Ill start by saying I have spent hours searching forum and google. I am one of the resident experts on c5 and c6 stereo systems but havent touched a c4 in ages and never a vert so looking for some help.

Buddy has an 88 vert we are going to do a mild upgrade to.

I assume 6x9s fit a vert in the rear with no mods just like a coupe?

Are there storage bins in the floor like a coupe to hide the amp in, or can someone recommend where I can stash an amp?

Easy spot to snake power wire through?

We have toyed with leaving the bose enclosures in the front doors and just putting a 4" coax in. Can the bose amp wiring harness be accessed from within the enclosure eliminating the need to take entire door apart to get the wires before they run through the amp so I dont have to run new

Thanks a ton

 

The amp in my 91 vert is mounted behind the passenger seat.

 

wire comes through easy on passenger side, there's a grommet that can have the wire shovd through. IIRC.

 

i have an 87 vert and upgraded the radio/speakers. (should be exactly the same on an 88)

yes, 6X9's fit in the back, the holes are in the right place (makes me wonder if they planned on putting 6 X 9's in there originally), just take the speaker box's out and mount 6 X 9's on the metal frame.

you can snake the positive lead through the firewall on the drivers side, if i remember, there is a spot where some other wires come through, and you can squeeze it through, and fish it in front of the door frame.

then i just "tucked it in" under the door trim (I don't even think i had to remove it, you can just shove it in and it stays)

the bolts in the back where the convertible top meet is a great place to ground. only need about 2' of cable.

there is no place for an amp except laying it down in the back. and make sure it (or a subwoofer) stays low otherwise you won't be able to put the convertible top down (ask how i know this!)

as far as the front speakers.

its best to remove the bose speaker and amp, and use the box, you can fit 4" speakers in, or you can mount the speakers on the back-side of the box and 5 1/4's fit. (the hole is big enough for the speaker part to show)

you have to remove them. the best way is to take off the door panel. lay on your back, and on the bottom of the door there is a 10mm bolt that holds the regulator. once you remove it, you can swing the regulator out of the way without removing it, and roll the box out on its side.

its actually pretty easy to do.

if you get stuck, just post here, ill try to help

 

and yes, the existing wires can be used, they come right off before the amp. you just have to match the wires.

 

Depending on the size of amp and if the passenger seat is non powered, under the seat is doable. I have a very large amp under the passenger seat, but it took some trimming of unseen plastic, to make it fit.

 

awesome guys this is the info I was looking for. Im torn between 4" back into stock enclsoures or 5 1/4 on a new baffle

 

its a pain in the neck to do a new baffle, just use the stock enclosure after you take everything out.

use 6 X9 in back, and 5 1/4 in front, just drill a couple holes in the stock enclosure.

you'll understand once you get them out.

 

so 5.25 will be pretty easy to fit in stock enclosure or will I have to hack them up?

 

its been awhile since i did mine, I'm pretty sure i just had to mount them on the back side of the plate. not 100% sure i didn't have to open the hole more, but i don't think so.

you'll know when you get to it. won't be hard, you will have to drill new holes in the enclosure anyway.

 

the enclosure is a lot bigger than you think.

once you get it out, you will understand.

 

also, i believe you have to have the windows in the up position to make more room in the door panel when you swing the regulator out of the way

 

sweet, i assume pulling wire into doors is simple, nothing tricky

 

i used the existing wires.

But I didn't put in an amp, only the subwoofer in the back has an amp.

if your using an amp for the speakers, running wires is going to suck.

the only place you will be able to mount an amp is in the very back, so you have to run the wires all the way back and forward again.

I just used lower RMS speakers to avoid that, and it sounds just fine (you don't need 10,000 watts for a cockpit that small). you can find 20-25 RMS speakers even at best buy (sony's)

Just get a really good head unit (that makes the biggest difference), and a subwoofer (2nd biggest difference). and your friend will be thrilled.

if you feel SUPER ambitious, take the top dashboard off (only 4 screws hold it in) and run 2 more speakers there. there are spots for them you can see it in the corners, but there is nothing there now. but check first, make sure there is enough room under it.

I thought about running new wires, but after looking it over, i determined it wasn't worth it, and in hind-sight, it was the right decision. i wouldn't put an amp in even today.

don't forget, your friends ears will never be more than 2 ft from a speaker, how loud is he really going to get?

so:

1) good head unit
2) new/bigger speakers
3) subwoofer
4) capacitor

and your good to go.

FYI: i used and Infinity Basslink from ebay for a subwoofer (About $150), has a built-in amp and a 10" sub. its ok, and fits great, but i would try to get better.

you likely won't fit bigger than a 10" sub back there anyway, remember, it can't stand too high or you won't be able to close the convertible top. be sure to test that before you screw anything in back there.

 

we are keeping stock headunit and modding it for auxilary input since he wants stock look. Running wires isnt that bad like I said I have done over 50 vettes just havent touched a C4 in a long time.

We will run a 4 channel amp not sure where to put it yet. I want to put 2 8s in place of the rear 6x9s but he isnt sold on it

 

can someone post a pic with top down of the room i have in back

 

ill take a pic of mine, and measure it for you, you have very little room

give me a few min

 

thanks much just trying to figure out where we can put the amp

 

ok here it is, my sub sits up about 9", anything more than 10-11 and the top will not close.

My Back

there is not a lot of room back there, the height being the biggest restriction for a convertible since that whole area is pretty much needed when you put the top down.

there is a lip in the back where you can use the whole area (where my cap is), but its only about 2-3" wide

i forgot to put in the height in back where the cap is, thats 13" but only 10-11 is usable, the hatch has release cables that hand down a couple inches, and you can't get near them or you won't be able to open the rear

keep us posted on how it goes, I'm curious where you will put an amp, and how you ran the wires.

 

and you can't put anything on the wheel wells, the top rests there.

so your pretty much limited to an area about 32 X 18 X 9 to squeeze everything in.