Electronics FAQ Page Suggestions

[MTMike]

I need everyone interested in contributing to a Stereo/Electronics FAQ page to respond to this thread.

Anyone who has a question & answer pertaining to this forum please either post it in here or e-mail them directly to me.

After I get a bunch of them from all of you, I will submit them to Stefan and have him put them in a link at the top of the forum for you.

Thanks to anyone who contributes.

-Mike

[ October 26, 2003: Message edited by: MTMike ]</p>

[MTMike]

Here's 2 so far:

How do fit 2 12s in my car if i want to retain the use of my t-tops and not use the t-top box?

What is the differance bettween using 2 and 4 ohms?

[96firebird311]

e-mailed ya mike...

[96firebird311]

Again, not to plug any other websites, but this is a outstanding link for those looking for an alternative to dynamat. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[megabass]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by MTMike:
Here's 2 so far:

How do fit 2 12s in my car if i want to retain the use of my t-tops and not use the t-top box?
<hr></blockquote>

A better question is how do I fit two 12s and still have a place for my t-tops.

A t-top box is just one of the solutions.

The way you phrased it sounds like you have something against the box.

[ October 27, 2003: Message edited by: megabass ]</p>

[LD]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by megabass:


A better question is how do I fit two 12s and still have a place for my t-tops.

A t-top box is just one of the solutions.

The way you phrased it sounds like you have something against the box.

[ October 27, 2003: Message edited by: megabass ]<hr></blockquote>

If that's the $250 one, then it is an expensive solution. Maybe it wasn't an insult to the box, but not in some people's mean$ (like me :D )

[Ian]

I have no problem contributing to the FAQ page as questions arise on stuff. I know a lot about car audio, worked in the field (nothing major), and will be more than happy to answer questions.

[LD]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by megabass:


No, it's not the $250 one. If you're looking for the cheapest POS box to put in a f-body, won't find it at my site. Try ebay or something. You can get the Jo Shmo one size fits all gray carpet special for like 75 bux. But even then you won't be able to store the tops in the hatch.

I build quality custom enclosures for my f-body customers. They are hand built to order--not mass produced by losers in a factory--where you only get gray carpet as the choice of cover.

The t-top box arose from listening to users who wanted a place to put their tops and still have a box with two 12s in the well. So I re-worked the well box and the t-top box is what I came up with. They are more difficult to build than any of the other boxes and take more material. I.E. they are not a simple square box. In my opinion, this is the best all-around box to have if you want maximum slam and you have t-tops. The only other setup that would even come close would be dual fiberglass 12" stealths and those will cost you $250-$300 each. So in comparison, the t-top box is hard to beat.

I'm tired of defending my pricing on here. If you don't like it, don't buy one. But don't ***** about it. Go to ebay and buy yourself a jo shmo special. My customers want more than that though. If you truly want one, you will find a way. I even have guys on pay plans.

[ November 02, 2003: Message edited by: megabass ]<hr></blockquote>

ok wow
I don't know you
I didn't know you had a "site"
I didn't know you made boxes
I wasn't insulting you or your prices
I had no idea my statement would piss you off
sooo..
take it dooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwn a notch
I did go buy a joe shmo special
it's all I could afford
I went to Advanced Sound and Security and the only box they had for my Camaro was a $250 stealth box, which is what I thought you guys were talking about anyways (until I reread the part about TWO 12's, but now that I think about it even more, the stealth is for a 10)
So anyways I went to Dukes and bought
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> a mass produced by losers in a factory--where you only get gray carpet as the choice of cover <hr></blockquote> truck box that I could fit in my hatch and still use my t-top slots
and btw it suits me pretty good
sorry to get you all pissy, but it wasn't personal.
I think this is the best picture that I have
http://hometown.aol.com/camarosrool/images/ghhgf009.jpg
so there are other alternatives, and you might not want to be so hateful, I wasn't being mean.

