Not feelin like a $100 plus horn system

Technical info on the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix including do-it-yourself info
Post Reply
Whelan
Posts: 3980
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:30 pm

Not feelin like a $100 plus horn system

Post by Whelan »

What I am wondering is if I could just use one from a Jeep. I am contemplating going to my local PYP (pick-yer-parts) yard and ripping one off a Wrangler or Cherokee or the like. They are not as loud as a Hella would be, but they are what a normal horn should sound like, loud enough. I can't stand the wimped horn anymore.Questions is are they able to just plug in or would I have to crimp some wire.
2012 GLI Autobahn 6MT
scherry2
Posts: 4073
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2003 8:02 am

Re: Not feelin like a $100 plus horn system (Whelan)

Post by scherry2 »

I took a couple of GMC pick-up horns and used them without a problem. it beats paying the hella price thats for sure..
Kamikaze
Posts: 2017
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:36 pm

Re: Not feelin like a $100 plus horn system (scherry2)

Post by Kamikaze »

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »I took a couple of GMC pick-up horns and used them without a problem. it beats paying the hella price thats for sure..I don't know why I never thought of doing this... I'll have to go to a junk yard one of these days and pick something up, and try it out...
August 2009 VOTM Click HERE for my Garage
MRCN RCE
Posts: 1727
Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 1:14 pm

Post by MRCN RCE »

give me an old school caddy horn n i'll be good.... til i get the cash for the train horns
GENVIBE: THE PLACE WHERE ALL THE COOL KIDS HANG OUT05 GTK&N SRI, exedy clutch, fidanza flywheel, Neo-GensLIFT: the equivalent of viagra for your tach n speedomy garagehttp://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=24931
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Re: (MRCN RCE)

Post by Sublimewind »

I got these on the Subie...~30$ from Amazon, FIAAM... do it....
Whelan
Posts: 3980
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:30 pm

Re: (Sublimewind)

Post by Whelan »

I feel like you always have something to best us on with that Subie your playin with nowadays, lol. At least their blue and match!I may have to swing by the yard this weekend and see what they got. I'm not looking to scare people, but to have a horn that is noticed would be nice. Maybe even an old Buick or something.
2012 GLI Autobahn 6MT
jake75
Posts: 4792
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2003 1:33 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: (Whelan)

Post by jake75 »

You would think that Pontiac would do something about that whimpy horn - couldn't cost that much to use one that has some authority to it. Of course you are less likely to tick off a cop with the present horn. We had a case in Franklin County Muni Court in 2003 for "unnecessary use of horn" that cost the driver $314. A chicken-crap ticket. Obviously we have too darn many laws!
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
djb383
Posts: 1571
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2005 1:41 am
Location: The Republic of TEXAS

Re: Not feelin like a $100 plus horn system (Whelan)

Post by djb383 »

At 139db, the Stebel Nautilus is really loud and small enough to fit in your hand. Like I said in another thread, it's painful if you honk it in the garage. About $40.
'05 Lava Tutone base, Pwr Grp, Moon & Tunes, 16" alloys, Auto.....Yep, it's gotta HEMI
Whelan
Posts: 3980
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:30 pm

Re: Not feelin like a $100 plus horn system (djb383)

Post by Whelan »

$40 for an airhorn at 139dB, plus the $10 for the wiring kit, which is lame that it does not come with it. That means about $60 after shipping. I'd rather find a Jeep horn for about $5-10 at the pick yer parts or something for $30 or less. What can I say, I'm cheap about this one.
2012 GLI Autobahn 6MT
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Re: (Whelan)

Post by Sublimewind »

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »I feel like you always have something to best us on with that Subie your playin with nowadays, lol. At least their blue and match!I may have to swing by the yard this weekend and see what they got. I'm not looking to scare people, but to have a horn that is noticed would be nice. Maybe even an old Buick or something.I've owned my subaru since late 98' (99' model)so yeah, I've got just a little time with it... Those are in my old beater Subie as well... the nice thing about car stuff, is it all relates somehow man... subie...vibe... is all "basically" the same systems, they just look different... Believe me man, I'm not trying to "best" anything broham, just passing on info I've been saving up for a long time... If you hadden't noticed, it's "what I do"...lol
djb383
Posts: 1571
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2005 1:41 am
Location: The Republic of TEXAS

