You would think the engineering editor of a car magazine wouldn't be willing to add anything as seemingly superfluous as an aftermarket audio system to his own ride. Until recently, Jay Chen of Sport Compact Car didn't think it crucial to work in an entertainment setup. That is, until Eclipse began marketing their AVN line of double-DIN head units. Chen used it in a previous magazine project car because of its tidy all-in-one design and the remarkable features contained within-CD, DVD and navigation. He was so impressed, he wanted to utilize it on another project, his own 240SX. It says a lot about the quality of the product-and supports something we've always known: a modified car isn't completely finished until it has an A/V system that complements the ride.
In this case, because of the type of car this 240 has been transformed into, Chen wasn't about to install an elaborate system with everything, including multiple monitors, as you might see in a typical CA&E feature. Rather, he had to go with the theme of the car.
Up till now it's all been about performance. The list of modifications is sufficiently long to characterize it as endless. A partial list just on the engine side includes an XS Engineering turbo kit and oil cooler; an A'PEXi AVC-r boost controller and N1 dual exhaust; an ECU and intake from Jim Wolf Technologies; and a custom downpipe. The stock clutch was replaced with one from ACT and extensive suspension work was done with upgrades from TEIN, PDM-Racing, Tanabe and Cusco.
With a performance car, you want as much audio as you can get without being ostentatious and conspicuous. Blaupunkt seemed to be the perfect fit for his modded-out 240. The German-based company's ThinLine was selected for size, weight and ease of install. Blaupunkt's THc540 component set replaced the factory door speakers without a hitch, while for the rear, a pair of THx693's round out the sound. Considering these were just factory swaps, no weight was added. That along with the Eclipse AVN made a vast improvement in sound quality. But what the 240 lacked most was bass. Chen decided on a single THw1000 10" subwoofer in a 0.8ft3 box. The sub added a mere 12 pounds in the trunk.
The amps powering the speaker setup are the THA 2125 amp and the THA 475 amp that weigh, respectively, 7.3 and 8.7 pounds. That adds up to just 28 for all the gear. And in total, including the box, the new trunk came in at right around 80 pounds. Just as importantly, Chen kept all of his trunk space that he needs for work.
In the end, Chen was very happy with the system. After tweaking the crossovers and adjusting the built-in EQ on the AVN, he was able to find the right sound for his vehicle. More importantly, Chen has the amplifiers to overcome the roar of his performance vehicle. Let's face it, after a while the sound from the exhaust can be exhausting and a good audio system on high volume is the perfect mask for a growling performance car.
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Installer: Thai Nguyen
Serenity Sound and Performance
Fountain Valley, CA
Tech
XS Engineering turbo kit
XS Engineering oil cooler
A'PEXi AVC-r Boost
Controller
Jim Wolf Technologies ECU
615 cc/min injectors
Cobra MAF
Custom downpipe
A'PEXi N1 dual exhaust
Jim Wolf Technologies POP flow intake
ACT clutch
Jun Chromoly flywheel
Kaaz 1.5 way LSD
TEIN HR coilovers with pillow ball mounts
TEIN pillow ball tension rods
PDM-racing rear camber bushings
Nismo steering rack bushings
Energy suspension front lower control arm bushing
Tanabe front lower subframe brace
Cusco front and rear strut tower braces
Progress front and rear anti-roll bars
Advan 17x8F and 17x9R
Kumho Ecsta MX 225/40R-17 front, 255/45R-17 rear
Nissan 300ZX Z32 front and rear brakes
Nissan Skyline R33 GTR seats
Pilot motorsports short shifter