WalledSonic Posted November 30, 2016 Report Share Posted November 30, 2016 So it all began this past March when I decided to get a low-cost daily driver. I found a deal on a 5 speed manual non-turbo Chevy Sonic. Built in America, 15000 miles, 1 previous owner (repo'd), and sales price about $12000. Blue Book is 15k, so this was definitely a deal. Test pic Chevy Sonic Wall (4) 15's on 10k Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209412-2015-chevy-sonicwall4-15s10klithiumlarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ (4) Fi SP4 15's | (2) Ampere 5Ks | Active! | Arc KS600.2 & KS125.2mini | CDT Silk Domes | Silver Flute 8s | 240Ah JY | US Alts Jeep Wrangler JK (4) 8's in a 4th Order Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209841-shadow-2016-jeep-wrangler-jk4th-order4-8sdc-35klarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ IG @walledsonic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLHgn Posted November 30, 2016 Report Share Posted November 30, 2016 Never heard of a Chevy Sonic. Almost looks like my girlfriend's Cruze. Like that color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalledSonic Posted November 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2016 First order of business: stereo. I figured I'd throw 2 12's in a sealed box in the back and have an all-around decent sounding system and be done with it. I've installed 7 sub-box type installs since 1998, but it was always the quick install... Pioneer deck, coaxials in stock locations, RCA out to sub amp and subs in the trunk. I installed a passive component set twice. I started looking around and found some decently priced components from CDT and decided to go passive after reading http://www.passivecrossovers.com/index.htm. I highly recommend the read for anyone that wants to fully understand what is going on within crossovers in general. Its a technical read, but easy to understand . PRS Installed: But then I realized I had an active setup in the 80PRS I just installed. facepalm.jpg I also added a sweet lil gauge pod on the dash and installed a Glowshift Voltage gauge. Its spot on with the 80PRS voltage reading. I plan to install the dual temp gauge on the other side; it has two seperate sensor runs, each read from 0F to 300F. One will go to the battery terminal under the hood, and the other one I havent decided yet. The engine doesnt have a direct temperature gauge (although there are apps and such), so I may install the second sensor as a coolant temp sensor. Chevy Sonic Wall (4) 15's on 10k Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209412-2015-chevy-sonicwall4-15s10klithiumlarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ (4) Fi SP4 15's | (2) Ampere 5Ks | Active! | Arc KS600.2 & KS125.2mini | CDT Silk Domes | Silver Flute 8s | 240Ah JY | US Alts Jeep Wrangler JK (4) 8's in a 4th Order Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209841-shadow-2016-jeep-wrangler-jk4th-order4-8sdc-35klarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ IG @walledsonic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalledSonic Posted November 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2016 Never heard of a Chevy Sonic. Almost looks like my girlfriend's Cruze. Like that color. The Cruze shares a lot of components with the Sonic, but I got the cheap shi*t, haha. GM used to call this platform the Aveo, but changed to Sonic in the US in 2012. Chevy Sonic Wall (4) 15's on 10k Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209412-2015-chevy-sonicwall4-15s10klithiumlarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ (4) Fi SP4 15's | (2) Ampere 5Ks | Active! | Arc KS600.2 & KS125.2mini | CDT Silk Domes | Silver Flute 8s | 240Ah JY | US Alts Jeep Wrangler JK (4) 8's in a 4th Order Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209841-shadow-2016-jeep-wrangler-jk4th-order4-8sdc-35klarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ IG @walledsonic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalledSonic Posted November 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2016 I didnt take enough pics of the passive setup, but the crossovers were both hidden in the center kick. I had to drill holes into each of the A-pillar door jambs to run 2 sets (each side) of 12ga Knu speaker wires. One for the tweet and one for the mid. I'll post a pic of the wiring soon. The rear doors only required me to puncture a hole in the plastic grommet in the door jamb. Arc KS300.4 for the whole passive setup. Pics forthcoming. Once I realized I was going active, I needed a second amp. A coworker gave me a RF Punch 400s about 8 years ago, and he had it for a number of years. 