MTX Thunderform Installation Manual

READ ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE BEGINNING

MOUNTING LOCATION: The enclosure mounts on the driver’s side in
rear hatch on Camaro, Firebird, Camaro RS, 228, and Trans-Am.

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR INSTALLATION:

Powered Screwdriver

#2 Phillips Head Bit

Wire Cutters

T-50 Torx

5/I 8” Wrench

Terminal Crimpers

INSTALLATION: Follow the steps below

1. Remove the trim panel on the driver side of vehicle by pulling up

on panel as shown below.

2. Enclosure mounts firing towards the center of the vehicle under the

trim piece on the driver’s side of vehicle.

3. If externally amplified make speaker connections to the enclosure

from the amplifier; loosen terminal knobs (a 13-mm nut driver can be

used). Connect speaker wires from amplifier to enclosure, positive to
red terminal knob and negative to black terminal knob. Refer to step 20
and 21 for mounting directions

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AMPLIFIED THUNDERFORM

Routing Power Wire; we recommend a connection directly to the

battery.

4. Remove driver side door threshold; pull up on trim, it will remove

easily.

5. Using furnished wiring harness route 1 Oga red power wire starting

at pre-amp location. Route wire under rear seat on driver’s side, over to

threshold and under carpet to the front of vehicle.

6.

Open hood.

7. Drill a hole through the firewall. Locate a spot low on the firewall

on the driver’s side.

You should always look to find a clear path.

Drill a hole from inside of the vehicle into engine compartment and

insert grommet.

Grommet

Battery

Note: To avoid any damage to parts inside engine compartment,

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drill from inside of vehicle using a short bit.

8. Route IOga red power wire through grommet into the engine

compartment.

9. Route 1Oga red power wire through engine compartment safely away

from any moving or hot parts that could damage the wire.

10.

Cut IOga red power wire to length, connect the supplied fuse

holder from the wire kit to the end of the wire.

11.

Remove 15amp fuse from MTX fuse holder. Connect furnished
ring terminal to positive side of battery. Remove 5/16” bolt from factory
battery terminal. Pass bolt through factory battery terminal, then ring
terminal, and into the other side of factory battery terminal and retighten
bolt.

12. Ground amplifier to chassis of vehicle; connect the terminal provided
to the 10ga black wire from furnished wiring harness. A good ground is
as important as the power connection. The ground should be as short as

possible and the contact point should be free of paint and debris.

SPEAKER WIRES

13. Tap into rear speaker wires and route under carpet to the rear
seat, over to pre-amp on enclosure. Speaker wires can be located by

removing rear speaker grills in the “B” pillar directly behind front seats.
(see drawing) Colors are right channel; dark blue (positive) light blue
(negative), and left channel; brown (positive), yellow (negative).

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Although, MlX has made every effort to assure proper wiring colors, MlX

is not responsible for any changes made by the vehicle manufacturer
which sometime3 occur. If wiring colors do not match then physical
verification is required.

Bose Sub System

Warning:

You must have an adapter to convert from the Bose System
to an aftermarket amplifier, we recommend acquiring one and following
the directions provided with the adapter.

CONNECTION TO ENCLOSURE

14. Connect speaker wires to high level inputs of pre-amp.

Note: Patented BTL turn on circuitry- amplifier senses DC offset provided by

“high powered” or BTL type head units. This feature turns the amplifier on

automatically if you are using high level inputs.

1 Dark Blue (+)

Light Blue (-) T

Yellow (-)

Brown (+)

15 Amp Fuse

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15. Plug power wire harness into amplifier pre-amp.

0

-El

+

0

0

0

STATUS 0

-

+

0

0

I

0

cRossovER

HIGH LEVEL

LINE LEVEL

INPUTS

0

INPUTS

0

/

16. Replace lfiamp fuse under hood.

17. When amp turns on, LED will display red during diagnostic mode,

and then green, signaling amp is on and functioning. Amp will only

turn on when radio is on.

18. Adjust gain and crossover.

Setting Gain

Turn gain knob on Thunderform pre-amp to minimum, counter clock-

wise. Play a favorite tape or compact disc that contains consistent music

and bass. Turn the source unit to maximum listening level. You should
know that some source units will produce distortion or “clip” before the
unit reaches maximum volume. Reduce volume to the loudest listening
level before distortion. Turn the gain knob on the Thunder-form pre-amp

clockwise until the speaker starts to distort and reduce gain to loudest

listening level before distortion.

Setting Crossover

You should set the crossover to your own personal listening taste.

The crossover is adjustable to any frequency between 50Hz (counter-

clockwise) to 150Hz (clockwise). As a guideline, the goal is to create
the illusion of bass up front. The higher the crossover point the more
“audibly visible” your sub is going to be. Take your time and really

listen to your system, grab a soda and a few of your favorite tunes

and have fun.
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS IF AMP

DOES

NOT TURN ON

Check all connections at battery and that fuse is installed
Check speaker wire connections
Check ground
Check fuse on pre-amp

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19.

Reinstall threshold trim. Locate and align holes in vehicle with pins

on trim; it will snap into place easily.

20. If enclosure is unloaded, install the enclosure into vehicle as shown
below with screws provided. If loaded, remove woofer from enclosure
then install the enclosure into vehicle.

#lO x 1” Phillips

Truss Head

Ledge of

vehicle

21. Place gasket provided around woofer hole cutout. Connect

black
wire to the negative side of woofer and red wire to the positive side.
Using screws provided install woofer, making sure not to over-tighten
screws to avoid stripping.

22. Install grill, insert pegs provided into holes on the back of grill using
a 7/W nut driver to push pegs into the holes. Align the pegs on grill with
the receptacles on enclosure and snap into place.

23. Re-install trim panel in rear of vehicle on the driver side.

For technical assistance call I-800~CALL MTX.

These instructions are guidelines only and in no way are intended to

replace a professional installation. As always before screwing or drilling

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check to make sure you will not damage any wires or hoses or cause
damage to the vehicle.

Warning:

Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When charging or working near a

battery, always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide
ventilation.

Conventional Wiring of Aftermarket Radio

15 Amp Fuse

-Low Level Signal

Warranty Statement

ThunderForm Loaded Enclosures purchased in the United States from an authorized MTX dealer
are guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two years from the date
purchased by the end user, and limited to the original retail purchaser of the product.

Amplified ThunderForm Enclosures purchased in the United States from an authorized MTX dealer
are guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date
purchased by the end user, and limited to the original retail purchaser of the product.

Product found to be defective during that period will be repaired or replaced by MTX at no
charge. This warranty is void if it is determined that unauthorized parties have attempted repairs
or alterations of any nature. Warranty does not extend to cosmetics or finish. Before presuming
a defect is present in the product, be certain that all related equipment and wiring is functioning
properly. MTX disclaims any liability for other incurred damages resulting from product defects. Any
expenses incurred in the removal and reinstallation of products are not covered by this warranty.

MTX’s total liability will not exceed the purchase price of the product. If a defect is present, your

authorized MTX dealer may be able to effect repairs.

Proof of purchase is required when requesting service, so please retain your sales receipt and
take a moment to register your warranty online @www.mtx.com.

4545 East Baseline Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85040
602-438-4545 www.mtxaudio.com

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