Just part of the Indy's complete stereo makeover http://www.fiero.nl/forum/F.../HTML/000031.html#p0

How many have done or considered doing the Tang-Band sub-woofer upgrade to their factory system?

I purchased the TANG BAND W5-1138SM 5-1/4" Neodymium Subwoofer from Parts Express
http://www.parts-express.co...m-subwoofer--264-831

Here's a comparison of the Rodney's replacement sub to the larger Tang Band subwoofer


Granted, you won’t end up with monster bass that 2 12’s will give you, but the increase in bass capability over stock will be more than enough for most people and is definitely worth doing. And the best part is "everything fits" and doesn't require a huge amount of fabrication.

I started with Rodney's subwoofer speaker with a Fiero Store sub-housing that just bolts into the Fiero since it's a factory duplicate. If you have an 86 or newer, your heater box should already have the correct support bracket that supports the Convenience Center (chime box, flasher etc) as well as the sub-housing.

This picture shows how the Fiero subwoofer box is mounted. I originally sealed the box to try it out, as the port is tuned to the original subwoofer and I had Rodney's speaker.



I wasn't happy with the result, and got the Tang-Band subwoofer instead.

To mount the Tang-Band speaker, I made a mounting ring from 3/4" MFD. The edges were coated with silicone (to seal) before slipping it in and attaching it through the sides with screws. Pre-drill the holes or the MDF will split. Use the original screws. Regular wood screws are basically a wedge and will split the MDF as well.

A better choice may be to use 5/8" thick plastic cutting board material that you can buy at a Dollar Store.




I came across some information from Tim on how to tune the enclosure for this speaker.

quote Originally posted by timgray: ... if you are using the Tang Band speaker, stuff the enclosure loosely with poly-fill, put a little in the port tube and cut 2" inches off the open end of longer end of the port tube to tune the box perfectly to the Tang Band 5.25" subwoofer driver. I just finished tuning up one of these to match that box. Using the port tube with a bit of the poly fill in the tube helps to reduce velocity in the tube and makes it possible for you to tune it to the enclosure and get 35% more bass from it and make it sound better. - Tim

I reinstalled the tube with this modification and it works "as advertised" - deeper bass.
I readjusted the amplifier gain to balance the system again. Thanks Tim...

The subwoofer attaches to the front. The stock grill will no longer fit, so I used the mounting ring and grill from another speaker (sanded and painted Satin Black) to protect the subwoofer.




This sub-woofer setup reportedly works well with the factory sub amplifier, just connect the speaker as you normally would.

For my system, I decided to use an Xtant 1.1i 100 watt mono amp to drive the subwoofer. The Xtant amp is 6.5" x 5.7" x 1.6" high which will fit under the passenger seat out of the way. This tiny amp really delivers and is perfect for the job. Amp specs http://www.xtant.com/archiv...oducts/xtant1.1i.cfm



Comparison of the amp size to the deck.


I purchased a Delco radio adapter harness (simplifies A LOT) to connect the new Delco to the Fiero's wiring harness. I made all my new connections in this harness so as not to modify any of the car's wiring. The NE-7V adaptor taps the signals from the front speaker wires and provides 2 RCA level outputs (left/right) that will run the subwoofer. These will connect to the adjustable PFMOD LP-1 Low Pass crossover which sends a mono signal to the Xtant subwoofer amp which then powers the subwoofer.

Amp with Low Pass filter and line output adapter wired to the radio adapter harness


NE-7V adapter http://www.davidnavone.com/adaptor_products.htm
PFMOD LP-1 crossover http://store.hlabs.com/pk4/...e.pl?view_product=26

My complete system in my Indy http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/081643.html

Many thanks to Bigfieroman who did the initial research on this
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...090219-2-076432.html

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My World of Wheels Winners (Click on links below)

3.4L Supercharged 87 GT and Super Duty 4 Indy #163

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 03-26-2021).]

quote Originally posted by Brastic: My only complaint now is the price has gone up. The Tang-Band use to be $18.

I see that. Still worth it I think though. People who've heard my setup hear "a lot more subwoofer" than what they'd expect from a 6" speaker.

I read through all the reviews (a couple Fiero owners in there too) and only saw only one(?) bad review. Maybe he got a faulty one?? Everyone else seemed more than happy with the results in all their different applications.

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 12-19-2008).]

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Todd,
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2004 Volkswagen Beetle Convt. (Wife's)
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1981 EZ-GO Xi875-A "Miami Dolphins" Medical Cart
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter
1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 350

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" DRIVE IT LIKE YOU LOVE IT"

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85 GT 3.4
14.9 @ 90 1.9 60' Old TH125/3.06
Unknown New 4T60/3.42