Questions about replacing the stereo in an 89

[SniperXX]

I have been reading the forums for awhile but I havent posted much/ if any, but I need some help now.

Ok well the stereo in my '89 coupe is sounding really bad (my amps in 2 speakers are going). I am sad to see it go but being able to play cds now sounds really nice. I would like to do all the work myself and with 2 friends who know alot about cars. We are all very good with electronics and wiring. Can someone link me to a guide on replaceing the whole stereo/speakers? I want to keep the original speaker grills too but what size speakers will fit? Also any recomendations on good parts to buy but not spending too much money. I also plan to add a subwoofer (I already have the enclosure, amp, and sub).

Any help would be greatly appreciated because I dont want to mess anything up, I love this car.

 

[tcolyer]

You can install a Bose unit from a 96 camaro that has a built in CD. It fits directly into dash looks factory and sounds better than original.


You can also find a replacement amp (check old posts here)

Terry

 

[SniperXX]

I was thinking of a new Bose unit but the prices were more than I really wanted to pay since my friends dad owns a speaker company and will give me a deal. I really just need some help on how to use a new stereo/cd and hook it up. Will I also have to run new wires or will the old ones work?

 

[WhalePirot]

I be looking for this very thing.

my friends dad owns a speaker company and will give me a deal.

Oh, just you? Thanks a bunch. I'd even drive to get great quality at a 'friend' price. Oh heck, I drive to drive the Vette.

I really just need some help on how to use a new stereo/cd and hook it up.

You've seen this, surely?
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=183

Will I also have to run new wires?

Likely; depends on what you install. The old wires carry only a preamp-like level. You know that each speaker enclosure on your Bose system also encloses an amp for that driver, right?

 

[Vettefan87]

I am not sure about the speaker wire but it is like regular speaker wire from what I can see. My brother did not re wire his car when he put his Infinities in and the speakers are very very clear, no crackling or nothing. I would not go rebuild Bose IMO. Bose for these cars suck. I would get Infinity or Pioneer speakers with a good head unit.

 

[tyrel]

For the money you spend on a Bose rebuild you could get a system that sounds ten times better. Pioneer makes a 1.5 din stereo that fits perfectly into the stock opening:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-sm9dzYK8Pux/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?g=52500&avf=N

BTW, Crutchfield is a great site to see what's available, but you can get all that stuff on Ebay for a lot less. I ran all new speaker wire to all four corners. I installed 6.5" Infinity speakers in the doors and 6X9 in the back and they sound great. I have an Audiovox 1.5 din stereo and an Alpine 4-channel amp. I'm really happy with my current setup, but I think my next step is to put two JL Audio 6w0 subwoofers into the rear speaker locations and two 4X6 speakers in the dash.

Anyway, here is a site that came in really handy when I was designing my system. This dude walks you through everything.

http://www.bcae1.com/

 

[nyernga]

Bose makes great HOME systems. Like Tyrel said, for the price of repairing or replacing the bose components, you can get an aftermarket that will sound 10 times better. That's exactly what I did 3 weeks ago. Infinity 6 x 9's in back....4inch rounds in the door and a sony head unit. decible for decible there is no comparison.
I used the existing signal wires. You won't need 3 people helping though. There's only so much room to work and you'll end up butting heads.:bash My only regret is that over the past 4 years I've replaced the bose amps in all four speakers twice. I should have gone aftermarket in the first place. Since you'll use the original speaker covers, nobody will know what's really under them.


Len

 

[tyrel]

Nyernga, I always suspected that the stock speaker wires would be okay to use, but everyone always says to run new speaker wire. If the stock ones are working okay for you, I'm going to remember that for next time.

 

[SniperXX]

Wow thanks for all the quick replys, it really helped me. Ya it will probably be just me and my friend working on the car. We both have all the know how but hes got much more tools. I plan to take a look at a Clarion HU that the local Frys has on sale and get some good/ not too expensive speakers. I will miss the stock look but it sucks hearing the same old stuff on the radio...

 

[nyernga]

I will miss the stock look but it sucks hearing the same old stuff on the radio...

Thats what took me FOUR years to make the change too. But it sure is nice to hear the music when the roof is off and I'm driving 80.

Len

 

[WhalePirot]

Bose makes great HOME systems.

I have to respectfully and strongly disagree with this, but appreciate the other input. I have as much in my home stereo as in my Vette and have a few decades of experience with audiophilia.

Think of it this way: In the Vette system, the components are rather cheap and heavily equalized. In both cases, with a similar approach to sound reproduction, they sound good until you compare them to something else. One has to applaud their marketing, though.

As posted below, I was trying to recall the max size for the door speakers and **presto**; there it was..Thanks!

I plan to take a look at a Clarion HU that the local Frys has on sale and get some good/ not too expensive speakers.

Interesting coincidence. I rarely, but today did, P/U that same ad and saw the Clarion and 6 1/2" Infinitys in it. I have a decent Clarion H/UY running the failing Bose speakers, but am considering the mp3 addition. The capability to play them via CD is appealing and I, too, am tired of the radio garbage.

