Vehicle Makeover - Oespecial Feature
by CAE, Jan 01, 2008
A Little HigherRather than building expensive custom mounts for the high-frequency speakers, we decided to place new Crossfire speakers in the factory locations. An X6 component set went in the bottom of the door, while RS6 coaxial speakers take residence in the rear deck.
Beautification ProjectAudio upgrades could only do so much for the cabin aesthetically. While the exterior has held up well through the years, the interior had been through hell with worn-out seats and a sagging, ripped headliner. Mario Escamilia of Escamilia Design Concepts in Murrieta, CA, pulled out the old seats and replaced them with a pair of Corbeau VX2000's (www.corbeau.com). Although the rear seats were in relatively good condition, they wouldn't match the new ones, so Escamilia reupholstered them in matching Corbeau fabric. An extra touch, he repainted the center cupholder so it wouldn't clash against the new black fabric.
Overhead, the ripped headliner was pulled out and factory replacement fabric was installed. This instantly brightened the interior, which we then darkened (just a tad) by covering the windows with Gila film (www.gilafilms.com). Rather than replacing the carpet, which is an expensive proposition when done correctly, we thoroughly cleaned it and ordered new custom floor mats from GG Bailey (www.ggbailey.com).
Since the factory paint only needed a few touch-ups, a thorough detailing stood in for a new paint job. The flaking wing was removed for a more streamlined look and Konig Hot Swap wheels (www.konigwheels.com) wrapped in Continental tires (www.conti-online.com) add a bit of flash. The spoke covers on the wheels can be swapped out or painted for a customized look. To get rid of the unsightly gap in the wheel well, Teddy Hiraoka of Mavrik Motorsports in Fullerton, CA, lowered the vehicle with Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs. He also zapped the factory calipers with black paint.
Cosmetics aside, it's the audio that really makes this madeover ride. It doesn't take much to spruce up a vehicle that has seen better days. The equipment and material costs won't make a large dent in your wallet. Best of all, the upgrades look impressive yet can be fabricated in your own garage or driveway. Stay tuned to future issues for more inspiring makeover vehicles.
Bring In The BassThe trunk of this coupe wasn't large to start with, but there was enough room to create an effective sub setup without losing much storage space. DiMichieli got to work on a sealed box for a pair of Crossfire subs (www.crossfirecaraudio.com). Constructed predominantly out of MDF and acrylic, the finished box holds the two P1228 subwoofers. A lot of Hushmat damping material (www.hushmat.com) was used, so despite the noise that these subs bring, you won't hear any rattle.
To make room for the two Crossfire amps, a XP600D and an XP6004, DiMichieli removed the spare tire and built an amprack in its place. Black acrylic sets the dark amplifiers off. An MDF grille cut in a freestyle pattern protects the amps, while a false floor smoothes out the trunk area. Matching vinyl covers both the subwoofer enclosure and the trunk walls for a cohesive look.
