ANyone upgrade their horn?
11-04-2010, 05:39 AM
#121
These are not questions I want answered by real-world experimentation.
11-04-2010, 06:00 AM
#122
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,782
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...
One thing I was thinking about was removing the covers for the mouth of the horns. The 350z horns and the Fiamm Freeway Blasts both do not have them so why should the PIAA need them. I think it may be holding back the volume. I was looking at the covers when I had them out of the box and it looks really easy to slide them off. Just gently pry the nub out from the back and slide them off. Worst case, it makes no difference and I slide them back on.
Hopefully I can do it this weekend.
11-04-2010, 07:03 AM
#124
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11-04-2010, 02:12 PM
#126
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Location: Colorado Springs
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11-04-2010, 02:51 PM
#127
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Wait, are you saying there is an airbag sensor for the passenger seat? Meaning it would be able to tell if someone is sitting there or not or even if there is a child or lighter person sitting there and therefore not activate the airbag? I always thought in our Maximas both bags always blew in a large enough accident.
11-04-2010, 03:55 PM
#128
Yes, both bags blow up until the year (not sure which year) you get the warning that the passenger side airbag is inactive.
Back to horn topic.
I got my PIAA Sport horns from Amazon today, and installed them. Took about an hour. I used a little different install technique than the others have, in that I ditched both the original horn brackets and mounted the PIAA's directly to the hood latch assembly.
I was able to angle the horns down (I did remove the plastic horn cover on both) and it only works in this angle if you have the 400 and 500 horns on the specific sides that you see them on. I had them reversed at first and the angle was not right.
Here is the way the look with the grill removed
And here is what they look like from above, looking down at the hood latch assembly.
You can see I zip-tied the excess ground wire to keep it from flopping around against the condenser at speed. Also, I had to use two pairs of pliers to spread the ground terminal open more than it was to fit around the threads of the hood latch bolts.
Are they louder than stock? Hmmm, seems like it, but maybe not in terms of decibels.
More like the difference between a 5-year old girl screeching at you and a lumberjack yelling at you. The lumberjack gets a lot more respect...
The horns sound like they should be coming from an F-350, not a Datsun.
If anyone has any concerns about the way they horns are mounted above, please share them. I tried the hood latch, everything works correctly, nothing rubs, doesn't seem to be a downside to the installation.
Back to horn topic.
I got my PIAA Sport horns from Amazon today, and installed them. Took about an hour. I used a little different install technique than the others have, in that I ditched both the original horn brackets and mounted the PIAA's directly to the hood latch assembly.
I was able to angle the horns down (I did remove the plastic horn cover on both) and it only works in this angle if you have the 400 and 500 horns on the specific sides that you see them on. I had them reversed at first and the angle was not right.
Here is the way the look with the grill removed
And here is what they look like from above, looking down at the hood latch assembly.
You can see I zip-tied the excess ground wire to keep it from flopping around against the condenser at speed. Also, I had to use two pairs of pliers to spread the ground terminal open more than it was to fit around the threads of the hood latch bolts.
Are they louder than stock? Hmmm, seems like it, but maybe not in terms of decibels.
More like the difference between a 5-year old girl screeching at you and a lumberjack yelling at you. The lumberjack gets a lot more respect...
The horns sound like they should be coming from an F-350, not a Datsun.
If anyone has any concerns about the way they horns are mounted above, please share them. I tried the hood latch, everything works correctly, nothing rubs, doesn't seem to be a downside to the installation.
Last edited by trooplewis; 11-04-2010 at 03:58 PM.
11-04-2010, 04:01 PM
#129
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,782
Yes, both bags blow up until the year (not sure which year) you get the warning that the passenger side airbag is inactive.
Back to horn topic.
I got my PIAA Sport horns from Amazon today, and installed them. Took about an hour. I used a little different install technique than the others have, in that I ditched both the original horn brackets and mounted the PIAA's directly to the hood latch assembly.
I was able to angle the horns down (I did remove the plastic horn cover on both) and it only works in this angle if you have the 400 and 500 horns on the specific sides that you see them on. I had them reversed at first and the angle was not right.
Here is the way the look with the grill removed
And here is what they look like from above, looking down at the hood latch assembly.
You can see I zip-tied the excess ground wire to keep it from flopping around against the condenser at speed. Also, I had to use two pairs of pliers to spread the ground terminal open more than it was to fit around the threads of the hood latch bolts.
Are they louder than stock? Hmmm, seems like it, but maybe not in terms of decibels.
More like the difference between a 5-year old girl screeching at you and a lumberjack yelling at you. The lumberjack gets a lot more respect...
