Craig's Ultimate TR
Craig Harrison is the owner of this 'Ultimate TR'. Craig purchased the car in 1995,
specifically as a project vehicle. Why? - "The interior is very good for
sound absorption and low reflectivity of sound." From that statement, you
now know that this car was always intended as an audio enthusiasts dream.
The
shape of this generation Magna was another lure for Craig - "I am fixated
on the body shape and the possibilities of it. I detest the headlights and front
bar design, and the rear bar shape, but the smoothness of the roof and sides
is a great canvas for projects."
You
can't deny that Craig has taken this canvas and created a magnificent vision.
Before
we get any further, take a look at the TR's list of achievements:
-
First Place in Australia's first International Auto Sound and Challenge Association
Car Audio Competition (Brisbane)
-
Second Place 1998 Summernats 11 Sound-Off (Canberra)
-
First Place Castrol Spring Break Nationals Sound Off (Shepparton)
-
Second Place 1998 Sydney Auto Salon Car Audio Competition (Sydney)
-
Special Achievement Award - 1998 Sydney Auto Salon (Sydney)
-
Second Place 1997 Queensland Audio Mega-crank Car Sound Off (Brisbane)
-
Car featured on the Nine TV Network's "Money" show - 1998
-
Car featured as cover and article in "Car Stereo Australia" magazine
1998
-
Car featured in HOT 4's & PERFORMANCE CARS "Best Bodykits" magazine
1998
Pretty
impressive huh? The car features extensive custom work inside and out, Craig
has demonstrated significant talent to get this car to such a high level of
development - and the judges have obviously agreed.
Exterior Modifications
The
bodykit was put together by Jetspeed of Sydney. The side skirts, front and rear
bar are all custom made, but are based on Audi and Calibra designs. The front
end features a TS grill and a good dose of mesh. The finished product compliments
the body shape very well indeed. Headlight covers and a dark metallic window
tint also create an imposing look for the car. In an attack of, as Craig puts
it, "Mid-nineties fashion", the exterior door handles were given a
pearl overlay.
The
wheels are 17" DTM Finn, wrapped in Yokohama 235/45 rubber. The suspension
has been dropped with King Springs.
Interior Modifications
Craig's
pride and joy is the Alpine/Momo steering wheel. It's a very limited edition,
with only 100 made. Craig has gone to extreme measures to protect his investment
- with an Auto-Taser steering lock (50,000 volts delivered to any would-be thief!).
The car is also protected by an alarm and tracking device - testament to the
considerable amount of cash Craig has invested into the TR.
The
interior features a Razo gearknob (atop a shortened shifter) and Razo pedals.
The dash, door trims and console were custom made by Craig.
Engine Modifications
Compared to the rest of the car, the engine has hardly been touched - with
just a 3" mandel bent exhaust system, boom sports muffler and K+N filter
added to enhance the 2.6L. An aftermarket alternator (100amp), Streetwires
insulators and fusing has also been added.
Stereo System
The
ICE is obviously the focus of the car - and it is top shelf all the way.
There is plenty to keep Craig and his passengers occupied - with an Alpine
CVA 1000E head unit (with Alpine PXA H600 processor and Alpine CHAS604 stacker),
Hitachi video and Sony Playstation on offer. Canton speakers are used, front
and rear, as well as four Orion subs. A total of four amps have been used (Orion
XTR 2150, Orion XTR 275, Alpine MRV 1505, Alpine MRV 1505) as well as Streetwires
capacitors/wiring/fuses/isolators and Optima Batteries. The speakers are Canton
RS 3.22 (front), Canton RS 2.16 (rear), 4xOrion XTR3 12 inch Subs.
The
TR's boot is a work of art - an expertly integrated system highlighted with
extensive use of neon. The amplifier compartment even has it's own temperature
control! Visuals for all the goodies are available at the console. As a finishing
touch, Craig installed Unisil sound-deadening material and Rockford Fosgate
'noise-killer' spray throughout the car.
Other Modifications
Window tinting, full security system (inc tracking), Auto-Taser steering lock,
Bel-Sti custom mounted radar, Unisil sound-deadening material throughout, Rockford
Fosgate 'noise-killer' spray throughout, neon lighting throughout boot, custom
temperature control system for amplifier compartment (visuals in centre console),
custom vehicle voltage regulator system (visuals in centre console), display
for hitachi video recorder in centre console, as is PXA H600 time alignment
unit, electric windows installed.
