Out with the Bose - in with the Delco. Now got Questions!
Well, I have given up on the stock Bose system in my '88 Anniversary and decided to put in a new unit (non-Bose).
I installed a refurbished Delco CD unit (to keep the stock appearance) and used a GM Cable Adapter to connect the new Delco unit to the existing wiring in the car. So far, so good: the unit powers up just fine, works with the headlights, etc... Just no sound.
I still have the stock Bose speakers, and really wasn't expecting the Delco to work with them. As for replacing them, I want to start with the rears since they are easier to get to, and plan on buying new Sonys tmw. Can I just remove the Bose rears, plop the new ones in, use the exisiting wiring that the was used for the Bose speakers, and expect it all to work? Or is there more to it?
And am I correct that I should not be expecting sound to come from the Bose speakers with the Delco unit?
So far, I have not cut into a single wire - do I need to to get the speakers to work?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Chris
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1988 Chevrolet Corvette 35th Anniversary #1941/2050
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am #760 (1818 miles)
1983 Delorean DMC-12
1986 Toyota Supra MKII
1985 Kawasaki Eliminator ZL900
I believe you are correct, the Bose will not work with your unit.
The Bose have a line-level input to the speakers, and the speakers have the amps built into them.
Your wires will need to be replaced (I'd just run an additional set, leave the stock stuff as is, in case someone should ever want to get it back to original).
I've had serious thoughts about getting a new head unit for mine that is fully iPod compliant. Speakers are shot anyway, so replacing them is really not an issue.
There used to be a tech article on this somewhere...
Two schools of thought here. I've seen it written where you need to run seperate speaker wire if you change to non bose. I replaced my head unit with a sony and the speakers with infinities. In the case of the rears, I isolated the speaker from power wires, taped off the power ones and used the OEM speaker wire. I did the same with the door speakers. That was almost 2 years ago and it still plays great.
Am I missing something on sound quality? I doubt that seriously. I can hear it fine with the roof off and at highway speeds.........so unless you're trying out for the DB drags...........keep it simple.
ps: shouold I ever decide to go back to the bose, say if I suffered a sudden head injury, then the power wires are still there.
the bose wiring harness is adaptable, but, why mess with it? It's just as easy, and the wire really isn't right for dealing with speaker level outputs. And it's old... old is bad.
As for replacing the speakers... the bose in 1988 used an enclosure with a 4" driver. It's best to remove the enclosure and use a larger driver. get some 1/4" MDF or hardwood plywood and make what is called a 'baffle'. This is essentially a custom plate designed to interface the speaker to the vehicle.
Another option is to find the OEM Delco speaker baffles. They can be adapted to fit other speaker sizes.
For what it is worth, you really don't want to ruin the Bose enclosures. As much as we hate them, in 20 more years, C4s with working Bose systems will be "original" and more desireable. If nothing else, having the components will be something of value.
Two schools of thought here. I've seen it written where you need to run seperate speaker wire if you change to non bose. I replaced my head unit with a sony and the speakers with infinities. In the case of the rears, I isolated the speaker from power wires, taped off the power ones and used the OEM speaker wire. I did the same with the door speakers. That was almost 2 years ago and it still plays great.
Am I missing something on sound quality? I doubt that seriously. I can hear it fine with the roof off and at highway speeds.........so unless you're trying out for the DB drags...........keep it simple.
ps: shouold I ever decide to go back to the bose, say if I suffered a sudden head injury, then the power wires are still there.
I took this approach. Once I unplugged the 4 wires from each amp/box combo, I noticed 2 of the wires matched the GM speaker wire specs. Hooked up my (new) speaker to that, and then there was sound!
And like you mentioned, if we ever decide to go back to the original, its all there.
Run power to the heavy pink wire that is all by itself....it will power the amps and give you sound. I put a pioneer deck in my 87 and fought with the same problem. You don't need to do anything else.
Replaced mine with an Alpine, and had to use an adaptor to use the Bose speakers. If I were to do it again, I would replace the wiring and use aftermarket speakers. It just doesn't sound that good.
Corvette Store
Out with the Bose - in with the Delco. Now got Questions!
