What to do with sound in my Vette

[Stallion]

Okay, I have an 8-track and the standard radio in my Vette. And I was thinking, I could do one of two things...

1) I could get one of those "Don't cut that dash!" CD players to put in place of the stock 8-track player and keep the 8-track just so I have everything stock and won't need to cut the dash. Or I could

2) Go searching for a little collection of 8-tracks and pays a couple of dollars for them.

2 is cheaper and not totally bad, because I do like old music and the classics. Like The Doors, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Who, etc. )). But I can't imagine the sound quality is as good as 1. But option #2 is a lot cheaper.

What do you think I should do? What did you do?

TR

 

[JonM]

I'll bet all the old guys here in the CAC have stacks and stacks of old 8 tracks sitting in the closet. I wonder if any of them remembers the 45 record changer?...If I were you...I'd leave it like it is and buy a Boom-box for the hatch. Save your money for other things you will need.

 

[Pasquale Carelli]

Hey Stallion

That’s a good question. If you keep the 8-track player and collect 8-track tapes your car will be like a COOL time machine. Jump in and travel back to 1978! I do not know much about car audio stuff but a collection of 8-track tapes could be fun!

I’m still looking for my Vette, if it came with an 8-track I would keep it until I researched the car audio industry for C3 upgrades.

Keep rocking

PC

 

[tonyk72]

Hey Stallion...here's a thought....get one of those 8 track to cassette adapters (do a search on ebay for 8 track adapter) I saw a bunch for under $10. Then get one of those cassette to CD adapters. You can have the best of both worlds.
Or maybe they got 8 track to CD adapters?!

 

[Interceptor430]

Leave it alone...just play the radio when you absolutely must listen to something other than that sweet engine and exhaust.

Don't cut the dash...ever.
Keep it original...always.

 

[Mako]

Okay, I have an 8-track and the standard radio in my Vette. And I was thinking, I could do one of two things...

What do you think I should do? What did you do?

TR

Well I just received an offer I couldn't turn down for my original OEM stereo. I have ordered a new bezel that will fit a DIN stereo from these guys:

http://www.vettespecialties.com/simplecatalog/ez_catalog_display.asp?CategoryID=141

I think you can get a DIN stereo into your '78 though...?

I'll be putting in a regular single CD head unit from someone and replacing the near dead 34 year old kick panel speakers and calling it good to go.

CYa!
Mako

 

[Thumper]

Or....you could buy my Pioneer 8-track tape recorder and stack of blank 8 tracks. That way you could record current music on to 8 tracks and keep on enjoying your original stereo.

I personally went with the vettespecialties.com din radio conversion bezel.

 

[page62]

Here's what I did. No regrets...

 

[L82Dan]

Nice job page62. Looks like factory.

 

[L82Dan]

I checked out that DIN bezel replacement. I'll bet it's metal. The later C3's, 78-79 are plastic. Could be a problem where the mounting holes are located on the different year cars.

 

[Thumper]

You are correct, it is made out of metal. It's only for the 1968 thru 1976 models.

 

[RedHookGal]

Stallion,

Have you seen the little wireless FM transmitters that plug into a Walkman? You set the frequency that it will use, and then you just tune your radio to the same. At $30 it is a pretty easy way to not have to live with your 8-track only, assuming that you already have some sort of Walkman or MP3 player.

Go to: http://www.myirock.com/players/default.asp

Kathy

 

[JonM]

Or you could go with a radio that looks original and are able to connect a CD changer to it...

http://www.custom-autosound.com/

 

[Stallion]

Alright, I'll stay with the 8-track. I mean, how bad could it be? I should save the money and keep her stock as possible. But now...were do you think I can find some 8-tracks?

TR

 

[69MyWay]

Alright, I'll stay with the 8-track. I mean, how bad could it be? I should save the money and keep her stock as possible. But now...were do you think I can find some 8-tracks?

TR

NONONONONONONONONONON....NO!!!!!!!!!!!!


A nice stereo system is one of the few little pleasures you can have in the car regardless if it even runs! Having a good system to listen to tunes while washing and waxing, cruising the strip, or just driving to the autoparts store can be as fun and exciting as 400 extra ponies under the hood.

Here is what I would do if I was you.

First, buy another dash panel. Just get a decent used one for cheap that will give you the freedom to do some cutting/fitting, etc.

Then, try to find a stock style radio (8 track optional) that is junk.

Now, buy a sweet head unit--preferably a MP3 player (much better than having to install a 10/12 disc unit somewhere). Take the replacement dash piece and cut to fit....but wait, here is the really kicking cool part............take the junk factory style radio and gut it out removing the knobs and face section. Very, very carefully, reassemble it on a backing plate so that it will slip back in place over the new head unit (you are going to have to get creative, and friendly with a dremel). I did this on my old S10 and it worked like a champ.

Now, you have a modern head unit "hidden" behind what appears to be a stock face(the ultimate theft deterent).

Next replace the front and rear speakers with some high quality aftermarket units. Now, mount a good sized amp--200-500 watt under the passenger seat, behind the passenger seat, or in the rear cubby.

Get with somebody that is good with wood. Get some MDO board and build a box that sits at an angle rising up from the rear cubby doors enough to squeeze a pair of 10's side by side facing at an angle up at the glass. Wire it in.

This next step is crucial....get matching carpet and cover the entire box in such a way that you can not see the subs and it all blends in. Since you don't see 78 vettes that much anymore, the average sticky finger punk won't even notice it back there, plus you can still throw junk back there.

Finally, you will have superior tunes, back thumping power, and all the looks and feel of a stock Corvette. The added plus is you can retain your stock stereo and dash bezel in a box for some future re-install.

 

[Stallion]

Chris, you are one of the most convincing persons I have ever talked to. You should be a salesperson.

You convinced me. I think that's what I want to do. And for the bezel, that sounds like a good idea. I think I'm crafty enough to do this.

First off, how much would this come to? I'm willing to pay for some good quality entertainment. What are you thinking?

Thanks a lot!

TR

 

[page62]

Remember, you don't have to do it all at once. You can start with a decent head unit and go from there.

BTW, you're welcome to try the 8-track. But the rollers and stuff inside will be dried out. It may work, but sooner or later you'll have a unit full of tape!

 

[Stallion]

Yes, I figured that. So how much do you think I'm looking at here with a decent sound system in the Vette?

Thanks!

TR

 

[page62]

You can have the stereo pictured in the previous photo for $50 + shipping. Works just fine!

Why am I selling it? My wife couldn't figure out the controls!

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Get with somebody that is good with wood. Get some MDO board and build a box that sits at an angle rising up from the rear cubby doors enough to squeeze a pair of 10's side by side facing at an angle up at the glass. Wire it in.

This next step is crucial....get matching carpet and cover the entire box in such a way that you can not see the subs and it all blends in. Since you don't see 78 vettes that much anymore, the average sticky finger punk won't even notice it back there, plus you can still throw junk back there.

You can buy the boxes already made for $20, mount them on a 1x4, cover the board with matching carpet and wedge them back there. I did it, so you know it's not that hard.

Chris is right on covering the boxes with matching carpet. Next time I take it out I will cover the gray carpet that came on the boxes with left over tan carpet.

If you want to be able to put your t-tops back there you will need to cut an inch or so off the back of the boxes to reduce their depth.