What is involved in swapping in a Bose system?

[LT4Mike]

Hi,
I am considering buying a 1996 Vette without the bose system. I really would like to buy this car because it seems like a great buy and I would hate to miss out because of the stereo. So, my question is what is involved in putting in the bose sytem and can the parts be found for a reasonable price?
Thanks
Mike

 

[tyrel]

I get a lot of my parts on Ebay and have saved a ton of money over the years. There are speakers, relays, and stereos on Ebay from time to time. I'm not a stereo guy, but the Bose speakers are all amplified at the speaker, so you would have to replace those. They're $200 each from MAD, or sometimes you find them on Ebay. You'll also need an amplifier relay, and then of course the stereo itself. You may need additional wiring too. Good luck.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

My friend, you are in a most enviable position. You can knock the price of the car because it has no Bose and then install a really good aftermarket stereo. Win-win situation.

 

[vettered91]

SPANISHVETTS,

You are right! I always though bose was the best, until I have the L98 and now the LT1!

Same f***** problems in both of them!

No more bose for me.

 

[sidepipe]

Hi LT4Mike.. I just did this on my wife's 94 coupe. You need the amplifiers for the four speaker positions (they're marked F & R). Also there are TWO speakers up front on either side, and ONE speaker in each side in rear. Front amps have two speaker whips, rears..only one speaker whip. You will need a BOSE receiver, that goes behind the passenger seat, in the storage compartment( take the foam insert out) The Bose rcvr has different inputs from the non Bose rcvr. They are for the shields on the speaker wires and the speed control input (this increases volume as speed increases). Needed next is a 12 volt relay of at least 20 amps to supply 12 volts to the amps. The Bose control unit (cassette/cd/am/fm unit) plugs into the exsisting wiring in the dash. No messing necessary! I had the 94 shop manual that has all the needed wiring diagrams for this conversion. If your serious about this, I would strongly suggest getting the factory manuals for your Vette. I used microphone wire for the speakers (14 ga) because it has two conductors and a braided shield. Only one end of the shield gets connected to the rcvr. I used two conductor speaker wire (14 ga) for the amps (no shield needed).

 

[sidepipe]

More.......You need the Bose speaker enclosures to get the full sound from the system. I got mine from Doctor Don's, along with the Bose receiver and the front tweeters. He's resonable and fast and can be reached @ 936-435-1811. His site is www.doctordons.com. I crimped AND soldered all my connections to protect against vibration. You'll need soldering skills and be able to read schematics. Well worth the time because it sounds AWESOME!! Hope this helps..Have Fun...Frank

 

[LT4Mike]

Sidepipe,
Thanks for all the info. I was just getting ready to ask this question again after I heard what a Bose system sounds like. Wow does it sound great compared to the non-bose unit. There is a lot involved in the swap but it seems to be worth it. Where did you find the parts and around how much did it end up costing you if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks
Mike

 

[sidepipe]

Well I think I have more than I should tied up in this. I got the rear speakers, one pair of front speakers, front and rear amps and the dash control head for $700 from a member on this site. You could probably do better from a Corvette salvage yard. I then bought from Doctor Don's: BOSE rcvr = $175/ Pair of front tweeters w/hardware = $70/ 2 front speaker boxes & 2 rear speaker boxes ( all w/hardware) = $150. Like they say, " A fool and his money are easily parted" Well I am a fool for this Vette! To keep costs down, I would look on E-Bay for this stuff. I took out both seats when I did this job and even added a power passenger seat! What fun:crazy Good Luck...Frank

 

[Daryllawman]

I go with SPANISHVETTS Idea.......go to after market stereo.....I did and its great.....amp, nice stereo and speakers.....sounds alot better then my Bose did.......