Thanks to the vast amounts of help from this forum, I finally installed my sub. Most of the info I needed was in either Kevin's Integral Audio sub install instructions, or the Roadster Sound install instructions (huge thanks, fellas!).

I ended up with the following equipment:

- Sub: Polk MM1240DVC
- Amp: Alpine MRP-M500
- Enclosure: Atrend E12S (with 3/4 lb. Acousta-Stuf)
- Wiring: 4 Gauge Tsunami kit and distro-block down to 8 gauge just before the amp
- Sound deadening: eDead 80
------------------------------------
Total: ~$400

Currently the sub is mounted on the passenger side of the trunk compartment, with the amp mounted underneath in a pedestal I built from scrap wood. This mounting option is not pretty or flashy, but inexpensive. Eventually I may build (or have built) a false-floor box, but we will see if I find I miss that extra space.

Since I did the install yesterday between rain showers, I have only had the 30 minute commute into work this morning to give the system a good listen to, but so far, I am loving this sub! The gain is a bit too high on the amp right now, and I have not cranked the sub too high since I want to give it some break in time, but even at seemingly moderate levels the sub shakes my seat and vibrates what is left of my hair. And it is a nice, clean bass too. I can't wait until I can really open her up and see what she can do.

Here are some pics, and ignore the dirt, I desperately need to wash/detail





Gotta clean up that speaker wire...

 

I showed the pictures to a coworker (I borrowed his sound deadening roller) and he said "Wow, that box is HUGE!". I told him "no, the MINI's rear glove box is just that small..." LOL

That box is only 0.88 cf, which is exactly what the driver called for, and it happened to fit with about 1/2" of space between the back edge of the box and hatch.

I originally was going to tap into the x9331 connector at the front of the car since I planned on using a PAC LC-2 line level converter / volume ****. But ended up not using it since I only found a couple reviews online, none of the local shops had used that particular item, and Kevin from IA mentioned that cheaper LOCs can degrade signal quality. Since I figured I could always add the LOC/volume **** later, I just tapped into the x10266 connector at the hifi amp. I found that I had to actually remove the pins from the connector for the wires I needed to untwist them a bit to get the slack I needed for the T-Taps, but it all worked out beautifully.

I was also leery of using the common ground point near the hifi amp since I was worried about the longer run picking up noise. But figured, WTH, and went with it anyway and it worked fine. I took care to keep the ground wire away from the signal and power wires as best I could and there is nary a buzz or whine... whew!

 

Much more practical than mine, luckily I don't use/need any boot space. haha




The fabric on the seat tucks in and drapes over the amp, so it's pretty unnoticeable unless you're trying to sit right there

I used the harness that plugs into the hifi amp, and un-pinned the wires from the plastic connector, and just stripped enough of the Line converter to tuck in with the pin and push it back in. I hadn't heard of positaps when I installed the wiring the first time, or I would have used those, but so far I haven't had any problems with this amp/sub setup aside from the hatch rattle but I think its because it's facing straight back.. I would have liked to go face up like you have, but the box requirements didn't permit.

Your boot cover- (the thing that lifts up with the hatch, idk what it's really called)- does it make a lot of noise with your sub right underneath it facing up?

 

Wow, that is a heck of a box! It looks like the edge of the sub is pretty close to the hatch opening. Does it touch on full excursion, or does the camera angle make it look closer than it is?

How does it sound?

 

Its close, but the camera does make it look a lot closer.. I gotta get a better spacer than that rolled up foam.. It works, and the box is so heavy its not like it could move on its own anyways.

It sounds good, ive had about 4 different setups trying to get a reliable working one, and lucked out huge on getting that sub (486 dollar sub new, was mislabled and I got it for 80). Im a big fan of memphis, and paired with that amp, the bass is incredible, not overpowering to your ears where you cant hear the rest of the music, but you definitely feel it.

Id listen to it more if it was friendlier to my electrical. I rarely turn it on unless i got a friend with me or im waiting in the car for a bit