Sound Deadening Floors
04-22-2004, 04:25 AM
#1
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,783
While deep in the planning stages for my current system, I spent a lot of time searching the net for pictures of other people’s installs. I found a great number of people that had gone to extremes when installing sound deadening. Heck, go to any manufacturer’s web site and you’ll find tons of pictures of this. There are mountains of pictures out there showing how a vehicle is completely covered in shiny foil. What is NEVER mentioned is how all those interior panels fit back on TOP of all this sound deadening. To cut to the point, this is a MAJOR problem. I ran into fitment issues with my installation and it caused me a couple of headaches I’d prefer to help people avoid rather than repeat.
I’m also going to mix in a little wiring, as it was planned in conjunction with the sound deadening.
In my last post about my door build up, I posted text at the bottom of the related pictures. I found that somewhat confusing, so I’m going to change all of my future posts to having text at the top with a step #.
#1.) This is the target of my audio fantasy, seen here part way through the sound deadening adventure. A simple introduction: 2001 BMW 330Ci with every option available except Satellite navigation. Ordered in March of 2001, I took delivery of it July 23rd. The wait for the car to come from Germany was just about unbearable, but when it arrived I was very happy with my choice.
#2.) Fast forward to September 2003. The car has spent most of the past 2 years in storage while I work overseas. After a large amount of planning, I’ve taken the plunge and bought a fair pile of gear to put in my car. My first step was to strip the car down to bare metal. This took a number of days, as every part was carefully stored with fasteners attached in a plastic bag. Due to the sheer number of panels and little nuts and bolts, it would be impossible for me to remember what nut went where, so each panel had an accompanying package. (some with written directions) I recommend anyone stripping down a car to do this, as you get to easily re-assemble it in the future. After 8 months of working on my car, I still have parts to be placed back in the car. I can’t remember where every nut and bolt goes after 8 months, can you? This is the car part way through day 2.
#3.) To get the carpet out, the main dash module has to be removed. Man did I curse when I figured this out. Even with the dash module out, I still had to cut the carpet in places where the dash sub-frame was installed on top of it.
#4.) With the carpet removed, there are still pieces to be removed. Note the factory sound deadening applied across the floor, this is BEFORE I started deadening folks. German cars are no joke, very well engineered and built. But that can mean a battle to change something as you’ll see later.
#5.) Note the missing throttle pedal. The throttle is digitally controlled with and electronic pedal that mounts on top of the carpet. Basically, the car is immobile now! Also note the carpet that still remains under the central dash subframe, this was cut to facilitate an easier carpet removal.
#6.) There is still more material to be removed from the rear seat area, but the layout of the car is clearly visible. The red wire on the passenger side is the factory power wire going to the trunk mounted battery.
More to come....
Adam
[ April 22, 2004, 05:34 AM: Message edited by: PEI330Ci ]
I’m also going to mix in a little wiring, as it was planned in conjunction with the sound deadening.
In my last post about my door build up, I posted text at the bottom of the related pictures. I found that somewhat confusing, so I’m going to change all of my future posts to having text at the top with a step #.
#1.) This is the target of my audio fantasy, seen here part way through the sound deadening adventure. A simple introduction: 2001 BMW 330Ci with every option available except Satellite navigation. Ordered in March of 2001, I took delivery of it July 23rd. The wait for the car to come from Germany was just about unbearable, but when it arrived I was very happy with my choice.
#2.) Fast forward to September 2003. The car has spent most of the past 2 years in storage while I work overseas. After a large amount of planning, I’ve taken the plunge and bought a fair pile of gear to put in my car. My first step was to strip the car down to bare metal. This took a number of days, as every part was carefully stored with fasteners attached in a plastic bag. Due to the sheer number of panels and little nuts and bolts, it would be impossible for me to remember what nut went where, so each panel had an accompanying package. (some with written directions) I recommend anyone stripping down a car to do this, as you get to easily re-assemble it in the future. After 8 months of working on my car, I still have parts to be placed back in the car. I can’t remember where every nut and bolt goes after 8 months, can you? This is the car part way through day 2.
#3.) To get the carpet out, the main dash module has to be removed. Man did I curse when I figured this out. Even with the dash module out, I still had to cut the carpet in places where the dash sub-frame was installed on top of it.
