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1969 Holley Project Road Runner, Part IXCrutchfield and Kenwood team up to provide a high-performance audio solution for the Holley Project Road Runner From the November, 2000 issue of Mopar Muscle By Jerry Pitt Photography by Mopar Muscle Staff
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Crutchfield recommends Kenwood's... Crutchfield recommends Kenwood's new 4-channel amps featuring variable high-pass and low-pass crossovers (50-200 Hz), front and rear. Crutchfield notes, "You'll get the best possible sound from your system by sending just the right frequencies to each speaker. And you'll have multiple hookup options. Drive two pair of stereo speakers, or bridge the two rear channels to power your subwoofer, and use the two front channels for your main stereo pair. In the quest to build the consummate cruiser, weve encountered massive amounts of torque (Torque Monster, Mopar Muscle, April 2000) and ample strength to harness the power thanks to a McCandless-built four-speed (4-Speed Clinic, Mopar Muscle, June 2000), not to mention the DTS-supplied Dana (Special Delivery, Mopar Muscle, September 2000). Most importantly, the craftsmanship of John Balows clan at Muscle Car Restorations has been seen in every article and is readily apparent in the overall quality of the Roadrunner. So when it came time to decide on the audio system for the Holley Project Roadrunner, we clearly wanted yet another expert. Power Tour-style cruising requires tunes, so we turned to the mail-order audio leader, Crutchfield. Carl Matthews at Crutchfield helped us determine that we wanted a straightforward approach. Carl recommended that we review Crutchfields Car Stereo Starter Kit that includes a MasterSheet for your specific vehicle (unfortunately one wasnt available for the 69 Roadrunner), as well as the Crutchfield Guide to Car Stereo Installation. A bargain at $4.95, this beginner kit is refundable if you purchase your entire system within 30 days. We agreed (of course) that a complete Kenwood system would be best for the Roadrunner. While an audiophile would consider the $1600 of equipment affordable, we recognize that not everyone wants to dive right in with this level of audio performance. The initial investment, however, of amp, head unit, and four speakers is under $700 and can be upgraded to include the CD changer, subwoofer, and additional speakers. So take a look at ours and decide whether your own A-, B-, or E-Body could benefit from the system Muscle Car Restorations installed in the Holley Project Roadrunner.  Like their 2-channel brothers,...  Like their 2-channel brothers, these 4-channel Kenwoods are built with MOSFET-switching power supplies for fast response, maximum output, and cooler operating temperatures. Larger-than-usual noise-suppression filters make sure all you hear is music. Speaker-level inputs allow easy connection to any head unit. Crutchfield also recommends the easily packaged KAC-748 amp with 35 watts of four-channel or 100 watts of two-channel capability. Dimensions of 11-5/8W x 2-1/4H x 12-5/8D inches make this a perfect muscle car amp.  Installing the amp on the...  Installing the amp on the back side of the rear seat makes wiring convenient and provides ample room for a full-size spare.  The individual output channels...  The individual output channels for speakers are installed down the driver's side sill plate channel. Crutchfield provides Musica 100 Series Patch Cords cables with rugged jackets that withstand sharp bends as they snake through your Mopar.  StreetWires Speaker Wire links...  StreetWires Speaker Wire links speakers to the amp. The installation-friendly, non-gripping wire jacket is flexible yet rugged. If you're connecting a subwoofer to a very powerful amp, choose 12-gauge wire. The StreetWires Speaker Wire is available in 12-, 14-, and 16-gauge wire in precut lengths of 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 feet.  John's crew mounted the Kenwood...  John's crew mounted the Kenwood KSC-WA100 self-powered 10-inch Subwoofer in the trunk. This powerhouse has a built-in 30-watt per channel amp that sends 60 total watts to a dual-voice coil woofer. You can connect your sub to almost any stereo, with the preamp and speaker-level inputs.  The variable low-pass crossover...  The variable low-pass crossover (50-200 Hz) blends the bass with your system and Includes a set of preamp outputs to hook up another amp if you want. Best of all, this compact pounder allows the full-size spare to remain, and there's room left over for a battery box and an ice chest filled with our favorite beverage--Yoo Hoo!  What's a muscle car without...  What's a muscle car without a pair of crankin' package tray speakers? Crutchfield recommends Kenwood's eXcelon 6x9-inch speakers. The pearl mica injection-molded poly woofer delivers planet-shaking bass. The 2-3/4-inch polyetherimide (PEI) midrange cone is built with a urethane surround for lower distortion.  The 1-inch PPTA (poly para-phenylene...  The 1-inch PPTA (poly para-phenylene terephthalamide) balanced dome tweeter completes the picture with sparkling high end. The multiple component crossover network divides the frequencies more accurately than the more common capacitor-type crossover, giving you a more polished and focused sound. These performers handle serious power and retain their form and stability even when exposed to temperature extremes.  We started getting tricky...  