i have a 1999 firebird monsoon radio, i want to install an amp without getting an aftermarket radio. i only know how to wire the power, ground, and turn-on, as far as the actual audio input and output im lost. i would appreicaite any info on the monsoon wiring diagram and amplifier installation. thanks

 

Amp just for sub or for speakers? If you are adding just a sub, get a line level to RCA adapter, run RCA's to the back together with power wires and that's it.
If you are thinking about amping you speakers from monsoon stock HU - don't waste your time, you won't get any improvement in sound. The bottleneck is crappy monsoon HU itself.

 

I have a PAC2 OEM stereo interface that will plug right into your factory harness and allow you to hook up an aftermarket amp to your head unit. FYI I had this in my 96 WS6 with a rockford amp and 12 inch subs and it sounded nice. I went with a indash dvd player now. I will sell it to you for $40.00 shipped they are $80.00 from pac. Don't use one of those converters that requires you to tap into speaker wires cuz you are then stealing power from those speakers and the amp will take most of the volume. like the guy above said. if you are interested I can send ya a pic.

 

That's not true. PAC OEM is the same type of adapter. All these adapters features input impedance ~10k Ohm, adding a 10k resistor in parallel to any speaker will do absolutely nothing, as current flowing through it will be in 2500 times smaller then through speaker, and corresponding voltage drop will be close to nothing.

 

ok so get a line level adapter and get the input from where? thats my point!

 

I want to replace the OEM Monsoon radio and install am amp and sub. What wold be the best combo?

Thanks,

Jack..

 

I would suggest replacing and amping speakers too. You won't believe how much of a difference good 6.5" component set can make in front. Stealthboxes for a sub works very well in our cars.
Get a headunit with 3 sets of high-voltage pre-outs (no less then 5 volt). It would be helpful to know your budget before making any less general suggestions.

 

Thanks, so any brand with a minimum of 3 sets of high-voltage pre-outs will work!

Budget? The car is paid for and I have done all I can to make it go fast. Now its time for it to sound good!!!!
Thanks again,

Jack..

 

Go to any specialized stereo store (like Tweeter, etc, not Bestbuy lol) and play a little with their display. That way you can find 6.5" components which sounds good to you and headunit, which controls you can tolerate. Then buy them online.
I personally had very good experience with Eclipse headunits (CD7000/CD5000/CD3000) and MB Quart / Boston Acoustics / Hertz /Eclipse components. For amps, my favorites are JL Audio between modern and old school Phoenix Gold / PPI / Xtant.

 

valter:
Thanks, I just bought a Pioneer DekP9700BT. Do I remove all the Monsoon stuff? If not what do I leave and what do I need to replace? I do need the speakers in the doors. Is that the 6.5 componets you mentioned?

Thanks again,
Jack..

 

That's a very nice headunit
It all depends, how deep do you want to rework your system. Obviously, you can do it, but It would be a waste to operate this HU through monsoon amp and stock speakers. So I say, the only thing should be left from monsoon, is the wires
Ideally, you will need a good component set in front (with external crossover) and optionally a pair of descent coaxials in sail panels. I discovered that best value would be MB Quart 6.5 components new from ebay. They produce very nice midbass and MB tweeters are very, very good. They are also pretty shallow and mounts perfectly fine in stock locations without any fabrication.
You may power speakers off your deck, but due to losses in crossover, to get a best sound from good components you will need an amp. It should be 4-channel or 2, depending of whether you want to run coaxials in sails panels. I love JL 300/4 for this.
You need some wires too. Either DIY, or any good 4 gauge amp wiring bundle from ebay will work (RCA's, power, ground wires, terminals, fuse).
Then, I assume you will want a sub to complete a system. Driver side stealth enclosure plus descent sub plus one more amp (mono) will make a huge difference. I like JL 500/1 for this. There are too many choices.
I guess you will need to fabricate/get an amp rack to mount amps too in the hatch area.
It may sound very involved, but actually it isn't. Half a day work to install everything. It also doesn't mean it must be an expensive project, there are many options to choose from.

 

[QUOTE=valter;5100692] I discovered that best value would be MB Quart 6.5 components new from ebay. QUOTE]

I did a search on ebay and there are several different models.
What would be the model I need?

Jack..

 

Q-line or Premium line components would be best. There are many haters to the cheaper Discus line (DSG), but I actually have an earlier model in one of my cars, and they sounds great to me. Also, you may want to check out Alpine Type-R speakers, they sounds very similar to top of the line Focal's for my ears. They are lower in sensitivity and therefore more power hungry.

 

I finally got all my parts to go with the Pioneer P7900BT. I got MB Quart 6.5 componets, a 10" infinity with an Alpine M450 and a F450 amps. I istalled the two amps with the Rockford Fosgate 4ga. wiring kit. I am installing it this weekend to include the XM radio and an iPod stuck away in the glove box.

Thanks for your help..

 

Excellent choices. I am very glad to hear, that you are not cutting corners, but doing everything the right way