ripping out audio system
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 157
From: Miami, FL
ripping out audio system
Look what I found in my '70.... The PO spent a fortune on this audio system back in '88 but it is not working right. I get a ton of engine noise and there must be loose connections so when I hit bumps it gets more static. I've decided I would rather have the empty space and prefer to go with the stock radio since this car is so original anyway. Check out the pics of this system. I'd like to know what half this stuff is. They used Monster cables for some of it. I just hope I can at least use the front speakers. It sounds really nice when the engine is not running.
What do you guys think?
Greg
What do you guys think?
Greg
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 39
From: Denver, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
the monster cables were to the "subs". im sure nothin was harmed. if you can help it, i would run monster all through the car, as it will help to eliminate alot of noise. if your just goin stock radio with two front speakers though... probably completly unnecessary
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
That was probably $3,000. ADS was not cheap and only available from high end dealers. Use it if you can. The cs642 is a crossover for the subs. The two black crosovers are for the two ways.
Last edited by spedaleden; May 13, 2008 at 07:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 157
From: Miami, FL
Thanks guys. I'm probably going to let my son play around with it. I'll keep the front speakers in the dash. I don't even know what a crossover is. I know this was a nice system but it sure was not doing too well at this age.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 157
From: Miami, FL
A little more advice needed. I have all the rear speakers out and still pulling wires. In the battery compartment there are two rubber tubes coming up from underneath going nowhere. What are these for? Am I missing something? Also, the hole in the bottom center: is this for wires to come through or just a drain hole? I can't see too good down there but it looks like a couple wires were cut and left in there. Could be just crud.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 157
From: Miami, FL
Guys,
I've ripped out the after market audio system except for the front speakers. I have the original radio and speakers to put back in, but I would like to try the speakers that were upgraded. I just don't know how to figure out compatibility. How can I determine the resistance of the installed speakers? I think they are 4 ohm each. They have separate leads, so there are actually two on each side (mid-range and tweeter I assume). Will the stock radio drive these? If two are wired together as one is the resistance additive?
I've ripped out the after market audio system except for the front speakers. I have the original radio and speakers to put back in, but I would like to try the speakers that were upgraded. I just don't know how to figure out compatibility. How can I determine the resistance of the installed speakers? I think they are 4 ohm each. They have separate leads, so there are actually two on each side (mid-range and tweeter I assume). Will the stock radio drive these? If two are wired together as one is the resistance additive?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I think making them work would be difficult. You'll likely need a crossover on each to power those speakers, and even if you do wire them in series for an 8 OHM load the RMS handling of those will probably be twice to three times what the output of the stock radio is.
Using those speakers with that little of an output will probably sound worse than stock speakers.
I suggest removing them, installing the stock speakers, and putting the ADS stuff up for sale.
Using those speakers with that little of an output will probably sound worse than stock speakers.
I suggest removing them, installing the stock speakers, and putting the ADS stuff up for sale.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
Get a new center gauge bezel - save the old - put in a new radio/CD use two 4 x 6 pioneer speakers in dash. Option to put 4 x6 pioneer in back also. On my '70 I get no static whatsoever with new radio/CD - with FM you only need 2-3 of wire. NOTE - all that chrome stuff in the engine compartment was to block AM radio only.
(You can get a center gauge bezel with the radio cut out - then I spent about $99 at pep boys for the din - modern radio. Speakers were about $35 per pair). I'm not an audio nut but just like to listen to nice static free tunes.
(You can get a center gauge bezel with the radio cut out - then I spent about $99 at pep boys for the din - modern radio. Speakers were about $35 per pair). I'm not an audio nut but just like to listen to nice static free tunes.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The original Delco radio had a 10 ohm output impedence. You need to have at least 8 ohms on it to keep from burning out the amp. You can get 8 ohms with speakers by getting one 8 ohm speaker or hooking two 4 ohm speakers in series. The high-powered speakers in the front (probably well over 100Watt capacity) are too inefficient to work properly with a 14 watt Delco amp. You need to replace them with speakers that will handle around 30 watts or so. You also need to replace the original speakers [even if they still work] because the cones are probably toast...and because new speakers are much better quality than what GM put in the cars from the factory.
I reinstalled a Delco stereo head and wired 4 ohm tweeters in the dash with 4 ohm mid/bass speakers added to the kickpanels. Each pair (right/left sides) was wired in series to give me 8 ohms total. The system works well. It isn't going to impress any "boom-box" fans; but you should do what works for you. [Trying to get quality sound inside a C3 cockpit with the prevailing engine and road noise is pretty futile, I think.]
I reinstalled a Delco stereo head and wired 4 ohm tweeters in the dash with 4 ohm mid/bass speakers added to the kickpanels. Each pair (right/left sides) was wired in series to give me 8 ohms total. The system works well. It isn't going to impress any "boom-box" fans; but you should do what works for you. [Trying to get quality sound inside a C3 cockpit with the prevailing engine and road noise is pretty futile, I think.]
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I disagree. It's actually not very hard at all. However, modify that statement to include stock components, and you're spot on.
Also, this, is a boom box...
This, is a quality car stereo in a C3 that is quite easy to hear and enjoy over road noise even on a highway.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
But you have to crank it up to 100 db in order to 'blank out' the car/road noise. Downside is loss of hearing, can't hear emergency vehicles; positive side...can't hear wife cussing you out for having stereo too loud! 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
See, that's an assumption too. I think going 70 on a highway with the tops off requires maybe half volume on my head unit. Without a meter, I would guess around 80 dB with a mild track in the CD player.
I'm not saying anything is wrong with a stock system, well except for the static and low volume...my point is that a good stereo system, that doesn't have to be nothing but bass, is entirely possible with minimal changes to the interior.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 157
From: Miami, FL
Good input, guys. But my focus is to return this car to stock (I may even keep th GM speakers). If I want a sound system I'll buy a portable - could use one anyway. I have all the original gear and just considering using the high end speakers so I don't have to get that deep into the dash (on the drivers side). I guess I'll just bench test the stock speakers then decide.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 157
From: Miami, FL
The original Delco radio had a 10 ohm output impedence. You need to have at least 8 ohms on it to keep from burning out the amp. You can get 8 ohms with speakers by getting one 8 ohm speaker or hooking two 4 ohm speakers in series. The high-powered speakers in the front (probably well over 100Watt capacity) are too inefficient to work properly with a 14 watt Delco amp. You need to replace them with speakers that will handle around 30 watts or so. You also need to replace the original speakers [even if they still work] because the cones are probably toast...and because new speakers are much better quality than what GM put in the cars from the factory.
I reinstalled a Delco stereo head and wired 4 ohm tweeters in the dash with 4 ohm mid/bass speakers added to the kickpanels. Each pair (right/left sides) was wired in series to give me 8 ohms total. The system works well. It isn't going to impress any "boom-box" fans; but you should do what works for you. [Trying to get quality sound inside a C3 cockpit with the prevailing engine and road noise is pretty futile, I think.]
I reinstalled a Delco stereo head and wired 4 ohm tweeters in the dash with 4 ohm mid/bass speakers added to the kickpanels. Each pair (right/left sides) was wired in series to give me 8 ohms total. The system works well. It isn't going to impress any "boom-box" fans; but you should do what works for you. [Trying to get quality sound inside a C3 cockpit with the prevailing engine and road noise is pretty futile, I think.]