HIT 'EM HIGH

When it comes to the talented team at Installer Institute, these guys never settle for less and always step up with impressive project after project. They are true “go-getters” that push the envelope of style and function at their educational facility, teaching many top installers in the country and creating careers. There is no better way to both promote the school and the artistic creativity and ingenuity of their students than by building real project demo vehicles.

What started out as a dubbed-out baler-inspired Escalade lying around the shop became the perfect platform for the transformation Installer Institute had in mind. The once bling-bling themed Escalade desperately needed a more sinister makeover and with the right advanced equipment onboard it was sure to turn some heads (preferably in the direction of the school admissions office) as a rolling work of art. Installer Institute Director, Jason Anderson oversaw the project, as students demolished what was and began with a fresh start.

Metra Electronics also got involved to promote their premium audio line called Vibe from the UK. With a three month investment and $40,000 worth of gear, what you see before you rolled out of the shop and commanded a closer look along with this magazine feature.

The shell was taken to Xtreme Auto Body to receive the touch of bodywork magic from Frank Padillo. After the exterior was hit in flat black it was taken to Devil’s Candy Customs. Shop owner Brain Boan took his time airbrushing several accents to the car to set it off. The headlights and taillights were blacked out and fitted with Xenonworx HIDs and LEDs. The stock wheels were pulled to make way for MÖZ Tower-6 wheels that measure a shocking 26x10-inches. The sinister satin black wheels were wrapped with 305/30R26 Pirelli Scorpion Zeros to keep the Escalade connected to the blacktop.

Since the Caddy rocks double limo tint, you will have to crack open a door to see what’s inside. Katzkin came up with a black interior to replace the weak-looking factory tan leather. But the real story on the inside is the barrage of audio gear and elaborate display in the cargo area. A Pioneer double DIN unit conducts the system, sending the signals to the army of Vibe amps. The mids and highs are belted out of twin Vibe Stereo-4 amps that are connected to Vibe 3-way components called the Space6 and Vibe square 6x9-inch speakers. A total of eight Vibe Bass5 amps feed four Vibe Black Death 15-inch subs inside the centerpiece of the project. Upon opening the rear hatch, you are greeted by a crumpled skeleton with the skull staring upwards at you. The skeleton is covered in a funky “sludge” coming from a sewer pipe that signifies the Black Death plague that killed so many back in the 1300s.

The system is powered up and linked by Metra Electronics components. Tsunami 0ga and 4ga wire powers up the amps and is protected by seven Tsunami fuse blocks. The juice comes from twin Shuriken 60amp hour batteries under the hood and an additional six Shuriken cells in the cargo area. Under the vehicle, there is an additional nine Shuriken 60amp hour cells in a water-tight ABS enclosure.

Another successful Installer Institute build with some built-in attitude. Not only does it rep the schools’ abilities but Metra and their respective brands: Vibe, Tsunami and Shuriken are well presented in this project. Just be warned if you are within ear shot of the Black Death demo Cadillac, the sound waves might be able to do some permanent damage. This beast really rocks!