Yesterday I finally put the finishing touches on the new system in my 08 Corvette. Below is a list of componets I used and then multiple pictures of the install. I also took this oppertunity to install the insulation kit that I purchased from Exotic Corvettes.

1 Full Insulation Kit
1 Kenwood DNX6140 (Built in BT)
1 Kenwood KCA-XM100V (XM module)
1 Audiovox CNP2000 (XM Mini Tuner)
1 Kenwood KCA-IP301V (Ipod cable)
1 Male-Female USB cable (to use both USB and iPod)
2 Subthump C6 enclosures
1 Subthump amp rack
1 Subthump amp rack cover
2 Rockford Fosgate P3 Shallow Mount subwoofers
2 JL 250/1 Class D amps (Powering subs)
1 JL 300/4 amp (powering Mains)
1 Pioneer Premier TS-C720PRS (Mains)
1 set of Komoman adapter plates (sprayed black)
Various installation parts and wire from Darvex

We started by disassembling the interior.







Next came installing the insulation kit.









Next, we ran the power and ground and drilled a hole for the power line, installed a grommet and pushed the wire through.





Next we completed running the rest of the wiring and installed the HU.





Then it was time to put the interior back in and start wiring the gear.







After that we put the main speakers in place (sorry no pictures of that).
We placed the 6.3/4" drivers where the subs used to be using the plates I spoke of above. We then mounted the tweets where the 3.5" speakers were located. We decided to leave the cross overs in the hatch and ran an extra set of wires to each door. This way any adjustments can be made without removing the door.

Next I cleaned up the wiring and installed the amp rack cover.







The last install step was to paint the screens that will cover the vent hole and attach them. I decided to match my exterior color with the vent screens and used Atomic Orange spray paint with clear on top. The pictures make the screen look solid but the effect is much for subtle in person. It is also an outstanding match to my exterior color.









The system sounds great and everything works as expected except On-Star. The issue is a never did a volume check before closing up the dash and the On-Star volume is way too high at the moment. I need to remove the climate control module and lower the volume on the On-Star.

The only real issue post install besides the On Star is that we forgot to plug in one of the harnesses on the passenger seat so I wound up with an airbag light. 15 minutes at my buddy's place and that was taken care of and the light cleared.

During the installation we would up breaking one of the pieces of trim behind the seat. We pulled where we were suppose to and it still broke. I got a new piece the next day. We also broke a few door pins getting the door panels off but again, I had replacements the next day. It also looks like we missed one of the hooks that hold the driver side panel on. We'll pull that next weekend and re hang it.

The entire install took about 24 hours and that includes dissassembly and insulation instalation. The system sounds incredible and I'm very happy with the outcome.

Special thanks to my buddy Dan (The Komoman here) who worked with me during the whole install. Dan is an expert and pulling a C6 interior as he has done it many many times. He also worked with me on gear slection. I could not have done this installation without Dan's help.
-Mike

Oh, and my roof still fits in back just like it did before the stereo overhaul.

 

sweet.

 

Classy install. How effective is the insulation in your opinion?

 

Thanks. Too early to tell. I've only driven it about 20 miles since the install. I'll post back after a couple hundred miles.

 

Very nice.

 

VERY nice install.... 1st class all the way!

Did you guys use any deadening mat under the insulation, or is that not necessary because of the insulation?

 

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No we did not use any sound deadening mat under the insualtion. We installed eDead in my Z28 and honestly I was not all that impressed with it. Maybe dynamat would be better but the eDead was a hell of a lot of work for minimal improvement IMHO.

 

whoa nice i would never attempt that

 

edead is garbage.

Nice install!

 

Thanks for the compliments guys, I think it turned out pretty nice and am happy (and relieved!) that Mike agrees cause he's gotta live with it!

Every time I work on these cars it amazes me how easy it is. We had all of the carpeting and trim panels needed to get at everything outta the car in about 90 minutes. That passenger side B pillar trim panel breaking REALLY made me angry because the driver side popped out with no trouble. The passenger side clip was SUPER tight at the bottom so it was one of those things that when it finally let go the panel of course comes too far out and cracks around the next clip up. Mad a bit at myself but mostly frustrated that removing something properly actually broke it. The door pins, well as many times as I've removed my panels I've never broken a single one but of course as soon as I work on somebody else's I break 3. Again it was that initial release after the pins finally let go, the panels wants to pull right back in and the pins aren't lined up - snap. At least those pins are cheap and easily had.

It was interesting seeing the changes to the console setup in an '08 vs my '06. The layout of screws vs christmas trees, etc. Not completely different but enough to make me stop and think about it a moment here & there. As usual the hardest bit was running the wires and that's not even hard, just a lot of work.

 

I have the same problem! The On-Star is deafening!! Can you please tell me how you adjust the volume.

Oh, and I am running the Pioneer Premier TS-C720PRS up front, as well. How do you like them? I've had them for about a year in my F-150 and have been very pleased, so I decided to get a pair for the Vette too.

 

We EDEAD'd my buddies WS6 and another friends SS the whole car doors floor ceiling the works and it made a hue difference

 

There is a volume adjustment on the Peripheral GMAH24 module.

So far I am very impressed with the Pioneer TS-C720PRS speakers. I used Focals on my last install so the Pioneers have a lot to live up to.

We did not do my doors or my roof. I didn't say it didn't help. I just said for the amount of time it took to get it all down that the gains were not enough to make me do it again.

 

Very cool...

What is your labor rate and do you make house calls?

 

i have one of those shallow fosgates and it hits pretty hard, i cant imagine 2 awesome install. I too have the insulation kit but havent installed it yet. nice job paul

 

I work for beer but I am will admit to being very picky about which beer.

Unfortunately Virginia is outside the range of my house call area.

 

The nice thing is he only drinks one or two each time he comes so a case can go a long way. I think the last case I bought for him lasted 2+ years since I don't drink beer

I'm suppose to stop by his house this weekend and my wife is nagging me to take the beer with me since it takes up a whole shelf in my fridge and she knows it will be there a while

 

What insulation kit is that?

And Dan: I'd be happy to supply a case or two if you want to get together sometime

I've got my DNX5120 in; I just want to sand the trim piece down a little more before I spray it to match the interior, and I still have to install the PDX amp, wiring, and speakers. I'm debating an insulation kit, though I see the Crazy Cowboy one on sale right now, so it's tempting. I already have a sub box (need to get the sub). I'm thinking of just making an amp mount for the pax side cubby, as opposed to mounting it to the cubby itself, since there's something bulging in it (from Onstar, I believe).

Anyway, not really afraid to tackle the stuff myself, but having an experienced set of hands would sure be helpful

 

IMO you are better off buying deadner of ur choice and rolling it on and cutting it

crazy cowboy kit doesnt impress me at all

 

I'm still perplexed that Pioneer makes a speaker that can compete with the High(er) end stuff. In fact, I can't get over the fact that it was even said.

How are you liking them?