Is this normal??

[JoesAu]

Since i got my stereo system put in my car has lost a little punch, i knew it would use more power but not to have a negative effect where i have noticably lost responsiveness.?? i know my battery is 6 years old and a bit buggered would it help if i changed the battery? its **** the car goes crap. like it used to when it was stock as a rock.

[stiddy]

what sort of stereo.. I know since i added subs i lost some go. I dont know if you can put it down to the battery? I changed mine and didnt notice any difference.

[JoesAu]

2 subs 2 amps

[vandrsxr6]

Have you put a capacitor in the car to help the sub amps?

[JoesAu]

na what do they do?? i only have 1 sub amp the other is a 4chanl

[stiddy]

The Capacitor takes the load off the battery, you run your power to the cap then from the cap to the amps.
The car has probably slowed down because of the extra weight its now moving.

[Smoked]

2 subs and an Amp, could potentially be putting a mega load on the Alternator. But like Stiddy said, Id say its the extra weight.

[james22]

i've got 2 x 1000w amps & 2 12'' subs in mine. Dont need a capacitor unless i'm going any bigger. So your stereo is fine.

1 amp powers the 2 x 12'' subs
the other powers the splits in the doors & 6x9 in the parcel shelf.

As long as you have a minimum of 14v voltage, while your car is running and system cranked up you wont need one.

[Smoked]

Originally Posted by james22

i've got 2 x 1000w amps & 2 12'' subs in mine. Dont need a capacitor unless i'm going any bigger.

1000w PMPO or RMS?
What brand amp?

[james22]

Originally Posted by Smoked

1000w PMPO or RMS?
What brand amp?

A schneider & US Audio

[JoesAu]

yeah i was told the weight as well, just piked up the sub box its at least 20kg easy i think

[jones_aus]

Originally Posted by JoesAu

yeah i was told the weight as well, just piked up the sub box its at least 20kg easy i think

wass gonna say that,

be intersting to see what kind of difference the whieght a few subs and amps would make over the 1/4 mile.

might even make a positive difference if traction is a problem, all the extra weight over the rear wheels :P

[ten[A]cio[U]s]

I got told that you lose ignition spark with the stereo making it less responsive. I dont know how true it is but its a theory?

[jonbays]

Are you guys for real?

This is worse than all the CAI hype.

battry disconnection and reste of all the trims may not have helped for a short while but?

[JoesAu]

well i can tell ya ive lost responsiveness heaps. im gona test it this week with a GTECH METER. My mate just got the latest one its a pro R apparently its really accurate according to the owner. I'll remove the sub box on one run and have it in on thr other. If i had of known of this downside of this stereo gear i wouldnt of got it i dont reckon i didnt think it would make a difference but it has. its time for some performance work i think or just wait for a new car.

[JoesAu]

hey one of walsh plugs is buggered mayb thats the difference lol.

[XEESP_351]

hey maybe u have a problem and its just coincedence that hapened after stereo fitted
I know if u disconnect battery ur ecu needs to relearn to driving style
disconnect it again then hammer the **** out of it see if that helps

[JoesAu]

hey yeah i didnt think about that ecu and battery thing i will do once the walsh plugs are replaced as im not driving it much at the moment. Both alpine amps one 650rms and 200rms, i was driving tonight and my headlights are dimmimng and flickering pretty bad, AND im going def

[TwistedEL]

Does your cluster have a voltmeter on it?
It should sit around the 14V mark, check it isn't bouncing around because if it is you may have a problem with your alternator

[XEESP_351]

if lights flickering sounds like could be alternator as twisted el pointed out

[bodes-sh]

if it's causing that problem, get a capacitor and put it in, even if you don't really need one it will still take strain off your electrical system

[JoesAu]

ok i'll prob get a capacitor.

[mattsAU1]

Originally Posted by JoesAu

ok i'll prob get a capacitor.

some people swear by them and others reckon they are a waste of time, not to mention the difference in cost, i've seen them for anything between $100 and $350, i have two 12" subs and two 5 channel digital amps, subs are fitted to two separate boxes bolted together. no trouble with power surging etc and i also noticed a significant change, not only in the ride height of the car because of the extra weight but also the response from my foot, take off seemed sluggish, kick back when i was cruising and put my foot down and it dropped back a gear, even with the shift kit didn't seem to sit me back in my seat as much as before. But now im used to it and i dont notice so much cause its been so long since i made any significant changes to my car, aesthetically or performance wise, only thing that has changed is the fact i have a kiddy seat in the back too now

[bodes-sh]

just some info about capacitors, it's from an american shop site but gives a basic idea of what they do HERE

[JoesAu]

hey lets face it most aui6 just look good, im just gonna accept that till im 21 it aint a race car bugger it as long as it beats holden v6's im happpy. Ijust wanna get it running rite now and thats it. Dont get me wrong i stilll love my Au.

[stiddy]

disconnect the power from your battery, take the car for a spin and see if it still drives the same.
Im betting its just weight.

[bodes-sh]

hey, if you really have to, get a bigger alternator, or if it does turn out to be more load on the electrical system you can either put a second battery in just for the sound system, or get a capacitor...as suggested above go for a drive even just with the sound system turned off and see if you notice any difference, being that with the stereo turned off neither of the amps will actually be using power

[JoesAu]

mite take the spare wheel out. Its the weight i think, cant believe how heavy the box is pain in the butt. my car sits lower at the *** end now and its not even anymore so it explains it must be weight.. Im testing it soon so i'll know then. Give it a few hard runs. Im gona weigh the box tommorow aswel.

[JC]

If you can seriously notice an extra 20 or 30kg (same weight as two 4 year olds), then your seat-of-the-pants-meter should be marketed as the next G-Tech. I've never read such a load of **** as what is in this thread. Even an extra 100kg is just the same as a driver and one (biggish) passenger. If you are talking full custom setup with loads of sound deadening everywhere, lots of MDF and fibreglass custom mounts etc, then you may have a case. But a couple of subs and amps? You have to be kidding.

Next you'll be saying your car performs so much better with only 5 litres in the tank that you are only ever going to keep it at 5 litres (thus saving around 60kg weight). Oops, maybe I've just given you an offset - keep the stereo gear in, but only ever half fill your car. That was a joke.

[TwistedEL]

Rofl go JC!
I seriously cannot notice the diff between an empty tank and a full tank.
He said the lights were flickering if there is that much load on the alternator then it might well be making the engine work harder. Like when your at idle and you put your high beams on and watch (and hear) the revs drop by 50 or so.

My vote is weight + electrical load + recent ECU reset