RAdio & speaker location

swainwb · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 06:53 PM

I'd like to put a AM/FM radio & CD player the dash of my B&B Cobra this winter. I assume the original Cobra's came without any type of radio, so I'm looking at players on the Crutchfield website. I was planning to mount 2 x 5 1/4" speakers in the rear panel between the seats. A bit tight, but I thought it would be better sound than if I put them directly behind the seats. I was also planning to put 2 x 3 1/2" speakers on the far ends of the dash.

Any suggestions or ideas on choosing and installing a radio and speakers are appreciated!

jpfletch1 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 07:03 PM

I mounted my radio and cd stacker in the trunk. I used a signal replicater mounted under the dash. To change anything you just point the remote under the dash. If you need more info E-mail me.

chuckmynatt · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 07:11 PM

If you need a radio, your pipes are way too quiet!

Chuck

Jack21 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 08:35 PM

Crutchfield is a good place to see what's available, but they're expensive. Shop around buy.com, amazon.com, or cnet.com when you get to ordering.

Used a cassette deck, rather than cd. Mostly, because I could make my own tapes from old 33 records, as well as CD's. And tape doesn't skip like CD's in a bouncy car.

Cobras have two problems. Horrible listening environment, and no room for gear.

I put a big amp in the trunk, and the highest RMS rated speakers I could find that would fit. Like Infinity Kappas.

Like you, I like my music, and I like old Rock & Roll played loud. But in a Cobra, between the sidepipes and wind, I turn it off over about 40 - 45 MPH..

Bonos · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-2004, 05:15 AM

I made an aluminum panel that fits cover the transmission tunnel an fastened it to the dash and mounted a kenwood unit with a CD
player and then mounted the speakers (4") on the side of of my fabricated mount. By doing it this way i have no extra holes cut or drilled and can remove entire unit within five minutes.
Bonos

trularin · #6 (**permalink**) 10-11-2004, 08:17 AM

I basically did what Bonos did, only I used 2" speakers in the panels and put 10" woffers in the back panel with 4" mids next to them.

But, if I was going to do it all over, I'd go with jpfletch1.

JOHNNYCOBRA · #7 (**permalink**) 01-28-2005, 02:30 AM

You can hear a radio?

Do Cobra's have radio's?

trularin · #8 (**permalink**) 01-28-2005, 07:26 AM

Hear is an update on mine, I can't hear the radio unless it is almost all of the way up.

I am rethinking this whole idea of a radio in a cobra. Looks good, but it's more for parking than anything else.

Art Burtt · #9 (**permalink**) 01-28-2005, 07:30 AM

My understanding is the original 289 street models had an AM radio. I mounted my speakers in boxes I made and covered with
carpeting behind the seats on the "package shelf" and in the doors. CD player is in the trunk, but it skips on rough roads. Radio reception is lousy due to fiberglas body and it's hard to hear
when driving anyhow. If I build another car I won't put a radio in it! Just listen to the side pipes they make better music.

trularin · #10 (**permalink**) 01-28-2005, 08:48 AM

I'm with you Art.

CSCHWER · #11 (**permalink**) 01-28-2005, 12:55 PM

The first thing my wife asked was "Where's the radio". My answer, XM radio with earphones for her.
Chet

rms427 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-28-2005, 02:13 PM

My car had a cheap AM radio when I purchased it in 1968. It is located between the bars above the trans tunnel and below the dash. I assumed it was original equipment but it may have been added by the first owner. There is a piece of aluminium (covered in the same material as the dash) that is screwed to the two bars with a hole for the radio and knobs. It wraps about half the way around the bars.The two speakers are on either side with one facing the driver and the other facing the passenger. They follow the contour of the trans tunnel. The speakers are installed in metal enclosures that are held in place by the aluminium piece that holds the radio.

flipper35 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-28-2005, 02:47 PM

I had a Blaupunkt that was 40x4 and only skipped on a certain railroad crossing. I could hear it if I was just cruising in town or down the highway. I have 2 Boston Acoustics 2" sats in the dash and 2 MTX 6x9 between the seats ala viper.

I say had because when the oil pressure gauge sprang a leak, the radio was the victim. Hot oil and PCBs do not mix.

JP MEIER · #14 (**permalink**) 01-31-2005, 03:13 PM

I built a box that went under the dash, nice and tight. It extended out from the dash another 6"or so. The front is on a 40 degree angle thats where I mounted the cd player. I put two 5" infinity mids and 2, 2" infinity highs on the sides of the same box. This way I didn't have to cut into my car and all the wires were concelead in the box except for the power cord which ran to the trunk. In the trunk I mounted a amp for the 10" sub woffer that is at the passengers feet. (I tried it in the trunk but the fiberglass shield the sound, couldn't hear it in other words.) The system rocks no drilling no cutting and I can remove it all in 30 seconds. The only problem is you cant hear it like you might be used to, Those side pipes are making too much of their own music. Don't get me wrong this system is great, but when you are getting on, the rumble drowns out the tunes. I could post pictures if you'd like!

CobraKid427 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-26-2005, 09:35 AM

Hey JP Meier,

I'd love to see some of those pics of your stereo set up some time. I'm currently looking into the possiblity of a stereo. Just to use when my other expensive Keith Craft music isnt playing!!

427 S/O · #16 (**permalink**) 02-26-2005, 09:57 AM

Yeah!...in the garage on the shelf.........

JP MEIER · #17 (**permalink**) 02-26-2005, 09:11 PM

I will post some pictures of the design when I get back in town.

The engine may be the heart of the Cobra beast but the radio gives it the soul!!!!!!!!!!!

speed racer · #18 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 10:15 PM

I was think of using the ipod (black).It would be easy to hide and all your best music would be at your fingertips. Might even use the fm modulator to make it wireless to the amp. instead of using the 1/8 plug.
The Sony PSP seems alittle big but then you could also show pictures/movie of your cobra on the track and other events to people.
James

Aussie Mike · #19 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 10:42 PM

My speakers are hanging on the wall in the Workshop where I can apreciate the noise they make.

Cobra sounds when not provided by the side pipes wil be handled by a pair of noise canceling headphones I use on plane flights and an Ipod. I'm putting a power socket on the tunnel to keep it charged up.

Cheers

Bill Wells · #20 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 06:17 AM

wow, a very old thread resurrected. i use my i-pod in the spf along with my custom autosound 'secret audio' hidden radio and speakers . works great on long cruises under 75 mph in 5th gear and in slower travel when not on wot when it is the symphony from the pipes. at lower rpm's i get both the tunes from the pipes and tunes of my choice in accompaniement. hey, to each their own, but it helps break up those long trips . bill