Finally finished installing the 320 uF units. They were much larger (small soup cans!) than I thought. Kind of a tight area to work in but I believe I made good connections. I wrapped the capacitors in bubble wrap to secure them against rattling. Some observations:
1) Back speakers now will rattle the windows with bass when bass controls are set at -3 to 0 which seems to be optimum.
2) No tininess evident in front speakers.
3) Seems to be a large improvement.
4) I keep treble at about 0, not quite sure what would be the best setting.

A question, I was a bit concerned about a butt connection I made, the darn thing slipped while I was using my pinchers. What would happen if no connection was made? Would the speaker on that side still work?

 

In a word - "no". There would be an open in the line and no audio signal would make it to the speaker resulting in no sound from the speaker.

 

After listening to my modified (capacitors) oem radio for a variety of music I have to say that this fix is a huge improvement. The subwoofers rattle the windows!! Thank you so much for this fix. I no longer feel the need to replace this radio in the near future. The only downer for me now is the lack of satellite radio. I do not wish to use the FM modulation approach.

 

These high quality Bi-polar (non-polarized) electrolytic capacitors are perfect for your next crossover design. They feature a 5% dissipation factor and are rated at 100V which are effective to approximately 200 watts.

question is....
Will these 200 watt capacitors be sufficant for use with our 240 watt stereos ??

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...Number=027-374

 

i'm sure our oem systems are not 240 watts per channel. i'd say we have 4 channels as i would believe the subs are on their own channel. if that is the case, you are looking at 60 watts per channel x 4 channels or worst case 120 watts per channel x 2 channels. this is a typical way car systems are advertised verses what most of us are used to in the home systems where they rate them in watts per channel not total system watts.

 

Not to sound overly redundant and like everyone else who has performed this Mod - but the difference is INCREDIBLE. I live in Dayton so I drove to Parts Express and bought 2 027-368/22uf 100V Non-polarized Capacitors at $2.88 Each - came home - installed them in 15 minuted and WOW. This sound system used to be borderline poor - maybe judged decent, but these capacitors bring it up to very good sound. I now have the bass at about +7 and the treble about the same from - prior to the mod of bass 0 and treble the same (+7). Pre-mod, increasing the volume created way to much base through the lower door speakers. Post mod - the sound is incredibly clear throught the doors and subs will rock the seats - again INCREDIBLE difference. It reminds of my 1975 Chevrolet Monza when I went from the GM/Delco AM/FM stereo to a Sansui cassette deck and Alpine speakers - I never knew how good the car could sound - same here - I never would have guessed the stock set-up could sound this good. !!!!

 

Subscribing

 

I received my 330uf non polarized caps and it took only a half hour to install them. As most everyone posted already here it definitely cuts back the bass in the door speakers and allows the sub woofers behind the seats to pump the bass harder.
Overall I like the mod and plan to keep it as it is. I played a variety of CD's and enjoy the noticeable difference.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...Number=027-374

 

Without looking like i dont know anything about the sterio here... did you do this mod to a stock sterio? It sounds like thats what i would like to do if thats the case... also.. i have the nav and wanted to attach my ipod.. do you know if there is the aux plug in back by chance??

 

Yes, I added these capacitors to a completely stock system and the improvement was noticeable. You get a richer deep bass thump from the sub woofers from behind the seats. It only took about 30 minutes to do both doors. As far as a aux plug from all the threads I have read the stock system has no inputs for ipods etc. I simply use a FM transmitter with my ipod and choose a dead FM station and use that frequency to listen to the ipod. It is not the most ideal way but it works.

See installation details in post #21 on this thread........

 

Ok, I'm bit ! Ordered the 220 caps from Amazon. I was a lil skeptical at first, because as someone else mentioned, that they were not really concerned with the doors rattling or the mirrors shaking, I'm kinda in that same boat. But I do like my tunes loud and chrisp, with a lil thup and this mod seems to accomplish this. Sooooooo can't wait till the delivery truck pulls up to the front of the house.