Thanks, too, about the rebuild experience, as I had taken one apart to check the degree of difficulty, but am now leaning heavily towards Infinity. I am familiar with their home products, somewhat, and like the quality. My concern is having sufficient power to CRANK IT UP!

 

[jsinga]

My 87 Bose system had common grounded speakers. To use the factory wire you need to figure out where to break them out at the orginal radio plug. I just opened up the amp/speakers and bypassed the amps and run right to the Bose speakers. They are only about 2ohms but my Alpine unit can stand the current. They sound ok until I decide to do something else for speakers.
With a new head unit you can get MP3 CD players and don't need a changer or anything else since a standard CD can hold over 200 songs.

JS

 

[SniperXX]

I have to respectfully and strongly disagree with this, but appreciate the other input. I have as much in my home stereo as in my Vette and have a few decades of experience with audiophilia.

Think of it this way: In the Vette system, the components are rather cheap and heavily equalized. In both cases, with a similar approach to sound reproduction, they sound good until you compare them to something else. One has to applaud their marketing, though.

As posted below, I was trying to recall the max size for the door speakers and **presto**; there it was..Thanks!


Interesting coincidence. I rarely, but today did, P/U that same ad and saw the Clarion and 6 1/2" Infinitys in it. I have a decent Clarion H/UY running the failing Bose speakers, but am considering the mp3 addition. The capability to play them via CD is appealing and I, too, am tired of the radio garbage.

Thanks, too, about the rebuild experience, as I had taken one apart to check the degree of difficulty, but am now leaning heavily towards Infinity. I am familiar with their home products, somewhat, and like the quality. My concern is having sufficient power to CRANK IT UP!

Well I bought the Clarion HU (DB355MP). I got to play around with it at the store and liked it. I also am planning to get 2 Kicker 6x9s and 2 Kicker 4" speakers to replace the Bose ones because I liked them better than the ones my friend could have hooked me up with.

I have also got the wireing harness all setup (as far as i can tell) and it powers up and antenna works and all. I have a few new questions though.

First of all how can I make the Bose speakers to work with the new HU? And how can I get the HU to mount in the dash becuse its both longer and skinner than the stock stereo?

I am also thinking of having someplace finish the install if it gets to be too much work because I have work and am pretty busy this weekend. I heard some people say they had it done at places like Best Buy and Circuit City. How much do they typically charge and did they do a good job? Also, will they still do the install if I didnt buy from their store?

 

[nyernga]

I have to respectfully and strongly disagree with this, but appreciate the other input. I have as much in my home stereo as in my Vette and have a few decades of experience with audiophilia.

I should have quantified my statement. The "wave radio" is a good unit for the garage, kitchen etc. And Whale...definately go for a head unit that plays mp3. You can fit close to 150 songs on a regular cd in that format. I barely even use my radio now.

Len

 

[WhalePirot]

I have an equalizing preamp to match the non-Bose to the stock speakers. They are antiques, by now.

I am very picky about who touches my cars, and there is not a chain store on earth that fits the bill. Maybe someone else has a referral.

My existing H/U had an adapter plate included that makes a fine install.

 

[SniperXX]

I am very picky about who touches my cars, and there is not a chain store on earth that fits the bill. Maybe someone else has a referral.

Ya I am too I just heard a few people say they did good jobs and the the guy on the phone said they did 2 C4s so far. But when I went in the store the guy wanted $190! I asked why because the guy on the phone said $80 ($50- HU and $30-speakers), now the guy in the store said they need to rewire it all and charge an extra $120 plus whatever else they needed, so w/ that I walked out and said I will go elsewhere.

Well I ended up calling some friends who have nice stereos and had some/all their work done at audio shops. My friend gave me 2 good referals and he said he may be able to work a deal, so wish me luck. I am hoping for a good install looking as close to stock as possible (stock speaker covers and stuff) while being a good price.

So did any of you guys have your cars rewired?

 

[WhalePirot]

The local Fry's was sold out of the speakers and the H/U. Only Industry and another store, farther away has them. I guess I'll hang with the Bose a bit longer.

 

[SniperXX]

The local Fry's was sold out of the speakers and the H/U. Only Industry and another store, farther away has them. I guess I'll hang with the Bose a bit longer.

Ya I bought the HU from Frys in Industry Fri afternoon then got a pair of 4" kickers from there today then had to go to the anahiem store to get the 6x9"s. I didnt mind the drive, 57 freeway was wide open, averaged 75mph.

Oh and I saw a C4 @ by the anahiem store and he didnt do the , I was saddened... haha.

 

[SniperXX]

Well I ended up going to a local audio shop after a few friends reccomended them. They rewired the car and made the back speakers all fit nice. I am soo happy with the new setup.

 

[WhalePirot]

I am soo happy with the new setup.

I hope to hear it sometime.

I cranked up the tunes on the 745's stereo; all the way. Holy Crap! Clean, and those underseat woofers are REAL cool! I could hear some distortion, tho slight.

There are too many cars and streets; too busy, too. I don't expect a return wave in SoCal, but I do like surprises.