The horns sound like they should be coming from an F-350, not a Datsun.
If anyone has any concerns about the way they horns are mounted above, please share them. I tried the hood latch, everything works correctly, nothing rubs, doesn't seem to be a downside to the installation.
Back to horn topic.
I got my PIAA Sport horns from Amazon today, and installed them. Took about an hour. I used a little different install technique than the others have, in that I ditched both the original horn brackets and mounted the PIAA's directly to the hood latch assembly.
I was able to angle the horns down (I did remove the plastic horn cover on both) and it only works in this angle if you have the 400 and 500 horns on the specific sides that you see them on. I had them reversed at first and the angle was not right.
Here is the way the look with the grill removed
And here is what they look like from above, looking down at the hood latch assembly.
You can see I zip-tied the excess ground wire to keep it from flopping around against the condenser at speed. Also, I had to use two pairs of pliers to spread the ground terminal open more than it was to fit around the threads of the hood latch bolts.
Are they louder than stock? Hmmm, seems like it, but maybe not in terms of decibels.
More like the difference between a 5-year old girl screeching at you and a lumberjack yelling at you. The lumberjack gets a lot more respect...
The horns sound like they should be coming from an F-350, not a Datsun.
If anyone has any concerns about the way they horns are mounted above, please share them. I tried the hood latch, everything works correctly, nothing rubs, doesn't seem to be a downside to the installation.
I wound my extra ground tightly around the back of the horn and used the ground bolt located directly below the left horn in the picture.
I still wonder if the cover removed makes any difference.
11-04-2010, 05:02 PM
#130
This surprised me, Troop... using the hood latch brackets to mount the horns. That never occurred to me... I got locked into the mindset of using the original bolt holes. But this looks balanced and secure. So much so, that I kind of want to pop the grill and experiment with this placement, to see if I like it better. Certainly the power connections would have enough slack with this approach.
Thumbs up, man. Very well done.
You should have gone first, and saved me all this second-guessing.
This thread was fun. I'm enjoying my new sig photo.
Thumbs up, man. Very well done.
You should have gone first, and saved me all this second-guessing.
This thread was fun. I'm enjoying my new sig photo.
Last edited by Rochester; 11-04-2010 at 05:10 PM.
11-04-2010, 05:36 PM
#131
Thanks Rochester.
I would have been very frustrated doing the job if you had not posted the steps to remove the grill.
It is not exactly an intuitive task.
Oh, and if you use the hood latch bolts to mount the PIAA's, you will end up taking off the plastic cover on the bottom of the horn. It sort of has to be done to make them point down.
I would have been very frustrated doing the job if you had not posted the steps to remove the grill.
It is not exactly an intuitive task.
Oh, and if you use the hood latch bolts to mount the PIAA's, you will end up taking off the plastic cover on the bottom of the horn. It sort of has to be done to make them point down.
11-04-2010, 05:39 PM
#132
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,782
This surprised me, Troop... using the hood latch brackets to mount the horns. That never occurred to me... I got locked into the mindset of using the original bolt holes. But this looks balanced and secure. So much so, that I kind of want to pop the grill and experiment with this placement, to see if I like it better. Certainly the power connections would have enough slack with this approach.
Thumbs up, man. Very well done.
You should have gone first, and saved me all this second-guessing.
This thread was fun. I'm enjoying my new sig photo.
Thumbs up, man. Very well done.
You should have gone first, and saved me all this second-guessing.
This thread was fun. I'm enjoying my new sig photo.
11-06-2010, 06:07 PM
#133
I took a second look with trooplewis' configuration in mind, and was persuaded by near-freezing temperatures to say, "Good enough." I also think if you move the horns higher, they would be visible through the grill; (as black on black, but still...)
Anyway, any re-do plans I might have had are on the shelf for now.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I used the horns in traffic a few times now, and I'm starting to think the *effective* horn is the one that's annoying. These PIAA's aren't annoying, or particularly louder IMO. They sure sound nice, though.
Not sure where I'm going with this, but there it is anyway.
Anyway, any re-do plans I might have had are on the shelf for now.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I used the horns in traffic a few times now, and I'm starting to think the *effective* horn is the one that's annoying. These PIAA's aren't annoying, or particularly louder IMO. They sure sound nice, though.
Not sure where I'm going with this, but there it is anyway.
11-07-2010, 06:20 PM
#134
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,782
I took a second look with trooplewis' configuration in mind, and was persuaded by near-freezing temperatures to say, "Good enough." I also think if you move the horns higher, they would be visible through the grill; (as black on black, but still...)
