I recently picked up a '74 Vette Convertible that still has the factory AM/FM with speakers in the dash.

Let me say up front...I don't know anything about stereo systems except what I have read here over the last couple of weeks. What I have read tends to confuse me more than help me to tell the truth. Engine performance is sooo much easier.

I have found a HU that really impresses me. I found it in the post about not wanting it to look like a rocket ship, or something like that.

I really like the Pioneer DEH-P880PRS and have pretty much decided that is what I will get. Now the problem comes in picking out front speakers and an amp to drive them. I'm planning on buying the Kenwood powered Sub that is packaged for tight spaces. It is part number KSC-SW1. I don't have much of any space in the rear area, and with the top down that small space is almost half the size. I don't expect thumper type bass, just solid lows.

I don't need/want a system that is designed to impress people from down the block, not to mention the police. I'm looking for a nice clean sound with enough power that will allow me to hear it with the top down on the freeway. I realize that cars tend to be hard to get great sound out of, and mine is probably worse being a convert. I listen to everything from Country to Motown to Rock (AC/DC, Led Zepplin, Rolling Stones, etc.) to AM talk radio depending on my mood.

What front speakers, 4x6"? would you suggest, and where would you suggest I install them? The dash, the kickpanels, or both?

What amp would you suggest to drive the front speakers? Would it be worth while to install two sets, one in dash and one in kicks? Which area would give the best sound if only one set is used?

Thanks for any and all help in advance.

Jeff

 

your amp will be dependant on what speakers you get. I would steer clear of the 4x6 speakers. You will be happier with a simple 2way components set up than with just 4x6's. I would do the 6.5's in teh kick panels and tweeter maybe in the 4x6 speaker location. its not the best place for a tweeter, but it will keep a stock look without cutting up your interior. Also from what i remember, a lot of the interior panels are not just abs plastic molds but thicker foam type covered with vinyl and would be harder to mount a tweeter in say the a-pillars. or the doors.


I used to have a 74 as well. just not a convertible. one of my fav cars that i have owned. i miss it. Take some pics of the interior so others know what you are working with as far as interior space. and locations as well.

 

4x6 was the stock size in the dash but since you're doing a sub I definitely agree with DPG that a 2 way component would be the better way to go. I think Polk and maybe Infinity make "plate" 2 ways in the shape of a 4x6 that would sound better than an actual 4x6. Alternately you could grab a piece of ABS or wood and use the stock speaker as a template to get the outside shape, then you could use whatever (small) 2 way you'd like.

I have an '80 and I decided to keep it simple and put 4x6's in the dash. But then I have a lot more space in the back than you do and was able to put a pair of 6x9's in a box. I decided early on that the '80 was just never going to be quiet enough to appreciate really good stuff like I've done in my C6 so I went the "update" route, an Alpine 9851 and Kicker speakers front & rear.

A couple of things to keep in mind as you plan it out - the dash area is very small and you may very well have to mount the crossovers with the amp and just feed speaker wire up to the dash and/or kicks. Also to mount a modern single DIN head you're going to have to cut your bezel to get rid of the 2 post opening. It's a simple thing to do, but many folks wince at the thought of cutting on the bezel. Aftermarket bezels are available that are ready for single DIN units so you could put aside your original if you were concerned about that.

I'll second DPG's request, pics of the interior so we can get an idea of the space.

 

Thanks for the help.

I don't have my camera. It should be back by this weekend. I measured the open area in the rear with the top lowered. I only have 7" of height where the top ends up. There is room behind there that goes the total of about 13" high. There is a interior light that is mounted in the exact center of the rear panel.

I have seen the Infinity 4x6 seperates where they mounted the mid and tweeter seperate on a 4x6" panel. They are designed to go into the stock mount area. The shop that I looked at them didn't have them hooked up to an amp so I don't know how they would sound with some power behind them.

Where is the best arear to mount this type of speaker? The kick panels or the dash? And what amp would you suggest to power them?

