Expert: Justin Wheeler - 1/17/2012

Question
I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am and i would like to put 2 15inch subs in the car, each have a 2000 watt capacity so it will have 4000 watts in total. I plan to buy a 0 gauge wiring kit and a 4000 watt monoblock amp as well as a new head system. I am wondering if i will need a new battery to help power the subs and what type of battery i will need. I just really need help to make these monster subs work and i hope it wont cost me more than 700

Answer
Hi Evan,

Unfortunately every car is different, so I can't give you a straight answer.

What's more important to know is the RMS wattage.  Peak wattage is meaningless.

Some alternators do better than others, based on their age/which model you got/etc.  Some car companies will use 3 or 4 different alternators across the same year/make/model.

All that said, if the system is really going to be as powerful as it sounds, you'll likely need a new alternator or yours rewound to a higher amperage, as well as another battery.

Justin