[megabass]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by LD:

so there are other alternatives, I wasn't being mean.<hr></blockquote>

Just a misunderstanding I guess. Sorry for venting a little. Yours is definately another alternative. So we have 3 solutions so far I believe. Dual 12" fiberglass stealths, t-top box, and dual 12 rear deck box. Keep in mind that there are benefits as well as down-sides for all three of those options.

[MTMike]

All good suggestions - What about other common stuff?

What to look for in a head unit
What to look for in amps
What are good radar detectors

Keep them coming!

I'm compiling a list, will post it and have those add their suggestions.

After that I will have Stefan put it on a page and link it to the top of this forum.

-Mike

[Ian]

How about something like this?

A GENERAL list of what to look for when you are shopping around for a system. (i.e. Why people think that 52Wx4 is a better deal than a 45Wx4 head unit, and why that is a misconseption sometimes...)

Or a big thing......RMS vs. Peak Power. Frequencys, ohms, DVC subs and how you can set them up, component speakers and how they work, How much bass is too much?

stuff like that would be very informative. Especially a What To Look For? catagory, which can include what to look for when buying a sub, amp, head unit, speakers, wire, etc.

id be happy to do some writeups and send them to you on some of those issues. lemme know what ones you think are interesting. thanks.

[megabass]

Here's a few I've seen asked a lot: Best place to run power wire or go thru firewall, Where to ground, steering wheel controls on aftermarket HU, where is the monsoon amp, PAC OEM-1 integration, lenght of power and RCA cables needed in f-bodies, where to mount tweeters, where to mount amps, what size are factory speakers, explain "bridging", parallel vs. series wiring, series/parallel vs parallel/parallel wiring, sealed vs ported, do I need a cap, power wire size, troubleshooting noise problems,

Just a few off the top of my head..

[96firebird311]

CAN I STILL USE MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS WITH MY NEW HU?

Yes, you can still use your steering wheel controls if your new HU uses an infrared remote control. There are a few different adapters available. I like the PAC SWI-X


http://store.clubgp.com/catview.asp?catid=6

Sound Gate also makes adapters.

WHERE IS THE MONSOON AMP LOCATED?

The amp is located in front of the spare tire above the wheel well. It is mounted to a plastic plate and is on the fender side of the plate.

I NEED AN INSTALL KIT. WHICH ONE SHOULD I USE?

The following are Metra install kits:

40-GM10 - Gm factory antenna to aftermarket head unit

99-4544 - '82 and UP GM multi-kit with 1/2 DIN EQ option

99-3300 - Chevy/Olds/Pontiac 1994 and UP dash kit (flush)

99-3009 - Camaro/Firebird 1993 and UP dash kit (flush, fits better than 99-3300)


Best Kits is a Metra alternative (little better quality too):

BAA4 - GM Antenna adapter

BHA1858 - 1997-2001 Wiring Harness

BKGMK432, - 1997-2001 generic dash kits for F-body
BKGM4
BKGM8 - 1997-2001 Camaro specific kit
BKGM9 - 1993-2001 Firebird specific kit

BKSAC656 - 1993-2001 Firebird speaker adapter

Best Kits also has link for adding CD changers, etc.

Can I add a CD changer to my factory radio?
Yes, if you have a 98 or 99 than you must have the tape deck. You cannot add a Cd changer to a Cd Headunit in the 98-99 models. If you have a 2000-up then it doesnt matter. You can add a changer to either the tape deck or cd player headunit.

What CD changers will work?
Of course the AC Delco 12 disc changer will work. Alpines 6 disc (M-bus series) changer will work along with the Alpine adaptor. Kenwoods 10 disc along with the PIE adaptor also works. And finally Rockford Fosgates 6 disc change with the Periphial adaptor works. The Alpine adaptor was KCE202b. However they no longer make it. You may get lucky and find a shop that has one left over or you could try to find one on ebay.


How do I add the changer?
Both the Camaro and Firebird that are equipped with the Monsoon system are prewired for the CD changer. The plug is located behind the carpet that covers the drivers side cubby hole. Its wrapped in foam taped to the speaker harness usually. Plug in the appropiate adaptor and then plug the changer into the adaptor. No adaptors are needed for the AC Delco changer.


