Topic: new radio and amp
in Forum: C3 Interior
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Lifetime MemberNewton, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/26/2010
Posts: 113
Vette(s): 1978 Indy Pace Car. All original. A true survivor. 2nd owner Only 300 miles.
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.....
black82vette 2010-02-28 18:42:21
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Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
If you're re-using the current front speakers, I'd guess they would need to be spliced into the new radio and AMP wiring. If you're pulling/replacing the front speakers, I would thing the wiring all the way to the speaker plugs would be removed.
In terms of mounting the amp, do you mean directly behind the seat where the floor kicks up? My concern would be ventilation for the heat produced by the amp...
Hope some of this makes sense.
Good luck 
Paul
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Lifetime MemberNewton, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/26/2010
Posts: 113
Vette(s): 1978 Indy Pace Car. All original. A true survivor. 2nd owner Only 300 miles.
Thank you! Yes that is where I was thinking. not many choices.... I'll have to get creative some how..
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Cramerton, NC - USA
Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094
Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion
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.
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
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 !!!!
Dan
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
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Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
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. http://www.c3vr.com/forum/hidden-stereo-step-by-step_topic73316.html?KW=
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
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
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?
ebo
Other option is to get a high end player with amp already built in. Not sure if your lookin for that thumpin before you see em sound, but your stock radio can be heard in normal running condition...right?? Well an upgrade with built in amp may be all you need, I for sure would upgrade all the speakers. Let us know how you make out as I will be doing some kind of box with CD changer in my Red Vette. Wow that was winded..........good luck........!!
ebo
ebo
Lifetime MemberNewton, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/26/2010
Posts: 113
Vette(s): 1978 Indy Pace Car. All original. A true survivor. 2nd owner Only 300 miles.
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...
Can you put the amp in the storage hole behind the passenger seat?
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in Forum: C3 Interior
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