C2 Audio upgrade project
09-02-2016, 05:03 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
C2 Audio upgrade project
We have been super busy at the office and I have not had a chance to work on my audio project for the 63 and the 65. This last month one of our vehicle application specialists had some extra time and jumped in to help get this project rolling.
With both cars, I didn't want to modify, cut or do ANYTHING that could not be restored to 100% stock.
65', I wanted to keep the factory radio in the car, do an audio system that integrated into the vehicle & kept everything fairly stealth and would allow me to use my phone or iPod, via bluetooth as a source. Since smart phones have internet connectivity, virtually all my music, sat radio, etc becomes available.
We built a custom enclosure that drops into the rear storage area behind the seats. It is contoured to follow this area and fits perfectly. I wanted to do a simple system. I used a pair of Rockford Fosgate T4 speakers, a Rockford T1 10" shallow woofer and a Rockford T400X4 amp. The amp and the crossovers for the component speakers are mounted in the storage well to a plate, below the enclosure. A bluetooth module is installed behind the dash. The volume control is flush mounted in the ashtray and can be concealed by the ashtray door. We trimmed out the enclosure with a mount for my fire ext and the jack. Enclosure is covered in black vinyl with aluminum accents. The system sounds great, plays loud (if wanted) and works flawlessly.
The 63 is still in process. I will be doing the same basic system in the back with a couple additions. I will be using a 5 channel amp and adding 4" component speakers to the dash. We are working on a custom mount to incorporate the components in the center dash location. The big change for the 63 is the dash. When I purchased the car, it had a C2 specific cassette deck in it. Pretty cheesy, horrible sounding. Again, one thing i did not want to do was to cut the dash in anyway. We took our digital scanner and made a scan of the dash, both front and back. We then took the files into CAD and made a mounting plate for the Rockford PMX2 radio. This is a product that we sell for the Marine and ATV market. It is weatherproof and designed to be in the elements. The radio mounts to an aluminum plate and the plate is mounted to the dash via existing holes and a backplate. As you can see in the pictures, it fits perfect. Another forum member did this with his C2 restomod and we loved it. This is great way to get new technology into the dash without damaging or changing the car. The PMX2 has a built in amp that is capable of working 2 pairs of speakers if needed.
I will get additional pictures posted with the 63 is completed.
With both cars, I didn't want to modify, cut or do ANYTHING that could not be restored to 100% stock.
65', I wanted to keep the factory radio in the car, do an audio system that integrated into the vehicle & kept everything fairly stealth and would allow me to use my phone or iPod, via bluetooth as a source. Since smart phones have internet connectivity, virtually all my music, sat radio, etc becomes available.
We built a custom enclosure that drops into the rear storage area behind the seats. It is contoured to follow this area and fits perfectly. I wanted to do a simple system. I used a pair of Rockford Fosgate T4 speakers, a Rockford T1 10" shallow woofer and a Rockford T400X4 amp. The amp and the crossovers for the component speakers are mounted in the storage well to a plate, below the enclosure. A bluetooth module is installed behind the dash. The volume control is flush mounted in the ashtray and can be concealed by the ashtray door. We trimmed out the enclosure with a mount for my fire ext and the jack. Enclosure is covered in black vinyl with aluminum accents. The system sounds great, plays loud (if wanted) and works flawlessly.
The 63 is still in process. I will be doing the same basic system in the back with a couple additions. I will be using a 5 channel amp and adding 4" component speakers to the dash. We are working on a custom mount to incorporate the components in the center dash location. The big change for the 63 is the dash. When I purchased the car, it had a C2 specific cassette deck in it. Pretty cheesy, horrible sounding. Again, one thing i did not want to do was to cut the dash in anyway. We took our digital scanner and made a scan of the dash, both front and back. We then took the files into CAD and made a mounting plate for the Rockford PMX2 radio. This is a product that we sell for the Marine and ATV market. It is weatherproof and designed to be in the elements. The radio mounts to an aluminum plate and the plate is mounted to the dash via existing holes and a backplate. As you can see in the pictures, it fits perfect. Another forum member did this with his C2 restomod and we loved it. This is great way to get new technology into the dash without damaging or changing the car. The PMX2 has a built in amp that is capable of working 2 pairs of speakers if needed.
I will get additional pictures posted with the 63 is completed.
