87irocNJ

I just got an immaculate 1987 Iroc convertible. Very low miles. Car is 100% original, looks like it just left the dealership lot. I'd like to keep the car in it's original unmolested condition. But the one thing I can not live with in the short term is the stereo. It has the delco uint with the EQ and stock speakers. The sound is very tinnie and has no depth at all. I don't listing to CDs and I can just plug in my phone to the tape deck so I'm cool with that.
I'm hoping to keep the stock deck and just get some good speakers that fit in the stock locations. Assuming I get the best 4x6 speakers money can buy that will fit in the shallow dash and 5 1/4s that go in the rear, will that give me a sound that is comporable to a new car stock sound? I'm not looking for competition sound, or vibrating bass, just some depth.
Is the stock deck able to put out a decent quality sound that will support some high end speakers?

ZWis212

It will definetly help to get speakers because your speakers could be blown or close to it but you might not have enough power to the speakers and would want to get a head unit.

87irocNJ

Anyone know what the output in watts are on the delco?

Mark89Formula

Yeah, about a whopping 4 watts per channel. No where near enough to properly drive just about any aftermarket speaker. You can retain the stock head unit if you add an amp equipped with line level inputs, any decent amp today has them. I like rockford amps.
You will probably want to add some subs too. Even with a good set of 6X 9's and an amp. there simply isn't enough volume behind the speakers to produce bass, you need a trunk for that. I built a plywood cover for the full size spare tire well in my 89 firebird and used the well as the enclosure for two 10" JBL subs making no modifications to the carpet or plastic covers. Just make sure the plywood fits snugly all the way around. I covered mine with black fabric and you don't even know the subs are there. They fire streight up into the rear glass and reflect forward. Sounds great.

rfox

If I remember right when I had my camaro I when to my local auto parts store and got factory replacement speakers for the front and it made a world of differance. Still had little to no bass but you could actually understand what the radio was saying . As for the back, that's where most all your bass comes from so get some good speakers. Correct me if I'm wrong.

87irocNJ

Cool. I think I'll start with new speakers and see if it helps. I suppose I'll have to do speakers in any case. My guess is that Mark89 is correct and when I get 200W 4x6s in front and 200W 5 1/4s in back, it'll still be hard to hear with the top down since the deck is only pushing like 10w. But i'll give it a shot.

The Project

iTrader: (6)

Drop an 8" sub in the trunk (JBL GTO or Polk) and an amp (Best Buy - Pioneer or Kenwood on sale).