Anyway, any re-do plans I might have had are on the shelf for now.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I used the horns in traffic a few times now, and I'm starting to think the *effective* horn is the one that's annoying. These PIAA's aren't annoying, or particularly louder IMO. They sure sound nice, though.
Not sure where I'm going with this, but there it is anyway.
Anyway, any re-do plans I might have had are on the shelf for now.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I used the horns in traffic a few times now, and I'm starting to think the *effective* horn is the one that's annoying. These PIAA's aren't annoying, or particularly louder IMO. They sure sound nice, though.
Not sure where I'm going with this, but there it is anyway.
I did leave the ground in the same spot I had them.
I think mine are annoying in a Euro kinda way.
11-14-2010, 05:46 AM
#135
Yesterday I had a small meet-up with another 5th genner. With both cars in the driveway, we repeatedly locked our cars with our respective key fobs, honking the horns. It was an interesting side-by-side comparison between these new PIAA horns and the OEM horns.
We both agreed that the PIAA's sound decidedly better, but that the volume seemed about the same.
And to my point earlier, the PIAA's could almost be described as a "pleasant" sound, whereas the OEM horns are somewhat annoying... and I can't help but think about the adage, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
We both agreed that the PIAA's sound decidedly better, but that the volume seemed about the same.
And to my point earlier, the PIAA's could almost be described as a "pleasant" sound, whereas the OEM horns are somewhat annoying... and I can't help but think about the adage, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
11-14-2010, 10:28 AM
#136
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,782
Yesterday I had a small meet-up with another 5th genner. With both cars in the driveway, we repeatedly locked our cars with our respective key fobs, honking the horns. It was an interesting side-by-side comparison between these new PIAA horns and the OEM horns.
We both agreed that the PIAA's sound decidedly better, but that the volume seemed about the same.
And to my point earlier, the PIAA's could almost be described as a "pleasant" sound, whereas the OEM horns are somewhat annoying... and I can't help but think about the adage, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
We both agreed that the PIAA's sound decidedly better, but that the volume seemed about the same.
And to my point earlier, the PIAA's could almost be described as a "pleasant" sound, whereas the OEM horns are somewhat annoying... and I can't help but think about the adage, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
11-15-2010, 11:10 PM
#138
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 866
I posted this on another thread in the 5th gen forum, but saw the link to this thread so I thought I'd post here too.
For louder horns, you could just leave the stock two in front of the radiator, and then add these:
They definitely get people's attention when I want (more of a "WTF was that" kind of reaction). Just make sure you use a relay (stock horn wire for signal, a fused wire from battery run under radiator support, ground to mounting bracket, and power to compressor tucked behind washer reservoir filler neck), or else you'll keep blowing your horn fuse after 2 seconds. They're also in the stock location for the alarm horn, so no one can tamper with it to turn off the extremely loud audible alarm. You can get cheap ones from various auto stores. I paid probably less than $50 for them 8 years ago or so. They are easily the loudest horns short of a legitimate train horn I've heard on a car.
(Disregard the stainless steel lines that don't connect to anything. They're for a more permanent PCV catch can install I never finished......)
For louder horns, you could just leave the stock two in front of the radiator, and then add these:
They definitely get people's attention when I want (more of a "WTF was that" kind of reaction). Just make sure you use a relay (stock horn wire for signal, a fused wire from battery run under radiator support, ground to mounting bracket, and power to compressor tucked behind washer reservoir filler neck), or else you'll keep blowing your horn fuse after 2 seconds. They're also in the stock location for the alarm horn, so no one can tamper with it to turn off the extremely loud audible alarm. You can get cheap ones from various auto stores. I paid probably less than $50 for them 8 years ago or so. They are easily the loudest horns short of a legitimate train horn I've heard on a car.
(Disregard the stainless steel lines that don't connect to anything. They're for a more permanent PCV catch can install I never finished......)
11-20-2010, 07:54 AM
#139
I installed my PIAA's on Friday. I just fastened them to the hood latch. Not the best spot, but now that I know what it looks like behind there, I will make some custom brackets so I can "hide" them a little better.
I agree this horn is not louder than stock, but it is a much more pleasant sound. The OEM horn on my car was sounding like a sick roadrunner. meep meep.
I agree this horn is not louder than stock, but it is a much more pleasant sound. The OEM horn on my car was sounding like a sick roadrunner. meep meep.
11-20-2010, 08:02 AM
#140
I want to see these brackets when you get to it. In fact, I bet there are at least 3 or 4 members right here in this thread who would drop you some paypal bucks for a set.
Do you think you'll be extending the power cords?
11-20-2010, 08:38 AM
#141
I posted this on another thread in the 5th gen forum, but saw the link to this thread so I thought I'd post here too.
