kai-wun

Hi all,

I drive a 02 EP3 (Civic hatchback), the previous owner has an aftermarket deck (Pio DEH-P4800MP) installed in it. The stock speakers are running from it, and even to my newbie ears ... it sounds terrible.

A friend gave me his Kenwood KAC-7201 pulled from his old car, it's rated at 2x150W RMS @ 4Ω.

I grabbed a set of Precision Power PPI 356CS 6.5" compies from eBay after reading a few glowing reviews here and there. (I've heard they also love power, and 100-150W really make them move ... )

I'm extremely busy, I'm not very mechanically/electronically-inclined, nor do I trust my clumsy paws to install this .. therefore I'm looking for a reputable place to install this.

I come here asking what's a reasonable cost I should be expecting to be charged for the wiring, amp/compy install.

There's also sound deadening, which I realize is very important ... but costs quite a bit as well.

Thoughts? I know I should try to attempt this myself, but having this ridiculous schedule and no garage (heated or non heated) makes it a bit difficult. Not to mention I've never even taken anything apart on my car.

Thanks in advance.

Regards
-k

Denonite

iTrader: (1)

Selective sound in Mississauga has received good reviews from members on here..see their ad on the right side. Call them and get a quote.

jalat

iTrader: (6)

It it was me, I would buy some of the equipment, like sound deadening and wiring elsewhere. In my opinion they charge you WAY too much for those two items at a shop. The best you can do is find a couple in your area and ask for some prices

JohnVroom

Sometimes the installation price will differ if you bought the equipment from the retail establishment.

My recommendation is to do your homework and work with a good shop with reasonable rates in your neighborhood (their competency is one of the things you are paying for so cheapest isn't always best). There is a lot of pride in doing your own installation but there is a lot to be said for the relationship a customer can have with a good installation shop.

lpchouinard

there's a good chance that you're in for a bad surprise when they pull that deck... Factory harness cut and twist wire and electrical tape only. If it's the case the installer will charge you more to fix this.

kai-wun

Does that matter? All I wish is to run the front 2ch to the amp, to power the front compies. I don't care about the rear stage.

BigRedGuy

iTrader: (11)

If it's butchered, why would you not fix it while you install new, better quality equipment??

If you will be keeping the car for a while and possibly adding more goodies later, I would make sure each step is done correctly along the way. Decent fronts and that much amp power for them pretty much demands deadening the doors. If you don't you are robbing the comps of the chance to do their best and to me that's wasting money.....

The fronts will drown out the rears, but I would still hook them up to the deck just to get a little rear fill.....if or when you decide to put a sub or two in you can always un-hook 'em and/or remove them completely at that point....

Cost??......let's see......Deadener for 2 doors, wiring kit for the amp, possibly replacing the harness, putting the speaks and the amp in the car correctly and taxes......allow for $300 or so and if you can negotiate well you will get some change back.....not much but some.....

HTH

MTA

iTrader: (1)

if you're going to a good shop expect to pay around $400 maybe even $500 depending on the quality of products you choose to install... a good shop will immediately try to sell you 3 sets of RCA cables for future use ( possibly rear amp and sub amp) and a heavy guage wire to be able to support extra amps at a later date. instead of having to redo the installation when you choose to expand your system
deadening usually costs around $100-125/door depending on product

sunfired

iTrader: (-1)

Feel like learnin to do it yourself yet? To me 400 bucks to install that little bit of gear is no better then bendin over and takin it dry.

alphadawg

not everyone is capable or has the time to do it themself, otherwise everyone would be doing everything themself, plumbing, electrical, mechanics, building their house, etc...Sometimes it's better to have a pro do it when you can't or don't have the time, and that expertise is what you pay for. Plus the OP already said he doesn't have the time or inclination to do it himself.