So I've been looking long and hard for a factory original Delco CD stereo from '89 vintage to replace my current tape/AM/FM/EQ stereo - And I FOUND ONE!!! I dunno, I think it's awesome - it's out of an '89 'Bird so it should be very similar if not exactly what was put in Camaros then and it's pristine - sick!
I also recently picked up replacement speaks - all Boston Acoustics; got the FX7 4x6's for the dash and the FX93 6x9's for the sail panels.

I know an amp would probably be best to really make the BA's sing, but money's gotten real tight so it's not gonna happen for awhile, if ever if things sound ok without. Not looking for subs either - don't shoot me over that one, just want a nice, balanced and sharp sounding 4-speaker system.

So, what should I expect? Haven't installed anything yet - will be in Nov. Will it sound descent with no amp? The speaks all have a sensitivity of 92dB - I thought that was pretty high and might work well with the factory HU, but I'm interested to hear what you all think.

Also, is anyone using sound deadener/deadening material in their f-bodies? I have some left over Brown Bread - If I should use it, where is a good place to install it?

Any advice is very welcome, thanks!
Kevin

 

If you watched e-bay for one.. There are out there. I was almost gonna get one too.. but I changed my mind.. They look like this.
Typically the pontiac decks have grey buttons.. the Chev ones have black buttons

 

I think the pontiacs also light up orange if im not mistaken.

 

mainly red I think.. But perhaps the older ones where more orange.. I don't know.

 

Hey guys - the pic and info is great. Yup, I got a Pontiac model then - supposed to light up in orange at night.

Regarding the pic you sent FastElectrics-
Do you know if a cd stereo with equalizer was an option, rather than with just the base/treb levels? The one I picked up, aside from being pontiac, has an equalizer and the display is in the upper right, rather than the upper left like your pic. The guy I got it from said it was out of an 89 formula - maybe I should try to re-sell it and look for a chevy model for true authenticity????

HHmmmmmm..........

K

 

The one you have is newer.. the older one you obviously where looking for does have the display on the left. I have seen one on ebay a while ago.. I too was going to get the one with the EQ, but when I saw it.. I highly do not recommend it.. it's the most plain a bad looking deck.. it probably didn't last long in production. But if thats the one you want keep a watch out on e-bay. it's very very rare.. harder to come by than the one I posted a pic of..

 

Thanks again for the info - the one I just purcahsed might just be going back on ebay when I get it. I'll have to see when it arives.
I wish I had known some of this before I bought it, but oh well, can't win 'em all.
Do you know if a CD stereo with equalizer and display in the upper right was an option in '89 on any GM car?? I found one that is as stated above with all black buttons (the one I just recently purchased has gray ***** and a gray button here and there - definetly pontiac) and I'm wondering if it was availabe in '89 at all. If so, I might go for it only because it could have easily been a dealer installed item in '89 if available and just not in Camaros. I did this with my '02 Ranger - I liked the 6-disc in-dash Ford HU but this stereo was not an option in the Ranger I wanted, but because I expressed interest to the dealer about it they got one and installed it for me before I picked up my truck. If it can be done now, maybe it could have been done in '89......just trying to reason out how I can make this latest find of mine legit.
So let me know if this makes any sense?
Regards, K

 

Here is a picture out of my 89 Shop manual, the only other time the deck with the EQ was availabe in a Camaro was probably in 93, look at this ebay auction #3055607780 it's got black buttons.. With the display on the right.. Is this one the one you have? Ebay #3055985376 But as far as I know the one I posted above with the display on the left, and no EQ was the factory installed item, since that picture is out of a brochure.

 

FastElectrics - you are a huge help. The unit I picked up is just like the second one you said to check out - 3055985376 - but in perfect working and aesthetic condition. The one I wish I had picked up is just like the first one you mentioned - 3055607780. There is another just like it I've been watching - item #2439138396, but you'll see, if you go check it out, the guy is asking a lot for it. I don't know if it's even reasonable the amount he's asking, but then again I don't know how hard these are to come by if in good shape. I'll probably be watching the one you mentioned as the auction progresses.....

This one with the black buttons - 3055607780/2439138396 - I'm starting to think if it's a really great unit I might fudge a bit here on the authenticity thing - I think it looks pretty good, is still Delco and not aftermarket so maybe it wouldn't be a huge problem with regards to restoration issues????................. I'll have to think on that.

So just how nice is this stereo unit anyway? The one guy (with auction #2439138396) says it's the "Holy Grail of Delco radios" - what do you think?

Thanks, K

 

If you take a look at several others in the higher price range. They are about the same in price.. It's a remanufactured radio.
have a look here, These two repair & sell delco equipment.
http://www.corvetteradios.com/UsedDelcoCDRadios.html
http://www.mnrelectronics.com/delcdcol.html

It'll give you an idea..
Glad to help..

 

ttt

 

I found a picture of the Correct stereo (like the one from my shop manual) it's the 91-92 firebird model.. Red backlighting, green display

Of course the Camaro version would have black buttons. and a blue/green display

But to throw in a real twist to it all, the instructions for the CD deck operation in my shop manual, refer to the buttons on the first picture I posted.. and not the one in this message.. So I really think that the one you want is the first pic.. and not the one with the EQ..If you wan I can scan the full pages out of the shop manual on the CD deck.

 

Do you think the speaker/HU set-up I'm going with will function well together?
Also, about deadening material (Like my left over Brown Bread material) - what have people put it in 3-rd gens? I can see puting it behind the sail panels to help deadening there, where else might be good??

K

 

I wish I could comment on that.. Though I have never actually heard what the factory head units sound like. You speaker choice should probably be ok with the stock HU.. Just as a basic example in my winter car I have a really cheap tape deck, I have JBL 4x6s in the front and cheap paper 4x10's in the back, and it sounds really good. So I'm sure what you have planned will be fine.. I personally think acheiving a good sounding system is not as hard as others think.. It's not like you are going to a sound off or something..

As for the sound deading material.. if you still have the factory deadening material in the sail panels, that should be all you need.. It's all I use in my camaro.,. and I didn't add anything extra under the dash speakers either.. If you use to much.. you will loose sound clarity..