For louder horns, you could just leave the stock two in front of the radiator, and then add these:
They definitely get people's attention when I want (more of a "WTF was that" kind of reaction). Just make sure you use a relay (stock horn wire for signal, a fused wire from battery run under radiator support, ground to mounting bracket, and power to compressor tucked behind washer reservoir filler neck), or else you'll keep blowing your horn fuse after 2 seconds. They're also in the stock location for the alarm horn, so no one can tamper with it to turn off the extremely loud audible alarm. You can get cheap ones from various auto stores. I paid probably less than $50 for them 8 years ago or so. They are easily the loudest horns short of a legitimate train horn I've heard on a car.
(Disregard the stainless steel lines that don't connect to anything. They're for a more permanent PCV catch can install I never finished......)
For louder horns, you could just leave the stock two in front of the radiator, and then add these:
They definitely get people's attention when I want (more of a "WTF was that" kind of reaction). Just make sure you use a relay (stock horn wire for signal, a fused wire from battery run under radiator support, ground to mounting bracket, and power to compressor tucked behind washer reservoir filler neck), or else you'll keep blowing your horn fuse after 2 seconds. They're also in the stock location for the alarm horn, so no one can tamper with it to turn off the extremely loud audible alarm. You can get cheap ones from various auto stores. I paid probably less than $50 for them 8 years ago or so. They are easily the loudest horns short of a legitimate train horn I've heard on a car.
(Disregard the stainless steel lines that don't connect to anything. They're for a more permanent PCV catch can install I never finished......)
11-20-2010, 02:25 PM
#142
I will definitely have to extend the power wires. But that won't be a big deal. I have plans to change all the black loom to blue eventually so I'll probably do that at the same time. It's starting to get chilly around here so the horns will probably stay put until the spring. Then I will do the relocate when I pull the bumper off to do the oil cooler install.
Oh, and completely off topic... My wife bought me a Nikon D90 today. woohoo, time to sell the D70s
Oh, and completely off topic... My wife bought me a Nikon D90 today. woohoo, time to sell the D70s
11-20-2010, 02:29 PM
#143
ok I30 horns are def. alittle louder and sound better than the Maxima horns, i heard the 2 of them one after the other today when i was getting my tires changed. So if ur looking for a cheap upgrade just swipe some off a I30.
11-20-2010, 02:43 PM
#144
("Ray, I'll buy you a new camera if you stop spending all your damn money on birds and cars!")I'm still taking pictures with my old 4 megapixel Canon G3. You wouldn't know it by the quality of my photos, but that's because I've got a good bounce-flash.
Bounce-flash makes *all* the difference. Lighting > Camera, any day.
11-20-2010, 04:52 PM
#145
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,782
Ni-i-ice. What did you do to deserve that? Or what didn't you do? ("Ray, I'll buy you a new camera if you stop spending all your damn money on birds and cars!")
I'm still taking pictures with my old 4 megapixel Canon G3. You wouldn't know it by the quality of my photos, but that's because I've got a good bounce-flash.
Bounce-flash makes *all* the difference. Lighting > Camera, any day.
("Ray, I'll buy you a new camera if you stop spending all your damn money on birds and cars!")I'm still taking pictures with my old 4 megapixel Canon G3. You wouldn't know it by the quality of my photos, but that's because I've got a good bounce-flash.
Bounce-flash makes *all* the difference. Lighting > Camera, any day.
Yes, I'm hungry.
11-23-2010, 09:51 PM
#146
12-09-2010, 08:35 AM
#148
12-09-2010, 08:41 AM
#149
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,782
12-10-2010, 12:48 PM
#151
01-03-2011, 06:11 AM
#152
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,782
On Friday, I was out swapping my high beam bulbs for better ones and decided to remove the PIAA horn covers to test the sound. After removing the covers, the sound is louder and crisper from the inside. I then went outside, with the hood closed, and hit the panic button while standing 5 ft away from the front of the car. Even though I knew I was hitting the panic button, the sound of the horn still startled me. I would say it is louder. 
If you plan on taking the covers off, grab the cover by the backing piece instead of the bottom cover piece. I broke one cover trying to slide it off by trying to pull from the bottom cover while attempting to slide and and pry the "nub" from the hole locking the cover in place. It broke at the base of the "L". Then again, plastic will get brittle in the cold.
I am now happy with my horn choice. Loud, piercing and annoying.
I would say it is louder. If you plan on taking the covers off, grab the cover by the backing piece instead of the bottom cover piece. I broke one cover trying to slide it off by trying to pull from the bottom cover while attempting to slide and and pry the "nub" from the hole locking the cover in place. It broke at the base of the "L". Then again, plastic will get brittle in the cold.
