Adding a Radio BN7

[KevinBN7]

Hello Listers. I would like your opinions about adding a radio to my Healey.

With the copper spark plug wires will I have feedback/static through the radio. I use Resistor plugs.

Are front and back speakers neccesary or will back ones do fine?

My main intention will be using an Ipod. But the radio will be used occasionally. I will not externally mount the antena but put it in the boot or under dash.

Last year I used a set of 12V computer speakers with my Ipod whick worked fine until abour 50 mph.

Motorcycles have an automatic volume control that is quieter at low speeds/stopped and gains volume with speed. Ss any one familiar with this or have tried to used one?

I am looking forward to another great summer of owning this car.

Thank you for any input or opinions you can share.
Kevin

I have to go snowblow my driveway AGAIN

 

[GregW]

I was going to post a reply, but I see Ausmhly reading this thread. He posted a good solution awhile back, can't remember the name of the thread though.

 

[AUSMHLY]

Hi Kevin,

Or as you say, hello listers. Is that a pun relating to your topic? Right on!

A lot of good questions.
Others may help you with the spark plug question.

Speakers, how or where do you plan on installing them? What kind of speakers?

Speaker placement affects acoustics as in bad placement, no bass, or hardly any db's. How much power does the radio or amp provide to the speakers. How much power will the amp require of your generator if you're still running one.

I have not heard of an antenna that works in a trunk or under a dash. Maybe something new? Other may chime in on that.

I have two sets of computer speakers installed under my dash and they sound great. They are self powered and attached to a Garmin Nuvi 660 via the headphone jack. The under dash area, helps with the bass. I think any sound system installed in a Healey will have volume problems over 50 mph. I do.

I have an automatic volume control and it works great. It's my right thumb and index finger.

Here's a couple photos of my speaker installation. Maybe it will give you some ideas.

Happy motoring!
Roger

 

[AUSMHLY]

Hey Greg,

Warn us to put on our sunglass's.
Bling...Baaaaling.

And in wide screen for your viewing pleasure!

Nice carb set up.
R.

 

[Jerry]

I am thinking of putting my radio in the trunk. Perhaps behind the wall that the front of the battery sits againist, in with the gas tank tube. That is dead space and new radios can be purchased with a remote control. then I don't have to see the radio and the speakers can be hidden in many places. I do like the idea of a hot rod antenna hidden under the shroud.

Jerry
BJ8

 

[Morris56]

In my younger days, I stuffed a a 10" fosgate sub, two Infiniti Kapa 6x9's and a pair of infiniti front separates into my MGB... oh yea - powered by 3 separate amps. I was 16 and sound systems were in. I learned a lot from that experience... # 1 of which was that this was a big waste of time and money... #2 bass is minimal in a convertable... and #3 without a rear shelf - rear speakers just end up blowing into the back seats.

On my Healey... I will just be working on the front. When I order my interior kit... I will ask for enough extra vinyl to build a 2nd set of door panels. I will use separtes (5 1/4 drivers... maybe 6.5 if I can find a good location). Directionally aiming the tweeters is the most important which is what makes seperates nice to work with (tweeters are only about an inch wide so they are easy to hide).

I want to keep a period look to the dash, so I will probably butcher an old radio to work as controls for a CD player or line-in controls for an MP3 player. I listen to more NPR than radio anymore (guess that's starting to show my age) so a radio will not be an issue for me. If you can give up the radio, an easy solution is a line-in controller for an amplifier. Install an amp and the controller up under the dash with just a small cable for hookup to the IPOD showing.

as far as the feedback - yes that was a problem for me too... but they sell very inexpensive isolators that you can run in-line that will eliminate 95% of the noise.

Hope this helps

 

[KevinBN7]

A remote radio solves alott of issues. Since I am in the planning stage that is a great suggestion. The Ipod has it own volume control as well but it is wired.

The BN7 has plenty of room in the cargo area behind the seats. I dont carry a spare tire and have made a panel that covers the opening for it. I can either cut speakers into that panel or use box speakers. I prefer box speakers that are removeable if I show the car. I made one panel I could make another to use for speakers.

I might need to up my budget and renegotiate with my minister of finance
KR

 

[anthony7777]

kevinbn7, try searching this topic in the archives gregw. myself and several others posted a bunch of pictures of speakers and their placement, should be helpful to you.