ANyone upgrade their horn?
10-29-2010, 06:39 PM
#82
You know, I'm not sure. Certainly the cowl over the horn is plastic.
The more I look at it, the answer is both plastic and metal.
Now that I hear the PIAA 400/500 from my own car, in person... I am seriously happy with this little mod. In fact, I feel a little awkward never doing anything about it until now.
The more I look at it, the answer is both plastic and metal.
Now that I hear the PIAA 400/500 from my own car, in person... I am seriously happy with this little mod. In fact, I feel a little awkward never doing anything about it until now.
Last edited by Rochester; 10-29-2010 at 09:05 PM.
10-29-2010, 06:53 PM
#84
You guys got me wondering what the stock horns in the I30 look like.
Went out to the garage to take a look. Instead of the flat disc horn they actually look like the PIAA horns and sound like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fPynR9eUmQ
Went out to the garage to take a look. Instead of the flat disc horn they actually look like the PIAA horns and sound like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fPynR9eUmQ
10-29-2010, 07:33 PM
#85
I bought a pair of hella horns from ebay for $37 bucks. I put them on today and they sound hella better 
than stock. I did a search and found out how to remove the center piece of the grill, (3 screws and 4 push tabs). It made the job much quicker since I have big hands. I didn't use the hella relay and I had to make a ground wire for the left side other than that they work fine.
than stock. I did a search and found out how to remove the center piece of the grill, (3 screws and 4 push tabs). It made the job much quicker since I have big hands. I didn't use the hella relay and I had to make a ground wire for the left side other than that they work fine.
10-29-2010, 08:46 PM
#86
I can get the grill on and off again now with my eyes closed. And actually, when I put it all back together this evening, I left the center bolt alone. The two end-bolts and all the clips are plenty to keep the grill in securely. Which is good, because the center bolt is a pain.
The driver-side horn unbolted right away (after some penetrating oil on those rusty M8x20mm bolts.) The passenger side, however, it took a bit before I realized I could just bend this black bracket out of the way. (It's the bracket for the wiring harness on the front airbag impact sensor.)
I intended to use the same holes, and that's not a problem for the passenger side. But on the driver side, the bracket lip gets in the way. No need to dremel that out, just grab some pliers and bend it flat.
Also on the driver side, the power cord doesn't quite reach. So get out the scissors and free up the cable from the main wiring harness. There's a good extra 2 inches of play, and it's just enough.
The power connectors clip right on to the horns nice and secure. Then use the two grounding cables that come with the kit to ground each, using a grounding point that's already being tapped by something else. I don't know what that is, but there's a wire grounded to the hood latch bracket. So that's what I used.
And you're done.
Perfect job? Um, no way. There's all kind of rusty hardware involved, but less than I started with. I replaced all the affected hardware with stainless steel parts from Lowes.
Does it look good? Meh. I'm not overly proud of it. But then again, it looks better than what was there, and as long as I have that OEM grill, you can't see much of anything, even if you try. So I'm actually OK with this as-is. It's a horn, you hear it, you don't look at it.
The best tip I can share about installing these PIAA horns is not to be shy about bending things. Go right ahead and bend the wings on the hood latch bracket, and the wire harness bracket on the airbag impact sensor, and the extension brackets on the new horns themselves. Push things around so you can get access, and position the horns the way you want.
Here's a picture after the install. Nothing to look at, but here it is none-the-less.
And one close-up:
The driver-side horn unbolted right away (after some penetrating oil on those rusty M8x20mm bolts.) The passenger side, however, it took a bit before I realized I could just bend this black bracket out of the way. (It's the bracket for the wiring harness on the front airbag impact sensor.)
I intended to use the same holes, and that's not a problem for the passenger side. But on the driver side, the bracket lip gets in the way. No need to dremel that out, just grab some pliers and bend it flat.
Also on the driver side, the power cord doesn't quite reach. So get out the scissors and free up the cable from the main wiring harness. There's a good extra 2 inches of play, and it's just enough.
The power connectors clip right on to the horns nice and secure. Then use the two grounding cables that come with the kit to ground each, using a grounding point that's already being tapped by something else. I don't know what that is, but there's a wire grounded to the hood latch bracket. So that's what I used.
