I traded in a 96 Camaro for my 05 MCS.

I don't remember the size of the battery, but I do remember buying one larger than 'stock'. The alternator was 'stock'.

I pulled my system out of there, and want to put it in my Mini. My system consists of:

1 Pioneer 50x4 head unit
2 Pioneer 6.5"s
2 Pioneer 6x9"s
1 JVC 400w 4 channel amp
1 generic 600w 1 channel amp (sub)
1 10" non-powered subwoofer (was in base tube, will be in custom enclosure in mini.

Surprisingly, the trunk in the camaro is the same size width and length wise, but has about twice the height. So I'm sure the stuff will fit horizontally in the Mini, but I am unsure if the Mini can meet the power requirements without side effects.

In the 'maro with the music cranked, I could see the battery meter drop 2-3 volts on heavy bass hits. Never broke an alternator and never had a dead battery in that car.

I've heard of second batteries, and/or power capacitors being installed to assist with the electrical load. It worked in the 'maro, shouldn't it work in the Mini, or should I into another battery or buying a power cap?

 

Where do you think you are going to mount the 6x9s? You may have to purchase a new set of speakers for the rear panels. I would definitely suggest using at least a cap, if not a second battery. The second battery may be hard to mount in the MINI's limited trunk space. You should definitely upgrade the battery to a red top Optima or Stinger equivelent. Good luck with that install.

 

the 6.5's will fit in the doors and the 6x9's will fit in the rear panels. That is what I have in my car but they are infinity Kappa's

 

infinity, finally, someone knows what the hell they are doing!


id sell all your stuff and just buy everything new for the MINI, it will be worth it en the end when you use preimium stereo equipment.

i have the HK with infinity 6x9's and an infinity 10' SVC sub with a new thunder series MTX amp.

 

I like the infinity stuff. I left out the fact it also has an infinity perfect 10" sub and an infinity 5 channel amp to power it all. Th eonly thing not infinity is the head unit. I got a a pioneer avic-n1 for the head unit

 

I have the head unit and speakers in. Just need to install the amps and sub but I need to build a custom enclosure first.

Anyone other than Mark have an idea regarding power? Anyone have amps and whatnot installed without extra power/caps?

 

(reposted from another of mine, for a fellow member who had a dead battery in his MINI)

I can already STRONGLY recommend Optima batteries (http://www.optimabatteries.com - note, loud rock music during intro, so watch the volume!). On my 95 Mustang GT, when I got a custom stereo installed, with 4 separate amplifiers, on every bass note the voltmeter would bounce - too much load... but then they replaced the factory battery with an Optima, problem solved.

They're fantastic batteries, containing a gel-like substance (instead of regular liquid), which makes them safer too. And the contact plates are wound into a spiral to increase the possible contact surface.

They aren't cheap though, but is anything too much for our beloved MINIs? :smile:

Additional comment: I was especially impressed that the one battery upgrade was all I needed... no capacitors, no second battery! Optima rocks