My car is bone stock and i really like having the interior look like its straight outta 1992. When i had my RS i used the stock cassette deck which grew old really fast. Now i'm thinking about changing the audio system in my Z28 but i have a few questions.

1) If i installed an aftermarket head unit, how hard would it be to put the stock cassette deck back in for shows, or other things like that?
2) Would it be practical to just add an aftermarket headunit, or would an aftermarket HU just blow the stock speakers?
3) Is there any place to get the stock CD players from a late model 3rd gen...that way i could play CD's and still acheive that stock look?

 

1. It's only a few bolts so if you wire it correctly, it should be as simple as pulling the head unit, unplugging the harness from the Aftermarket deck, removing the face plate and plugging in the stock radio.

2. Doubtful you'll blow speakers with an Aftermarket Head Unit's amp... but it will sound better if you at least throw in some speakers matched to the HU's output, there are tons of speakers to choose from that can fit in the stock locations without modification and without being visible...

3. Ebay

 

mack i just did an install with similar things in mind as you. I Like to retain the stock look. I got some 4x6 for the front, some 6x9s for the back, and some subs that are gonna sit way down low in the back, and be covered by one of those flip covers that are kinda rare. I was thinking of installing the new deck under the driver's seat, but i thought that might be a little dangerous trying to switch channels while driving. Next thought was to install it INSIDE the console, but i figured id run into some fitting issues. Finally i figured, even IF i can find a new place to mount it, and leave the stock tape deck in place, the CLOCK wouldnt work, cuz nothing is hooked up. So i said forget it, ill just put the new deck in, with the removable face plate.

None the less, my speakers (the sony x-plods) and the 4x6 pioneers, are in the stock location, and because of the dashpad and speaker covers, you would never know they are there. They sound amazing too. Ive saved all the stock stuff and tucked it away, incase i ever sell the car. I have pix if ud like to see. (install is not quite complete yet).

So if youre the kind of guy that doesnt change channels, and disks too often, i suggest mounting a new head unit somewhere out of site.

Secondly, a new head unit will not blow the speakers, i had mine wired up like that for a while, no worries, it did improve the sound though.

Thirdly, a new head unit is probably the most practical, and if u want the factory CD player, be prepared to cough up the big $$$, they are kinda rare. And yes Ebay is a good place to start.

 

Another thought would be to get an FM modulated CD changer, you plug the control module inline on the antenna and the CD changer relays the music to your stock stereo on an unused radio station, all you need to do is hide the changer and find a place for the control module which typically is about 2"x4". The sound quality will be a little diminished, but you retain stock locations and stock stereo... I had a setup like that in my '97 and it wasn't bad at all.

 

you could do waht chillphatcat suggested but i would only do that as a last resort, no offense or anything to you chillphatcat.. but maybe it is just my antenna but i have one of those and id rather an aftermarket headunit just because of the superior sound quality.. but it wouldnt be that hard to swap headunits in and out.. but why wont you just put aftermarket speakers in?

 

Oh I agree, I'd only do it if there was no other way... that's just how the car I mentioned was set up when I bought it and it was tolerable enough that I never changed it out. The SQ is basically as good as a you can imagine a radio would get. The major advantage is the stock look and not having to take things out for shows.

 

Yea i'd love to see some pics if you have them. I'd like to ad atleast a headunit so i can play CD's because thirdgen's get horrible radio reception, Its a huge PITA to make mix cassettes (Which ive been doing for the past few years), and it sucks trying waiting to fast foward/rewind.

 

my step dad mounted a after market radio under his seat in his 81 z28 and kept his stock radio in place and wired new speaker wires directly to the speakers and left the stock ones in place, but cut them and just simply turned off the stock radio, and he put in infinity speakers in the dash and back, and you can't tell that there are non stock. If I was you i would put a new head unit in and get one of those dash in stall kits from any audio store and put connectors on the stock wiring harness and on both units and four bolts hold the unit in place it just taking the face plate off and remove the unit and put the stock one in it would take 5 to 10 minutes max. good luck

 

Heres some pix of the progresss. I havent finished yet, so its still a bit of a mess. All the speakers were direct bolt in (you will have to cut the stock wire connectors) to install the new speaker ends. But other than that, its completely seemless. If you wanna go the extra step, you could leave the stock wires alone and get all new ones as to not hack up anything. You'll notice i "mounted" my amp right on the spare tire. Excuse the zip-ties, i will be making a bracket out of plastic or thin wood to hold it up. The amp fits behind the cover perfectly. The dash will go on with no probs, and same with the rear speaker covers (factory). The Sony x-plod covers wont fit under the factory covers, so i left them off. Ill get some more pictures when im done.