Help me build a Nav system for my 07 Corvette

[too fast]

I want to switch out my stock 6 disc in dash CD for an aftermarket Nav system. My Current plan: Head Unit: Kenwood DNX8120 Data Bus Interface: Peripheral GMAH24B Chime Module: Peripheral GMAHCM Antenna Adapter: Metra 40GM10 Double Din Dash Kit: Metra 95-3304 Steering wheel controls: PAC-SWIJACK Ipod: Kenwood KCA-iP300V Bluetooth: builtin to 8120 Stock speakers and amp My questions: Will this sound as good or better than stock? Yes Can I connect the factory XM to the Kenwood headunit? No Will Onstar still work? Yes Goals: Bluetooth connectivity for cell phone Navigation Ipod connection Any advice or help is appreciated. Thanks, David

[pentavolvo]

on star still works, better SQ then factory, for xm u need to get the kenwood xm tuner the gm one wont work

its hit or miss on getting wine sometiems on new radios with stock system i highly recommend http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...d+loop&tp=2653 x2

[too fast]

Thanks, will add that to list

[pentavolvo]

oh yeah you will love the kenwood its 1000x better then the overpriced factory nav

[805Z06]

I would like to make a suggestion. Putting in a brand new HU with all the wiring and the accessories is going to take some time. You might want to consider putting a small amp and front components, while you are at it. The amp and speaker addition is quite easy compared to the HU.

[805Z06]

Originally Posted by pentavolvo

for xm u need to get the kenwood xm tuner

You can get it online or at Best Buy. It's two different parts that you need to buy. It will say on the package what part you will need.

[too fast]

Originally Posted by pentavolvo

on star still works, better SQ then factory, for xm u need to get the kenwood xm tuner the gm one wont work

its hit or miss on getting wine sometiems on new radios with stock system i highly recommend http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...d+loop&tp=2653 x2

I thought my speaker wiring from Kenwood head unit would connect to the GMAH24B since I am planning to retain the factory amp. The PAC noise filter you recommend appears to be RCA plugs. Also do you know of a wiring diagram for this setup. Most of the install I read cover replacement of Bose amp and speakers. Thanks,
David

[too fast]

Originally Posted by 805Z06

I would like to make a suggestion. Putting in a brand new HU with all the wiring and the accessories is going to take some time. You might want to consider putting a small amp and front components, while you are at it. The amp and speaker addition is quite easy compared to the HU.

I am happy with the sound of the stock 6-disc Bose setup, was mostly looking for NAV, bluetooth, and ipod connectivity. As long as system does not sound worse I will be happy I think. although MB quart components would be a huge upgrade to front sound stage.

[pentavolvo]

the wiring to the gmah24b will be rca connectors so the pac noise filters will run inline

[too fast]

Thanks,

I will be purchasing a 2nd Pac SNI-1 RCA filter for the rear stage then.

-David

[too fast]

Originally Posted by pentavolvo

the wiring to the gmah24b will be rca connectors so the pac noise filters will run inline

The way I see it there are two install options:

1) Run the pre-amp outputs from Kenwood to the pac noise filters then cut back wire on rca cable and connect to speaker wires on GMAH24B, because the GMAH24B does not have RCA connectors.

2) Directly connect the Kenwood speaker wires to the GMAH24B wires as shown in instructions. Apparently the GMAH24B is able to handle an amplified signal and then send a signal to the Bose amp.

I tend to think option 1 would sound better as preamp outputs would seem easier to process and send to the Bose amp, but the GMAH24B instructions tell you to use option 2. To further complicate things I called Peripheral and they said you can connect it either way and did not see any advantages to either approach.

In addition reading the thread below it appears mn08vette found option 1 to work the best, but he was using the base system amp and not the Bose amp.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ht=rca+GMAH24B

Any ideas which way I should go?
-David

[pentavolvo]

I thought the gmah24b had rca connectors casue it should if i recall

option 1 IMO

[too fast]

Mine looks like this:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...&ct=image&cd=3

[pentavolvo]

should solder/splice on some rca ends then

[too fast]

Will do option 1.
Now to figure out how to get the Metra dash kit to match the interior. I love the way Flareside bead blasted the trim and it matches perfect:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1682196
I wonder if there is any other way to achieve that look?

[fiveodude]

Did you get your system installed? I want to do the same as yourself for the exact same reasons ('08 Z06 Bose non-NAV). I copied your parts list above. Were there any additions or unexpected problems?

[too fast]

Originally Posted by fiveodude

Did you get your system installed? I want to do the same as yourself for the exact same reasons ('08 Z06 Bose non-NAV). I copied your parts list above. Were there any additions or unexpected problems?

I finished install and everything works perfect. I did not use the PAC RCA noise filters as the instructions showed wiring to the speaker outputs on Kenwood, so I did not use the preamp outs on the Kenwood.

Install notes:
I soldered and heat shrinked the wiring for Peripheral GMAH24B, Peripheral GMAHCM, and the PAC-SWIJACK to the Kenwood plugs first. Then zip tie all wiring neatly together. Remember you will need to program the PAC-SWIJACK before you close up the dash, instructions are good, but I had to read them about 5 times to get the hang of what I was doing. I ending up programing the 1-6 button on steering wheel as a mute button. Also you will need to tap into a wire on the factory car side of the radio plug to supply power to the steering wheel buttons, as the Peripheral plug does not connect power to that pin. I believe it was a purple wire and the PAC-SWIJACK instructions tell you what number and shows a diagram of plug.
I connected the headunit dimmer wire to the traction control button and ran the ground wire down to the bose amp under the passenger floorboard. I grounded the wire to the mounting bolts for the amp and found this was the only ground that eliminated alternator hiss. As for the Metra dash kit, after sanding down the surface I found a local motorcycle shop that did bead blasting and they matched the factory stereo finish.

Most important steps:
1) Make sure to follow the PAC-SWIJACK instructions exactly and check functions before closing up dash.
2) Run all components to a single ground wire and then carry that ground wire down to the frame mounting bolts of the amp. I tried about 3 ground locations that all ended in alternator whine before the amp location.

Performance of system:
1) Sound - better than stock system - this was really more of a side benefit to me as I was happy with stock sound
2) Navigation - Garmin is great, system is so easy to use, and works in background perfectly if you are listening to Ipod or any other source. Mounted GPS antenna on top of A/C vent in dash above stereo. Also I grounded the parking brake wire so I can makes changes while in motion.
3) Ipod - wow.... Kenwood really did great with this interface, fast, easy to use, and I like being able to watch my ipod video's.
4) Bluetooth - downloads address book perfectly, sounds clear, I mounted the external mic on top of the silver piece to the right of the steering wheel.

Overall everything looks factory, just works better and sounds better.

Hope that helps,
David

[pentavolvo]

Regardless of if you have a bose or non bose car you are supposed to use the rca ends not speaker wires.

The instructions say non bose cars use speaker wires but that is wrong because the bose and nonbose cars both have amps in them

[too fast]

Originally Posted by pentavolvo

Regardless of if you have a bose or non bose car you are supposed to use the rca ends not speaker wires.

The instructions say non bose cars use speaker wires but that is wrong because the bose and nonbose cars both have amps in them

You would have to solder some RCA ends on to the Peripheral GMAH24B, I just connected speaker level and it sounds great, should I be worried?

Thanks,
David

[pentavolvo]

i wouldnt sweat it too much, is ur volume overly sensitive