I have an `82 that I would like to add an amp and upgraded speakers so that I can crank up some of the "Favorite Cruzin' Tunes" that a recent Forum posting whet my appetite for. I'm going to keep the stock digital radio, but Crutchfield recommended the Clarion XC1410 amplifier, which I've ordered. They've also recommended 4 ohm Polk speakers for the front and rear. Their `advisor' said that I would be required to "fabricate an adapter for the rear speakers". No problem, but..

I have two questions for my C3 forum brothers who have maintained a totally `stock' look, but have upgraded their sound:
1.) Without repositioning the existing (2) rear speaker brackets, is there enough rear clearance to accommodate today's typical 6"x9" speaker's larger speaker magnets while `fabricating' a speaker adapter that will push the magnets even further back by about 1/2" (so that the foam speaker surrounds won't hit the back of the OE speaker grill when they vibrate)? This is my main question.
2.) There should be sufficient space to mount the compact Clarion amplifier somewhere near the radio, but has anyone else successfully installed an amp on an `82 with the digital radio without somehow electro-damaging it? Crutchfield says it won't, but I trust you guys a lot more.

Thanks for your insights on one or both of my above questions. Any other "still looks factory" upgrade insights are also welcome. I envy the sound/looks of the custom sound bars and such, but my car is an unmolested, original owner `old garage find' and I want to keep everything original for now.

Dave

p.s. I'm now about 6 mos. into this addictive hobby - does this `high' (or gawd-awful expense) ever end?

 

I'm thinking that you are looking to install speakers in the stock speaker mounts and my 73 doesn't have rear speakers but here is the thread to the custom box that I made. The 6X9 pieces that I made might work for you. Check it out.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...r-my-73-a.html

 

Thanks. Yes, I do want to keep everything stock-looking, using the existing brackets and grills installed by GM. Only I will know that the speakers are upgraded, assuming this is possible

 

Yes, immediately after your funeral.

 

My 80 has the optional rear speakers. I purchased a pair of stock covers and mounted my replacement speakers on the front sides of those. Surgery was required, but that was the purpose of the extra pair of covers. Those, in turn, mounted to the stock brackets.

 

Lakeside 49 - I just this week installed some Kicker 6 x 9 speakers in the rear factory grills. There was NOT enough clearance in the inboard side of the speakers. This was due to the retracable cargo cover brackets being in the way. I removed the cargo cover so my new speakers would fit.

A better option would be a speaker enclosure. I'm not ready to upgrade to an amp and subwoofer yet. I'm sinking all of my money into a new motor that I'm building. But this is what I've been looking at...http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVROLET-CHEVY-CORVETTE-C3-68-82-8-6X9-BLACK-SUBWOOFER-SUB-ENCLOSURE-BOX/310605532369?_trksid=p2046732.m2060&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D4320989644529397630%26pid%3D100040%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D281068181550%26#ht_2683wt_916
They have other enclosures for no sub or 10" sub also. Brightstar Car Audio.

 

i have had a hard time finding 6x9's that will directly replace the factory ones in the back. Usually the new mounting pattern comes outside of the factory brackets, in regards to amp mounting i have a small amp and ipod controller mounted behind the radio in the center console. plenty of room if you take your time, i them ran an ipod plug in cord through my glove box and keep it in there while controlling through the head unit. Would love to see other answers on possible new direct replacement speakers for the back though.

 

For a long time, there were no direct factory replacements. IIRC, they are now being reproduced. I believe I saw them in the ZIP catalogue.

 

Adding a box does nothing to the originality since the box just sits there, take it out an wham, back to normal, mine is not even bolted in anywhere.

 

Not at all trying to tell you what to do but your speaker box could kill you in an accident. Food for thought.

 

Only if I were riding in the back with it. It won't even fit between the seat and the tops. But so be it if it does, gotta go some way. I ride a motorcycle aggressively too, and skydive so if I worried about every little thing that could kill me then I would have to drastically change my lifestyle, I am not ready to do that quite yet. Speaking of food , I'm hungry......

BTW----I spent quite a while in Mt Airy in 96 overhauling the telephone central office system and surrounding sattelites. Nice place, bad BBQ but nice folks. And what a beautiful area! Even got a haircut at Floyd's! Then went on to Sylar City for a spell. NC is a beautiful place for sure.

 

Thanks, guys. I'm not wanting this to turn into a `box' debate - to each his own, some look professionally done and I imagine the sound quality is pretty incredible. I personally do not want one due to maximum cargo room needed for T-Tops which are already tight back there as I'm fairly tall and need the seats fully back. There are always trade-offs. I want to keep mine fully stock as it has miraculously remained for 32 years, and desire to remain so on my watch - but, with better sound and power from new speakers using the original radio. Pleasants9 has come closest to answering my question - that was a helpful lead but the Zip rear speaker offering doesn't have the upgraded wattage-handling I need, or the coaxial design for the better sound. I'm not that old but my days of cranking 300+ watts for the effect are officially over, I just want higher quality sound from more than the stock radio's power output. I would just like to know if there is sufficient rear-ward (between speakers and back panel) clearance for today's larger speaker magnets, soas to install upgraded (not as high as Kicker's performance) 6x9 speakers. I can easily handle fabricating an adapter with the different attaching screw pattern, assuming there is room remaining for both the adapter and the newer speaker magnets. Sounds like I might have to figure this one out on my own as soon as it gets out of storage this Spring, but if you know from tried & true experience, pls let me know. Thanks. Dave

 

I thought you might be the type to throw caution to the wind.

BTW, if your ever back in town we got some good BBQ now, Little Richard's on 52.