Hi
Thanks for adding me to the forums.
I have a 97 C5 coming to Australia..

Just a few questions on changing the radio unit to a double din system.
Is there any double din units that will fit in the spot of the original unit ? To get a double din bezel to Australia I’m looking at big dollars.
Is a extra wiring harness needed for the new unit or can the old radio wires just be cut and used ?

Do the original speakers sound any good with upgraded systems?

Also thinking of front and rear dash cams is there a issue with the rear dash cam being a curved window?

Thanks Pete

 

Welcome to the forum Pete. For a double DIN unit, you need a Metra center console with the correct size opening. Otherwise for the stock console, you can use the single DIN Joying 8.8 unit that has a screen size very close to 1.5 DIN. I am undertaking this project myself as well. The thread below is the defacto standard for this project and contains tons of info. You will need an adapter to make everything work, like the Axxess.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...c5-mostly.html

 

Thanks for the reply and information Chris.

 

Adding to the info chrisf00 provided, any of the rear view cameras I am familiar with that work with a radio display are cameras mounted on the rear of the car, typically attached to the license plate frame. Since the camera is outside the car, the rear window curvature is not a factor. There are some front/rear view cameras that display on a rear view mirror. The ones I have seen still use an external rear view camera (mounted on your license plate frame), so again curvature of the window is not an issue. There used to be (and may still be), some of these mirror based rear view cameras that were a part of the inside mirror itself. Since the curvature of the rear window does not affect a C5s regular mirror, it probably would not affect the mirror mounted camera, but that would be question best asked of the manufacturer or vendor.
Best wishes with your quest. We have front and rear cameras in our C5 and really appreciate them.

 

Cheers on your information also

I was talking about front & rear dash cameras not the reverse camera that hooks to the radio unit.

I’m thinking of getting all cameras but was thinking a rear dash camera might not work with the curved rear window..

 

I undertook this project myself but I am a professional commercial audio tech by trade. I run and terminate wires all day.
Although you do not need to be a pro to do this job, a knowledge in audio systems goes a long way.
I did the whole thing- I replaced everything from top to bottom. The final product was insane!!!
I am not sure how easily you can source electronics where you live, But my final cost was about $ 1200 - $ 1300

- Pioneer head unit. I opted for the 2770NEX for wireless android auto and apple car play
- Metra double din kit.
- Axxess wiring kit. There are other brands, but you will need these adaptors even if you are not using the factory speakers. It retains the sub function if you do, but it mostly it retains the factory power turn on function.
- 4 6.5" JBL 180W speakers. I used door speaker adaptors I sourced from Amazon to fit the 6.5" speakers in the door
- the 6.5" speakers in the rear drop right in. No adaptors needed.
- 1 12" Subwoofer 600W in a C5 enclosure - drop in the center trunk hole and go!
- re-wired the entire car.
- Added and XM module and rear camera
- installed a 5 channel 2000W Pioneer amplifier mounted to the rear firewall.
- Note: Never ever cut the factory wiring- always use adaptor kits even if you are using the factory speakers. don't cut anything.
- I also had a body shop spray the Metra bezel with a medium gloss finish to match the interior. It turned out very nice.

C5s are one of the easier cars to run wires through. All panels are easy to remove and plenty of space to hide wires through the trims.
There are videos on Youtube to install or remove just about anything on a C5 audio system. Have fun.

 

https://vettenuts.net/vettenuts-97-0...free-shipping/

This place is another source for the double din bezel. Better quality in my opinion but more expensive.

 

I looked at this and was not a fan of the design.
It basically leaves the HVAC and lower parts in their place and thins out the top and middle bars of the bezel to make the DD radio fit.
That made the radio and the HVAC unit too close together IMHO. But yes, it is a better quality because it is still a factory bezel.
It also retains the lighter door. I was never a fan of it.

 

If you go with a DD, I highly recommend the alipine ilx650. It's literally half the depth of other double dins, and you can get a 450watt amp that straps to the back of it .
here's a link (cheaper on amazon):
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_700650...p-Package.html

This thing is really ingenious.. it's TINY and super light.. nd the depth is insanely shallow (2.5 inches without the add on amp, even with the add on amp, it's still shallower than most DD hed units) ... the unit is $300. You can also buy an 400watt (50 watts rms per channel) amp that literally attaches to the back of the unit.. so, no wires to run. The amp is not earth shattering-- the head unit drives at a pretty standard 17watts, the 400 watt amps is a noticeable improvement over the head unit.










On speakers--- I highly recommend changing the speakers when you do this upgrade. The speakers in the c5 are *terrible*
It's not a big deal, but there are a ton of write-ups in the fourm on how to do it.

Also-- though it's not for me-- consider the joying unit. Do a search on it, there's a massive thread on it, which should still be on the first page. It's an android-based head unit, and fits into the stock opening.

 

Thanks guys for all the help I will have a professional car audio guy fitting all the gear but will pass on all the information you guys have given.

 

Hey guys just wondering how do you load the C5 badge graphic onto your unit once installed and where do you find these graphics like this one ? Does it show up once the car starts also without icons of apps blocking the image ? Thanks…

 

depends on the unit. Some units allow you to do it, some dont.

 

Moving to Audio/Electronics section for additional comments.

 

Hey Pete, this is Pete. Welcome to the forum. One thing I suggest is to buy a quality head unit i.e. Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony, Alpine etc. and spend the money to get all the features you want, like you mentioned adding the C5 badge to the display, also one that has multiple camera inputs. I know you mentioned a dash cam, but I suggest a front camera mounted at the front of the car (which can help in avoiding front end damage from hitting curb stops), and a backup camera mounted at the back which is really handy for backing up. If you want the ability to record the video, you could incorporate a cheap 12V DVR into your system, I did that with my front camera and have the ability to play back the video on my head unit, should I be involved in an accident that wasn't my fault, I'll have video proof.

 

Hi Pete

Thanks for the advice yes I will be buying a good brand unit I’m a big fan of Pioneer gear.

 

So am I, been buying Pioneer equipment for years, never had any problems with them, the only reason I changed them out is to keep up with the technology.