Changing stereo system. Need advice.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: irmo sc
Changing stereo system. Need advice.
Want to change the stereo (radio & cassette) system in my '86 convertible. I know the system is intergrated, so speakers would have to be changed also. Any advice on a good sound (radio & cd) system for that model corvette. Is it possible to put a cd changer in this type corvette since it has no truck? How would this change affect the value of the car w/ the sound system not being one of the original parts. I want to keep everything as original as possible.
Gimme some help. [IMG][/IMG] :confused: :chevy :skep:
Gimme some help. [IMG][/IMG] :confused: :chevy :skep:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (singrav)
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (singrav)
singrav wrote:
"Is it possible to put a cd changer in this type corvette since it has no trunk?
Another option is if you're ok with a 6 disk CD changer, you can fit one vertically behind the passenger seat. If you use a model with an RF modulator, then you can also leave the stock stereo alone as the RF modulator/CD changer plugs into the antenna cable and then "broadcasts" to an unused FM frequency on your radio. A few people on the Forum have done this and been happy with it. A few others have said that the sound quality left a little to be desired. It's looks like a pretty easy install though, at least on my car (radio receiver wiring and antenna cable accessible in storage compartment behind the passenger seat). I picked up a two year old Clarion CD changer and RF modulator on eBay for about $70 and that's what I'll be doing sometime this week...
[Modified by tobijohn, 6:38 PM 8/25/2003]
"Is it possible to put a cd changer in this type corvette since it has no trunk?
Another option is if you're ok with a 6 disk CD changer, you can fit one vertically behind the passenger seat. If you use a model with an RF modulator, then you can also leave the stock stereo alone as the RF modulator/CD changer plugs into the antenna cable and then "broadcasts" to an unused FM frequency on your radio. A few people on the Forum have done this and been happy with it. A few others have said that the sound quality left a little to be desired. It's looks like a pretty easy install though, at least on my car (radio receiver wiring and antenna cable accessible in storage compartment behind the passenger seat). I picked up a two year old Clarion CD changer and RF modulator on eBay for about $70 and that's what I'll be doing sometime this week...
[Modified by tobijohn, 6:38 PM 8/25/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 279
From: Portugal
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (tobijohn)
Have you seen the "pods unite" commercial for the new Volkswagen Beetle? I'm waiting to see if they come up with that technology for other cars. They use the MP3 files. That way, you could store hundreds or thousands of songs in the stereo with no CDs to deal with. I'd think that's where retro stereos would be headed in the next few years.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 4
From: Tracy CA
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (daddvi)
Corvettes run double din. All C-4s. I wish someone made one that looked good. They're all so Hong Kong design with flashing LEDs, and bouncy light effects.
Conservative, big buttons, black, and CD on top - then I'll buy one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (singrav)
I'm skipping the CD changer and going with a DIN sized CD/MP3 player that supports text. I can store ~150 songs on a single CD in the MP3 format. I'm making custom brackets to fit DIN and a custom faceplate, but for my Vette I've got the time. A little Brown Bread insulation, CDT CL-61 on each corner and a RockFos 4X85W amp should fix those Delco/Blose blues. Oh, yea, XFM radio too.
Eric
Eric
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (mitchcole)
Just saw this on ebay...
[img]Factory[/img]
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2428556336
Whoever bought that is gonna be pissed. I had that unit in my jeep. It's din and a half not double. It's too short by about 0.5".
Corvettes run double din. All C-4s. I wish someone made one that looked good. They're all so Hong Kong design with flashing LEDs, and bouncy light effects.
Conservative, big buttons, black, and CD on top - then I'll buy one.
[img]Factory[/img]
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2428556336
Whoever bought that is gonna be pissed. I had that unit in my jeep. It's din and a half not double. It's too short by about 0.5".
Corvettes run double din. All C-4s. I wish someone made one that looked good. They're all so Hong Kong design with flashing LEDs, and bouncy light effects.
Conservative, big buttons, black, and CD on top - then I'll buy one.
84-89 vettes are din and a half. NOT double din.
