That's gonna sound great...
I'm in
C5 Coupe Audio Build Thread
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 24
From: Selma, NC
C5 Coupe Audio Build Thread
The parts are coming together, and I can't wait to get started on this install. Just need the 12w6 and wiring to come in 
May still be 2 weeks out before I can get any hands on work done, but I'll keep this updated with the progress. I almost want to skip the beach trip next weekend to get started
May still be 2 weeks out before I can get any hands on work done, but I'll keep this updated with the progress. I almost want to skip the beach trip next weekend to get started
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Keep us posted as you go along.
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
Very keen to see wip photos and such. I've already got a double din HU in my '01, and I've got a pretty badass amp sitting around. Been holding off on getting the speakers (focals were what I was planning to get, too) until I was ready to spend the time and money on the 'full upgrade'.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,825
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
I hope you've done plenty of research in the C5 Audio section. Do yourself a huge favor and print out the schematics for the stock wiring. There are some things in there that can save you a heap of trouble. For instance, I got my 12v switched directly from a wire that comes off the ignition switch. I skinned some of the wire sheath back, wrapped my HU switched wire around the copper, soldered it on, then wrapped with electrical tape.
I ran my own 16 ga wire for my speakers (Focal 3 ways). It wasn't too bad once I found the route. The worst part for me was cutting and trimming my door bezels for the 6.5" midbass and the 4" midrange for the doors. Dremel put in some work for that!
Mounting my tweeters in the A-pillars "about 2 inches above the steering wheel hump in the dash and aimed right at each other" was advised, so that's what I did. I've got them surface mounted right now, rather than spending money on custom modified A-pillars.
My friend built a box for my 12w6 that fits in the center rear storage. I've got to redo it because it was rushed and doesn't fit, although it sounds fine. I also have the same 900-5 amp. Does a fine job. Plenty of power to drive the sub.
I took my seats and carpet out and did the dynamat extreme across the back, driver and passenger floors, behind the door speakers, and across the halo. Rattle mitigation is a bey-otch!!! I ended up taking off the license plate assembly and putting some dynamat behind it, even put some inside the fuel filler door.
Take your time and don't rush it. It's hard to keep calm, especially when you get it all apart and start freaking out because of some minor but crucial detail. Just keep at it, keep studying the schematics, and you'll get there.
Good luck and rock on!
I ran my own 16 ga wire for my speakers (Focal 3 ways). It wasn't too bad once I found the route. The worst part for me was cutting and trimming my door bezels for the 6.5" midbass and the 4" midrange for the doors. Dremel put in some work for that!
Mounting my tweeters in the A-pillars "about 2 inches above the steering wheel hump in the dash and aimed right at each other" was advised, so that's what I did. I've got them surface mounted right now, rather than spending money on custom modified A-pillars.
My friend built a box for my 12w6 that fits in the center rear storage. I've got to redo it because it was rushed and doesn't fit, although it sounds fine. I also have the same 900-5 amp. Does a fine job. Plenty of power to drive the sub.
I took my seats and carpet out and did the dynamat extreme across the back, driver and passenger floors, behind the door speakers, and across the halo. Rattle mitigation is a bey-otch!!! I ended up taking off the license plate assembly and putting some dynamat behind it, even put some inside the fuel filler door.
Take your time and don't rush it. It's hard to keep calm, especially when you get it all apart and start freaking out because of some minor but crucial detail. Just keep at it, keep studying the schematics, and you'll get there.
Good luck and rock on!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 24
From: Selma, NC
I hope you've done plenty of research in the C5 Audio section. Do yourself a huge favor and print out the schematics for the stock wiring. There are some things in there that can save you a heap of trouble. For instance, I got my 12v switched directly from a wire that comes off the ignition switch. I skinned some of the wire sheath back, wrapped my HU switched wire around the copper, soldered it on, then wrapped with electrical tape.
I ran my own 16 ga wire for my speakers (Focal 3 ways). It wasn't too bad once I found the route. The worst part for me was cutting and trimming my door bezels for the 6.5" midbass and the 4" midrange for the doors. Dremel put in some work for that!
Mounting my tweeters in the A-pillars "about 2 inches above the steering wheel hump in the dash and aimed right at each other" was advised, so that's what I did. I've got them surface mounted right now, rather than spending money on custom modified A-pillars.
