Has anyone swap out the stock amp with an aftermaket? I want to install the amp at the factory amp location, is it preety easy to fit an aftermarket amp in there?

Thanks

I think the concensus on that one is no. I'm pretty sure Emass and anyone else will tell you that if you're gonna spring the money for a decent amp, it's probably gonna be at least twice as large as the factory amp.

Search the mobile electronics forums for suggestion on where and how to hook up a new amp elsewhere in the E.

The smallest amps you'll probably find are the class T amps like the Blaupunkt PA2100 one with these specs:
H=1.945", W=8.725", D=5.82"
100W x 2 channels

I'm not sure, but maybe you'd be able to squeeze it in there.

According to specs, the wattage is good and, unless you're a big audiophile with expensive speakers, the sound quality might be decent.

Thanks for the info. The reason I want to fit an amp in there is because I am installing a factory HU into an element DX, and since the HU is not amplified, I need to find a place where I can hide the amp.

hasselblad,

Check out the sticky on wiring diagrams at the very top of this forum. Emass has pretty spelled out much everything you need.

But why use the factory headunit? It's going to be a real pita. You're going to have to deal with either an amp that barely fits or multiple amps if you run more than one set of speakers. That's gonna cost you some bucks and some time. You might want to consider an aftermarket unit. Cost and features vary depending on your needs/wants/wallet size.

But if you just gotta have the stock look, also search for a thread on what size of amp fits under the seat(s). That might give you some ideas on that front.

Best of luck,

Steve

GreenTurtle,

I bought the stock head unit off eBay thinking that I can just plug it into the harness. Another reason why i got it is because my other car got broke in not long ago, even though the head unit wasn't very nice, so I just want to keep the element low profile.

Anyway, now I am kinda stuck with it, I think I am just going to add a 4 channel amp, i know its gonna be a mess and I still dont know where all the wirings go, but I think this forum is pointing me to the right direction.

Thanks for the info. 8)

I understand. You might even check with Honda to see what they charge for the stock amp. You wouldn't have the sub but that might not be too bad.

Make sure you figure out all the costs when you go to add that amp. You're going to need some extras like wiring and fuses and such. Check out Crutchfield.com. They're a little pricey (pretty much retail) but do have good customer service to help balance out the higher cost.

BTW, the Element will NEVER be low profile. :-)

Steve

[quote:856f1d8580=" "]GreenTurtle,

I bought the stock head unit off eBay thinking that I can just plug it into the harness. Another reason why i got it is because my other car got broke in not long ago, even though the head unit wasn't very nice, so I just want to keep the element low profile.

Anyway, now I am kinda stuck with it, I think I am just going to add a 4 channel amp, i know its gonna be a mess and I still dont know where all the wirings go, but I think this forum is pointing me to the right direction.

Thanks for the info. 8)[/quote:856f1d8580]My element should arrive at the dealership in a few days. As soon as I have it and JL releases their stealth box for the Element, I'll be ripping out the stock head-unit, sub, and amp.

I'll let you know when this is done if you'd like em on the cheap. It seems as though DX owners would be the only people interested in these three items. This scenario is a win-win situation for an EX and DX owner. :)

definately interested in your old EX stuff. To be a DX owner is a curse and a blessing. Its great to have the E, but I'm always striving to catch up with those EX owners...

I got my E!!!
It's better than I expected and I find myslef taking the long way home from work :lol:

I'll let you know about the head,amp,sub, and sub enclosure soon... Just have to call a local JL audio dealer this afternoon to inquire about their stealth box availability.

great! Let me know what you find out about the stealthbox, too. I tried to get a price from my local JL dealer, but it was too new and the guy didn't have it in his price list.

I just got back from my local JL audio dealer. They didn't have any literature on the element stealth box. However, after explaining that it was quite new, the salesman went upstairs 'to check'. I'm not sure what he did but they filled out some paperwork for me as if it was available. Perhaps he looked on the internet... i dunno.

I should have asked but it wasn't till I was on the way home that I realized that they said they would call/order it on monday. At which point they predicted three days delivery time from florida to pennsylvania.

The price they quoted was 499.99. Now that I look at the work order... It says special order, jl stealth box sb-8h-elmnt, serial number special. Yet this is just what the guy typed into the their computer to generate a printout for their and my records.

Stay tuned for details. If it comes in, I'll take a billion pictures and give you guys a full review. :D