Hello,

My name in Brian Reckart and welcome to my Sound Domain Site. Here are a few pictures of my stereo install in my 1998 Pontiac Trans Am. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

The boxes are manufactured by Subthump and they fit nicely into the wells. Each box is loaded with the Alpine Type-S (SWS-1022D) 10" Subwoofer. These are rated at 300 Watts RMS (150 Watts RMS per coil). These are dual 2 ohm voice coil subs allowing the final load to be 2 ohms utilizing both subs.

This is the left side and each box contains 0.6 cubic feet. This volume works well with the Alpine Type-S. I had the MTX Thunderform loaded with a MTX Thunder 4500 10" Sub and it did not perform as well as the Subthump/Alpine combination does.

Powering the subs is the MTX Thunder 6500D Amplifier. The birth sheet states the amp puts out 610Wx1 Watts RMS. This is a perfect fit for the Alpine Subs. The amp rack was manufactured by Subthump. The t-top storage is still useable with the subs/amps. I am using the Alpine Type-R (SPR-17LS) Component Speakers for the front stage. These are powered by the MTX Thunder 4202, 70Wx2 Watts RMS. These have deep midbass and sound great. I added the Alpine CHA-S634 6 Disc Changer and it is MP3 compatible.

The stock flap can still be used to keep things hidden.

I have since replaced the CDA-D857 with the CDA-9835. The CDA-9835 has 6 channel time correction and a built in active crossover. The HUmount was a nice upgrade that helped fill in the space. Right now, I have delayed the left side by 3.1 mS and the right side by 1.7 mS. This improved the sound tremendously.

Since adding the amps, the stock electrical system needed some upgrades. The stock wiring was replaced with 4 gauge wire from the battery to the alternator. The grounds were replaced with 4 gauge wire as well. This really helped the dimming issue at night. I purchased the power wire, rca cables and all other installation hardware from Parts Express.

Here is the fiberglass tweeter pods that house the Alpine 25 mm (1.0") tweeters. This raises the soundstage and the tweeters still pivot.

Here is the other side.

Here is a shot of the Alpine 6.5's (SPR-17LS) in the doors. The Alpine's have deeper midbass than the Infinity Reference 6005cs that I once had.

Here is a picture of the Innovate Motorsports XD-1 Air:Fuel Gauge that is connected to the LC-1 Wideband Controller. This has been a big help in tuning the car following the cam swap. The cam was changed to a Futral Motorsports F10 (228/228 0.575"/0.575" 114LSA). Along with the QuickTime Performance 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers, these upgrades add some good power. If you notice the TOP switch next to the AFR Gauge. This is the switch for the Hurst Line Lock. I used the switch from a convertible car to keep with the stock look. This allows for better burnouts at the track and saving the rear brakes.

Since replacing the stock torque converter to a Yank SS4000/2.60, a B&M 24,000 GVW Cooler was added along with an Autometer Phantom 2 5/8" Transmission Temp Gauge. This has been real helpful at the track to know when to let the car cool down. This one of the benefits of have the Trans Am, the gauges fit into the AC Vents.

The stock grey gauge overlay was replaced with Macewen Motorsports White Faced Overlay's. These were easy to install and did not require the removal of the needles.

This is my newest addition.......6000K Low Beam HID's.

I purchased these from www.ledgauges.com and they came complete with CoWay Ballasts, H4 HID Lamps, H4 Reflector Housings and wiring harnesses. These were easy to install and are a vast improvement over the stock Halogens.

Here you can see the difference in color compared to the high beams.

Since the stock foglamps were in need of replacement, I replaced them with the Hella Optilux 2500 Angel Eyes Foglamps. The H3 bulbs were replaced with Super White LED's to give a more white appearance than the regular H3 bulbs.

This is something that just came out. The DRL Lamps were replaced with a "switchback" LED Bulb. This bulb is both white and amber. When the headlights are off or when the turn signal is actuated, the bulb is amber. Once the headlights are turned on, the bulb turns white. This completes the "white" look for the front of the car at night. Since it retains the amber turn signal, they are legal. Once the DRL's are converted to LED's, the stock thermal flasher will not work. The flasher will need to be replaced with an electronic flasher. The flasher is located behind the panel under the steering wheel.

Here is where the CoWay Ballasts were mounted. Once the headlight shrouds are removed, you will see a stud/nut for the bumper. The brackets that come with the HID Kit will allow the ballasts to mount here. This is for both left and right side headlights.

Here a few pics of the reverse lights changed over to super white LED's. These are 3157 bulbs and I have purchased all of my LED's from vleds on eBay.

Updates:
The Trans Am has been sold and moving on to a 2008 Atomic Orange Corvette Coupe. The car has been manufactured and awaiting museum delivery. Pics will be posted at a later time. Options include 3LT Trim Package, Bi-modal Exhaust, 6-Speed Manual Transmission (Tremec TR-6060), Transparent Top (Lexan Polycarbonate), Magnetic Selective Ride Control all powered by the new LS3 6.2L 436 HP Engine. The delivery will take place on 01/29/08 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Favorite Websites:

HID Kit
LEDGauges

Switchback LED's
Autolumination

Car Stereo Equipment
Online Car Stereo

Sub Boxes/Amp Rack
Subthump

White Face Gauges
Macewen Motorsports

Illuminated Headunit Mount
HU Mount

LS1Tech

Thunder Racing