The following 2 users liked this post by roadking40:
Dbrennan (04-04-2022),
reno stallion (04-04-2022)
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roadking40 (09-02-2016)
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road pilot (04-06-2022)
09-04-2016, 11:28 AM
#5
Instructor
Roadking, I have searched and can't find the dimensions of the protrusion on the back of the pmx2 . Was it small enough to go through the radio slot without making the opening a little wider? I'm helping a buddy upgrade the audio in his 65 vert, Looking at our options. Thanks Nick
09-04-2016, 12:43 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Roadking, I have searched and can't find the dimensions of the protrusion on the back of the pmx2 . Was it small enough to go through the radio slot without making the opening a little wider? I'm helping a buddy upgrade the audio in his 65 vert, Looking at our options. Thanks Nick
Go to my thread on this topic as I posted the dimensions for the PMX2.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ce-for-c2.html
Last edited by dcaggiani; 09-04-2016 at 03:14 PM.
09-04-2016, 01:20 PM
#7
Racer
Thread Starter
Correction, you DO NOT HAVE CUT OR MODIFY THE CAR IN ANY WAY. The PMX2 comes apart. the front section and rear section are electrically connected by a ribbon cable. The front part of the PMX2 mounts to the aluminum plate, the plate mounts using both the existing radio volume and tuning control openings and by a BACK PLATE. The the rear section of the PMX2 is mounted to this back plate. Again, no modification to the car is needed, and thats the cool part! I am sending the CAD drawings out to have a few of the plates, both front and rear, made. I will post when I get them done if anyone is interested. Bill
09-04-2016, 03:14 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Correction, you DO NOT HAVE CUT OR MODIFY THE CAR IN ANY WAY. The PMX2 comes apart. the front section and rear section are electrically connected by a ribbon cable. The front part of the PMX2 mounts to the aluminum plate, the plate mounts using both the existing radio volume and tuning control openings and by a BACK PLATE. The the rear section of the PMX2 is mounted to this back plate. Again, no modification to the car is needed, and thats the cool part! I am sending the CAD drawings out to have a few of the plates, both front and rear, made. I will post when I get them done if anyone is interested. Bill
09-04-2016, 03:45 PM
#9
Instructor
Roadking , again thanks for the extra info about the pmx-2 knowing it will separate is great info, will defiantly go this route , my buddy has already ordered unit , pm me with info on plates if you would, could keep me from reinventing the wheel. I had already installed speaker and amp unit similar to yours and put in the upgraded vertical version of original stereo about two years ago, my buddy took it to a shop last month to install power antenna and they somehow fried amp, so now we are redoing and he wanted to upgrade head unit as the other one was a little weak, again thanks to both of you for info!
09-04-2016, 06:11 PM
#10
Racer
Thread Starter
DC, your the one that got the wheels turning at the office! We pulled the PMX2 apart after viewing your car and realized it could be done with a different mounting system. Fatboy34 - No problem, will ping you when available. I might know a good amplifier to use..
09-04-2016, 09:16 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Well that is totally cool !!!
04-13-2021, 07:45 PM
#12
Racer
PMX2 Questions
Roadking.....I am looking at the PMX2 punch on Amazon. Is this the one you have in your post? If so, it says in the product description that it will read a USB memory sticks. Question...ware is the port? ware does the stick hook in at? I do not see any openings in the face of the unite. Do you have the needed install plates you made up, are they available yet? I have a 1966 roadster that needs tunes like yours....(-: Thanks KG
04-14-2021, 02:43 PM
#13
Racer
Thread Starter
KG, Yes, you can use a PMX2 or PMX3. The 3 has XM capability and a backup camera input. Same chassis.The USB input cable is part of the main harness on the rear. You could put a front mount USB if you wanted, but it would require you to drill/cut. Let me check this evening and see if I have an extra mount. Bill
04-25-2021, 01:34 AM
#15
Team Owner
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Roadking40, can you elaborate on the ashtray mods?
Regarding the front and rear cameras, what wiring is required?
I ask because I can prewire as the body is coming together.
Regarding the front and rear cameras, what wiring is required?
I ask because I can prewire as the body is coming together.
10-10-2021, 08:53 AM
#16
Correction, you DO NOT HAVE CUT OR MODIFY THE CAR IN ANY WAY. The PMX2 comes apart. the front section and rear section are electrically connected by a ribbon cable. The front part of the PMX2 mounts to the aluminum plate, the plate mounts using both the existing radio volume and tuning control openings and by a BACK PLATE. The the rear section of the PMX2 is mounted to this back plate. Again, no modification to the car is needed, and thats the cool part! I am sending the CAD drawings out to have a few of the plates, both front and rear, made. I will post when I get them done if anyone is interested. Bill
04-04-2022, 09:09 PM
#20
Brackets
Hi
I know this post is quite old but curious if you still have brackets or anything to make this work for me. I’m currently trying to put new system in and love what you did with the head unit
I know this post is quite old but curious if you still have brackets or anything to make this work for me. I’m currently trying to put new system in and love what you did with the head unit