I have a new radio that i'm installing and an amp. My questions is what do I do with the stock speaker plugs that went into the old radio? The stock power plug will be used. I will be using patch cables to the amp and running new speaker wire from the amp to the speakers?.... also is it safe to mount the amp behind the pass. seat? Would be putting screws in to mount..... black82vette2010-02-28 18:42:21

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Thank you! Yes that is where I was thinking. not many choices.... I'll have to get creative some how.. 

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Ive seen small amps mounted in the passengers side rear compartment above the jack. With a large amp you are right, creativity will be needed.  When I got my 82 the previous owner had a huge amp and capacitor mounted to the rear wall of the rear compartment.  Sounded good but looked like crap.  Removing all of it was one of the first things I did to my car after getting her home.  I think one could be mounted on the rear wall and not look bad IF all the wiring could be concealed somehow.  Be careful drilling or screwing through the rear wall, the gas tank is pretty close back there.

If you mount the amp, above the jack, how do you get the jack out if needed??  I am having a hard time visualizing this !!!!

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If you're not too interested in luggage room, you might consider building a box to put in the luggage compartment.  You can check out this post for ideas.  https://www.c3vr.com/forum/hidden-stereo-step-by-step_topic73316.html?KW=

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I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

Make sure you match speaker impedance with your new system.  Earlier C3s used 10 ohm speakers, and I believe it went through '82.  All aftermarket systems use 4 ohms.  Using wrong speakers can burn up your radio.

Larry

Kenton, I'd have to agree with Marshal, with the bubble window you have more room for luggage then him. The stock speakers are back in the corners so I'd pull them and see if the replacements will clear ok then make a small center bump out box for the amp. you can carpet the front to match leave some breathers on the sides and top for the heat to dissapate. Or build a box to go all the way acrosss with speakers and all. Now if you travel and you load up the back ya won't hear those rear speakers as well so maybe even tip em up to bounce off the glass?

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LIFETIME MEMBER 151

Wow! great advise and it is appreciated! Ok so a few more  details. I went with a custom auto sound radio USA 640 because it has controls for my ipod, with an adapter I can control it from the radio and it still looks stock. The front speakers are Pioneer 4X6's and the rears are jl Audio 6x9's. the amp is jl Audio as well. Crutchfield states that the amp will work behind the pass. seat back, the misses will have to go on a diet however...

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Can you put the amp in the storage hole behind the passenger seat? 

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"It Takes A Little Longer To Do It Right"
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I wish it would fit Steve! I think we're going behind the passenger seat. Where would be a good place for the ground? and an un-related question, do I have to remove the dash pad to replace the vents on the far sides?

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Kenton, I like the new sig picture....great nose shot!

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LIFETIME MEMBER 151

Thanks Alan! That was taken the day we first met! she came home that very same day!

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When I installed my stereo, I placed the amps and crossover in the jack storage hole. As far as a ground, I took the positive and negative wires, (a length of 8') clamped the 2 ends in a vice and then clamped the other 2 ends in my electric drill. That way you will put the wires in a twist. Here is a trick, after they are twisted, pull hard with the drill to "set" the wires. I than ran the wires under the carpet on one side of the tunnel and connected them directly to the battery. The battery acts as a big choke, so you don't here the alternator whine as much. I also fed the speaker wires under the carpet opposite the power lines, to keep the noise down. Taking the dash pad off helps a lot. Hope this helps. wetvet2010-03-06 09:53:23

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"It Takes A Little Longer To Do It Right"
"It Takes A Lot Longer To Do It Again"

Thanks Steve! That sounds like a plan! Just love the 72' by the by... I'll be replacing the speedo and tach face trim and lens so I might as well remove the dash pad as well.. work work work!

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10 ohm speakers are used through 82.  If you do not change your speakers to 4 ohm then you will have a mismatch. 
The best you will get is significantly reduced capability from your amp.  You could also burn it up.  What happens will depend on if the amp can take the extra current that will be used because of the mismatch.   
Some people put in bigger amps just to get the extra power through the 10 ohm speakers never realizing that is a bad idea and a lot smaller amp will give them better output if the speakers were just changed. 
In fact if you get some really nice speakers any good radio will run them at a volume that you cannot stay in the car if you want to keep your hearing.

Thanks. I am aware of the ohm syndrome! As mentioned earlier in the thread there will be all new, soup to nuts. The sound is beyond compare with an amp, they are not just for extra power. They shape the sound better than any head unit can.

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Not sure if this will work or not but will it fit under the passenger seat? My older amp would have fit with no issues.

Another thought I had was to look at the areas under the hood (like the side fender panels above the fenderwells).

I think there might be room but of course you would have to run longer length cables. I think you could come up with a plastic enclosure to keep the dust off of it.

Just something more to ponder.......

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Thanks Tux, no room under seat, and under the hood is out of the question to much heat in there.black82vette2010-03-23 17:42:48

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black82vette2010-03-23 17:41:46

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