And you're done.
Perfect job? Um, no way. There's all kind of rusty hardware involved, but less than I started with. I replaced all the affected hardware with stainless steel parts from Lowes.
Does it look good? Meh. I'm not overly proud of it. But then again, it looks better than what was there, and as long as I have that OEM grill, you can't see much of anything, even if you try. So I'm actually OK with this as-is. It's a horn, you hear it, you don't look at it.
The best tip I can share about installing these PIAA horns is not to be shy about bending things. Go right ahead and bend the wings on the hood latch bracket, and the wire harness bracket on the airbag impact sensor, and the extension brackets on the new horns themselves. Push things around so you can get access, and position the horns the way you want.
Here's a picture after the install. Nothing to look at, but here it is none-the-less.
And one close-up:
Last edited by Rochester; 10-30-2010 at 06:51 AM.
10-29-2010, 10:29 PM
#87
Glad installing the PIAA was not a PITA
Looks good, and like you said, sounds way better!
My condensor has WAY more bugs smashed into it than yours does. Did you detail that as well?
Looks good, and like you said, sounds way better!
My condensor has WAY more bugs smashed into it than yours does. Did you detail that as well?
10-30-2010, 06:55 AM
#88
I think I might turn the horn back on with the key-fob lock, just for a while until it becomes normal and annoying again.
About my AC condenser... beats me, man.
I haven't touched it. Ever.
10-30-2010, 08:58 AM
#89
Hmmm... Is there any way to just double the horns, double the fun? I think the Maxima horn would sound better if it were louder. Maybe. But I'm guessing their just isn't enough room to fit in another pair?
The only downside to that "Superior Bass" horn is that the lower the frequency, the harder it is to pinpoint the source of the sound. Higher pitches and, thus, shorter wavelengths would be more immediately identified as "Woah... I think there's a dude right next to me that I'm currently running off the road." Now, whether "more immediately" is defined as 500ms faster or just 5ms faster, I don't know.
The only downside to that "Superior Bass" horn is that the lower the frequency, the harder it is to pinpoint the source of the sound. Higher pitches and, thus, shorter wavelengths would be more immediately identified as "Woah... I think there's a dude right next to me that I'm currently running off the road." Now, whether "more immediately" is defined as 500ms faster or just 5ms faster, I don't know.
Last edited by Eirik; 10-30-2010 at 09:01 AM.
10-30-2010, 12:12 PM
#91
10-31-2010, 01:02 AM
#92
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 497
Have I ever mentioned I HATE salt?
11-01-2010, 06:00 AM
#93
I've come to the (unmeasured) conclusion that these PIAA horns aren't really any more or less loud than the OEM horns. They just sound more appealing... which isn't necessarily a good thing in a horn, from a purposeful point of view.
Of course, I'm still keeping them, but I thought that opinion was worth mentioning.
Of course, I'm still keeping them, but I thought that opinion was worth mentioning.
11-01-2010, 07:57 AM
#94
Rochester, that's pretty interesting. Everyone seems to think that they are much louder than the stock "beep beep" horns, maybe it is just the different tone they are hearing.
I've got a set of 400/500 PIAA's ordered from Amazon, should be here in a couple of days.
I've got a set of 400/500 PIAA's ordered from Amazon, should be here in a couple of days.
11-01-2010, 08:12 AM
#95
By all means, post your opinions when you get the PIAA's installed. Remember for the installation, it's OK to bend things.
11-01-2010, 03:36 PM
#97
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,783
I ordered my 500/600 set last night on Amazon. Hope to install them this weekend sometime. I may try to reuse the bracket that Rochester has attached this his rusty OEM horns so they are pointing downward.
11-01-2010, 04:17 PM
#98
My driver side PIAA horn is in the 5:00 position. The passenger side is in the 8:00 position. Both are bent a little towards the AC condenser so the horns don't touch the front piece.
It's not perfect. Not sure if it has to be.
Let's see what you guys come up with.
It's not perfect. Not sure if it has to be.
Let's see what you guys come up with.
