'd have to contact Dom on that one. He will have all the info. I have his cell number somewhere, if I find it, I'll let you know. That's the best way to get ahold of him. Supa, you have a small case Delco I believe. Shoot a photo of the alt from front and back if you can. I just hope it's mounted up high. Or contact Dom and he'll tell you if it will fit, or what mods need to be done.

Steve, I recommend not washing again after Claying. It will re-contaminate the paint unless you use a distilled water. Not that big of a deal, but if you're anal like I am, you take every step to avoid any contamination. And, BTW, I do it ALL by hand.. May be why it takes me 5 days just to clean the exterior. Don't even get me started on the interior. We should make a section about detailing. Most of us have the products and maby we can learn some stuff from each other Nah, I'm already a genious in that area. That's a good idea though! Denim, get on it. J/K. I have the fortune of being the son of a long time body man. The old man taught me all the good tricks. Been using clay bars before they were available on a consumer level. Although, they were larger and seemed to do a better job with less work.

If Clarke wants to cover the cost for you guys, then by all means give them away Clarke! Just send him the bill for my re-cone/motor and tell him to keep the EQ. B)

Steve, I recommend not washing again after Claying. It will re-contaminate the paint unless you use a distilled water. Not that big of a deal, but if you're anal like I am, you take every step to avoid any contamination. And, BTW, I do it ALL by hand.. May be why it takes me 5 days just to clean the exterior. Don't even get me started on the interior.

The Black chrome is UBER sexy. It would go so well with anything.

Most people can't make the distinction between car and home audio, let alone the upper echelon devices you are using. Low power is plenty in the house and reference levels at 120dB are downright killer.

Oh, and the Memphis amps, VER good pieces for about half the price of the Diamonds. Not as impressive asthetically IMO, but they are stunning in their own right.

If you are in Europe, I suggest going with Rainbow. Should be an easy find over there and I personally guarantee even their lowest line will outperform the Diamonds. Well given the correct application. Can you tell I like Rainbow? And Denim, thanks for the kind words, but I'm far from even an amatuer.

So I go to do an oil change on the Cutlass today, just to be nice for the potential buyer. Um, yeah. I begin to pour in the oil and it's not going anywhere. Off comes the valve cover. Every return hole was plugged SOLID!!! Don't even let me tell you about the VC baffle. Idiots. What's so hard about a routine oil change? Oh yeah, pullled the plugs the other day cuz it was running rough. They were so fouled, they were dripping oil. Gotta love it!

Ebaums?

No idea. What year 3.8 and what vehicle? An older one yes, but a 3800, not without modification. I paid $270 shipped for it. I know these aren't hot sellers, especially second hand. It's unused. Well, I changed the pulley on it to check for fitment, but never actually hooked it up. Put my stock one back on and the car is being sold. So there you have it. If you have a medium or large case older GM alt, it should fit. Delco only, without mods.

75 watts should be enough for any drivers for anything other than sub duty.

Yeah, I did some research on it yesterday. I would believe the on-board DSP will have some sort of volume control.

A TRUE SQ install will be just that. about 98% install. You'll find that the actual components will have little to do with it. SQ titles have been won with the likes of Pyramid, Pyle, LEgacy, and even factory drivers. All your equipment choices so far are excellent so I say pick the one that is going to do just what you need it to and no more. Then concentrate on really getting the most out of the install.

Happy BERFDAY! Don't worry, I've felt old since 21.

Nick, send it my way. Jordan, hit me up this week sometime so we can plan out the pods.

Hey Aaron, If Dom can make the large case GM unit work on yours, let me know. I just bought a 220 amp from him in the SD group buy, but I have no use for it now. I'll make you a killer deal.

DO NOT GET THE SLUDGE!

Hey Steve, are you using your Omnifi car unit? If so, tell me how you like it. I've heard bad things now that I bought one.

X2!!!!!!! WHERE'S MY ORION?

I'll sell ya a brand new 13W7 for $550.. That's a steal and leaves you $250 for an amp.

An amp with a digital in? Need a link here. You will still need some sort of volume control as well, since once you go to digital, the analog control is no longer of use. Only way past this would be if the amp has one built in. Otherwise, it would be pure gain.

The inductors from PE. The caps came from Apex Jr. http://www.apexjr.com That's a really neat site with some awesome deals every now and then. I suggest you guys bookmark it.