Where to punch through firewall?

[explorer]

Installing two 10" subs and 150W rms/channel amp in 04 ZX5 with automatic.

Where is the best place to punch through the firewall for the power wires?

Using two #10 agw wires.

One for power (fused) and one for the ground.


Also I understand the stock CD/MP3 stereo has a sub out signal. What color wires are they?


Be gentle with me...I'm a virgin to this board (first post).


Thanks,
explorer

[Sponsor]

[5speedZX3]

well there are no extra gromlets to feed the wire thru i ran mine under the drivers fender to the door jamb, there was a extra gromlet there and it runs right to the door sill. heres a pic of where i ran into the fender under the hood. look on the right side its the big red wire. it works great and i didnt have to do any drilling.



also your ground should only be about a foot away from your amp. it doesnt need to go to the battery. i got a round connector and screwed it into the trunk floor

[sa_pyro_ne]

check the FAQ for where to run the power wire through the firewall, it's the first one under the amplifier section. make sure you use a grommet to protect the wire though.

for your ground wire you connect that to the chassis/floor pan/frame (the metal under the carpet) because it's a common ground system. which means the negative battery post is attached (by wire) to the chassis. so you should find a good spot where you know there isn't anything under it (like the gas tank) and drill a hole a little smaller than the screw/bolt and then use sand paper to scratch away all of the paint around it that the ring terminal will touch until it looks like this http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...02_97_full.jpg . and then take the ground wire (under 18" from the amplifier terminal) with it's attached ring terminal and screw/bolt it itghtly on the chassis. if you don't make a good ground connection you'll get a whine in your speakers that will vary with RPM's.

and the FAQ also has the sub out wire color for the blau mp3 unit under the wire colors section.

by the way, (no offense 5speedZX3) i wouldn't run it like 5speedZX3 did. it's a hazzard and is more prone to damage comapred to running it through the firewall. all this info is in the thread that the FAQ links to though.

- Scott

[explorer]

Alright, next question. How did you fish the hot lead through that little hole and up through the fender?

[explorer]

Thanks, sa_pyro_ne, looked at the info in the FAQ's and the wiring diagram for the Blaupunkt MP3. Its a little hard to read but I get the idea.

I looked on the back of the stereo and saw there is no CY98 connector in there. Do you by chance know where I could get the connector. Is it a Ford item or can I get it at a stereo place? Basically what I'm trying to do is run a low input signal off of the stock Blaupunkt MP3 stereo to the amp for my subs in the back. What all would I need to set this up? Thanks again for your help.

[explorer]

Found a thread and I'm going to do it this way: http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...threadid=15815 Since I have an automatic, I can use the clutch hole instead. I'll do it tomorrow and snap some pics and put them up for you guys (in that thread though). Thanks!

[sa_pyro_ne]

cool, i've been looking for a pic of that to put on there for reference, thanks.

for the connector i'm not sure where you'd get it sorry. i don't think you can order it from ford, and there isn't any adapter or anything made by scosche or metra as they do for the other blaupunkt mp3 connectors with are VW style (german). good luck though, i'll let you know if i come by anything.

- Scott

[explorer]

Awesome, I got everything installed today. The system sounds great and everything is very clean. Thanks guys for all your help! Here's a pic of the hatch open. The rest of the other pics will be in this thread: http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...threadid=15815

[sp1917]

I have a new solution to running the amp wire to the battery. there is actually a connector that "sandwitches" the firewall that is almost the perfect place to go through if you don't want to drill. I modified the plastic braket and connector to fit my 4 gauge wire through. it ends up going through in the driver side wheel well behind the mud cover. there is a hole the perfect size to route the wire up through, between the fuse box and its fastening location, around the air box and to the battery. if anyone wants pics, i will be happy to furnish some.

[Sonicbluezx3]

hey...thats not the greatest idea to run it through the fender like that man. its not exactly safe.

you got an auto or a manual? if u got an auto, run it through the spot where the clutch would have gone. otherwise, just look underneath for a spot to drill. make sure you check on both sides before you drill tho. always install a grommet too...if you dont the sharp metal could cut the wire and cause a short.

if anyone has any questions about car audio... feel free to PM me I'm MECP Silver ....