#4.) With the carpet removed, there are still pieces to be removed. Note the factory sound deadening applied across the floor, this is BEFORE I started deadening folks. German cars are no joke, very well engineered and built. But that can mean a battle to change something as you’ll see later.
#5.) Note the missing throttle pedal. The throttle is digitally controlled with and electronic pedal that mounts on top of the carpet. Basically, the car is immobile now! Also note the carpet that still remains under the central dash subframe, this was cut to facilitate an easier carpet removal.
#6.) There is still more material to be removed from the rear seat area, but the layout of the car is clearly visible. The red wire on the passenger side is the factory power wire going to the trunk mounted battery.
More to come....
Adam
[ April 22, 2004, 05:34 AM: Message edited by: PEI330Ci ]
04-22-2004, 01:57 PM
#4
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 119
I thought the purpose of spending crazy money on a BMW was to leave it alone and NOT tear it apart ?!?!?!?
I hear all my friends say, man I gonna sell my "xyz car" and by a BMW and just leave it alone, it's wicked stock
but nonetheless man.......your car looks great and best of luck with your project
I hear all my friends say, man I gonna sell my "xyz car" and by a BMW and just leave it alone, it's wicked stock
but nonetheless man.......your car looks great and best of luck with your project
04-22-2004, 04:09 PM
#6
the disease has no affinity to a car brands...they all fall under the knife!! i thought i wouldnt do much to my Z32....yeah right that lasted about 6 months!
no car is safe from the bug!!!
btw Adam... i feel uneasy about your new post... i hope you haven't forgotten about the doors.... you were just getting to the skins!!!!
[ April 22, 2004, 05:12 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Marco ]
no car is safe from the bug!!!
btw Adam... i feel uneasy about your new post... i hope you haven't forgotten about the doors.... you were just getting to the skins!!!!
[ April 22, 2004, 05:12 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Marco ]
04-22-2004, 05:20 PM
#7
Wow, that takes guts to go to that level of parts removal on a new ride. Complete dash and steering wheel removal 
I see you have a 67 Galaxie as your sunny day driver?
Is it just me or did all domestic cars in 1967 get designed with a 'mean' look to them 
I see you have a 67 Galaxie as your sunny day driver?
Is it just me or did all domestic cars in 1967 get designed with a 'mean' look to them
04-22-2004, 06:29 PM
#8
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,783
Everyone, the floors were done 7 months ago. I'm just posting the pics now. No I haven't forgoten about the door skins or my kicks.
SUX, that is one of the sunny drivers at the house. The other is a 67 Mustang convertable. (and you guys wonder why the garage is full in the winter.)
My Dad thought I was nuts when he saw the car stripped out too. The steering wheel is a bitch to get off, the airbag has 2 release springs that you can't see or really feel until you've got the airbag on your lap.
Adam
SUX, that is one of the sunny drivers at the house. The other is a 67 Mustang convertable. (and you guys wonder why the garage is full in the winter.)
My Dad thought I was nuts when he saw the car stripped out too. The steering wheel is a bitch to get off, the airbag has 2 release springs that you can't see or really feel until you've got the airbag on your lap.
Adam
04-22-2004, 08:15 PM
#9
adam
im right behind you.
i will tear apart my 323i in the next few week, waiting for the weather.
i might ask you alot of question about taking the out the floor carpet.
can you send me more detail picture.
thanks
im right behind you.
i will tear apart my 323i in the next few week, waiting for the weather.
i might ask you alot of question about taking the out the floor carpet.
can you send me more detail picture.
thanks
04-23-2004, 09:23 AM
#10
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,783
PLOW, I have a ton of pictures. I'll be posting more soon. I'm just really busy here at work, and haven't had the energy to do more posting.
Ask as many questions as you need to. I've had the dash out a number of times.
PM your private email address, and I'll give you a link to my "library"
But, when I post those pictures here, you'll get an in depth description of what a picture is about.
I'm home in 10 days. Looking forward to helping out another E46 owner.
Adam
Adam
Ask as many questions as you need to. I've had the dash out a number of times.
PM your private email address, and I'll give you a link to my "library"
But, when I post those pictures here, you'll get an in depth description of what a picture is about.
I'm home in 10 days. Looking forward to helping out another E46 owner.
Adam
Adam
