C6 upgrade advice
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,327
Likes: 166
From: Summerton SC
Tech Contributor
Invest the $800 and wait for it to grow to about $5000, then start your upgrade. 
Seriously, $800 would not do much for stock improvement, you need new speakers and amps. A new HU would be a waste w/o ditching the Bose. I'd use the $800 for sound deadening and stock speaker replacement from Dennis at DoubleD ...
Seriously, $800 would not do much for stock improvement, you need new speakers and amps. A new HU would be a waste w/o ditching the Bose. I'd use the $800 for sound deadening and stock speaker replacement from Dennis at DoubleD ...
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
If keeping the oem radio, $800 can do...
DIY ADD-GM24 adapter (see C6 audio sticky) $20
Cubby sub box w/10" sub $400 tops
Bridgeable 4-channel amp $200
Misc wires & amp kit $50
$130 left for 6.5" components in the doors
That would sound pretty good
Save up a bit more to get better components and it will sound great.
Once amp/speakers are done you can decide if you want a new HU while saving for it.
DIY ADD-GM24 adapter (see C6 audio sticky) $20
Cubby sub box w/10" sub $400 tops
Bridgeable 4-channel amp $200
Misc wires & amp kit $50
$130 left for 6.5" components in the doors
That would sound pretty good
Save up a bit more to get better components and it will sound great.
Once amp/speakers are done you can decide if you want a new HU while saving for it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
If keeping the oem radio, $800 can do...
DIY ADD-GM24 adapter (see C6 audio sticky) $20
Cubby sub box w/10" sub $400 tops
Bridgeable 4-channel amp $200
Misc wires & amp kit $50
$130 left for 6.5" components in the doors
That would sound pretty good
Save up a bit more to get better components and it will sound great.
Once amp/speakers are done you can decide if you want a new HU while saving for it.
DIY ADD-GM24 adapter (see C6 audio sticky) $20
Cubby sub box w/10" sub $400 tops
Bridgeable 4-channel amp $200
Misc wires & amp kit $50
$130 left for 6.5" components in the doors
That would sound pretty good
Save up a bit more to get better components and it will sound great.
Once amp/speakers are done you can decide if you want a new HU while saving for it.
good advice.If you increase your budget, it would allow you to go with better components for the fronts. That's the key. Changing from a $200 amp to a $300 amp won't buy you a big improvement in SQ, but going from $130 to $230 components will.
Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 94
Likes: 1
Opinions are more divided on the rear speakers. Those that are going for optimum sound quality and imaging run without rear speakers and put high-quality component in the doors with plenty of power from aftermarket amps. If keeping the factory amps or doing a more basic system replacement, the rear speakers can provide "fill" and boost the volume of the system.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
