I have a 96 SS with the stock Delco/Bose am/fm cassette system. I like the sound it produces but want to install a decent CD unit in the mid-price range. I just want good sounds and don't want to make the whole upgrade a fiasco. I've been quoted $140 at BEST BUY to rewire the bose/subwoofer speakers to be compatible with a new CD am/fm stereo. I thought that was kind of expensive. So my questions are:

1. If I keep the same speakers/sub is there any unit that will eliminate the cost of rewiring?
2. What would be a good replacement CD am/fm? Alpine?
3. What would be good replacement speakers (4) and a sub with a new unit if the old speakers are too 'old school'?
4. Is buying a Monsoon unit from the dealer a good idea?
5. Can you recommend a plan of action to help me upgrade to a CD in this car?

Looking at my SIG you can see that I have a car that has a balanced plan with regards to performance mods. Its not real, real, fast but keeps up with everything. It looks real good but isn't a show car or a garage queen....now its time for some better sound inside. Help me pick some equipment without breaking my bank account. THANKS FOR ANY REPLIES.

 

1) No. An adapter like a PAC OEM-1 is needed.

2) Alpine is an excellent choice

3) This is up to you. Speaker choice is too subjective. What one person thinks sounds great may sound like garbage to you. Go out and demo as many speaker models as you can in your area. Take a few of your favorite discs and listen, listen, listen.

4) No!!! This is a VERY bad idea! If you read enough posts here you will find that the POS Monsoon is a very poor quality unit that blows speakers all the time. The HU has shown time after time that it is junk and will fail eventually.

5) Replace the entire system with a quality after-market system. Take a look at my ride (click on sig below) and the other F-body cars on Sound Domain for ideas. I would recommend a new HU, new door speakers ONLY, a sub (or two) and an amplifier for the door speakers and a dedicated subwoofer amp. If you absolutely MUST have rear speakers you can add them later when your budget allows for it.

 

Thanks for your reply and great suggestions...your car is a beauty, congrats. Jay

 

As the old saying goes you get what you pay for. So break the bank so to speak like me. I'm ripping out the Monsoon stereo so anyone wanting it please e-mail me with your offer. I've ordered JL Audio speakers and amps with the Alpine multi-media center. You can do a upgrade with a cheaper head unit if you like but I want home theater in my ride.

 

I recently had an Alpine FM/AM CD Receiver installed at Circuit City where I purchased it. It is a little more expensive than the average, but I have been really happy with its quality. Before I bought this stereo I had been a Sony guy, but now my allegiance has a new address. The unit I got is the CDA-9813, which currently runs around $400 plus installation. If its in your price range, I recommend taking a look at it. Hope it helps!!!

 

Alpine 9813.

 

Great help! But, here's my dilemma and lack of knowledge...what other costs will I need to factor into a change to this head?

1. Rewiring costs to maintain my current stock BOSE speakers and subwoofer?
2. Faceplate to intall the Alpine into my dash.
3. Amplifiers or other components I am not aware I need to change to this set-up.
4. Any cables or wiring harnesses I might need.
5. Should I decide to upgrade to new speakers I'm guessing the 2 door speakers and a decent sub are in order and I should shop for something I like so that cost is additional to steps 1-4.

My next step is to visit my local custom stereo shop/installer and see what they offer. I will use this Alpine as a starting point and be able to ask more informed questions. Thanks to you guys for your comments to this point. More is appreciated and put to good use....thanks.

 

First off, if you plan on replacing the headunit and keeping the rest of the Bose system, you'll need part # ROEM-GM21 from here. The PAC-OEM1 is an entirely different piece of equipment. It's basically just a line output convertor.

Next, if you plan on replacing all the speakers and amp, you will NOT need that adapter. You will be using RCA cables from your new headunit to the amp. You could however, buy a regular old wiring harness. They are about $12-$15 and keep you from having to cut the factory wiring. If you don't care about that, then you don't even need it. A dash kit is a must. Should be around $18-$22. Here are some model number although they may be a little outdated now:
The following are Metra install kits:
40-GM10 - Gm factory antenna to aftermarket head unit
99-4544 - '82 and UP GM multi-kit with 1/2 DIN EQ option
99-3300 - Chevy/Olds/Pontiac 1994 and UP dash kit (flush)
99-3009 - Camaro/Firebird 1993 and UP dash kit (flush, fits better than 99-3300)

Best Kits is a Metra alternative (little better quality too):
BAA4 - GM Antenna adapter
BHA1858 - 1997-2001 Wiring Harness
BKGMK432, - 1997-2001 generic dash kits for F-body
BKGM8 - 1997-2001 Camaro specific kit
BKGM9 - 1993-2001 Firebird specific kit
BKSAC656 - 1993-2001 Firebird speaker adapter

You will also need the antenna adapter if you plan to listen to the radio. Should cost around $5-$8.

So to recap:
Antenna adapter
Dash kit
Wiring harness (optional)

Finally, what exactly are you looking to replace/add and how much are you looking to spend? Just replace the four 6 1/2"s and power them off a 4-channel amp? Replace all speakers and add a 10" subwoofer with a pair of amps? The sky's the limit!

 

Firebirdude....(and others that posted) thanks for your fine reply with much needed information. I will put your advice to good use and greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into answering my questions. Regards, JBirdSS

 

No problem man. We enjoy this kind of stuff. It's a hobby!



But..

 

cant lose with an alpine

 

Did you consider installing a DELCO 12-Disc changer in your car? If my thoughts are correct, your car is already pre-wired for it, your headunit will control it through the "aux" button you should have there, as well as the wire connector for it is in the trunk on the left side, you have to remove the panel there to see it, it should be rubber-banded. I did that with mine, as well as I had to upgrade my head unit to a 2000 Monsoon unit so it would control it (i had a '95 cd head unit).