O.K. Guys,
Let me start by saying that I have ZERO knowledge about stereo equipment. I know that $1,000 is not a lot when it comes to a car audio, but that is what I have budgeted. I have a non-Bose stereo in my 07 Vette. I want a nicer sounding louder stereo that I can play my I-pod through. Nav. would be great, but again I'm trying to keep reasonably close to my budget.
What components do I need and where is the best place to purchase them?
Thanks!

 

For that budget with NAV you're really looking at doing a head swap and maybe swap the 3.5" door speakers to add some highs. Pioneer seems to be the budget NAV of choice, perhaps something like the new F700. You'd also need a dash kit (Metra 95-3304), antenna adapter and an integration module. If you have Onstar you'd need a pair of Peripheral modules - GMAH24 and GMAHCM. If you do not have Onstar the GMCO will get it done by itself.

Contact Patrick at Pinnacle Autoworks. He's a good guy and has great prices.

 

You need a bigger budget.

 

O.K. so how much and what components? Again, I do not need the nav.

 

The first thing you need to do after establishing a budget is determine what you want to do. It sounds simple, but it isn't... here's why:

You have said that you have zero knowledge about car stereos. Unless you know someone that has the skills to perform the install for you, you may be forced into using an installer. There goes some of your budget. Not a problem, just letting you know it up front.

Thankfully, there are a lot of good people on here that can basically walk you through what you need to do to get your new system installed. If you have some mechanical and electrical skills, it shouldn't be a problem.

Now that we have that settled, lets get into the meat and potatoes: What do you really want your new system to do?

The Komoman mentioned installation hardware... you will need this regardless of that HU you want, so factor that into your installation. Figure about $80 for the GMCO unit, more or less depending on where you get it. If you upgrade your front speakers, you'll probably need speaker adapters for the front. Pipedreams (supporting vendor) sells them on the forum ($50) for a perfect fit.

http://tmaxxpowerpipes.tripod.com/id28.html

You have mentioned NAV so I would bet that you'd be disappointed if you didn't go that route. So if that's your focus, then start looking at some places to get some prices. You can get a decent Eclipse AVN20D NAV unit for about $450 or so, or a Kenwood DNX5120 for about $680 and change. There are a few others out there that are decent for the price... so take a look and see what works best for you.

Depending on what head unit you get will determine what you can do with the rest of the system:

If you buy the Eclipse, you'll have about $400 left to spend on the system. You are getting close to the edge of a decent set of component speakers and a small amp to drive them. (You can get an amplifier installation kit at Wal-Mart for about $25 or so.) This is where having your installation done at a shop will eat in to your budget... so plan accordingly.

If you get the Kenwood, you'll have about $250 left to spend, and your options are a bit more limited. You'll be powering the speakers from the head unit so you'll want to find a set of speakers that are efficient. Look to some co-axial speakers in this case, or increase the budget a bit to add an amp and a set of component speakers.

If you can live without the NAV, then your options increase slightly. Depending on what options/features you want in a head unit will determine it's price. Figure $180 to $350 for a head unit depending on brand and features.

As for specific speakers/amps/head units and the like: It's all subjective. What sounds good to me might sound like crap to you. It's best to grab some of your favorite CD's and hit some local stereo shops to listen to what sounds good TO YOU. Then go from there.

I'm sorry I haven't been more specific regarding what to buy, but without knowing what it is you really want out of the system upgrade it's hard to give you good suggestions. Let us know what type of music you listen to, what volume levels you like to listen to your music, and what you are looking to accomplish overall. You'll get more specific feedback that way.

Good luck with the upgrade.

Mark

 

If you want to add bass to the system that is what will kill you. I box for a C6 is going to run you minimum $375 shipped not loaded with a sub. Here is a simle break down That I think you would be happy with. Keep in mind the numbers are very raw.

Box- $375
Sub $125
front 6.5 componants $150
rear- I would keep stock for now FREE
4 channel amp- $250
Stereo- $250
Wiring/install hardware- $100
LABOR-?????

Now thats going off of a tight budget as well. Or you can just keep the stock deck in there and add the box, sub, and amp for around $800 installed and upgrade the deck and front stage as the wallet sees fit to do.

 

IMO forget about nav for now, find a decent headunit do the speakers up right and then add the nav later. IMO a sub isnt needed if you find the factory setup to be enough bass. I would recommend either doing components up front with a 2 channel amp or just do the front components, coaxials in the back with a 4 channel amp. Put some sound deadner in the doors and get a decent radio with ipod etc and you will be set

 

And I am the later of Penta. I find that the stock system in both the C5/6 sounds pleasanton and simply needs more bass. You keep the stock look and if the mids and highs are falling short turn the bass down on the deck and crank up the gains on the sub amp. That will get you louder, but it is all about what you desire. $1K will get you one or the other.

 

Thanks guys, I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out. This forum is great!
I have several days off next week in which I plan to get this done. I will need to find an installer here in AZ, but I wanted to have the parts and a bit of knowledge so that I don't get ripped off.

 

it doesnt hurt to see if any local guys have stereos u can hear and go talk to installers see what they recommend and almost faint at the price then come back and post for more recommendations

 

I had tight budget requirements too - I spent a little more on the front components and a little less on the amp. I will upgrade the amp later when I get my subs (staying with 4-channel). The HU will be what you look at the most! (mine was a Christmas gift)

I am doing everything myself with very limited knowledge of both installing and taking this car apart. Tons of great how-to info and people on here, even for the older vettes. I have to say most of the $ spent at an installer will go on dismantling/ reassembling stuff - this you can do yourself. The wiring bit is the easy part It's just that it takes me ages to do anything as I'm learning as I go and taking my time with soldering, etc. At least the car is still driveable and if anything goes wrong down the line I will know how to fix it.

I believe I am saving at least 500 bucks this way, which I can put into a nice set of subs later on