First comp this friday, suggestions?

[JRF]

Well, the shadow (yes, dodge shadow, 1993) and I are going in our first comp this friday.

My system is

(1) elemental designs 19ov.2
hifonics bxi1606d
big three
box is about 3.5 cubes after displacement, tuned to 35hz.

I have no sound deadener at all, and my Car rattles like a mofo when playing tones and rap. Are rattling cars looked down apon at comps? I'm not ot worried about the fact that the car is a shadow, but the rattles I do question.

Bassically I'm just looking for any pointers for a first comp that you guys have. Any tweaking that I should do before hand, anything like that.

I get little to no voltage drop at full tilt either, so electrical is good to go.

The comp is db drag style, how important is appearance? Rite now I have my amp under my front seat, and the Power cable hidden under my ungodly huge floormat. All of my other wires are sufficiently hidden under the center console.

[Ambios]

win..or you get perm ban.

[JRF]

Thats encouraging

What do you think my chances are? Around here people with jl subs and type r's are ridiculous loud. I've never heard any of the jl set ups, but I hear they are quite amazing.

How do the classes normally go...does this sound rite?

I'd be in class c, which is no more than (1)18, (2)15's, or (4) 12's, and no more than two subwoofer amplifiers.

are those the same rules as they are everywhere? This is a small comp in Nova Scotia(Canada) so it could be a little gimped up, and I can pretty much guarantee it won't be metered with the TL

[Savage]

There are no points for prettiness at db drag shows. The uglier the POS car, the more SPL cred you'll get lmao!! Since you say this is db drag style, that means that you need to burp the stereo with the Car turned off.

First pointer - if you haven't already, pick up a CD with test tones on it. You *may* be able to borrow one from another competitor at the show, but don't count on it.

Second pointer - figure out where (you think) the car peaks at, so you know ahead of the comp. Your ears aren't a perfect judge, but you may get within a few Hz of the actual peak. And I've seen alot of people get frustrated trying to figure out (at the comp) where their car peaks. If you decide to play music, you're probably going to have to play the tune for 10-20 seconds before you get a peak score, with your voltage dropping on every hit. That peak score is probabaly going to be considerably lower than what you would hit on straight tones. With tones you only need 2-3 seconds to register a score. Don't burp much longer to avoid needlessly burning up equipment.

Don't worry about others in your class, go there to have fun, meet people and learn. Street C has the same rules everywhere. If it's a small show you may do pretty well. All depends on what the competition brings

[JRF]

So I've gotta do this without the car running? That kinda bites, not sure h ow much the shadows going to like that on the battery thats in there. It's not a stock battery, but its something that was picked up at Canadian Tire and was one of their higher end motormaster or something like that, but nothing special.

I have the Team Toxic Bass test cd burned off, so I will spend some time listening to that tomorrow. I think the car peaks somewheres between 40-45 hz if memory serves, but I will confirm that ASAP.

[profundus-sanus]

being a hatch(well at least my shadow was a hatch) it'll probably peak in the mid to high 40's

you could do street stock b... the only difference is the vehicle is running and you use music. If you don't have a deepcycle bat i would definately suggest it.

The vehicle off thing is a pretty bad thing for most people w/ smaller systems. First show i went to i destroyed my wet cell battery burping my hk4000 w/ the car off. Voltage dropped to like 10v... car barely started back up.

I would try a couple test tones in qualifying. Start at 43 and just keep bumping the frequency up to see whats loudest. Just pay attention to which was loudest. Then once you find that turn it up a notch or two during eliminations.

How well does that sub handle the 1606?

[JRF]

OK, perhaps I will try a dry run in the driveway around 45hz with the car off, just to see how it goes, and keep an eye on the voltage.

I'll have to check, but I'm fairly sure they still do the normal DB drag with the car running here...its not a comp for points in finals or anything, its just a fun show in part of our "apple blossom festival" which is something that happens in the Annapolis valley every year to celebrate spring. Sort of like thanksgiving, but for spring, and only in the Annapolis valley (part of nova scotia) I think.

The 19ov.2 handles everything the 1606 has and more. I accidentally ran into HARD clipping and for one reason or another it was a long time (30 seconds ish) before I could turn it down...I think I was fooling with something at the time, and it still pulled through. These things are troopers, but I noticed the other day that ED BARELY glued the rubber surround onto the frame...as in BARELY. I've got two, one installed, one sitting in my room as a back up...checked both, and both are the same way. Thats the only thing I dislike about the sub so far.

[JRF]

I emailed the guys that are putting the show on, asking about the engine off rule, explained what I was asking so they didn't think I was a complete idiot, and they say they are allowing people to run with the engine on.

Hope I didn't just ruin it for everyone by mentioning that the rules say you burp with the engine off...

[~DIGITAL~BASS~]

since its your 1rst comp ill give you pointers...

1) turn your amp gain ALL the way up...
2) turn your hu volume ALL the way up...
3) if you smell smoke un-pause the test tone and keep going...

[JRF]

Originally Posted by ~DIGITAL~BASS~

since its your 1rst comp ill give you pointers...

1) turn your amp gain ALL the way up...
2) turn your hu volume ALL the way up...
3) if you smell smoke un-pause the test tone and keep going...

I'm not entirely sure what to make of your post....I'm not an idiot, its just my first comp.

Elaborate...

[profundus-sanus]

he's an idiot.... pretty much, lol

[JRF]

Originally Posted by profundus-sanus

he's an idiot.... pretty much, lol

he wasn't being serious

[NewVega]

seal off the car as best you can so that no pressure is lost. if you can stop radding, do it. less panel movement means more volume. i have my buddies hold my trunk when i run. never been in any crazy legit comps, but it helps the general 1's like your talking

[JRF]

Well, tomorrow I will see what I can do in terms of securing any plastic that flops....I have a lot of it.

Can you run with your back seats folded down?

[~DIGITAL~BASS~]

Originally Posted by profundus-sanus

he's an idiot.... pretty much, lol

hey he believed me lol...

[JRF]

Originally Posted by ~DIGITAL~BASS~

hey he believed me lol...

I'd like to see how you figured that one.

Like I said, I'm not an idiot.

[NewVega]

my friend who went with me has his rear seat deleted and its open for runs like that

[NewVega]

try it. if they let you, do it!

[schrummy]

i just ran class c a weak ago and, yes u can fold down the rear seat but just take it out, the more open u can make the cabin the better. push the seats all the way up to the dash and fold the passenger seat as close to the window as possible. for the meet i was at i had to sit in the car with the driver side door open. also these events last a long time (mine 6 hours long also a local in a small town) have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[profundus-sanus]

in actual db drag street classes your back seats must stay functional.

[JRF]

I'm not taking them out, but I will probably fold them down. I'll see what other people are doing with their front seats and go from there.

[JRF]

Well, comp is over and done with. Although I did ok, it was somewhat of a dissipointing night. I was the only one there with an 18" sub, and I pulled a 141.8, beating about 3 people that made it to the "semi final" in c class, leaving about 3 to beat me.

New box time!


P.S. that was on the TL with the car running and all windows up.