Audio Systems: Installing and Spl, cda 7998, boston speakers

Question
Hi
  I now am upgrading my car stereo again (want all spl).  I am 18 years old and want to start competing.  I bought an Alpine head unit (CDA-7998) and boston speakers all around being pushed by a 4 channel eclipse amp.  For bass I bought the big eclipse DA7232 and planning to get two 12" eclipse titaniums.  They are going to be put in a ported enclosure built to spec.  My first question is the local car stereo shop that i buy ALL of my stuff from said that they need to install it or else it will void the warranty but I really do know what I am doing and don't want to pay for them to do it.  I am not MECP ceftified or anything but is there any way that you know of to get around the dealer installing it but still getting the warranty?! My next question is just if you have any general tips or anything I can do to prepare for competing. I have heard that leaving the driver door open when mic is on opposite side of car gives you more db's? Also just anything i can do when i am having the enclosure built to make it as loud as possible or anything else. It will be a great help.   Thanks alot                                                       Nick

Answer
Thanks for the question, Nick!
While I find it kind of interesting that you choose B-A speakers and Eclipse amplification when one is after 'spl' as you indicate, I will 'go with' what you have provided :).


"My first question is the local car stereo shop that i buy ALL of my stuff from said that they need to install it or else it will void the warranty but I really do know what I am doing and don't want to pay for them to do it. I am not MECP ceftified or anything but is there any way that you know of to get around the dealer installing it but still getting the warranty?!"

Answer:
NOTE> If eclipse requires a certified installer to retain warranty, they are gonna lose a lot of customers.

A) In the interests of safety, why on earth would you want to put your vehicle {and its occupants} at risk of fire or worse due to 'getting around' this problem? Large amps require large wire for HIGH current power - this is a huge saftey issue and one that should not be overlooked.  
B) While I cannot say whether or not Eclipse requires this shop to install it can only be answered by Eclipse. I would recommend to email them or vist their site and use the Contact form to be sure on this.

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"My next question is just if you have any general tips or anything I can do to prepare for competing. I have heard that leaving the driver door open when mic is on opposite side of car gives you more db's?"

Answer:
Research, research and more research is my best advice. There currently is no 'TomsHardware' defacto-type page for this:(
Things to look into for the 'edge in competing':
Attend contests and watch the categories you are interested in. Talk to members about their installs and why they chose that particular path to their design. Many are ready to chat about such things at great length. As time passes and you work to compile your audio knowledge-base, you will see from experience who is talking smack and who to listen to.
Accoustical physics are very important in audio and anything you can find on subject that is pertinant.
And of course, Ohms' Law.

The #1 thing is find a good installer/designer to begin with. You will later thank him (even if only for his advice)10-fold due to not having to replace components as you upgrade and for a system that is bullet-proof and will last YEARS.


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"Also just anything I can do when I am having the enclosure built to make it as loud as possible or anything else?"

Answer:
As to SPL..
For the badboy sounds, use separated equal sized enclosures for each subwoofer.
Make the internal bracing especially overkilled, and do not forget to take the displacement of the speaker AND the bracing into account for total Volume. If you can feel the cabinet buzz or move as ALL....  it can (and should) be stiffer.
Make the baffle board (the one the speakers sit in) thicker than the rest of the box panels. It is not uncommon to see baffels that are 4" thick in the Pro SQ and SPL outlaw classes.

Also remember to get more spl it is always more efficient to double the amount speakers (if feasible) Gain is 6db!!   Doubling the power will only give you 3 db.


Gl

Jerry Mael


PS  one other  thing, once you go to a few of these organised events, you'll see that you cannot leave doors open ect. Whether or not such a 'trik' would help depends entirely on the vehicles and its'  SWR or standing wave ratio among other things.
Dr. DB™