Or am I better off mounting two sets, one into each area? If so, what amp would you suggest to power the pair?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

if you get a 4x6 plate speaker do not get infinity we had nothing but problems with them blowing. you could fit a shallow mount sub in the back... just tossin out some ideas

 

Thanks for the info on the Infinity. Ideas are what I'm looking for. Do you have a suggestion for what brand/model speakers I should be looking at?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

How about the Polk MMC460?

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/products/mmc460

Or the Boston Acoustic 746? Don't have a link handy at the moment, sorry.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

If you have to do a 4X6 and plan on amping them that momo 4X6 is a killer speaker, i put them in a car once and they screamed for a 4X6. Are you sure you are limited to a 4X6, sorry I dont know C3s that well. If you wanna be able to get loud with the top down you will be struggling with a 4X6 but im not sayin its impossiable. Is there already a place in the kickpanel for speakers?

Also, the standard polk db line is very nice as well as the infinity 4X6s that arent in plate form

Also did you want to try and run rear speakers or a sub or osmething like that

 

The dash opening in the C3 is tight, 4x6 is really it. You might be able to get away with some sort of 3 way setup where you have the tweet & mid on a plate in the dash and then bury a 6.5" midbass somewhere else, but if I remember correctly on the earlier C3's there isn't much mounting depth in the kick panels. The car is a child of the 60's & 70's and oval speakers were all the rage then.. which means installing them is BY FAR the easiest solution.

Doesn't mean other things can't be done, just depends how much fab you want to do and how much money you want to spend!

 

Thanks for the info.

I plan on using the Pioneer DEH-P880PRS HU. A Kenwood KSC-SW1 self powered sub in the rear. Sounds like the Polk/Momo MMC460 speakers mounted in the kick panels. The kick panel area is set up for 4x6 speakers. The C4-C6 have tons of room in them compared to the C3's. I don't want to hack up the interior, or spend tons of cash. I have an extra gauge bezel that I can cut for a DIN opening so that is covered.

What amp would you suggest to work with the MMC460 speakers taking into account the rest of the system as outlined above?

Thanks for the help,
Jeff

 

You are correct in your summary of the fitment issues with C3's. I think my saving grace is not expecting killer/show type results, just clean sound that won't get washed out at speed.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

Any plans on doing rear speakers at all?

If not, this phoenix gold will work great and its a pretty small footprint and a killer price http://sonicelectronix.com/item_1584.html and would power those speakers nicely, actually it matches there rms exactly, you could always get something more powerful but ur speakers can only take as much as this puts out. This amp might be a bit less on ebay but sonicelectronix is a good company to work with.

or for a few bucks more pick up this mtx, a bit nicer of an amp http://sonicelectronix.com/item_6878.html

For wiring check out knukonceptz.com and grab there 2 channel 8 gauge kit it will have rcas for ur sub and the speaker amp and the 8ga could power it all.

 

penta has you steered straight.

 

you could always pull the kick panels out and see how much mounting depth you have in there

 

Did as you suggested this evening...I don't think there is anyway to get a larger speaker in the opening without some surgery. I'm going to go with the Momo 4x6's that Penta suggested with the Phoenix Gold amp he suggested. I'm sure that I'll be happy with the system.

Thank you to everyone for all the help, especially Penta, on helping to pick out components that will work together for me. I really appreciate it.

Jeff

 

Does us all a favor post pics and maybe a small writeup on the install we dont really have much c3 info here on the forum and it would be a great asset for our FAQ's. Any install questions let us know and i can shoot u a cell phone number if you need a walk through on anything

 

Good idea. I'll make sure and do that. I may take you up on the offer of assistance.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

I ordered my stereo items today from Sonicelectronix.com. They had everything that I wanted except the Kenwood KSC-SW1 sub. I ordered the sub from someone on e bay because it was the only place I could find one in stock for a decent price.

I decided to spend the extra money and buy everything from Sonic just to make things easier if I have problems down the road. I also ordered the adapter that allows you to hook up an IPOD to your system instead of trying to fit a changer in back. I don't even own an IPOD! I figured if I was going to go to all the work of installing a new system I would just do it right and hook everything up from the beginning.

I'll have to study which IPOD will work best for me.

Thanks again, and I'll start a new post when I do the install on my '74.

Jeff