Carver amp

[Thunderous One]

I don't think it's a simple upgrade... if your car has the 6 speaker set up - it's not worth trying to mess with the DSP Carver amp - you'd be far better off using an aftermarket amp to power any additional speakers.

In my opinion however, it IS still worth buying the Sub speakers and mounts/frame - because you could use said aftermarket amp to drive them - which is exactly what I did 8)

I have however already switched my head unit, which provides RCA outputs, so I simply ran the RCAs to a little Pioneer amp I put in the boot, then from Amp to speakers mounted behind seats where the cubby holes are. The cubby hole just pull out - use a trim tool to lever them and they'll unclip in a few places and slide out.

The mounting holes are there already for the subs in their frames - then clip the new grills (as seen in OPs pic) over the top.

With all the aftermarket options, it's far better to have the 6 speaker set up and add these subs, but use your own amp etc than it is to have the DSP system and change things. The DSP (10 speaker setup) needs complete rewiring of the Audio system should you want a different head unit etc - so yeah, personally, I wouldn't bother with Carver amp - there's no easy upgrade, and it's simply just not worth it. - But again, the Subs/Speakers that mount behind the seats are defo worth grabbing. From memory I paid £100 for mine from a fellow forum member some time ago - that included the grills, speakers, foam & the mounting panels. The speakers were NOT the proper subs though from memory (and I knew that when buying) so £150 is a fair price IMO if that's the Subs, mounting panel, grills and foam

thats really a good piece of advice and I’ve learnt much from your description
I’m really interested in the subs, and im gonna conclude they would be an easy fit in the cubby holes behind my seats in my coupe
My question is, how do I wire the subs?
I have the sat nav system in my car
Appreciate your efforts

 

[IAmOrion]

thats really a good piece of advice and I’ve kearnt much from your description
I’m really interested in the subs, and 8mmgonna conclude the6 would be an easy fit in the cubby holes behind my seats in my coupe
My question is, how do I wire the subs?
I have the sat nav system in my car
Appreciate your efforts

I used to have the Sat Nav system - I removed the screen, and changed to a double din Pioneer stereo (year later, I'm still working on my 3D printed fascia, but just haven't had the time)... anyways....

If you want to stay with your current head unit, I would suggest buying an Amp to put into your boot. Something like this for example: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132813565872



Obviously - you could go for a more powerful amp if you wanted, that was just an example.

Put that in the boot, and use T-Taps or your preferred method of choice to tap into the already existing rear speakers (they're just below the roll hoop - kind of level with the back of your head)... tap into those wires, connect them to the amp inputs, then connect the subs to the amp output. Pretty straight forward really and doesn't require much effort since you can get to the speaker wires to tap into from the boot! (At least, I could in my 2003 3.0i E85)

The only "tricky" - or rather, annoying part, is, you need to find the "Remote Amp" (normally blue) wire from the back of the stereo harness, and tap into it, and run it down the center tunnel to the remote input for the amp. Alternatively you use a switched +ve (eg, a +ve that goes live with the ignition) to the remote input.... whatever you choose to do, fitting the speakers, and getting the inputs is pretty easy

You might want to get a high to low level converter too : www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270662823340

Just to convert the speaker wires you tap into, into RCA for the amp RCA inputs

PS: As far as I know, the speakers and even the majority of the interior of the E86 is the same as the E85 so should be pretty easy to do. Took me a couple of hours in total, some of which was finding the right bloody tools to put in a rivnut I needed

 

[paullyjay]

Sorry to Hijack the for sale thread... But I have to ask this...

I used to have the Sat Nav system - I removed the screen, and changed to a double din Pioneer stereo (year later, I'm still working on my 3D printed fascia, but just haven't had the time)... anyways....

I'd be very interested to see a picture of this (or if you have a build thread going anywhere a link?)

 

[IAmOrion]

Sorry to Hijack the for sale thread... But I have to ask this...

I used to have the Sat Nav system - I removed the screen, and changed to a double din Pioneer stereo (year later, I'm still working on my 3D printed fascia, but just haven't had the time)... anyways....

I'd be very interested to see a picture of this (or if you have a build thread going anywhere a link?)

I did have a thread here somewhere - it's gotta be a year+ old :? haha



Just to give you an idea. The blue 3D Printed part in the picture is now black, but it's still not quite right. The Sat Nav thing that I changed into an oddment tray is just temporary as I intend to fabricate something to cover the gap (in the pic below) and fit this bmw oddment tray I got from a 1 series I think it was



Same old story though - life just gets in the way and I Just haven't had time yet. Too many little projects and not enough time lol

 

[Kit Kat]

Hi thunderous one do you want this if not I will sell to sgub ?

 

[Kit Kat]

Still waiting ???

 

[Kit Kat]

Think I have waited long enough for a response from Thunderous one.
Sgub pm me if you want to pick this week.

 

[Sgub]

Think I have waited long enough for a response from Thunderous one.
Sgub pm me if you want to pick this week.

Hope we've waited long enough in line with forum rules. Collection has been planned for later today

 

[Kit Kat]

Speakers now sold to sgub he picked them up earlier what a nice guy.
Also sorted him out with a set of Ebech spacers while he was here.

 

[Sgub]

Speakers now sold to sgub he picked them up earlier what a nice guy.
Also sorted him out with a set of Ebech spacers while he was here.

It was very nice meeting you rob, many thanks for all the bits. Absolute pleasure doing business

 

[Kit Kat]

Hi all amp still available if anyone interested. All the rest now gone

 

[Chris_D]

Hi all amp still available if anyone interested. All the rest now gone

PM sent....interested again :roll:

 

[Kit Kat]

All now sold