Time for a stereo upgrade - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Locobob · 10-02-2013

Well I've managed to pull apart just about my entire interior - getting ready to do a carbon fiber (American Hydrocarbon) refinishing job. So I got to thinking that maybe it's a good time to update my stereo. There is nothing really wrong with it but it would sure be nice to have a touch screen, bluetooth etc. etc. At first I started looking at doing a complete system replacement - head unit, amps, speakers.... but things got pricey and complicated really fast. Now I'm thinking that maybe all I want is a new head unit + adapter. I upgraded my Bose amps years ago (100w rear, 75w front) and honestly I think it still sounds pretty good.

Any ideas or suggestions from the audiophiles???

I think I'd prefer a unit without Nav... rather have a separate GPS up in the windshield area.

Could I install a new head unit, keep the Bose amps and speakers and also install a separate sub? Not sure where I would put it... don't really care for those big boxes eating up the cargo space.

Locobob · 10-02-2013

Also thinking I should do some Dynamat like stuff - at least around the transmission tunnel - kinda noisy..... But I really, really hate adding weight to the car, does anyone make a lightweight sound dampener? Is Dynamat Extreme lighter/better than the original?

scottfab · 10-02-2013

Here is a thread on such stuff.
http://zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?...eferrerid=1886

Locobob · 10-02-2013

Hi Scott, yeah I've been reading through the old threads here and gathering info. Hib's article is interesting but I want to do a touchscreen double din so that kit isn't going to work. The two head units I am currently looking at are the Kenwood DDX470 and the Pioneer AVH3500BHS. Looks like Crutchfield has the necessary adapters to interface with the Bose amps.

Jagdpanzer · 10-02-2013

Bob,
Got all my stuff from Double D Mods http://www.doubledmods.com/ when I did my Pioneer Nav install a couple of years back. Talked to Dennis there who was very helpful with getting the right adapter and installation information for conneting to the Bose speakers. The system has worked perfectly from day one. Dennis hangs out in the Audio section of Corvette forum.

Locobob · 10-02-2013

Thanks Phil, I just got off the phone with Dennis and he talked me through the whole thing. Pulled the trigger on a Kenwood 470 and a Pac adapter, hopefully this will go fairly smoothly.

GOLDCYLON · 10-02-2013

Order the metra installkit, you just throw away the pocket real cheap on Amazon. D

scottfab · 10-02-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locobob

Hi Scott, yeah I've been reading through the old threads here and gathering info. Hib's article is interesting but I want to do a touchscreen double din so that kit isn't going to work. The two head units I am currently looking at are the Kenwood DDX470 and the Pioneer AVH3500BHS. Looks like Crutchfield has the necessary adapters to interface with the Bose amps.

Bob, did you notice the sub design on one of the posts? I thought it was nicely done.
Let me know if you run into any snags. I can't imagine there being much to the "adapters". Perhaps a few 10cent components. Bose uses a differential drive design is all.
I still need to get over to your side of the river to see your new monster.

Locobob · 10-08-2013

I think I'm going to go ahead and run the wires for a amp/sub, that way I don't have to tear things apart again if I decide to do it.

FU · 10-08-2013

Did you find any lightweight sound deadener Robert ?

10-02-2013	#1
Locobob Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,057	Time for a stereo upgrade Well I've managed to pull apart just about my entire interior - getting ready to do a carbon fiber (American Hydrocarbon) refinishing job. So I got to thinking that maybe it's a good time to update my stereo. There is nothing really wrong with it but it would sure be nice to have a touch screen, bluetooth etc. etc. At first I started looking at doing a complete system replacement - head unit, amps, speakers.... but things got pricey and complicated really fast. Now I'm thinking that maybe all I want is a new head unit + adapter. I upgraded my Bose amps years ago (100w rear, 75w front) and honestly I think it still sounds pretty good. Any ideas or suggestions from the audiophiles??? I think I'd prefer a unit without Nav... rather have a separate GPS up in the windshield area. Could I install a new head unit, keep the Bose amps and speakers and also install a separate sub? Not sure where I would put it... don't really care for those big boxes eating up the cargo space. __________________ Robert ZR-1 Net Registry Oregon State Director 91 ZR-1 #431 Black/Black LPE 368

10-02-2013	#2
Locobob Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,057	Re: Time for a stereo upgrade Also thinking I should do some Dynamat like stuff - at least around the transmission tunnel - kinda noisy..... But I really, really hate adding weight to the car, does anyone make a lightweight sound dampener? Is Dynamat Extreme lighter/better than the original? __________________ Robert ZR-1 Net Registry Oregon State Director 91 ZR-1 #431 Black/Black LPE 368

10-02-2013	#3
scottfab Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland Oregon metro area (Washington side) Posts: 3,207	Re: Time for a stereo upgrade Here is a thread on such stuff. http://zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?...eferrerid=1886 __________________ Scott Vett owner since 1979._It's about the car and the people

10-02-2013	#4
Locobob Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,057	Re: Time for a stereo upgrade Hi Scott, yeah I've been reading through the old threads here and gathering info. Hib's article is interesting but I want to do a touchscreen double din so that kit isn't going to work. The two head units I am currently looking at are the Kenwood DDX470 and the Pioneer AVH3500BHS. Looks like Crutchfield has the necessary adapters to interface with the Bose amps. __________________ Robert ZR-1 Net Registry Oregon State Director 91 ZR-1 #431 Black/Black LPE 368

10-02-2013	#5
Jagdpanzer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,658	Re: Time for a stereo upgrade Bob, Got all my stuff from Double D Mods http://www.doubledmods.com/ when I did my Pioneer Nav install a couple of years back. Talked to Dennis there who was very helpful with getting the right adapter and installation information for conneting to the Bose speakers. The system has worked perfectly from day one. Dennis hangs out in the Audio section of Corvette forum. __________________ Phil Wasinger 1994 Torch Red ZR-1 WAZOO Member George Braml Intake

10-02-2013	#6
Locobob Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,057	Re: Time for a stereo upgrade Thanks Phil, I just got off the phone with Dennis and he talked me through the whole thing. Pulled the trigger on a Kenwood 470 and a Pac adapter, hopefully this will go fairly smoothly. __________________ Robert ZR-1 Net Registry Oregon State Director 91 ZR-1 #431 Black/Black LPE 368

10-02-2013	#7
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,155	Re: Time for a stereo upgrade Order the metra installkit, you just throw away the pocket real cheap on Amazon. D __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V

10-08-2013	#9
Locobob Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,057	Re: Time for a stereo upgrade I think I'm going to go ahead and run the wires for a amp/sub, that way I don't have to tear things apart again if I decide to do it. __________________ Robert ZR-1 Net Registry Oregon State Director 91 ZR-1 #431 Black/Black LPE 368

10-08-2013	#10
FU Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Found Member Posts: 4,346	Re: Time for a stereo upgrade Did you find any lightweight sound deadener Robert ? __________________ Frank Urbo. NCM Lifetime member # 982 Registry Founding # 237