Re: Not feelin like a $100 plus horn system (Whelan)

Post by djb383 »

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »$40 for an airhorn at 139dB, plus the $10 for the wiring kit, which is lame that it does not come with it. That means about $60 after shipping. I'd rather find a Jeep horn for about $5-10 at the pick yer parts or something for $30 or less. What can I say, I'm cheap about this one.Yep, probably gonna get what you pay for. Didn't use a wiring kit when I hooked ours up. Doubt that jeep horn will be any louder than the stock Vibe horn but maybe it will. I do know for a fact, the Stebel is incredibly louder than stock and isn't that what a horn is all about?
'05 Lava Tutone base, Pwr Grp, Moon & Tunes, 16" alloys, Auto.....Yep, it's gotta HEMI
Whelan
Posts: 3980
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:30 pm

Re: (Sublimewind)

Post by Whelan »

Oh no harm no foul buddy, I am always impressed by what you bring to the table.I did find some Fiam Freeway Blasters from JCWhitney for $20 for a 130dB. They also sell a low 125dB one that they say you should pair up for best results. Is that really necessary or will the one 130dB high work just fine. If so $20 seems like a good fair price.
2012 GLI Autobahn 6MT
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Post by Sublimewind »

prathman
Posts: 528
Joined: Sun Jun 18, 2006 6:34 am

Re: (Whelan)

Post by prathman »

Quote, originally posted by Whelan » They also sell a low 125dB one that they say you should pair up for best results. Is that really necessary or will the one 130dB high work just fine.An increase of 3 dB corresponds to doubling the power. So two horns that put out 125 dB each would only be equivalent to one at 128 dB.
Whelan
Posts: 3980
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:30 pm

Re: (Sublimewind)

Post by Whelan »

Man you are pushing those airhorns. Nice addition but I just don't think I can swing to being that bold and brash. Are those like train horns or something ridiculous. Next thing ya know I'll be gettin pulled over.What would you compare it to thats on the road or track today, lol!
2012 GLI Autobahn 6MT
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Post by Sublimewind »

They aren't like train horns at all, they just provide 3 different frequencies to "cut" through other noise to get YOU NOTICED, that is what a horn does, and that is WHY yo want to replace yours... Honestly, I don't think they are as loud as the other mentioned, they just do a good job, CHEAP... I could try and get a little video tonigh if it's not raining to hard.. and if my cameras mic doesn't distort to bad...
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Post by Sublimewind »

You can listen to it if you like here... http://www.fiammamerica.com/Pr...D=150
Whelan
Posts: 3980
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:30 pm

Re: (Sublimewind)

Post by Whelan »

Hey I may just pick them up. Just me and my questions. Do you use your wire from the stock horn, tie it into the relay, then run the relay to the horn and the second wire (if there is one) is mounted to the frame as a ground.I assume thats the setup, then you mount them, run the tubes and call it a day?I'm just trying to think where I could put these things.
2012 GLI Autobahn 6MT
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Post by Sublimewind »

Yep, I used the horn wire to activate the relay, ground the relay and run power from the batt.. Ground the compressor and you are done.. You just need to know if the horn wire is switched power or ground and work accordingly with that and the relay.. Done... If you look in the pic, I also got some strips of stainless and made up brackets for the trumpets and the compressor to mount to... The trumpets actually float above the ABS pump, using one of it's mount bolts to hold it..
Whelan
Posts: 3980
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:30 pm

Re: (Sublimewind)

Post by Whelan »

So I need to get a bracket to mount them properly?
2012 GLI Autobahn 6MT
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Re: (Whelan)

Post by Sublimewind »

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »So I need to get a bracket to mount them properly?Did you look at the pic?
AKLGT
Posts: 11694
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:57 pm

Post by AKLGT »

you can buy Hella horns for about $60/pair. just google it. $100 for Hellas??? That's a rip off! LOL
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
Whelan
Posts: 3980
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:30 pm

Re: (Sublimewind)

Post by Whelan »

