F12 Subwoofer Project from Scuderia Audio

Someone has suggested coming up with a plan to move the factory charge port to eliminate the access hole in the side of the subwoofer enclosure. While I would not personally recommend that as a matter of course, I can certainly manufacture and ship a subwoofer system without the access hole should anyone wish to come up with their own solution.

 

So that members can see what’s involved in moving the charge port;

There are two fixtures for the panel which covers the charge port.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Once you have removed them (one is a hex head machine screw and the other is a slot head half turn catch) you can see what is behind the cover.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

The charge port is mounted on a bracket.

Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

Unfortunately, the spare flex from the charge port is of limited length where it’s taped into the loom so perhaps some of the loom tape needs to be cut in order to move the port. One alternative, which would involve very little modification, would be to simply rotate the metal L bracket through 180 degrees but I don’t think enough space would be liberated.

The best place to relocate the port to would be just under the left hand side courtesy light.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

There’s enough space behind the panel.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Given that panels will need to removed for the subwoofer’s signal wires, I expect that relocating the charge port won’t be a big deal. The location in which Ferrari placed it is a PITA to find anyway as it’s pitch dark in there!

 

This is a fantastic idea, especially since the car won't start when the cable is plugged into the charge port (which completely nullifies my idea of an extension cable being permanently plugged into the port). I'm scrapping the idea of an access hole in the side of the enclosure. I'll just make sure that any potential customer clearly understands that the port will need to be relocated to a more accessible location.

 

Some owners, (me), would cringe at drilling holes in OEM panels. They are only original once especially if you can easily see the modification. Instead would favor the other cable idea or something involving a magnetic contact for the box/car interface with the standard port out the front of the box. My 0.02.

 

If you don’t want to drill holes then a reversible modification may be to place the charge port in the courtesy light or D-ring locations. I think there is enough space but can’t be sure without trying it.

 

Thank you for your input. This was my thought originally, until I was informed that the car won't start if the cable is plugged into the charge port. If it were my car, I would simply buy another cardboard panel, modify that, and save the original for when I sold the car.

 

I looked up the panel and it's about two thousand dollars (of course) so buying another one and modifying it would be financially unfeasible. I would love to pursue this further but I'm buried with orders these days. I have already completed the subwoofer design, will wait for someone else (who actually has hands on a car and the freedom to temporarily remove panels, do recon, measurements, etc.) to come up with a clever solution to this problem.

 

I think the ECU knows if there if the port is plugged by two of the pins becoming shorted in the connector by the plug. I think if you take apart the plug you might find a wire loop between those (sense) pins. If this is correct then you can just cut that loop and extend the two wires to the new connector so any external plug to the connector will close the loop on the sense pins. This is my assumption but I've seen this before with plugs.

 

This sounds like a great idea. I just don't want to walk into a liability minefield. Another generous F-Chatter is working on a straightforward, completely reversible way to relocate the charge port without modifying the car. The subwoofer enclosure will need a small modification (that you cannot see) and I am working that angle.

 

No updates on the installation front. However, we just discovered that the monster JL Audio 8W3 subwoofer (which is what I sell as part of my Superbass option for several of these Ferrari models) will actually fit in the F12 enclosure without the use of a spacer. We need to shave literally 1/16" off of just a couple of pieces internally. My CAD designer is currently making this happen. So this enclosure will join the Italia, 488 Spider, F8 Tributo and F8 Spider enclosures as being able to accommodate the Superbass system without an extra spacer.

 

I sent one of these enclosures to a friend of mine who has a high-end shop back East for a car that will be there long enough for him to take some serious time to come up with a professional installation plan. It's part of a complete Scuderia Audio stereo system that will be installed. I'll report back as soon as he sends me detailed installation instructions.

 

I saw a video on YouTube where another shop designed a subwoofer enclosure for the F12. They designed a smaller enclosure out of fiberglass, then added a form fitting fascia on the front. This is precisely what I did NOT want to do. Not only is the smaller box going to starve the sub of precious airspace, but fiberglass is also possibly the worst material ever for speaker boxes as it resonates like crazy. So why do so many shops use it? Because it's easy and inexpensive to create complex shapes. For courtesy, I'm not going to post a link to the video in the public domain.

 

I just picked up the enclosure from the upholstery shop. The leather still needs cleaning and conditioning, but this demonstrates the finished product. In-car pictures possibly coming in as little as three days from now.


Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

wow! That looks amazing!

 

When can I order one

 

I don’t know what the stock audio system in the F12 is like but in the F430 it’s absolutely abysmal

I replaced it with this subwoofer and in addition to the other upgraded speakers it’s just so incredible now I just love it.

I literally just sit in my car in the garage sometimes just to listen to the sound system (and admire and/or mod the interior )

 

@colorfull I do the same thing.
@joseph These will be on my website and ready to order by this weekend.

 

Bravo man! Black the only leather option?

 

Thanks brother. We have hydes of all the popular Ferrari leather colors. Even if you have an off color, we can order a half hyde. Same with the stitching. I'm working with a customer now who is interested in a full system for his F12 that includes one of these subwoofer systems in Black Ferrari leather with White stitching.

 

The fit is absolutely perfect. Once in place, the enclosure is basically impossible to pull out of there without first unbolting the subwoofer from the box. Then you can reach your hand inside and have something to grab onto. The only way this box could move on its own if is the car was broadsided on the passenger side by another car traveling at a high rate of speed. If you put a couple of wide pieces of industrial strength Velcro on the bottom (which we will supply), the box wouldn't move even if the car were broadsided. Additionally, if you want to continue to use the charge port, you need to purchase an inexpensive extension. Since the extension is an open circuit (i.e. no load), the car would have no idea that an extension was plugged into the port.
I'll have the official product up on my website today or tomorrow.
The box shown will not be installed in this car as the customer wants his box to be wrapped in matching Alcantara to match the rest of the interior in that area. This is a little more expensive but not much.


Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Okay, we now have production units ready to go.

https://scuderiaaudio.com/product/f12-812-subwoofer/

 

That came out absolutely amazing Mike! Tastefully done, perfect fit and amazing sound!

What a quality product! Like everything you do

 

Thanks my friend. My inventory was literally wiped out overnight. Now I'm scrambling.

 

This customer has a gorgeous red interior with black stitching, so we matched it. In car pictures should be coming soon.


Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Beautiful!