can someone please tell me a reputable place where i can go to get my factory stereo replaced with a kenwood navigation head unit on my C6 in Bergen County New Jersey, im looking to get all the bells and whistles, like the rear back up camera, ipod connector , and V1 radar in the rear view mirror.... i just dont know who i can trust with my baby...and also is the KENWOOD units good for the C6?? . thanks

 

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audio-electronics-20/

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/northeast-40/

 

took mine to worldwide stereo very happy with mine. kenwood 9140

 

thank you, that answers the question about the kenwood , but i still need an installer thats familiar with the C6 in northern NJ

 

where is WORLDWIDE STEREO ?

 

It's an easy install. I did mine but i am sure any stereo shop can set you up. The mystique of the corvette is true under the hood and in the tranny and rear end. but the radio "head Unit" behind the console... not so much. Your baby just ain't that complicated.

 

I suggest reading some of the posts over at kenwoodforums.com particularly on the 9140. There have been some minor issues reported that you should at least know before buying one. Most of the issues are with the unit being somewhat slow to respond. I have a DNX6140 and DNX5120 and have had no issues with the 6140 but had some with the 5120 that a fw upgrade solved.

I agree that the install is as basic as car audio installs go. The biggest issues are related to removing the stock shifter mostly. You'll need an integration module and there are quite a few out there. My only advice is stick with the Peripheral model modules. The Metra modules for teh Corvette are real garbage and most people that have done multiple installs will agree. Make sure the installer does not sell you crap that you don't need. If all you want is a new head unit then the only things you'll also need are the integration module (and possibly the chime module),possibly a ground loop isolator which is sometimes needed to stop noise that often accompanies the factory amps when installing an aftermarket HU, and the antenna adapter. You don't need a Clean Sweep or any other equalization products so don't get bullied into buying one of those. If the installer insists you need one then go somewhere else as he is either very misinformed or just trying to sell you something you don't need.

One last piece of advice, if you are going to have the unit installed by a professional I always advise working with the installer for the best price on the parts but let the installer buy the parts. This way if there is a problem down the line it is the installers problem to resolve. If you buy the parts and then take them to the installer the installer can blame the parts for the issue and since he did not purchase them you could be left having to pay to remove the part, dealer with the manufacturer to repair it and then paying again to have it reinstalled. It also can get into a finger pointing match as to whether the issue is parts related or install related.

Get everything in writing so there is no miscommunication later.

 

great !! thank you all so much.... as easy as it seems to install it yourself, i'd feel better if it was done by a pro, and if there is a problem they can figure it out ... i installed a few stereos in my lifetime and the last one i did it took me all weekend and than afterwards i had a problem and still had to take it to a place to get fixed for me, so after that i swore to myself that im not gonna bother anymore... ill just pay someone to do it right from the start..... i did have the 6140 in mind, for one , among other functions, i feel more comfortable with a **** for volume control that i can turn rather than buttons , and the fact that you suggest it reassures me that thats the right unit, .. as far as the sound i got no problem with the way the factory unit sounds, and had no plans to get new speakers, but after reading some of these threads im thinking otherwise, i can always have them changed in the future.. i just want the navigation, the ipod and the rear view camera... as far as the place to have it done... i stoped by a few here in north jersey and when i ask for an estimate and tell them that its a C6 vette , most of these kids just SIGHHHHH and say wow... so that doesnt leave a warm fuzzy feeling in me to trust them with my car.....i guess ill have to just keep looking....

 

It's not very complicated to install, but you do want to make sure the shop knows what they're doing. Lots of owners have had stereos installed only to find out (after a couple of attempts to fix) that the shop installing the stereo didn't know A) there's a stock amplifier in the Vette, and B) you have to use a chime adapter, and can't just replace the stock head unit.

The installer makes all the difference... find someone with some experience, and it never hurts to have a specific list when you hand the car over. Make sure they:

• Use a chime adapter like the Peripheral GMCO (about $85) to maintain the stock car chime functions
• Connect the aftermarket unit to the stock amplifier (or bypass the amplifier if you prefer)
• ideally use a harness adapter to connect to the factory wiring

If they answer "huh?" to any of those requests, they're gonna have problems with the install.

Alternately, you can ask them:

• Will the install affect the stock chimes?
• Is there an amplifier in the car already?
• How will they connect the stereo to the stock wiring?

(the issue with the harness adapter isn't a dealbreaker, as some very good shops prefer to wire directly into the stock wiring... but the installer should know what he's going to do).

 

awesome..!! good stuff !! thank you