That unit is a perfect fit. Thats also awy too high a price for that unit.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,302
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (mitchcole)
Whoever bought that is gonna be pissed. I had that unit in my jeep. It's din and a half not double. It's too short by about 0.5".
Corvettes run double din. All C-4s. I wish someone made one that looked good. They're all so Hong Kong design with flashing LEDs, and bouncy light effects.
Conservative, big buttons, black, and CD on top - then I'll buy one.
Corvettes run double din. All C-4s. I wish someone made one that looked good. They're all so Hong Kong design with flashing LEDs, and bouncy light effects.
Conservative, big buttons, black, and CD on top - then I'll buy one.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 0
From: Yakima WA
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (singrav)
I have a full Rockford Fosgate system, too include, CD head unit, 12 inch HE-2 subwoofer, custom boxed and ported, 2 - 6x9 3-way rear speakers in stock vette slots/w stock covers, 2 tweeters, 2 5" mids, both in door panels, after-market covers, and dynamat throughout, to dampen resonance. The system wasn't cheap, but it definately sounds wonderful, no matter what kind of music you listen too.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (dtorc4)
Um, no. C-4 Vettes (most modern Chevy's, actually) are 1 1/2 DIN. The only make I can think of off the top of my head that's double DIN is Toyota. If my Vette was Double DIN, I would have one helluva head unit/processor setup in the dash right now.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield MO
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (singrav)
I changed my corvette's stereo, adding amp is a tricky thing, because sometimes the corvette doesn't like the additional load on the alternator. I have a 88 hardtop, in the back I have Pioneer 4-way, and in the door Pioneer 3-way, and in the top dash pioneer 2-way. I have the 4-way and 3-Way on a 4 channel amp, and 75x4, and I have a box I built for the back, with 2 12" sony subs, on a 800 watt amp, 400 x 2. The amps are sony, and I have a pioneer 7500 MP, in the day. I am very happy with my system, and do not have any additional battery or capacitor, and my car starts, and idles fine. :party:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 9
From: Rochelle Illinois
C6 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (Locke434)
I have that unit thats on e-bay in my 85 and fits perfect except the thing is such a tight fit that the face plate won't come off. I got mine for $175 on ebay. Not a bad choice if you can find one cheap enough.That is one of the few choices we have with the din and a half opening in the early c-4's.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 1
From: New Albany IN
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'06-'08-'09
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (silver & red CE)
I'm skipping the CD changer and going with a DIN sized CD/MP3 player that supports text. I can store ~150 songs on a single CD in the MP3 format. I'm making custom brackets to fit DIN and a custom faceplate, but for my Vette I've got the time. A little Brown Bread insulation, CDT CL-61 on each corner and a RockFos 4X85W amp should fix those Delco/Blose blues. Oh, yea, XFM radio too.
Eric
Eric
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (Bruthish)
Just stay AWAY from the MP3 JENSEN models...worked fine until about 2 months and now the volume won't stay up and it won't stay off. Jensen has no support for it and everyone has the same problems......
Eric
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,203
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (daddvi)
That Same radio is under 300 in the MAD catalog.
Go to http://Doctordorns.com Nice stuff.
[Modified by Southern Comfort, 6:47 AM 8/27/2003]
[Modified by Southern Comfort, 6:47 AM 8/27/2003]
Go to http://Doctordorns.com Nice stuff.
[Modified by Southern Comfort, 6:47 AM 8/27/2003]
[Modified by Southern Comfort, 6:47 AM 8/27/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 1
From: Meadville PA
Re: Changing stereo system. Need advice. (singrav)
i just ripped out my blows system and went with an aftermarket system.. here is what i used ... i used a pioneer am/fm/cd deh 46h headunit.. then ran two 4x6 infinity kappa plate speakers number 462.3 and installed them into the grills in the dash..tight but they fit.. as for the doors i used two infinity kappa 63.5 speakers... this allready sounded way better than my bose after that i installed two rockford rfz3808 8 inch subs in the rear where the stock speakers were they fit nicely and am poering those with a profile clarus 600m amp!! these sounds great and really makes a stock system sound like :U and best of all it looks goods as it sounds :cheers:
