I want to swap my Bose cassette (which works quite well) w/ a Bose CD, and the pickins are slim, understandably. What I'm wondering is if anyone has any info or has tried the 96-00 Bose unit that was stock in various models like the Sonoma, Cavalier, Malibu, etc. in a 93-96 Bose Camaro/Z28. The connector is 20-pin, which I think is the same as mine--but it's been a awhile since I had it out. I seem to recall something about an issue w/ the BCM, but I think there's an article somewhere about it.

I did find an orig. 93-96 Bose CD, but it has a hefty price tag and doesn't have an aux port. The unit I'm wondering about is much more reasonable, does have an aux port for, say, an ipod, and appears to have the same connector. But I realize the signif issue is what's inside.

No, I'm not looking to rip everything out and start over w/ aftermarket--that's a dead horse. The point here is to keep it as orig. as possible. And not break the bank. If the later unit won't work, so be it--I'll cough up for the 93-96. It'll still be far less than starting over, and will be OE. The only other option is the later unit, and I'm just wondering if it will indeed work.

 

Which model year is your Camaro? I ask because of the marking and VFD coloration difference between 1993 and 1994-96.

Also, for clarity, the newer Bose head units you speak of, do they look something like this?

 

Yep, I knew about the backlight color diff; the 93s had blue. They're now considered "rare" and guys want ~$200 more for them. Personally, I don't care what color the backlight is--only that it works. Other than that, I think the 93-96 are interchangeable.

The pic you have looks similar to what I found on ebay. They said it was for 96-00 models (not Camaros--they went to Monsoon at that point), but I noticed the connector was the same and thought it would work. And I liked the 3.5mm port. But I didn't know anyone who tried it, so in the end, coughed up the xtra $$ and got the real deal. The guy also put in a 3.5mm, so I can still use an mp3 player.

I also found a guy on ebay who rebuilds the amps for a very reasonable price; he goes by "bose central" and is here in FL. It was ~$100 to rebuild the 2 front amps. I also picked up a spare from a Caddy; the pn is diff, but I tried it & it worked just fine.

 

Cool - I'm glad you got it resolved. The aux-in jack is a nice touch too.

Just one thing for clarity and any other readers of this post: The 1993 Camaro head units actually had yellow VFD displays and backlighting. 1994-1996 units had blue VFD displays and white backlighting.

 

Did I get 'em backazzwards? You're prob. right. Can't check mine, since I blew the RAP module right after I tried the new HU. (Looks like I'll be getting a used module; just hope it works.) I know I got the HU that isn't considered rare. But truth be told, finding anything Bose for 93-96 is a crapshoot--much like finding a RAP. I'll be hangin' onto my cassette unit, just in case.

Haven't tried the mp3 yet--don't even own one--but am lookin' forward to it. I can get dang-near every CD I own on one of those doohickies.