Tips on Amp Placement?

[Border Walker]

Anyone have good tips on placement of an Amp for a 03 Chevy trailblazer? I wanted to have a clean install, preferably keeping it out of the way so people don't see the messy electronics of the car (Tis why I probably won't buy a Sub) And I just had my Amp come in the mail today along with the speakers and new Head unity to replace my old XPlod.

Amp is a RE Audio DTS 500.4. Was thinking of potentially installing it in the rear in one of the compartment holders (Previously was using those for carrying a small Emergency kit with tools and some fluids), such as the one in the floor, but I'm worried about proper venting of the potential heat from the amp. My other option is beneath the driver seat potentially. I just want the amp to remain out of the way, both for appearance and functionality (I do actually use my TB to transport cargo and stuff on a semi-regular basis).

Any suggestions on possible out of the way locations that are good, and ways to properly do it?

 

[The_Roadie]

Welcome!

Rear compartments can have ventilation grills put in. I wouldn't put anything under the front seats in a place like Maine for fear of winter snow/salt/sand. There are thin places under the rear seat, especially if you don't use OnStar and can remove the module that's under the passenger side. Or in the area behind the glove box where the XM module sits. Pull down and release the latch for the glove box and see how much room you have back there.

 

[ksimm92]

There are thin places under the rear seat, especially if you don't use OnStar and can remove the module that's under the passenger side.

View attachment 23311
I have my rockford under the rear seat, it is where the onstar module would be, but my TB didnt come with it.

View attachment 23312
I also have a smaller alpine under the passenger seat, Ive never really had any issues with salt, ect. but it is something to think about for sure.

 

[Border Walker]

Or in the area behind the glove box where the XM module sits. Pull down and release the latch for the glove box and see how much room you have back there.

Would that work? I had not thought about that. Would it be too close that it might pick up the electrical noise? Well ventilated?

 

[STLtrailbSS]

twist your speaker wires and dont run alongside power. you will be good
If you have an amp in mind and can post it then we would know if you have good ventilation depending on the circuitry class in the amp AB,D will determine the amount of heat generated.

 

[Border Walker]

As I had said in first post, it's an RE Audio DTS 500.4. Four 6.5 JV DVRM speakers that I will be installing.

 

[STLtrailbSS]

My bad Im a moron. Ok so its a class AB its going to run warmer then other amps. Do I think you will have issues with it going into protect/Overheat mode? Not really I think your good to go. Under the seat atleast has room for air to escape instead of a plastic compartment. In my old LT I ran a 700rms in the floor compartment with it just cracked open with no issue.

 

[Lima Tango]

I ran an alpine 500w class D in the back floor compartment with it completely sealed and crap on top of the floor, never once had any problem. Physical size and heat are both factors, not sure I would do it with an AB. But only one way to find out if it'll work

 

[Border Walker]

Hmm. Hadn't realized the Amp was a class AB. Thought it was D. Shows how much attention I payed when i saw that pack deal on Sonic Electronix

Okay. Once my car is returned from the shop (Hopefully Monday) I will get pictures up showing ideas for placement. I want to get this installed maybe Wednesday is weather permits (No actual garage to work in), but next Sunday will probably be more likely. Or whenever I have a decent amount of free time. As said, my only requirement is I want it to be a clean install so not obvious at all. Pretty much not there unless one happens to look in the right place would be idea, so that idea of behind the glove box actually really tempts me...

 

[AV8ER]

My amp is under the drivers seat with no screws. cant slide forward cause of a cross bar on the seat. Works great and you can run the wires under the carpet to the door sills.

 

[Blckshdw]

Not sure how much room you have with a SWB, but you could also look into mounting it in the cargo section behind the panel. My panel had vents already, so I didn't need to add them for ventilation. A factory ground point was right there on the C pillar, just had to run power and the cables to the HU and speakers (subs in my case) and it's a done deal. At some point I want to upgrade to a 5 channel, and I'll try to put it in the same spot.

 

[Border Walker]

I don't think I can do it behind the panel. I don't have vents in my 03 like I've seen some people have in their TB's, which I'll guess is the one's that go the length of the panel, yes? Don't have those :/

 

[Border Walker]

Okay, so I was going to install the amp, and kinda ran into a small issue. As it turns out, the hole to insert the bolt through for the battery to connect the amp to the battery is just a smidge to small to fit on the bolt. Anyone had a similar issue or has tips?

 

[AV8ER]

Did you get the little gm battery adapter? Replaces the original bolt and adds a terminal for the amp wire

 

[Border Walker]

EDIT: Got a friend to link me to the adaptor kit at Walmart. Said friend is GM certified for Audio and engine parts so yay. Gonna pick that up tomorrow and get this thing actually freaking started.

 

[AV8ER]

I think I paied $10 for mine and ended up having to cut away a little bit of the red boot to get it to screw on all the way

 

[ksimm92]

I think I paied $10 for mine and ended up having to cut away a little bit of the red boot to get it to screw on all the way

yep, i had to do the same thing. i also picked mine up for around 10 bucks, from autozone though.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Any suggestions on possible out of the way locations that are good, and ways to properly do it?

Put it in my truck...

 

[Border Walker]

Funny Hardtrailz.

Anyway, got the thing in. Also got the amp grounded. No connection to the H/U or speakers yet as it got too dark at that point. Tomorrow will do H/U and speakers with luck.