I am now happy with my horn choice. Loud, piercing and annoying.
05-01-2011, 06:00 AM
#153
Now that winter is over, I finally swung back around to this horn project. I had 2 things on my list: re-hang the horns so they were centered and not compromising the driver-side power cord by stretching it, and to remove the plastic cover over the flutes. The plastic cover actually comes right off. There's a small clip... lift it up and pull the cover off. No big deal.
In order to re-hang the horns, I bought a thick strip of aluminum, cut it into 3" sections, and drilled a hole into each end. Then I ground down the edges and painted them flat black. Finally, they were mounted at an appropriate angle for the horns to hang at the same height, using stainless steel hardware and plastic-lined lock-nuts.
Now that it's done, I'm very happy with the results. For one, I don't feel like I did a half-asz'd job anymore. And on another positive note (no pun), the horns are certainly louder without the plastic cover. All in all, I'm glad I re-did this.
In order to re-hang the horns, I bought a thick strip of aluminum, cut it into 3" sections, and drilled a hole into each end. Then I ground down the edges and painted them flat black. Finally, they were mounted at an appropriate angle for the horns to hang at the same height, using stainless steel hardware and plastic-lined lock-nuts.
Now that it's done, I'm very happy with the results. For one, I don't feel like I did a half-asz'd job anymore. And on another positive note (no pun), the horns are certainly louder without the plastic cover. All in all, I'm glad I re-did this.
05-01-2011, 06:14 AM
#154
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,782
Now that winter is over, I finally swung back around to this horn project. I had 2 things on my list: re-hang the horns so they were centered and not compromising the driver-side power cord by stretching it, and to remove the plastic cover over the flutes. The plastic cover actually comes right off. There's a small clip... lift it up and pull the cover off. No big deal.
In order to re-hang the horns, I bought a thick strip of aluminum, cut it into 3" sections, and drilled a hole into each end. Then I ground down the edges and painted them flat black. Finally, they were mounted at an appropriate angle for the horns to hang at the same height, using stainless steel hardware and plastic-lined lock-nuts.
Now that it's done, I'm very happy with the results. For one, I don't feel like I did a half-asz'd job anymore. And on another positive note (no pun), the horns are certainly louder without the plastic cover. All in all, I'm glad I re-did this.
In order to re-hang the horns, I bought a thick strip of aluminum, cut it into 3" sections, and drilled a hole into each end. Then I ground down the edges and painted them flat black. Finally, they were mounted at an appropriate angle for the horns to hang at the same height, using stainless steel hardware and plastic-lined lock-nuts.
Now that it's done, I'm very happy with the results. For one, I don't feel like I did a half-asz'd job anymore. And on another positive note (no pun), the horns are certainly louder without the plastic cover. All in all, I'm glad I re-did this.
05-01-2011, 08:55 PM
#156
Now that winter is over, I finally swung back around to this horn project. I had 2 things on my list: re-hang the horns so they were centered and not compromising the driver-side power cord by stretching it, and to remove the plastic cover over the flutes. The plastic cover actually comes right off. There's a small clip... lift it up and pull the cover off. No big deal.
In order to re-hang the horns, I bought a thick strip of aluminum, cut it into 3" sections, and drilled a hole into each end. Then I ground down the edges and painted them flat black. Finally, they were mounted at an appropriate angle for the horns to hang at the same height, using stainless steel hardware and plastic-lined lock-nuts.
Now that it's done, I'm very happy with the results. For one, I don't feel like I did a half-asz'd job anymore. And on another positive note (no pun), the horns are certainly louder without the plastic cover. All in all, I'm glad I re-did this.
In order to re-hang the horns, I bought a thick strip of aluminum, cut it into 3" sections, and drilled a hole into each end. Then I ground down the edges and painted them flat black. Finally, they were mounted at an appropriate angle for the horns to hang at the same height, using stainless steel hardware and plastic-lined lock-nuts.
Now that it's done, I'm very happy with the results. For one, I don't feel like I did a half-asz'd job anymore. And on another positive note (no pun), the horns are certainly louder without the plastic cover. All in all, I'm glad I re-did this.
05-03-2011, 08:45 AM
#159
I've been eye balling this thread for a while now. I had some extremely loud horns on a 67 Chevrolet Impala ( Yea...I'm more Muscle than Euro), that I sold like a fool 
, but I do not want the same set up on my Max.
I have some ideas now, but I tend to get carried away with things so I'm going to keep it simple.
, but I do not want the same set up on my Max.I have some ideas now, but I tend to get carried away with things so I'm going to keep it simple.
