Figured it would be a good idea to get some tips and input from everyone on installing an amp and sub in my 94 coupe. I've already bought them both, a Kicker 8"solobaric round, and a Kicker ZR120 amp. Yeah, I know I could go bigger, but thats all I want. Also, I want to stay with the stock bose head unit and speakers. Yes, they arent they greatest, but I like the stock look of the deck. Now for my questions:
First, how and where do I splice into the radio signal for the amplifier? Will this effect the output of the speakers, as im tapping some of the signal? Also, whats the best place to ground an amp in these cars, since they are fiberglass?
Any good ideas on where to mount the sub and amp? I've heard to put the amp behind the passengers seat, which im fine with, and i've also heard of putting the sub in the rear compartment. That would be nice, but I refuse to butcher the original carpet and lid. I can find the lid for sale, but not just one piece beige(I think thats the color I have) carpet for the back (they want to sell me the whole set).
Thanks everyone for your help and thoughts!
jsquared94 :seeya
your gonna need adapters that will take the bose level signal and make it line level. since you are only doing bass, the sound won't be too bad.
I am not sure exactly where you put these adapters...
you may find the bass gets kinda heavy, considering the rather soft highs the front stage has.
as for mounting... the funny thing... the 8s will fit in the rear enclosures without changing the outward appearance of the system... but you don't want to do that.
one would be to build an enclosure made of MDF, 3/4", that will hold the sub and the amp. it is not hard. and it won't be very large, either.
the other option is to convert the storage box behind the pass seat into a sub enclosure. also, the amd, depending on size, can go under the pass seat or behind it on the bulk head.
do you know anyone who has mounted their amp under a seat, especially with low clearance, like the vette? im worried about it overheating and also frying something...fires are BAAADD :nono:
No, it doesn't. You can't hook an amp up to the stock bose in a C4, only in a C5. They make an adapter so you can run a deck to the bose speakers, but not the other way around. And the line level at the bose is not compatable with line level adapters. Bose runs at 1 ohm with amps built into the speaker housings. The wires going to them are low level and can't be converted. You need to get a new deck if you want to run a sub. Also, you probably would be best served getting new speakers in the process as the bose are cheap paper and foam speakers that are now 9 years old.
don't tell me that, please!?!? :cry I've read your posts and respect your opinion. can you tell me everything you know about the output from a stock 94 bose gold system- voltage, impedance...? I will not accept defeat!!!! I WILL make this work!! I am an electrical engineering major, and I plan to have my professors help me if I get stumped, as I'm sure there must be a way!
good luck.... you and your profs are gonna need it.
signal is one thing... dealing with a twisted minds better idea... thats another.
triple is right.
but I thought there was a line level adaptor that would take the bose signal and convert to regular... hmmm...
I replaced my system... beleive me... its the best way to go. the bose is EXPENSIVE... to buy, repair or replace... and it simply does not sound that great.
i don't understand why everyone rips on the bose sound. when it is working properly (rare, i know), it sounds great i feel. to me there is a lot of depth and warmth to the factory sound,which is fairly difficult to attain (again, for me) with simple replacement speakers. to get it done right you'd have to do a deck, components, rears, and a whole 'nother amp, on top of the amp and sub i already have. i don't particularly want to pay for another amp, as its gonna be expensive as i dont plan to buy junk. we're talking probably $1000+. alot of money for sound. i was told i should yank the radio out; i should be listening to the sound of an american V8!! :cool:
and the sub and amp you have.
That makes $620+shipping for a killer system.
Pioneer CD, Boston speakers, which alone will sound better than the bose, a rockford fosgate amp and a sub? Go man go. Just make sure you are getting something that will please you. If you are pleased by the bose, this will put a big smile on your face. :yesnod:
You could also put all the speaker money into a set of seperates for the front, bridge the amp, and get a good sound you could expand on later. Your choice. This also lets you plug in the sub amp, cd changer, etc.
Corvette Store
94 coupe install tips needed