We started getting tricky with a few of our speaker locations. We used the rear sail panels in order to accommodate a pair of Kenwood eXcelon Dual-Mag 6-1/2-inch speakers. The XR600 2-way speakers offer an amazing array of sonic delights and are designed for crystal-clear midrange and highs with rock-solid bass. Dual magnets mounted in the woofer's voice coil create a more powerful magnetic field in a smaller space than a conventional magnet.  The injection-molded poly...  The injection-molded poly woofer cone responds with authoritative bass, and the soft dome tweeter uses Urethane Film Laminate Cloth (UFLC). The damping effects of the UFLC combine with the lightweight design of the tweeter to extend the high frequency range for clear, crisp highs. Bi-amp inputs allow you to power the woofer and tweeter separately.  Running power to the amp,...  Running power to the amp, and the speaker wires to each set of speakers, requires taking power down one sill plate enclosure and running the other down the driver's side sill plate. For amp power, Crutchfield supplies a StreetWires Single-Amp Wiring Kit. Everything you need for power delivery and signal transfer to your 2-channel amplifier is contained in one of these wiring kits, and you choose your kit according to the total RMS power of your amplifier.  Remember, if you're installing...  Remember, if you're installing a 4-channel amp, you'll most likely need a second patch cord. Three kits are available through Crutchfield. Kit One is designed for amps up to 100 watts x 2 channels (200 watts total RMS). It includes one 16-foot Musica 100 Series RCA patch cord--double shielded for improved noise rejection; 20 feet of waterproof 10-gauge red power cable with gold-plated ring terminal; in-line fuse holder installed on power cable with 30-amp SE fuse; 5 feet of 10-gauge black grounding cable with gold-plated ring terminal; 16 feet of 18-gauge blue remote turn-on wire; and six 8-inch cable ties.  Kit Two is designed for amps...  Kit Two is designed for amps up to 175 watts x 2 (350 watts total RMS). It includes the same array of cables as in Kit One but increases the thickness of power and ground cables to 8 gauge and includes a 40-amp SE fuse to handle higher current flow. If you're planning to push a subwoofer or two at extra high volume, Kit Two is a good choice, even if your amp puts out less than the guidelines call for. Kit Three is designed for amps over 350 watts total RMS. Power and ground cable thickness increases to 4 gauge, a 60-amp SE fuse, and the patch cord is upgraded to the Musica 200 Series, which uses heavier insulation.  Finally, we use the existing...  Finally, we use the existing dash opening to install a pair of Kenwood eXcelon 4x6 2-way speakers (KFC-X466). These babies make you realize how good a small speaker can sound. The pearl mica injection-molded poly woofer kicks out surprisingly full lows.  The balanced dome tweeter...  The balanced dome tweeter is made from PPTA, providing an exceptional response. Thanks to rubber surrounds, these speakers retain their form and stability even when exposed to temperature extremes. Bi-amp inputs allow separate amplification of highs and lows for more bass and improved mid/high detail.  Yeah, it may look like a radio...  Yeah, it may look like a radio block-off plate, but think again. The Kenwood KRC-608 cassette receiver with CD changer controls is perfect for a low-profile appearance when you want to hide what you've got. In fact, isn't that what a muscle Mopar is all about?  With the head unit face rotated...  With the head unit face rotated 180 degrees, it displays the digital faceplate and full preset controls. If you're a control freak, Kenwood's KRC-608 gives you total mastery of your sound with its EC4+ feature. Five preset EQ curves (Rock, Top 40, Jazz, Easy, and Flat--each with adjustable treble and bass) provide flexibility, and three speaker size-matching settings permit fine-tuning.  The KRC-608 also features...  The KRC-608 also features full-logic controls, Dolby B noise reduction, robust Kenwood power (22 watts RMS/45 peak x 4 channels), and a large, multicolor display. Add a 6- or 10-disc Kenwood CD changer connected via RCA plugs and you're set with a full complement of audio. You can even add amps later with the two sets of preamp outputs, and for those who want to keep the backseat drivers busy, a wireless remote is optional.  Kenwood's D MASK brings a...  Kenwood's D MASK brings a new twist to your receiver's security--choose between detaching the faceplate, or pivoting it into the dash manually so a blank panel is visible.  A carrying case about the...  A carrying case about the size of an eyeglass case protects your faceplate when you're away.  The faceplate rotates 90 degrees...  The faceplate rotates 90 degrees to access the cassette deck.  Muscle Car Restorations added...  Muscle Car Restorations added the Kenwood 6-disc KDC-C665 changer, mounted directly below the package tray. It features Kenwood's Integrated Quad 1-bit digital-to-analog converter for clean sound.  You can name up to 100 discs...  You can name up to 100 discs for display on a disc-titling Kenwood receiver, and the changer reads text from text-encoded discs when linked to a text-displaying receiver. You get lots of playback options with a compatible Kenwood receiver: track repeat and disc repeat, intro scan, and random play for one disc or the whole magazine. The changer tracks reliably when mounted at 0, 45 or 90 degrees.
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