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »Did you look at the pic?Saw the pic, see the bracket. Did you just make that to mount them flush? According to the box it says mounting hardware is included.
2012 GLI Autobahn 6MT
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Re: (Whelan)

Post by Sublimewind »

Yeah, mounting hardware is a few nuts and bolts(lag type bolts, round head with built in "nut" if you will)... I had to get creative to get them where I did... I wanted something as close to the grill opening as possible and quite frankly they take a lot of room as you can see... so I MacGivered something up, .the bracket comes up from one of the bolts on the ABS pump, turns and goes over the top of the pump and ends at the airbox.. and it worked great.. could I do it again... i'm not sure... lol...
NewNeptune
Posts: 280
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:19 am

Re: (Whelan)

Post by NewNeptune »

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Next thing ya know I'll be gettin pulled over.At least then you could ask the officer why he pulled you over instead of the idiot that almost ran into you!
2006 Pontiac Vibe Base, Automatic, Power PackageSony CDX-GT300Upgraded Horns
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Re: (Whelan)

Post by Sublimewind »

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Next thing ya know I'll be gettin pulled over.Wanna get pulled over check out http://www.hornblasters.com
TheGeebs
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:41 pm

Hornblasters have a low low priced train horn for $399.99

Post by TheGeebs »

I hate the sound of Plastic horns. They usually have frequencies higher than 600hz. High pitched and clown sounding.I think the Vibe has the exact same horn that was on my Chevy Prism. It's embarrassing to use.Hella supertones are 300/500hz but don't sound like a real horn IMHO. It's a disc horn like the stocks but much louder.I ordered some Stebel TM-80 Magnum's [410/500hz@112db at 7feet] from http://www.hornsplusauto.com for only $18.95 and they sound like a real horn. You can hear them at http://www.stebel.itThat's my 2 cents. Great dual tone horn including shipping for less than half the cost of Hella's.
Scrambler17
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:09 am

Re: Not feelin like a $100 plus horn system (Kamikaze)

Post by Scrambler17 »

So did anyone ever try using a horn picked from another vehicle? I'm cheap too!
vibebob
Posts: 271
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 10:54 pm

Re: Not feelin like a $100 plus horn system (Scrambler17)

Post by vibebob »

the horn on my 02 VW Golf sounded like a "real" horn, a good loud American HONK. wonder if that'll work on the Vibe. I'm looking at upgrading my neep horn. I thought of getting a Ferrari horn, be really different. they are a two compressor horn. wouldn't that tweek Ferrari owner's shorts.
no longer a vibe owner"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding." Albert Einstein.
kunkstyle
Posts: 1236
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:51 pm

Re: Not feelin like a $100 plus horn system (vibebob)

Post by kunkstyle »

Quote, originally posted by vibebob »I thought of getting a Ferrari horn, be really different. they are a two compressor horn. wouldn't that tweek Ferrari owner's shorts. Put on a Tubi exhaust, and sound like a Ferarri too. That'll really tweek them
Kunkstyle's Garage:2006 AWD Pontiac VibeInfinity/Rockford/Kenwood Audio, CAI, Cupholder LED's, Keyless Entry Mod2000 Porsche 911 C2Kenwood Audio, Ultimate Cupholders, DRL's, 0-60 in 4.9 seconds.
vhoward1122
Posts: 151
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:21 am

Re: (Whelan)

Post by vhoward1122 »

I had a set of those three trumpet air horns by FIAM setting in my basement. I installed them so they were in a row pointing down in front of the radiator behind the grill on the passenger side. The compressor I installed on the bracket the original horn was mounted on. I didn't mess with any relay or special wiring harness. I just hooked the horn wire onto the compressor and grounded the compressor, hooked the air tubes up and it works fine. My trumpets are chrome with red caps. I will take a picture tomorrow to see if you can see what I mean. They are louder than the original horn, but not too loud and they get peoples attention.
vhoward1122
Posts: 151
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:21 am

Re: (vhoward1122)

Post by vhoward1122 »

Well, you can't see much in the pictures, but you get the idea. I used a strap of steel to connect the three horns together, then mounted the horn assembly to the car with another metal strap.Vance
Post Reply