Has anyone installed either if these custom sub enclosures in an '02 f-body? I have a 2002 Firehawk and bought a stealthbox on eBay. I can't get it to fir deep enough into the quarter panel to not interfer with the t-tops. It's really close but the t-top touches the surround of the sub! The enclosure doesn't look quite like the pictures that JL and MTX have on their web sites because it's only carpeted on the front. The rest of the enclosure is tan in color. Does some other manufacturer make a similar enclosure that doesn't fit as well?

Thanks,
Eric

 

I hope the box you bought wasn't advertised as JL or MTX because neither of their boxes is tan. The JL Vantage box is a black composite plastic, the JL Stealthbox is actually a fiberglass box covered in a light gray carpet. The MTX box is also a black composite plastic and it comes with a mesh grill that covers the whole front of the box.

As far as fitment, I've worked with both the JL and MTX and the JL is the best fitting box by far. I personally have a JL Vantage stealthbox and I carpeted it to match the interior and it looks GREAT. For pics, please visit my website at the link in my sig.

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Black 1998 Camaro Z28 6-Speed: Whisper Lid, GMS MAF, SS Exhaust, BMR STB, SLP Shifter & ****, Baer EradiSpeed Rotors, 17x9 Firehawk Rims, 20% Tint, GTS Covers, MB Quart QM218.03CX Component Speakers, Kicker F6.5C Mid-Bass Speakers, Eclipse 8710.4 10" Sub In JL Audio Vantage Stealthbox, Orion Cobalt CS200.4 Amp, Orion Cobalt CS150.2 Amp.

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Previous F-Body: Black '96 Camaro 3.8 V6, 5 speed: RKSport/DynoMax Dual Exhaust, K&N Filtercharger, 16x8 5-Star Firebird Rims, 35% Tint, GTS Covers.

 

BD is right. I don't know whats going on here but you don't have a JL or MTX Stealthbox. And if it's one of the ones that was made by the Wood Shop it won't fit in a Firebird. At least they didn't a couple of years ago. I tried one of their enclosures in my '99 T/A and it had the exact same problem you just described. I told them about their problem and returned it. They said that they were going to have to redesign it to fit Firebirds. They told me that they originally made it to fit Camaros and that they just assumed that it would fit Firebirds as well.

Have you removed the molded carpet that lines the little cubby hole where the Stealthbox goes? That has to be removed for a JL Stealthbox to fit. That might be part of your problem if you haven't removed it yet.

 

I know it's not one of mine I don't mess with that side of the car.

Some pics would be helpful. And yes, removing the trunkliner in that space makes a huge difference.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback! I have removed the carpet insert. I suspect that the box that I got on eBay is NOT a stealthbox as it was advertised to be. In all of the pictures that I've found the steathbox looks like it fits flush with the plastic quarter panel cover. This box sticks out so that the bootom of the enclosure is flush with the plastic t-top holder. This doesn't cut it when the t-tops are stored! Looks like I got taken!

 

how does that JL stealth box sounds? how thick are the walls of the box? and how much air is in the box?
how much do they cost?

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93Z28 A4, MAC headers, 3.73's, 3" cut out, K&N FIPK, Power Chip, TBB. My Z

 

how does that JL stealth box sounds?

It sounds kick *** providing that the sub you are using is the right match for an enclosure this small.

how thick are the walls of the box?

I'm not certain but I think the walls of my Vantage Stealthbox box are 3/8" thick. Due to the shape of the enclosure it don't need to be all that thick and still be rigid.

and how much air is in the box?

.6 cubic feet

how much do they cost?

Got mine for $95. Last time I checked my local JL dealer sold them for $160 retail. That was about 2 years ago.

 

thanks for the info. 3/8 seems kinda thin, but if it works

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93Z28 A4, MAC headers, 3.73's, 3" cut out, K&N FIPK, Power Chip, TBB. My Z