Posted by Troy Rudolph on October 20, 2004 at 22:16:35 from 63.246.184.7
In Reply to: Speakers posted by Dan Lafley on October 20, 2004 at 21:22:03:
The rear shelf doubles as part of your ventilation system. It is actually a tube that with a long slot that allow air from the cabin to exit the famous C-pillar vents. And, it's shape provides some stiffness to the rear of the car. Cutting it is not the greatest idea. If you really want bigger speakers use some sort of spacer or enclosure to avoid cutting.
It's pretty common though. I did my '79 back in '83 and then wondered for a week or two why the air no longer flowed so well when using the fresh air vents. I asked my guy at the old Beaconwood Motors shop and he explained it. The P.O. of my current car ('80 528i) did it too, but I plan to patch the holes and put in some speakers that will fit w/o cutting. I think it will be faily easy.