My friend built a box for my 12w6 that fits in the center rear storage. I've got to redo it because it was rushed and doesn't fit, although it sounds fine. I also have the same 900-5 amp. Does a fine job. Plenty of power to drive the sub.
I took my seats and carpet out and did the dynamat extreme across the back, driver and passenger floors, behind the door speakers, and across the halo. Rattle mitigation is a bey-otch!!! I ended up taking off the license plate assembly and putting some dynamat behind it, even put some inside the fuel filler door.
Take your time and don't rush it. It's hard to keep calm, especially when you get it all apart and start freaking out because of some minor but crucial detail. Just keep at it, keep studying the schematics, and you'll get there.
Good luck and rock on!
I ran my own 16 ga wire for my speakers (Focal 3 ways). It wasn't too bad once I found the route. The worst part for me was cutting and trimming my door bezels for the 6.5" midbass and the 4" midrange for the doors. Dremel put in some work for that!
Mounting my tweeters in the A-pillars "about 2 inches above the steering wheel hump in the dash and aimed right at each other" was advised, so that's what I did. I've got them surface mounted right now, rather than spending money on custom modified A-pillars.
My friend built a box for my 12w6 that fits in the center rear storage. I've got to redo it because it was rushed and doesn't fit, although it sounds fine. I also have the same 900-5 amp. Does a fine job. Plenty of power to drive the sub.
I took my seats and carpet out and did the dynamat extreme across the back, driver and passenger floors, behind the door speakers, and across the halo. Rattle mitigation is a bey-otch!!! I ended up taking off the license plate assembly and putting some dynamat behind it, even put some inside the fuel filler door.
Take your time and don't rush it. It's hard to keep calm, especially when you get it all apart and start freaking out because of some minor but crucial detail. Just keep at it, keep studying the schematics, and you'll get there.
Good luck and rock on!
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 24
From: Selma, NC
Well, got most of the install done Saturday and today, despite the less than desirable weather - this is May, correct? 
Overall things went fairly smooth, spliced into fuse 22 for switched power, ran full 16 gauge wire for the speakers, door plates worked without too much effort.
(Apologies for not many pics of the Amp/Stereo portion, that was done from about 1am - 6am, and the lighting was not too great)
Focal Components
JL 900/5 HD (mounted behind passenger seat)
Pioneer source unit - the trim ring was lost in translation somewhere, have to pick up a new one from BestBuy next time I'm in)
One headache I did encounter is that the RCA outputs on the back of the Pioneer stereo fit a little too snug and I couldn't fasten the trim ring down. Solved with a line level to RCA converter, but of course I failed to check the gain before reassembly and had to take it all apart again
Haven't tuned the focals much yet, but the already sound phenomenal. Can't wait to see what kind of sound can be pulled out of them.
The wiring and everything is done for the 12w6, just have to build a box sometime this week or coming weekend and get it in.
Overall things went fairly smooth, spliced into fuse 22 for switched power, ran full 16 gauge wire for the speakers, door plates worked without too much effort.
(Apologies for not many pics of the Amp/Stereo portion, that was done from about 1am - 6am, and the lighting was not too great)
Focal Components
JL 900/5 HD (mounted behind passenger seat)
Pioneer source unit - the trim ring was lost in translation somewhere, have to pick up a new one from BestBuy next time I'm in)
One headache I did encounter is that the RCA outputs on the back of the Pioneer stereo fit a little too snug and I couldn't fasten the trim ring down. Solved with a line level to RCA converter, but of course I failed to check the gain before reassembly and had to take it all apart again
Haven't tuned the focals much yet, but the already sound phenomenal. Can't wait to see what kind of sound can be pulled out of them.
The wiring and everything is done for the 12w6, just have to build a box sometime this week or coming weekend and get it in.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I did a full-blown audio overhaul on one of my C5's a while back. A fun but involved project, for sure. I ended up moving the tweeters to the A-pillars as the sound was somewhat muddy with them in the doors. Made a big difference in moving the sound stage forward and up.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audi...-overhaul.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audi...l-install.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audi...-overhaul.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audi...l-install.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 24
From: Selma, NC
Very nice, and really informative pictures. I've only had the vette for a month, so I'm still a little shy to get extremely in depth with it, but that's definitely something i'd like to tackle down the road.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 14
From: Odessa TX
I also recommend finding an a-pillar solution for the tweeters. I have the same speakers mounted in the doors. The lack of clarity is evident when I get into another car with tweeters mounted higher. Just haven't had the time to do a custom mount.