My goal for the audio install in my C6: Great sound, low weight, stock appearance. In my opinion, the Corvette is a sports car, and weight is the enemy of a real sports car so excess weight should be avoided.
So far in my quest, I've actually reduced the overall weight of the car because the speakers I bought (Polk SR6500's) use neodium magnets and are smaller than the 8 inch woofer and 3 inch mid/tweeter that were in there (saved about a pound per door or 2 pounds total).
I've just ordered an Alpine PDX4.150 digital amplifier and it comes in at a mere 3.11kg (6.86 lbs.) and at about 10X7.5X2.5 inches, which is the smallest quality amp I could find, it should be relatively easy to hide. I weighed the factory amp in the footwell and it came in at a whopping 2.5 lbs. 6.86 - 2.5lbs - 2.0lbs = +2.36 lbs added. Not bad so far.
I'm looking for opions on where people have hidden the amp in their car. The new amp is larger than the factory amp so it won't fit back in the footwell. I don't know what other electronics might already be under the passenger or drivers seat.
One thing I noticed when I installed my vent screens in the front fenders was that there is a cavernous amount of space inside the fender up towards the top. There is a bracket already there that separates the engine compartment from the fender area in which several items in the engine compartment are attached. Why couldn't a person mount an amp on the fender side of that bracket?
I know it sounds ridiculous to attach the amp in there and it goes against everything I've ever been told about audio installs, but there are several benefits that I can see to attaching an amp there:
#1. It's less than a foot from the battery (zero grounding issues).
#2. It's right by the firewall so it would be easy to run the audio wires inside.
#3. It's actually protected from the elements by its locaton high up in the fender behind the fenderwell (the main computer is in the bottom of this fender area protected by a piece of rubber).
#4. Hidden.
#5. You have to take the fender off to steal it!
I can only think of 3 drawbacks:
#1. There is always the possibility that it might get wet, even if I shield it very well.
#2. The fender has to be removed for installation and tuning.
#3. Very difficult to adjust after installation.
I can deal with the drawbacks if those are the only ones.
If anyone knows of a better place to hide an amp in the C6, I am more than open to suggestions. Like I said, I don't know what's under the seats and I don't want to pull them just to find out.
My goal for the audio install in my C6: Great sound, low weight, stock appearance. In my opinion, the Corvette is a sports car, and weight is the enemy of a real sports car so excess weight should be avoided.
So far in my quest, I've actually reduced the overall weight of the car because the speakers I bought (Polk SR6500's) use neodium magnets and are smaller than the 8 inch woofer and 3 inch mid/tweeter that were in there (saved about a pound per door or 2 pounds total).
I've just ordered an Alpine PDX4.150 digital amplifier and it comes in at a mere 3.11kg (6.86 lbs.) and at about 10X7.5X2.5 inches, which is the smallest quality amp I could find, it should be relatively easy to hide. I weighed the factory amp in the footwell and it came in at a whopping 2.5 lbs. 6.86 - 2.5lbs - 2.0lbs = +2.36 lbs added. Not bad so far.
I'm looking for opions on where people have hidden the amp in their car. The new amp is larger than the factory amp so it won't fit back in the footwell. I don't know what other electronics might already be under the passenger or drivers seat.
One thing I noticed when I installed my vent screens in the front fenders was that there is a cavernous amount of space inside the fender up towards the top. There is a bracket already there that separates the engine compartment from the fender area in which several items in the engine compartment are attached. Why couldn't a person mount an amp on the fender side of that bracket?
I know it sounds ridiculous to attach the amp in there and it goes against everything I've ever been told about audio installs, but there are several benefits that I can see to attaching an amp there:
#1. It's less than a foot from the battery (zero grounding issues).
#2. It's right by the firewall so it would be easy to run the audio wires inside.
#3. It's actually protected from the elements by its locaton high up in the fender behind the fenderwell (the main computer is in the bottom of this fender area protected by a piece of rubber).
#4. Hidden.
#5. You have to take the fender off to steal it!
I can only think of 3 drawbacks:
#1. There is always the possibility that it might get wet, even if I shield it very well.
#2. The fender has to be removed for installation and tuning.
#3. Very difficult to adjust after installation.
I can deal with the drawbacks if those are the only ones.
If anyone knows of a better place to hide an amp in the C6, I am more than open to suggestions. Like I said, I don't know what's under the seats and I don't want to pull them just to find out.
I am looking at getting same amp and unless my measurements are off it will fit in the rear cubby hole, that is where I intend to install mine.
I am looking for a "stealth" upgrade as well. Do you know the dimensions of the stock amp? Have you found any amps that will fit in the stock location? Perhaps a 4 X 75 watt?
I recently replaced the 5 Bose speakers with Boston Acoustics. Now I have highs, but still no lows. So I am looking at the best next step.
Not sure it is a viable option in the c6, but I have my amp and crossovers underneath the passenger side seat (non power). My amp is 1.5" tall however and combined with a small MDF mouting board BARELY clears at the back of the seat. Pics in my gallery.
The factory amp is 7 3/8" X 5 3/8" X 2. Or 8 1/2" X 5 3/8" X 2 if you include the connector.
The area in the footwell where the amp is located is about 11" X 5 5/8" X 3 1/2" (In some spots it's as large as 6 1/2" wide and 4" deep).
I've looked and looked for a really nice, small, 4 channel amp and the Alpine was the only one I could find. It's only as small as it is because it is straight class D, which isn't supposed to be good for anything but subs. Alpine has supposedly figured out a way to make it sound as good as a class AB...we'll see.
Factory (non Bose) - ? X 4: 7 3/8" X 2" X 5 3/8"
Alpine PDX-4.150 - 150 X 4: 7 9/16" X 2 7/16" X 10 1/8"
Alphasonic has the PMZ6004A - 75 X 4: 9 1/4" X 2" X 12 5/8"
Audison SRX4 (If you can find it) - 45 X 4: 7" X 2" X 12.6"
Audison LR435 (If you can find it) - 35 X 4: 6.89" X 1.97" X 11.42"
Genesis Profile Four - 70 X 4: 8.5" X 1" X 11.8" (4 lbs!)
I thought about putting an amp under the passenger seat in the C6, but I couldn't even get my hand underneath the saet easily. That, plus the fact that i have not even read one post from anyone who has placed an amp under the seat makes me think that it is just too tight. Anyone able to place an amp under a 1SB C6 seat?
Mine in my 01 z06 is non power and it is a Genesis Profile P5, very thin and lightweight, and it BARELY fit ... took me 3 versions of mounting it to get it right.
I had two alpine amps mounted behind my passenger seat but found that the 3-4" I gave up really hurts most passengers that ride with me. I'm purchasing two of the Alpine PDX series amps (4.150 and 2.150) and having them installed in the cubby hole in the hatch.
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Opinions on stealth amp install.
