"I've always been a big fan of the underdog," states USACi competitor Rob Davidoski, "and feel that even a mid-line product can perform well." So when it came time for this La Porte, TX, resident to build a new low-budget system for competition, his choice was clear. "We started building and chose Bazooka because they have so much to offer and do an awesome job at their price point!" Davidoski enthuses. As another choice to keep the build within budget, Davidoski and his family did all the work themselves. His son, wife, sister-in-law and even his 11-year-old daughter had a hand in building up this Intrepid.
Silvery CoolAlthough sound quality is the main goal in USACi competition, good looks don't hurt either. The trunk of Davidoski's Intrepid is far from shabby. A lot of silver paint, Lexan and acrylic provide a clean finish while Bazooka amps and subs take care of the substance. Davidoski chose a BA460 for the front speakers and a BA1500 for the subs. The amps were the right size for the below-deck location and provided the power he wanted. Three 10" woofers from the same line were a natural choice, but the C.H.I.L. liquid cooling system was a little unconventional. The amps share a single C.H.I.L system and Davidoski went a step further by hooking up the subs to a system of their own. "A lot of effort was used to find a non-conductive fluid to run through the cooling system," Davidoski reveals. "This prevents any accidental short circuits in the event of a spill.
Some Help With Imaging"It felt like a rip off to use Boston Acoustics or Alpine mids and highs," admits Davidoski regarding the front stage speakers. "My whole objective would have been pointless, so I used Bazooka's 6 1/2" component set to help prove my point." The mids went into custom kick panels under the dash, while the tweeters tuck into the base of the A-pillars. "Since the dash is so deep, I had some image-width issues with the placement of the Bazooka tweeters," he says. Rather than buying another Bazooka component set just for its tweeters, Davidoski went with some Clif Designs CD58t tweets that matched well with the Bazookas. "The Clif Designs were used to help make the image seem wider and they have their own volume control," he explains.
OutsidersSome other products that Bazooka could not provide include the Pioneer DEH-P940MP head unit and a Pioneer AVH-P64000CD. "We've noticed that monitors have become a staple [in] most show cars these days, so we added a few of our own," Davidoski relates. In addition to the motorized screen, another 5-inch screen glows in the overhead console. Other choices include an extra Chevy 140-amp alternator to solely power the sound system and a Viper 550 HF security system that Davidoski decided to show off in the trunk.
Did Davidoski's choices and his family's hard work pay off? Can you thoughtfully build a low-cost sound quality system that can win? It certainly seems so. During 2005, the Davidoskis entered their Intrepid in 22 events, winning 22 first place trophies in the Pro SQ 601-up class and six best of shows. And, as a finale, Rob's son Robbie brought back the 2005 National SQ Points Champion award.
Like the cab, the entire trunk was gutted for the system and extensively sound deadened. The spare-tire well-enclosure had to be enlarged for the BW1024 subwoofers in their ported, birch-plywood enclosure. Topping off the silver-painted box is a thin sheet of Lexan. The same tough material covers the amprack walls.
On the driver side fender well, Davidoski displayed components of the Viper security system. Even if a wannabe thief broaches the trunk, he'll find removing the amps and subs difficult - theft-proof screws were used everywhere in the install.
Davidoski's wife Connie, his sister-in-law Angel Hurlbutt, and his daughter Ember made the kick-panel enclosures. They hold the 6 1/2" speakers from a Bazooka RXS6S component set.
The Davidoskis custom-built a kit to make the Pioneer DEH-P940MP head unit appear flushed into the dash.