Can I add a subwoofer to the factory system?
Yes. To add an amp to the factory stuff you can do it a couple of ways.

The first is to by an OEM-1 made by PAC. Its plug and play with no splicing of the wires at all. It gives you a set of RCA (2 if you want) and a remote turn on.

The second way is basically an OEM-1 but involves you putting a few wires together yourself. Still dont have to cut any factory wires though. You will need a line level adaptor. I recommend an PAC SNI35. Then you'll need 2 radio wiring harnesses. A Metra 70-1858 and a Metra 71-1858. Take the 2 wiring harnesses and wire them together, color for color. You'll end up with a harness that plugs into the cars radio harness on one end and plugs into the factory radio on the other end. The blue wire in the harness will be your true remote turn on. Then take your line level adaptor and wire it into the speaker wires on the harness you just made. If you tap off the front speaker output the colors will once again match up. Now you have a harness that allows your radio to work exactly the same as before but with a set of rca outputs and a remote turn on.

Both ways are essentially the same thing, just that PAC has made it slighty easier.

The second way can be found using parts that you can buy at just about any car stereo store but requires maybe 10 extra minutes of work on the bench wiring it. Either way the price will range between 50-60 dollars.

Another option is just to splice the line level adaptor directly in to the cars radio harness. Perfectly fine but I dont like having to touch the factory wiring if I dont have to but its cheaper as you are only paying for the price of the adaptor and not all of the extra harnesses. You would hook the input leads of the line level convertor to the front or rear speaker out puts of the radio. These colors can be found below.


Where can I find a remote turn on for the amplifier?
The Monsoon amp doesnt have a remote turn on. It senses current from the speaker inputs to turn the amp on. You can tap an iginition wire somewhere or off of the power antenna. Firebirds are easy enough because the radios already have a remote turn on. Just tap into the pink wire. Camaro radios also have a remote turn on but there is not a wire coming out of the radio for it. Get a connector to fit the radio harness (available from most auto parts stores) and plug your wire into pin #8. This is your remote turn on.


Can I replace the Monsoon amplifier and keep the factory headunit?
Its a little more difficult to do than adding a sub amp. It will require the use of two line level converters and then finding all of the factory speaker wires. You would add the two line level converters the same as if you were adding a sub. Once the speaker wires have been located , its a matter of extending them to the new amplifier. The new amplifier must have a built in crossover or the speakers will be playing fullrange. The factory has the crossover built in. If your amp doesnt have a crossover than passive crossovers must be used.


Can I replace the headunit with an aftermarket and keep the rest of the Monsoon system?
Absolutely. Its a simple install. All you need is a mounting kit , wiring harness and antenna adaptor. All can be found at your local stereo shop. If you are using a din and a half radio then you wont need the mounting kit.
(See above for complete part numbers)


How do I remove the factory radio?
The trim panel around the radio will pull off. Once you get a grip on it, just pull and it will pop off. If you have trouble getting a grip then try using a dull thin object such as a butter knife to slide behind the panel so that you can get a better grip.

With the trim panel removed, you will see 2 7mm bolts holding the radio in. Simply remove these and the radio will come right out.


How do I run a wire from the battery to inside the car?
Under the hood on the passenger side you'll see the PCM. Its far back towards the windshield. You'll see a lot of wires going in to a couple of harnesses that plug into it. Theres 2 10mm bolts that hold it in. Remove the 2 7mm bolts holding the harnesses in and set the harnesses aside. Then remove the 2 10mm bolts holding the PCM secure. Now you can turn the PCM sideways so that the part where the wires went is now facing the passenger fender. The PCM will now lift right out with ease. You could leave the harnesses attached but it causes you to have to struggle to get the PCM out of its cubby hole. You'll now see a rubber grommet in the firewall. You can fish your wire thru here. Now inside the car, go to the passenger kickpanel, up behind the glovebox you'll find your wire. Its usually easier to remove the kick panel to find the wire. Anytime you add any wires to the battery, make sure you fuse them within 18 inches of the battery

Camaro
Front Speakers


6.5" "S" oversized, 2 ohm, located in the lower portion of the doors

.6" 4 ohm tweeters located on the same axis as the 6 1/2 inch. Kinda like a coaxial speaker.