Here's Craig's build-up notes - for those interested in the details
Wiring
Cosmetics
Interior
wires - All wiring in the interior of the car has been loomed and run in the
existing OEM wiring channels. All video and 240V wiring has been run in protective
conduit, and routed so as to be visually undetectable.
Engine compartment
wires - All aftermarket wiring has been covered in exact match conduit to match
OEM wiring. A custom cover has been fabricated to protect all power terminations
at the battery, while displaying the installation in a manner that matches the
cosmetic look of the system.
Amplifier
wires - All amplifier power cabling has been run in channels, incorporated into
the custom amplifier racks. All amplifier fuses are instantly accessible from
the boot, and all terminations protected. The in-amplifier fuses can be accessed
in less than 5 minutes.
Fuse at
power source - Both the front and rear batteries have a high ampere ANL fuse
located within 50cm for maximum protection.
Wires protected - Wiring under the bonnet has been routed in OEM matched conduit to protect
against mechanical and chemical damage. Where any wiring passes through metal,
a rubber grommet (UV and chemical stabilized) has been used to provide abrasion
protection. All wiring inside the vehicle has been routed in OEM channels or
protective conduit.
Appropriate
wire size - A 4awg charge cable has been run from the isolator under the bonnet,
to the rear battery (this cable will have a maximum loading of 60A as it is
used for charge current only). From the rear battery, a 1/0 awg cable has been
run to the main distribution block (fuse protected), which divides into 2 x
4awg cables and then runs to the 2 main fuse/distribution blocks. Due to the
short length of these cables (less than 100cm each) 4awg cable is totally sufficient
for the current demand.
Wires properly
terminated - All power cabling terminates via set screw type power rings which
have a special insert for the cable jacket, and have then been protected with
clear heatshrink tubing. At the amplifiers, the power cables terminate into
recesses with setscrew terminations.
Component
Installation Integrity
Source Units - The source unit has been mounted into a custom-built dash panel, with 20mm
of thickness at the front, and with a heavy-duty backstrap to support the rear.
The cradle has been permanently mounted to the dash panel, rather than using
the "bend over tab" system. The CD shuttle has been installed with
a custom steel bracket in the front dash - necessitating the fabrication of
a custom air ventilation system! The VCR has been installed into the rear seat,
with a custom 2.5mm steel casing for support/protection. The Sony Playstation
has been integrated into the centre armrest, with custom brackets and shrouds
for added security.
Processors - The signal processing unit has been securely mounted into a custom 25mm MDF
rack, and further protected by a custom glass panel. All screw heads securing
the processor have been aligned with each other.
Amplifiers - The amplifiers have been mounted into a custom 25mm MDF amplifier rack. The
rack has been designed in a modular fashion for quick and easy removal and refitting
of the amp or the entire rack itself. All amplifiers have a digital automated
temperature control system, which constantly maintains the amplifier temperature
at 27ºc ± 5º. All in-amplifier fuses are easily accessible
within 5 minutes. A custom glass trim panel protects the amplifier and its connections.
Loudspeakers - The front door speakers have been mounted on a custom MDF and fiberglass baffle,
which is part of the door, not the trim. The outer door skin has been fiberglassed
for added strength and lower resonance, and then treated liberally with dynamat
resonance damping material. The inner skin of the door has also been modified
for improved audio performance. Custom MDF and fiberglass panels were fabricated
to cover the access holes in the inner door skin, to improve bass response,
and alleviate the chance of rattles from air pressure being trapped between
the door skin and the door card. The rear fill speakers are mounted into a custom
MDF rear shelf. The OEM metal shelf has been treated heavily with damping materials
to dramatically reduce resonance's. The subwoofers have been installed in a
custom high-efficiency isobaric bandpass enclosure. The bandpass design yields
high efficiency, with smooth bottom end response. The isobaric configuration
was utilized to improve transient response, linearity and power handling. The
enclosure's output is via a 6" port through the rear shelf - this design
yields the best "loading" (modulated sound) to the vehicle's chassis,
while allowing plenty of propagated sound, for sound quality.
Cosmetic
Integration
The systems'
installation is not designed to match the vehicle's OEM appearance, but instead
create a whole new cosmetic design. A lot of work has gone into the system to
ensure that all areas of the vehicle have been finished in the exact same manner.