100Wx2 at 4ohm, that'll work, until I get the tweet amp I want. So then I was like "f*ck it, I'm building a wall". Cut out metal clasps and such: Chevy Sonic Wall (4) 15's on 10k Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209412-2015-chevy-sonicwall4-15s10klithiumlarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ (4) Fi SP4 15's | (2) Ampere 5Ks | Active! | Arc KS600.2 & KS125.2mini | CDT Silk Domes | Silver Flute 8s | 240Ah JY | US Alts Jeep Wrangler JK (4) 8's in a 4th Order Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209841-shadow-2016-jeep-wrangler-jk4th-order4-8sdc-35klarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ IG @walledsonic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLHgn Posted November 30, 2016 Report Share Posted November 30, 2016 Well....that escalated quickly.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalledSonic Posted November 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2016 Rear anti-roll bar: Also installed the GM Performance Suspension... Shock valving from the Sonic RS and a 20mm drop (opposed to the 10mm in the RS). I removed the battery from under the hood at some point. Installed an insulated standoff on an aluminum bar. I ground some copper bus bar down to fit the factory power fuse block and then was able to run the rear cable from this node. Had some dynamat left over from a friend and also from a previous trunk build (98 Acura CL, circa 2006, no pics): Chevy Sonic Wall (4) 15's on 10k Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209412-2015-chevy-sonicwall4-15s10klithiumlarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ (4) Fi SP4 15's | (2) Ampere 5Ks | Active! | Arc KS600.2 & KS125.2mini | CDT Silk Domes | Silver Flute 8s | 240Ah JY | US Alts Jeep Wrangler JK (4) 8's in a 4th Order Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209841-shadow-2016-jeep-wrangler-jk4th-order4-8sdc-35klarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ IG @walledsonic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalledSonic Posted November 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2016 I wanted to save on weight, so I though using aluminum angle would be a great idea. I put some neoprene foam (from HFT) in before placing the batteries in the tray. It worked well, but was chafing the plastic sides of the new XS batteries. I started looking at other options. Chevy Sonic Wall (4) 15's on 10k Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209412-2015-chevy-sonicwall4-15s10klithiumlarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ (4) Fi SP4 15's | (2) Ampere 5Ks | Active! | Arc KS600.2 & KS125.2mini | CDT Silk Domes | Silver Flute 8s | 240Ah JY | US Alts Jeep Wrangler JK (4) 8's in a 4th Order Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209841-shadow-2016-jeep-wrangler-jk4th-order4-8sdc-35klarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ IG @walledsonic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalledSonic Posted November 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2016 New mat, covered the roof. There will be more roof work later. Oh snap, got some wood. Thats the last time I'd ever fit an 8' board in this car again. Dat BUS doe Getting the floor and back wall designed and installed Mmm tasty birch Chevy Sonic Wall (4) 15's on 10k Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209412-2015-chevy-sonicwall4-15s10klithiumlarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ (4) Fi SP4 15's | (2) Ampere 5Ks | Active! | Arc KS600.2 & KS125.2mini | CDT Silk Domes | Silver Flute 8s | 240Ah JY | US Alts Jeep Wrangler JK (4) 8's in a 4th Order Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209841-shadow-2016-jeep-wrangler-jk4th-order4-8sdc-35klarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ IG @walledsonic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalledSonic Posted November 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2016 Getting the birch in with plenty of PL 3X on the entire underside and in between the 2x4s The rear deck has a vertical rear face, so we fashioned up a box that was disassembled and installed inside the car. I kinda regret not building the box-roof into the ceiling of the car, but live and learn. Kreggin The shell is in! As can be seen, the box just barely clears the airbag and there is a 3"ish gap between the box roof and the ceiling. Chevy Sonic Wall (4) 15's on 10k Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209412-2015-chevy-sonicwall4-15s10klithiumlarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ (4) Fi SP4 15's | (2) Ampere 5Ks | Active! | Arc KS600.2 & KS125.2mini | CDT Silk Domes | Silver Flute 8s | 240Ah JY | US Alts Jeep Wrangler JK (4) 8's in a 4th Order Build Log https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/209841-shadow-2016-jeep-wrangler-jk4th-order4-8sdc-35klarge-case-hairpin-us-alts/ IG @walledsonic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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