Rear Speakers


4" 4 ohm midrange speakers located in the rear hatch panels

Sail Panel Woofers


6.5" 2 ohm subwoofers located next to the rear seats

8 Channel Amplifer-200w (2000 up is now 500w but you cant tell a difference)


The first 2 channels are actually off of the radio. They power the tweeters located in the doors. The other six channels are in the amplifier located on the passenger side rear wheel well. The amplifier powers the rest of the speakers in the system.

Firebird

Front Speakers


6.5" inch "S" oversized, 2 ohm, located in the lower portion of the doors

.6" 4 ohm tweeters just above the 6.5"

Rear Speakers


4" 4 ohmmidrange speakers located in the rear hatch panels
.6" 4 ohm tweeter located next to the rear 4" midrange

Sail Panel Woofers


6.5" dual 4 ohm voice coil subwoofers located next to the rear seats

10 Channel Amplifer -500W


Four of the channels are located in the headunit. They power the tweeters located in the doors and in the rear hatch area. The other six channels are in the amplifier located on the passenger side rear wheel well. The amplifier powers the rest of the speakers in the system.

***Note---This page doesnt apply to convertibles***

Headunit wiring harness

Pin#............Color.................Function
1......................Grey....................... .Front Left Speaker -
2......................Tan........................ ..Front Left Speaker +
3......................Dark Green.............Front Right Speaker -
4......................Light Green.............Front Right Speaker +
5......................Black .....................Ground
6......................Brown.....................I llumination
7......................Grey....................... .Dimmer
8......................Pink....................... ....Power Antenna
9......................Yellow..................... 12V Ignition
10....................Orange....................12 V Constant
11.....................NA......................... ..NA
12.....................NA......................... ..NA
13.....................NA......................... ..NA
14....................Dark Blue................Steering Wheel Controls
17....................Light Blue............... Right Rear Speaker -
18....................Dark Blue................Right Rear Speaker +
19....................Yellow.....................L eft Rear Speaker -
20....................Brown......................L eft Rear Speaker +

The smaller plug on the back of the radio is for the optional cd changer.

Progressive Doorlock Bypass

For those of you who dont know...progressive door locks is when you hit the unlock button on the remote once to unlock the drivers door and then hit it again to unlock the passenger door. These instruction are on how to bypass it so that both doors unlock on the first press. The second press of the button will now be an extra channel giving you the abitlity to control other options such as remote start, window roll down, turn on radio, whatever you can think of that needs a pulse to activate.

1. Look under the glove box. You will see a black panel that covers everything above it. There are two clips right at the base of the glovebox that holds the front side of the panel up. Remove these to clips so that the panels hangs down giving you access to the wires above it.

2. Look for a green plug. There will be five wires in it. -Orange/Black stripe -Red/black stripe -Grey/Black stripe -Tan -Grey

3. Unplug the harness. The female side is the bigger side and is light green. The male side is the smaller side and is dark green. You will be working with the female side.

4. Cut the grey/black stripe wire on the female side.

5. You should now have a short length of wire going back into the female plug and the other side goes back into the wiring of the car. Splice the side going back into the plug with the Tan wire.

6. The wire that goes back into your car is now your extra channel on your alarm. Its is a 12V pulse.

Most remote starts and window modules need just a pulse to activate. This will give it to you now from the factory alarm. Installation of these components would be done just as if there were an aftermarket alarm except that you would hook the trigger wire to the grey/black wire that is left over.

Since doing mine originally Ive found that some cars just have a green plug going directly into the BCM. Wires are the same color. You just need to verify which side is the output to the locks with a voltmeter.

There's plenty more where that came from.... [img]smile.gif[/img]

[MTMike]

WOW!!! Thanks a ton 96firebird311!! Very very helpful info there.

[ifonlyihadmoney]

i only wish i knew how to decipher all that. When i learn though im grateful for all that info you wrote.