I'm considering replacing the factory amp with something like the Clarion XC1410. I know the factory amp lives in the passenger kick panel and I would love to be able to use that space for the new amp. Can anyone tell me, or point me to instructions for removing that kick panel without breaking it? I picked at it a little bit today and got the front part to pull loose, but the rear is overlapped by the (I guess you would call it) the passenger door threshold trim. Does that piece need to come off first?
lumenbeing
Thanks for the replay Audiophyle. I was able to get the kick panel off with out damaging it. Found a tube in there too which I suspect is the rear washer fluid line.
I could post some pictures if I could figure out how. (Maybe later)
Anyway I pulled the stock amp and test fitted a dummy Clarion I made from foam. You are right of course about me losing the stock sub with just a 4 channel Clarion, but I was hoping I could come up with a place to stash a second 2 channel amp (or even mono) just for it somewhere else. Maybe behind the HU? Or vice versa. There seems to be lots of little places to put little amps but not a single space big enough to to fit a 5 channel without losing cargo room or some other compromise like seat function or cutting the vents.
The one I found that looks promising though is the Soundstream Picasso Nano 5 channel. I made a dummy for it too and I think that with some effort (removing the bracket and bolt the stock amp attaches to), I could squeeze it into the stock amp location in the passenger kick panel.
I could post some pictures if I could figure out how. (Maybe later)
Anyway I pulled the stock amp and test fitted a dummy Clarion I made from foam. You are right of course about me losing the stock sub with just a 4 channel Clarion, but I was hoping I could come up with a place to stash a second 2 channel amp (or even mono) just for it somewhere else. Maybe behind the HU? Or vice versa. There seems to be lots of little places to put little amps but not a single space big enough to to fit a 5 channel without losing cargo room or some other compromise like seat function or cutting the vents.
The one I found that looks promising though is the Soundstream Picasso Nano 5 channel. I made a dummy for it too and I think that with some effort (removing the bracket and bolt the stock amp attaches to), I could squeeze it into the stock amp location in the passenger kick panel.
Signal to noise means very little in the loud environment of a vehicle. I have so far enjoyed the soundstream amps, as they are class A/B and still very efficient with good solid power & sized along other class-D amps. The SS amps also provide adjustable gain and crossovers, something I believe the Alpine & Clarion amps you are talking about do not offer.
The SS amps are also quite a bit more power for very little coin, a tough combination to beat.
The SS amps are also quite a bit more power for very little coin, a tough combination to beat.
That's awesome. Thanks for chiming in. I hadn't considered how loud my car is to begin with. I'll cross reference those other features. Right now I'm considering the SoundStream stealth to power the door speakers and a Picasso Nano 2.320 for the sub. Seems like that would between the factory install location and stashing the nano behind the dash somewhere (could probably fit really well under the radio behind the HVAC controls which are only about 3" deep)
Ive called as well as emailed Soundstream myself. Just yesterday their Socal rep told me it woukd be in stock in 4-6 weeks, but tonight i got an email reply from a product manager who claims the 5 channel Stealth is still being developed. :x
I would be wary about putting an amp i the door. I had that idea myself but then I asked myself the question "why does the door panel have a moisture barrier ?"
I would be wary about putting an amp i the door. I had that idea myself but then I asked myself the question "why does the door panel have a moisture barrier ?"
The Clarion you posted is a marine amp and has loose leads which may make hooking it up and then attaching it to the door panel an easier proposition.
People gripe about running a bigger speaker wire through the boot into the door for a speaker, and that is a pair of small wires. To install the amp in the door you would have to run power, remote, RCAs, & 8 (or 10 if 5ch) speaker wires through that same tiny boot.
Ignoring the fact that you would be exposing the amp to the elements, or frequent vibrations of the door being closed, or the constant vibrations of a speaker mounted to the very same flimsy panel, the installation effort alone to install it would surely have you giving up before completion.
Soundstream is a mess when it comes to product information, and I doubt either person's estimate on availability is accurate. All you can really do is sit & watch, and when it pops up on eBay it should also be showing up in stores. (because too many websites sell items they dont have in stock, and eBay is one of few places that does not allow that)
Ignoring the fact that you would be exposing the amp to the elements, or frequent vibrations of the door being closed, or the constant vibrations of a speaker mounted to the very same flimsy panel, the installation effort alone to install it would surely have you giving up before completion.
Soundstream is a mess when it comes to product information, and I doubt either person's estimate on availability is accurate. All you can really do is sit & watch, and when it pops up on eBay it should also be showing up in stores. (because too many websites sell items they dont have in stock, and eBay is one of few places that does not allow that)
I didn't think through the door slamming =/
I Stumbled upon another spot that could work pretty well for a small amp (if you go with a two amp setup)
![Image]()
There is a lot of room back here.
![Image]()
![Image]()
I can also slide the angled end back and forth the entire depth. Looks like it's about 8" x 6"
![Image]()
here is a view in there (not much to see)
You could set it up so that you could still reach gain controls with a long-necked flathead just by popping the side panel.
I'll also follow up with the amount of space under the factory EX HU when I get a minute.
I Stumbled upon another spot that could work pretty well for a small amp (if you go with a two amp setup)
There is a lot of room back here.
I can also slide the angled end back and forth the entire depth. Looks like it's about 8" x 6"
here is a view in there (not much to see)
You could set it up so that you could still reach gain controls with a long-necked flathead just by popping the side panel.
I'll also follow up with the amount of space under the factory EX HU when I get a minute.
I pulled the cluster this weekend to change out all my bulbs for LEDs and while I had it out I could see into this space you are talking about. Popped my little dummy alpine in there and I'm confident you could put one on both sides of the steering column.
But I think what might be the easiest thing to do is to just mount a 5 channel Picasso nano on the passenger side floorboard, not under the seat, but where the passenger's feet go, as far forward as possible on the sloping part under the glovebox. I just got the Novaline floor mats and with the front part of that mat covering my dummy nano, you would never know there is an amp there. That would be an ideal place in terms of tying into the existing wiring too, because it's right by the factory amp location.
Audiophyle, do you think that having the amp hidden under a rubber floor mat would be problematic in terms of heat dissipation? Do those Nanos get crazy hot?
But I think what might be the easiest thing to do is to just mount a 5 channel Picasso nano on the passenger side floorboard, not under the seat, but where the passenger's feet go, as far forward as possible on the sloping part under the glovebox. I just got the Novaline floor mats and with the front part of that mat covering my dummy nano, you would never know there is an amp there. That would be an ideal place in terms of tying into the existing wiring too, because it's right by the factory amp location.
Audiophyle, do you think that having the amp hidden under a rubber floor mat would be problematic in terms of heat dissipation? Do those Nanos get crazy hot?
That is a great place to stash crossovers (I put mine there) but heat could be an issue with amplifiers. The Picasso Nanos do not run any hotter than what you would expect from an amp, but they need air to maintain cooling.
The space inside the dash around the steeing column isnt a bad idea, but it will be very hard to secure the amp in place & the LAST thing you want is the amp falling while driving, that could cause a serious accident.
The space inside the dash around the steeing column isnt a bad idea, but it will be very hard to secure the amp in place & the LAST thing you want is the amp falling while driving, that could cause a serious accident.
Where is the factory installed Amp for a 2003 element?! No one has explained that in this thread!
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