The primary highlight colours used throughout the installation are Antelope
gold, and hammertone green. All areas of the installation feature these colours
throughout (boot, cabin, and under bonnet). The style of the installation also
flows through the entire installation, with flowing shapes, and glass covers
on components requiring protection. All speaker locations share the same basic
appearance, with removable protective grilles in grey grille cloth, and gold
painted speaker baffles. With this in mind, The entire installation is cosmetically
integrated. · Source/Head Unit - The source units (Monitor and CD Shuttle)
have been integrated into a custom dash panel. The panel has been painted in
Antelope gold to match all other custom work in the vehicle. The entire centre
console was rebuilt, and matches the design and finish of the dash panel.
Processors - The displays for the processors have been integrated into the custom console,
which is cosmetically matched to the rest of the custom installation as detailed
above. The "brain" units have been integrated into the boot installation
in such a way as to match the rest of the boot cosmetics.
Amplifiers - The amplifier racks all match the cosmetic design used throughout the installation.
Speakers - As detailed above.
Ergonomics
An entirely
new DIN mount was created in the top dash panel for the system control monitor.
(The entire ventilation system in the vehicle had to be removed, and a custom
ventilation system created to achieve this). In it's new location, it offers
excellent visibility while driving, allowing the driver to view it without deviating
his focus from the road. The new location also allows for the most convenient
access to controls, not only for the driver, but for the passenger as well.
The CD shuttle
was also incorporated into the dash itself. Being the primary audio source in
the vehicle, it was imperative that it be easy to access while in the vehicle.
Being a stacker type system, it does not need to be accessed while driving,
but should be easy to access while in the vehicle.
The display
for the VCR was relocated into the centre of the dash for improved visibility.
The remote
control for the VCR has been relocated into the front centre console for maximum
ease of use while driving.
The VCR
has been incorporated into the centre of the rear seat to accommodate easier
changing of video cassettes. A centre loading design was chosen so the slot
would be easily accessible for both the driver and passengers.
Custom temperature
and voltage gauges have been installed into the OEM head unit provision to allow
for instant system monitoring while driving. As these gauges only need to be
checked from time to time, it was not necessary to locate them in the drivers'
immediate sight line.
Attention
to Detail
All wiring
in the vehicle was run in so that the printed text runs the same way (rear-front
and left-right), without exception. All screw heads in the installation have
been symmetrically aligned. The quality of all painted surfaces is flawless.
Weeks of work were taken to ensure the finish of the custom painted panels was
perfectly smooth, and matched exactly with the existing components.
General
CreativityPerformance Enhancement
A double
layer of aviation grade sound deadening material (the highest grade possible)
was used throughout the cabin for maximum noise reduction.
The custom
boot installation has been isolated from the vehicle chassis with stand-offs
to alleviate any unwanted rattles or resonances.
An isobaric
bandpass enclosure has been fitted to provide maximum extension, efficiency
and linearity, with the smallest enclosure volume possible.
The stiffening capacitors for the subwoofer amplifiers have been mounted with
their terminals as close as possible to the amplifiers, for minimum resistance.
The front
doors have been treated with 5 layers of fiberglass to stiffen to exterior panel,
they were then treated with liberal amounts of dynamat to ensure there were
no resonances.
The inside
door skins' access holes have been sealed with custom made MDF and fiberglass
panels to once again strengthen the door, make more of a "sealed"
enclosure and eliminate any potential rattles from air pressure between the
skin and the trim panel.
The front
door speakers have been mounted to the door itself, not the door card, Ensuring
the strongest baffle and most resonance free installation possible.
Installation
Ideas
The system
control monitor was located into the top of the dash, for maximum visibility.
A custom
ventilation system was fabricated to ensure efficient heating/cooling in the
vehicle.
The CD Shuttle
is installed into the top of the dash for easiest access.
Custom volt
meters for the vehicle and system battery were installed to allow for accurate
monitoring of the vehicles charging system
Digital
temperature meters were installed to monitor amplifier temperatures. These custom
meters feature total programming control for automated fan cooling operation.
With warning lights to indicate current status. This system has proved effective
at maintaining amplifier temperature at 27° ±5°.
The VCR
display was remote mounted for ease of use and visibility.
The VCR
remote and IR sensor have been custom mounted into the centre console for maximum
ease of use.
A custom
fuse indication panel was installed in the boot for instant monitoring of fuse
status.
The Sony
Playstation was rebated into the centre armrest, to allow for easy access and
storage. The controller plugs were relocated to the front.
The VCR
has been installed into the rear seat squab, with a custom 2mm steel cage for
protection. This location affords easy tape changing, without reducing the usability
of the rear seat.
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Date: 01/06/05
Size: 8 items
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