I'm considering using the stock radio area in my C5 dash for a gauge panel. I don't really listen to the radio/CD that much (love my B&B Bullets! ), but sometimes it is needed. Would it be possible to install some sort of "hidden" sound system that could be controlled via a remote? Sorry if this is a newb question but I really know very little about sound systems.

 

Yes... you could do it. Depends on how much time and effort you want to put into it.

Some guys have modified their dash areas to move the A/C control head down to where the ashtray/lighter sits. If you did that, you could put in an aftermarket HU in the A/C controls slot and free up that 1.5 DIN are where your stock head unit was.

If you need more space than that, then you could still move your A/C head down and use both the 1.5 DIN and 1 DIN area that is open... but install an aftermarket HU in the rear.

There are a lot of HU's that have wired remotes, specifically designed for boats or RV's. You could put your HU in the back, then run the wired remote up front. If you wanted to install a iR repeater, you could go that way, too.

Look here for info on different remotes: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-xOn13cE...p.asp?g=225250

I have seen some really custom systems that took the faceplate and wired it seperately from the HU. They removed the rear view mirror and installed it up there. You could do something similar, but retain the rear view mirror by installing it in another location. Depends on your skill level, really.

What kind of gauges are you putting up front? How much time/energy/effort do you want to put into this?

Mark

 

Thanks for the pointer. The Sony remote looks like it might work.

I'm not interested in modifying the dash at this point. I would want to be able to return it to stock. So I just want to use the existing radio area.

Are there "head units" that don't have controls on them at all? Something that only works through a remote?

I don't want to do a lot of custom fabrication. Sound just isn't all that important to me. I could even just use an iPod and amplifier if other things are too much trouble, although I would like to have an AM/FM available.

The ideal solution would be a box that combined an AM/FM, an input for an iPod, the ability to control a CD changer, was designed to be installed "hidden", and could be controlled entirely via a remote. Oh, and as long as I'm dreaming, can I have speed-sensitive volume?

The gages to be used remain to be seen. Ideally, I want fuel pressure, boost, switchable AFR, and switchable EGT. I think that's going to take the A-pillar as well as the dash area.

 

I've seen people simply use a crossover/eq , an ipod, amps and speakers. No headunit.

 

ipod is one option but you wont have radio, another option is to get a headunit with a flip down detatchable face and relocate the faceplate (you could put it in your visor) another option would be the car pc but not using a lcd screen. you could set up hot keys for practically every feature of the system, you can use a remote or even have it recognize your voice and control ilt via voice commands, you can allso get a usb lcd screen and mount it below the gauges or in your visor for a text display of whats going on. but to answer your question, i can't remember seeing anything that matches your requirements. Maybe there is an mp3player out there that has am/fm though. like the iriver clix:
http://www.iriveramerica.com/prod/ultra/clix/

that would be perfect for you. just mount it in your visor, run audio and power and you're done

or get this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/iRiver-Clix-U10-...QQcmdZViewItem

it may be able to fit in the stock head unit space along with two gauges, and then use the a-pillar for the others. This will also give you the option of a remote

or get this with touchscreen:
http://www.samsung.com/Products/MP3P...P_K5JABXAA.asp
again, you may be able to squeeze this with a few gauges into the stock location or even cut out the ashtray and put it under the folding door.

 

please tell me you're using the defi gauges! those are so sleek! if you're just going with 4 guages i think you could fit that in the stock head unit space. one question though, isn't the afr and the egt repetative? and is it going to be a wide band afr? The egt will tell you when you're leaning out and will be more accurate then a non wideband afr...and probably just as accurate (but not as fragile) as the wide band (IIRC the wideband o2 sensors don't last that long).

 

The iPod can be equipped to receive FM radio signals, but no AM. As previously mentioned, plug it into a EQ/X-over then an amp then speakers. The iPod can live in your center console, out of sight and out of mind, but pretty much functions as the perfect remote for the system. You'll have no changer controls, but if you get a big enough iPod you don't need 'em.

P.S.
I'm still trying to get over you saying that sound isn't that important to you. Judging by your list of demands from a system, it is very!

 

I've heard of some completely remote systems on Car Crazy that are used so the original head stays in place (not used). Try the Car Crazy website for links, or Eastwood maybe.

 

Thanks to all for the replies! I think that's enough info to get me started.

 

Try the Secret Audio, I believe it is made by Custom Auto Sound. Most of the corvette catalogs that cater to the older models carry them. I have one in my 69. It is made so that you can leave the original radio in for a factory look, but still get decent sound. The face plate is very small and completely hidden if you want. All operation is through the remote.