11-01-2010, 06:47 PM
#99
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,783
It doesn't have to be perfect. I'm not even sure what I will do with the install until I get that grill off.
11-01-2010, 06:56 PM
#100
I'm really curious to hear what you do. I've been rattling around the idea of creating an extension piece to better position the horns... but I'd have to find something to work, drill some holes, buy extra SS hardware, paint the bracket, and basically invest a whole extra day into this thing when it probably doesn't matter. IDK.
11-01-2010, 08:12 PM
#101
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 497
Ugh, you and I have something crappy in common it seems. I'm deaf in the left ear. Of course I DO have a really annoying ringing that emanates from that ear 100% of the time so I've got that going for me.
One good thing is I don't worry about spending any money on an expensive sound system for my home theater. It's all display for me.
I'm thinking of ordering these same horns tomorrow Rochester. I can't decide between the 400/500's or the 500/600's though. I like the lower tone though so I'll probably go with the formers.
One good thing is I don't worry about spending any money on an expensive sound system for my home theater. It's all display for me.I'm thinking of ordering these same horns tomorrow Rochester. I can't decide between the 400/500's or the 500/600's though. I like the lower tone though so I'll probably go with the formers.
11-01-2010, 08:29 PM
#103
Wow John, you're the master of macro photos. That picture of the rusty horns is almost artistic. You should get a really big print, frame it, and hang it in your garage. Not sure why... it's just a really nice picture is all 
11-01-2010, 08:43 PM
#104
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,783
Even though I scoped it out with the grill off about a week before installing the horns, it still didn't quite work out as easy as I thought it would. Bend, stretch, uneven orientation, etc.
I'm really curious to hear what you do. I've been rattling around the idea of creating an extension piece to better position the horns... but I'd have to find something to work, drill some holes, buy extra SS hardware, paint the bracket, and basically invest a whole extra day into this thing when it probably doesn't matter. IDK.
I'm really curious to hear what you do. I've been rattling around the idea of creating an extension piece to better position the horns... but I'd have to find something to work, drill some holes, buy extra SS hardware, paint the bracket, and basically invest a whole extra day into this thing when it probably doesn't matter. IDK.
11-01-2010, 08:45 PM
#105
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,783
My sister got her into a special program at University of Penn for cochlear implant for the deaf side and it went really well. Maybe you and John could look into that.
11-02-2010, 05:42 AM
#106
Remember this photo?
I'm just going to wait and see what you guys do before or if I do anything further.
As to all the deaf-in-one-ear talk... yeah, I've probably saved a bundle on stereo equipment, LOL! And it's really easy to go to sleep at night. But I still think I'd rather hear in both ears. Had some re-constructive surgery 15 years ago, and for about one month I could hear normal. It really freaked me out, then slowly faded away.
Maybe someday I'll try again.
11-02-2010, 11:52 AM
#110
11-02-2010, 09:04 PM
#113
i cant decide which ones i want, youtube doesnt help at all either. they say most vehicles come stock 400/500 hz these days. but i see that 500/600 is the loudest but also sounds sissy-ish loud. which ones should i get. i want something loud (besides annoying train horns) thats says GTF outta my way. 400/500 or 500/600hz
11-03-2010, 05:45 PM
#115
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,783
I can get the grill on and off again now with my eyes closed. And actually, when I put it all back together this evening, I left the center bolt alone. The two end-bolts and all the clips are plenty to keep the grill in securely. Which is good, because the center bolt is a pain.
The driver-side horn unbolted right away (after some penetrating oil on those rusty M8x20mm bolts.) The passenger side, however, it took a bit before I realized I could just bend this black bracket out of the way. (It's the bracket for the wiring harness on the front airbag impact sensor.)
I intended to use the same holes, and that's not a problem for the passenger side. But on the driver side, the bracket lip gets in the way. No need to dremel that out, just grab some pliers and bend it flat.
Also on the driver side, the power cord doesn't quite reach. So get out the scissors and free up the cable from the main wiring harness. There's a good extra 2 inches of play, and it's just enough.
The power connectors clip right on to the horns nice and secure. Then use the two grounding cables that come with the kit to ground each, using a grounding point that's already being tapped by something else. I don't know what that is, but there's a wire grounded to the hood latch bracket. So that's what I used.