My dos centavos

 

Now this system looks like it rocks !!

 

From reading the audio thread, I learned that our head unit (the one with navigation) was made by Becker and the compatible CD changer is the Becker Silverstone 7860. They are not easy to find in the States. EBay (UK and Germany) has them and they run between $375 - $450. New ones allegedly come with the CD magazine, the cable and mounting hardware. www.thebassbin.com.UK says they will ship to the United States. Their is a car audio store in Florida www.continentalimports.com which features them on their website, but you will need to call them to get the price. I am planning to call them this coming Monday, as they are closed on weekends. If they have it in stock at a decent price I will probably order it from them, since I am leery of purchasing it from overseas. If you want to explore further try EBay-Germany. They have sellers that offer new in the box units.

Hope this helps. Unfortunately their is not an interface that will allow MP3 or Bluetooth to be used with the stock unit. Alpine makes some nice units that incorporate those features.

 

Didn't notice a follow up post- did you install them? What was your impression? I am considering doing for my xfire.

Thanks

 

All right. I started with the 220uF 35V and moved to a 330 uF 35V and it got quite a bit "boomier" in the doors, but the overall sound (Janis Joplin didn't sound like Michael Jackson) was more pleasing than with either no caps (doors very boomy) or the 220's. I can still feel the subs in the small of my back, though not as pronounced. I have 24 pcs. of 270 uF 63V on their way from Newark and should be here this week. I'll let y'all know. I'm downloading an Audio Test CD to use to get a real idea as to where different frequencies are coming from (sub, door etc.)

I'll make up 10 "kits" and bring them to the Tail of the Dragon in April and install them for whoever asks first.

Later.
Max

 

I actually started a new thread, duh me ! Yes I did install the caps.

What I'm hearing is a midrange, crisp, clearer and free from distortion. The subs seem to be resounding with greater effectiveness, not sure if it's because the midrange speakers in the doors are now tuned outside of the lower frequencies and they need to go somewhere or what. Also maybe because there's not so much "thump" in the front the tweeters are coming in a lil crisper.

I went with the recommended caps as posted in the original thread. Someone posted early on in the thread if you want to leave a lil thump in the front but not as much as the OEM setup to go with a different cap. Sorry don't remember whose post it was.

I'm not an expert, I don't install stereo's for a living, I hear what I hear. It was worth the 12 bucks and 30 minutes of my time.

Just my Dos Centavos !

 

Stogey,
Thanks for sharing with me... when I get the fear of doing it myself,,,, I will try this mod. Some have shared to purchase the caps from Crutchfield as they are just slip over the post style. What thread did you start so I can also read more information?

Thanks again for responding.

Don

 

Stogey started this thread: CLICK HERE

 

anyone interested in a set of 100uf/100v np caps? the name on them is xicon. i've got 2 here that i will send to continental us for a couple bucks plus shipping. make me an offer.

 

Max,
Thanks so much for your Great Testings & research, & Offer to Our Dragon Drivers!
SF

BTW, see Max's Updated offer on the Spring Tail of The Dragon Meet thread:

Originally Posted by SilverFox
Hey All you Dragon Drivers, here a Great Offer from maxcichon:
(BTW, Max you can put me down for the 1st one, when we can hook up! ) SF

Speaker Capacitors -
"Bill,
When my bride and I show up in April, I'll be bringing along a few "freebies" for the guys. I've made up 22 Upgrade kits (capacitors, 270uF), (I tried 220uF, 300uF and 330uF and used an audio test CD to find the best value). I'll have my little tool kit along and will install them for a drink (Corona-after we're done driving, of course!) or just hand them out.. Yes, I'm cheap. I'll also bring a few copies of the test CD for people to try out. You can post this info, if you like? "
Max (maxcichon)
maxcichon,
How very generous and a great idea !!
I have already installed my capacitors (love the sound) and would like to check out a copy of your test CD.
To anyone here who has not done this mod you might want to check this out.

For more info and testimonials about this simple mod click here