Stereo Install (keeping headunit, but replacing speakers and adding amp)

[Chrish051873]

Okay, cool. That's exactly what I wanted to hear.

I found a good deal on crutchfield for it so I'll order that tomorrow. Just need to get some 18ga and terminal pins to pin thru the door harness, if I decide that route.

thanks!

instead of going through the door pinouts and running new wire, i just clipped the wire at the stereo plug adapter and ran my wire from the amp to this wire, as it already goes through the door.On my old 2012 LTZ i ran new wires though the door, what a PIA it was.

i did run new wire to my tweeters tho, but that was very easy.

 

[94383Z71]

Where is the stereo plug adapter?

I need to refresh my amp install skills in a bad way..

 

[Chrish051873]

Where is the stereo plug adapter?

I need to refresh my amp install skills in a bad way..

o jeez, gonna need sonic007 to give you part number for it.

its the adpapter where you plug in factory harness, then plug the adapter into your existing stereo and it gives you the high outputs for the line out converter(LOC)

let me know if you need anything else on my install

chris

 

[sonic007]

I think its like aa-gm44. I used a standard 15 dollar loc for my 2channel install. The expensive one would be easier to install a 4 channel though.

 

[94383Z71]

Wellll shiz. Is there a good place to read up on how to use this stuff? I was comfortable at first, but between the LOC and crossovers and suddenly having less time to do it, I'm not!

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Chrish051873]

Wellll shiz. Is there a good place to read up on how to use this stuff? I was comfortable at first, but between the LOC and crossovers and suddenly having less time to do it, I'm not!

Thanks again for all the help.

I am not sure of a single place to hook everything up besides a Google search of each component, sorry.

But once you do that, we are all here for support, lol

It's really not that difficult, just take your time and ask the questions

 

[gijoefontaine]

I found this site so helpful!!!

http://caraudiotips.blogspot.ca/2013/01/chevy-sonic-20-minute-amp-sub-install.html?m=1

I spliced the rear speaker wires as shown and tucked my LOC in the floor with the wires. It was a tight fit

 

[gijoefontaine]

Crossovers fit nicely in the door frame

 

[gijoefontaine]

Im fairly active on the forum. If you have any questions dont be afraid to ask. LOTS of knowledgeable people here and always willing to help

 

[94383Z71]

I connect the amp to the headunit with a lot of splicing. The fosgate automatically turns on when it senses a signal, so that's one reason I picked it as I didn't need a line out converter or a remote trigger. I just spliced into it's high speaker level input and was good to go.

So I have the same amp as OP- doesn't that mean I can forgo the LOC as well?

If so, then could I do it this way in the front?

-Run the stock speaker circuit to the amp for signal/input

-From the amp to the crossovers (not sure how these work yet)

-Stock speaker wire from crossover to the doors, bypassing the trouble of running wire thru the harness

-Speaker adapters to go from factory plug to new speakers in the door

Then from the amp to the speakers in the rear doors, and however you do the tweeters- from the crossovers maybe?

 

[kevinm]

Wow! I totally forgot about this thread. Glad to see it has been helpful. In the near future, I'm looking to update some stuff - so I will re-work the tutorial a little bit as my job and other projects allow.

94383Z71, to answer your questions:

Are you using aftermarket speakers? If so, the existing wires have a built-in crossover - that's no good. Aftermarket component speakers use crossovers in little boxes - you run speaker wire from the amp to them. Then a wire from the crossover to each of the drivers - the tweeter and woofer.

 

[94383Z71]

Wow! I totally forgot about this thread. Glad to see it has been helpful. In the near future, I'm looking to update some stuff - so I will re-work the tutorial a little bit as my job and other projects allow.

94383Z71, to answer your questions:

Are you using aftermarket speakers? If so, the existing wires have a built-in crossover - that's no good. Aftermarket component speakers use crossovers in little boxes - you run speaker wire from the amp to them. Then a wire from the crossover to each of the drivers - the tweeter and woofer.

makes sense to me. Just run the stock wiring to the amp?

I'm actually running the exact same setup you outlined here

 

[NewZJ]

How satisfied are you with the infinity speakers?

 

[sonic007]

I love my infinities!

 

[kevinm]

94383Z71 - I just ran the stock wires from the HU to the amp line level. You have to cut off the RCA ends on the plug that goes into the amp.

Sonic007 - which Infinity's do you have?

NewZJ - I'm ok on the Infinity's. They're a little bright for my tastes - specifically the tweeter. They're great speakers - especially for the price. But I'm thinking of moving to some entry-level premium Focals.

 

[sonic007]

Infinity primus. Component fronts and coax rears.

 

[mja]

I really like this thread, thanks to kevin and 007. Stock setup is too mellow.

So if I want to run two rockford fosgate pbr300's on the stock head unit, one 4 channel for the speakers, and 1 mono for a sub, would it be best to use a LOC that has two RCA amp connections, or can it all be spliced into the harness?

btw I have no idea what I'm doing, don't know if they even make a LOC with two RCA things. last time I installed an amp was ten years ago.

Will the stock alternator/batt hold 600 watts easily? or do I need a better alt/batt/or capacitor?


...what about this setup, will I blow my tweeters on full power?

Rockford fosgate PBR300x4
DLS MB6.2 200watt 6.5" 2-way components, 4 ohm, speakers 80wattRMS, tweeters 50wattRMS/80max (x2, extra rear tweeters vs stock coaxials)

PBR300x1
shallow sub box under rear trunk floor
kicker 10CVT104, 4 ohm, 400wattRMS/800watt max

 

[sonic007]

That would be a nice set up. Personally, when I install a 4 channel and a mono or 2 channel, i use the LC6i. Gives amazing gain control as well as all the preouts needed for your 2 amps.

The stock alternator will be fine.

If the tweeters are properly crossed over I dont think you would blow them. But anything is possible. Lol

 

[mja]

That would be a nice set up. Personally, when I install a 4 channel and a mono or 2 channel, i use the LC6i. Gives amazing gain control as well as all the preouts needed for your 2 amps.

The stock alternator will be fine.

If the tweeters are properly crossed over I dont think you would blow them. But anything is possible. Lol

Thanks 007! The LC6i looks small enough to tuck away behind a panel somewhere. Wana tell my passengers it's a stock system and see how smart they are opcorn:

 

[sonic007]

Thanks 007! The LC6i looks small enough to tuck away behind a panel somewhere. Wana tell my passengers it's a stock system and see how smart they are opcorn:

Lol yea its not too bad. Should be easy to hide.