I do not know much about car audio and I'm looking for some help. I have an '02 Z06 and want to have an amp and 2 subs in the rear compartments. I do not care too much about how awesome or loud the system is, I just want something that sounds good and is not really expensive. The car is primary for performance and the sound system will be only for show and listening to music every now & then.

I am replacing my front 2 speakings with 3.5" JL speakers. The back 2 speakers still sound good so I plan on leaving them alone. In the back I wanted drop in sub boxes like vettenuts sell: http://www.vettenuts.net/index.php?l...t_detail&p=299

But I think their prices are ridiculous so I plan on building my own boxes. I planned on buying 2 10" Alpine subs and an Alpine amp because I have heard good things about them. I want to mount the amp on the slanted down part of the rear center compartment so it is displayed when you open the trunk.

I would like to find the subs for around $60 a piece and just want a decent amp that is cheap and looks nice. Any advice as far as products and mounting options?

 

I am about to do the system in my '03 Z06 and I think we are looking for similar things. I am not looking for an over the top system, just one that sounds better than the Bose (which is super muddy sounding to me.)

I am converting to a double-din Navigation unit, but I haven't decided on the model yet. Double D Mods is currently working on my bezel, or it is in the mail as we speak.

I am going to use a 5-channel amp of some sort. I was leaning towards an Alpine unit as good bang for the buck, but Dennis doesn't like it so I might reconsider.

I plan to add component speakers in the doors and then add basic speakers in the back (maybe upgrade to components there depending on what it is going to cost).

Everyone seems to tell me the best thing to do for a sub is to add one to the center compartment in the trunk. Add a single 10" sub and go from there. That is my plan.

Clearly I am still trying to decide exactly what I want to do, but I expect the above is going to run me around $2,500 installed which is plenty expensive. Going with two subs will increase the cost significantly I would think. I still have 5 weeks or so to finalize things while Dennis gets my bezel done. In the meantime I should be able to button down the rest of my build.

This is what my first potential build looks like (Dennis is doing my bezel instead of my local shop, so ignore that from the quote below.):


Based on your budget, here's a revised quote. Let me know what you think.

1) Pioneer AVIC-X930BT $650 installed
1) Pioneer CDIU-51v Ipod cable $50

parts needed for navigation installation.

1) ROEM-VET1 $50
1) GM Antenna Adapter $15

Sound system - based on the music you listen to, the vehicle you have, and budget. This will be a far better option for about the same amount of money.

1) Front speakers Alpine SPS-60 components $130 (FREE install on Alpine speakers throughout the holidays)
1) Rear speakers Alpine SPS-60 coaxials $100 (FREE install as well)
1) Alpine MRX-V60 5 channel amplifier $350
1) FREE JL Audio XDACS60 ampkit (normally $100 with second set of RCA's)
1) Alpine SWS-1023D subwoofer w/ grille $150

Labor to install equipment, build box, and build navigation kit

$200 for navigation kit (bondo and paint)
$200 for box (custom designed for Vette rear hatch area)
$150 for amplifier installation

$1495 for all parts plus tax, comes out to $1618.33

Labor is non taxable and would be $550 including building your dash kit.

Your total would be $2168.33

 

PLans for DIY center tub box are HERE

Lots of choices for pre-made with or without subs HERE

You only need one well powered 10" in a vette, especially if you're keeping the oem radio/speaker setup up front.

Since you know you're adding a sub, I'd suggest gutting the front speakers and installing a set of 6.5" components in the doors. Get a 4-channel amp and use 1/2 for fronts and bridge 3/4 to sub. The 4ohm Kicker box/sub in the link above, an amp something like this, modest components, and misc cables/adapters would easily run under $600 for a huge improvement over stock.

Contact Dennis (member C5 BearsFan), he can go over what you want and hook you up with everything you need in one box at a great price


Stick with coaxials in the rear, if any at all.

If you replace the radio and amp you do not need any adapters like the roem at all in C5 unless you want to keep RAP functional. Search for GMRAP or Accessory Valet.

$350 for the box/sub combo is way too high IMHO.

 

Thanks for your help guys. The center box is a no-go as that is were nitrous bottle is being mounted. I would like to build sub boxes to go in the corner compartments. 2 10" subs are completely unnecessary for how I will ever use them, but I want them for looks. I would rather have subs on both sides of the trunk and not just one.

I already ordered the 3.5" front speakers, but I could resell them. How do you switch to 6.5" in the front doors?

 

To do components you really need to have an external amp. Easiest way to get signal from oem HU is AOEM-Vet1, run RCA's to new amp, run speaker wires to components mounted on new plates in doors