replace car stereo 97
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
replace car stereo 97
Hi all,
I was just curious on what fellow vette owners do to deal with the pathedic stock stereo in all of the C-5's. Ive installed a million stereos in the past but that was sorta the old school typical in-dash replacement and amps. But GM blessed us with this somewhat complicated stock stereo, and im not sure whats involved in replacing with modern set up. I would prefer leaving the stock speakers in, but can you do that with typical audio outs of todays typical indash, i can deal with the size issue, can fabricate what ever needed to look attractive in the old slot, but how do i do this with the stock wiring harness and speakers, any help would be appreciated or web sites that might address this. Thanks D. Mann
I was just curious on what fellow vette owners do to deal with the pathedic stock stereo in all of the C-5's. Ive installed a million stereos in the past but that was sorta the old school typical in-dash replacement and amps. But GM blessed us with this somewhat complicated stock stereo, and im not sure whats involved in replacing with modern set up. I would prefer leaving the stock speakers in, but can you do that with typical audio outs of todays typical indash, i can deal with the size issue, can fabricate what ever needed to look attractive in the old slot, but how do i do this with the stock wiring harness and speakers, any help would be appreciated or web sites that might address this. Thanks D. Mann
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Post the question in the audio Forum and you'll get lots of advice. Some real experts there
I fitted the Pioneer AVIC radio/CD/DVD/navigatiopn unit. the latest version is the N3 in the US. Its a good system, fits in the 1.5 DIN space and has a flip out screen. Reasonably complicated to fit but a good audio shop would do it.
You can adapt the wiring with a Soundgate harness to let you use the stock speakers. You'll also need an aerial adaptor.
Plenty of great choices out there.
I fitted the Pioneer AVIC radio/CD/DVD/navigatiopn unit. the latest version is the N3 in the US. Its a good system, fits in the 1.5 DIN space and has a flip out screen. Reasonably complicated to fit but a good audio shop would do it.
You can adapt the wiring with a Soundgate harness to let you use the stock speakers. You'll also need an aerial adaptor.
Plenty of great choices out there.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
sound gate harness
Great, so let me get this straight this can be address with a standard stereo indash, and using the stock gm harness with this Soundgate harness plug in and all stock speakers and wires. Do you have any info on or website for the Soundgate harnesses.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,150
Likes: 4,165
From: Kannapolis NC
I don't know that changing out the head unit and keeping the stock speakers is going to change your sound much, if any. All C5's don't have "pathetic" radios. My 03 sounds great and everyone comments on the great sound. Maybe you have a speaker issue on your 97.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 393
Likes: 1
From: Bryan Tx.
go to the audio section under general corvette and page up pentavolvo or scottfx. there are several guys in there that are straight out guru's on after market and stock additions. they are super friendly and very helpfull. they saved my sanity several times. good luck
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
http://www.soundgate.com/index.php?r...ttitle&way=ASC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 2
From: tampa florida
my 2 cents worth is ditch the whole system and start from scratch. I did a complete install and it was well worth the effort.
Decide what you want and how you will go about getting it. There are a lot of issues to cover and think about. Amp placement, how will you secure them? Sub enclosure and where and how? Do you want o be invasive to the car, ie: cutting and modding? you will need the wiring harness and a dash adapter kit as well. The door speaker area will most likely need a custom bracket, i made my own for the 6.5 ovals. You will need to run wiring and may want to consider the Big 3 upgrade. You may also need a capacitor and/or a upgraded alternator.
I spent 2 months planning and took the span of three weeks to get everything right, wires hidden, etc. Here is what my set up lloks like. I was looking for function first, the form is by no means spectacular but I will tell you it sounds great, and the subs will shake the car quite easily.
Definitely check out the audio section too, lots of talented people there to draw inspiration from. Like others have done, I am already planning out my next audio set up. Good Luck
Decide what you want and how you will go about getting it. There are a lot of issues to cover and think about. Amp placement, how will you secure them? Sub enclosure and where and how? Do you want o be invasive to the car, ie: cutting and modding? you will need the wiring harness and a dash adapter kit as well. The door speaker area will most likely need a custom bracket, i made my own for the 6.5 ovals. You will need to run wiring and may want to consider the Big 3 upgrade. You may also need a capacitor and/or a upgraded alternator.
I spent 2 months planning and took the span of three weeks to get everything right, wires hidden, etc. Here is what my set up lloks like. I was looking for function first, the form is by no means spectacular but I will tell you it sounds great, and the subs will shake the car quite easily.
Definitely check out the audio section too, lots of talented people there to draw inspiration from. Like others have done, I am already planning out my next audio set up. Good Luck
Last edited by Brad@RevXtremeAutoSports; Dec 28, 2006 at 09:40 AM.
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