Installing Amp

Discussion in 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles' started by 123burnthattree, Jul 3, 2014.

  1. So I have a 2003 kia optima. I am trying to install an amp for my subs but I can't seem to find an easy path for the power wire. Does anybosy know this car enough to give advice on how to run the power wire?

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  2. dont know the car but usually i would try run it down along the doors (take off from the kick panel back)
     
  3. How do you go to the battery

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  4. #4 TheTrueHigh, Jul 3, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 3, 2014
  5.  
    If you are ill equipped, it shouldn't be a problem.
     
  6. Usually you can find a rubber grommet in the firewall where you can run your power wire. Why don't you check a model specific forum, I don't know the purpose of subs in a kia but I'm sure someone has done it. So other things to, sounds like you are quite amateur, what gauge wire are you running, what size is the amp, location of amp, do you already have the box loaded with subs, where are you getting your signal wire, do you have long enough rca cables. Maybe you should pay someone to do it. I mean typically you need a screwdriver and a pair of wire stripper/crimpers and possibly a drill.
     
  7. I am no professional but I have done this a couple times. Already ran rca, remote, and ground wire. Subs are wired in box and hooked up to amp for whenever I find a way through to my battery through firewall. Only tool I think I need is a car jack but I don't have one. Which is why I am wondering if there is another route because some cars have predrilled holes. I just didn't know if I was missing something with this car.

    As far as what gauge it was I forgot. My old audio shop I went to recommended it for the amp I bought. Its a lower gauge though. Also have the fuse box thing, whatever it's called, attached to the one end.

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  9. Well, you can search for a grommet or hole and silicone it, or drill a hole, buy a grommet run cable. Then you take the kick plates off the side of the interior and pull carpet up, run cable underneath carpet. If you take the glovebox front off, you can typically find places to run the wire. You can look for the a/c lines coming through the firewall. You can follow the fuse box wiring. There is no need at all to jack up your car. And if you did need to and you don't have a jack, well you do have a jack with your spare. Most of the time the only predrilled hole is on a car that had many options, or variations. 
     
  10. The only reason I thought I might need to jack car up is because the existing electrical wires are ran over the tire. So using that grommet is a challenge without taking wheel off. I have tried going through the glovebox but I couldn't find a way to take it off I got like halfway then couldn't find any way to get it off. I have never drilled to run power wire. Where is the best spot for drilling? I have heard people say near the brake booster but I don't want to drill through anything else by accident.

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  11. I've never looked at any KIA engine bay ever. I would stay away from the brake booster. Figure out the glove box, like how did you run rca and signal are you using a loc ?
     
  12. The rca I have going under carpet and under the center console because to get the radio out, you have to remove the entire center console. So I figured just run the wires through that to the stereo. By signal wire do you mean remote? If so it is run the same way.

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  13. yeah threw the firewall (usually on drivers side, there should already be a loom just add to that and make sure you reseal it properly). keep the power+remote away from the RCAs as well to avoid noise. 

    dont go down the middle as there will most likley be a lump in your carpet and very prone to being damaged
     
  14. I don't often have people in my backseats. No legroom for people behind me. But I forgot about needing to split up the rca and remote. What is a loom?

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  15.  
    bundle of wires taped together 
     
  16. Im not familiar with your vehicle but on almost every vehicle their will be a hole in the firewall that you can run the wire thru you really have to get under your dash in your passenger seat and look around for anything. In my car i had to remove my engine coolant canister just to be able to get my wire thru and i have 0gauge wire so its possible you may also have to do something similar. Pop your hood look at the top left of your engine bay and look for any holes in the firewall and look for something easily removable with just a couple screws like your engine coolant canister, chances are you will spot a good place to run the wire. You shouldnt have to take off your tire
     
  17. i think you mean a gromet.
    Also their is no need to seal it if your going thru a gromet
     
  18. nope grommet it just the rubber bit around where the loom goes threw that seals it. 
     
  19. #20 123burnthattree, Jul 6, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 6, 2014
    As far as I can tell the group of wires are the ones going over the tire. At least on the driver side. I have some pictures of what I see from down there but because there is limited space the pictures suck

    Edit: Weird thing I had found was the cable for the hood latch wire looks like it was ran by an amateur because the hole made is tacky. Not sure what happened there. But it goes next to the main electrical wire bundle

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