And you're done.
Perfect job? Um, no way. There's all kind of rusty hardware involved, but less than I started with. I replaced all the affected hardware with stainless steel parts from Lowes.
Does it look good? Meh. I'm not overly proud of it. But then again, it looks better than what was there, and as long as I have that OEM grill, you can't see much of anything, even if you try. So I'm actually OK with this as-is. It's a horn, you hear it, you don't look at it.
The best tip I can share about installing these PIAA horns is not to be shy about bending things. Go right ahead and bend the wings on the hood latch bracket, and the wire harness bracket on the airbag impact sensor, and the extension brackets on the new horns themselves. Push things around so you can get access, and position the horns the way you want.
Here's a picture after the install. Nothing to look at, but here it is none-the-less.
And one close-up:
The driver-side horn unbolted right away (after some penetrating oil on those rusty M8x20mm bolts.) The passenger side, however, it took a bit before I realized I could just bend this black bracket out of the way. (It's the bracket for the wiring harness on the front airbag impact sensor.)
I intended to use the same holes, and that's not a problem for the passenger side. But on the driver side, the bracket lip gets in the way. No need to dremel that out, just grab some pliers and bend it flat.
Also on the driver side, the power cord doesn't quite reach. So get out the scissors and free up the cable from the main wiring harness. There's a good extra 2 inches of play, and it's just enough.
The power connectors clip right on to the horns nice and secure. Then use the two grounding cables that come with the kit to ground each, using a grounding point that's already being tapped by something else. I don't know what that is, but there's a wire grounded to the hood latch bracket. So that's what I used.
And you're done.
Perfect job? Um, no way. There's all kind of rusty hardware involved, but less than I started with. I replaced all the affected hardware with stainless steel parts from Lowes.
Does it look good? Meh. I'm not overly proud of it. But then again, it looks better than what was there, and as long as I have that OEM grill, you can't see much of anything, even if you try. So I'm actually OK with this as-is. It's a horn, you hear it, you don't look at it.
The best tip I can share about installing these PIAA horns is not to be shy about bending things. Go right ahead and bend the wings on the hood latch bracket, and the wire harness bracket on the airbag impact sensor, and the extension brackets on the new horns themselves. Push things around so you can get access, and position the horns the way you want.
Here's a picture after the install. Nothing to look at, but here it is none-the-less.
And one close-up:
I mounted them with the brackets that the OEM horns attach to. When pointing down, they rub against the front side which I wasn't happy with, so I have them mounted with the horns pointing to the sides. My new position is better but I'm still not thrilled with it. I think Rochester has the best idea. Mount them where he did (and not use the plates like I did), but point the horns outto the sides. This way, the sound pierces through the grill.
And I agree with Rochester in another post of his, I don't think they sound louder. Just a different pitch.
11-03-2010, 06:04 PM
#117
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,783
Yeah, I'm happy with them, but will redo them this weekend. I will need to pop the grill off to get to do what I want. I cannot get a socket to the bolt on the left side that you have your horn connected to. I can easily do the right side with the grill on.
11-03-2010, 06:24 PM
#118
and heres one for a good laugh its http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnPE6nGXVqE
11-03-2010, 07:17 PM
#119
BTW, that wire harness is for your front airbag impact sensor. With that in mind, you might want to disconnect the battery before banging around there with a socket wrench. It probably doesn't matter, but still...
Last edited by Rochester; 11-03-2010 at 07:25 PM.
11-03-2010, 07:38 PM
#120
You can if you remove the grill and gently bend the wire harness bracket out of the way. And once you remove the grill, you'll realize how easy it is to take on & off, and then you'll wonder why you didn't do that in the first place.
BTW, that wire harness is for your front airbag impact sensor. With that in mind, you might want to disconnect the battery before banging around there with a socket wrench. It probably doesn't matter, but still...
BTW, that wire harness is for your front airbag impact sensor. With that in mind, you might want to disconnect the battery before banging around there with a socket wrench. It probably doesn't matter, but still...
Think the airbags would deploy without the key being in the ignition and the ignition in the "on" position?