I have a bit of downtime this morning, and I've been pondering the audio setup for this project (1989 RS - LS1/T56 Build). Unfortunately, with the exception of spending money on it, I really don't have any solid car stereo knowledge. I've always liked/used Alpine headunits and Rockford or Alpine speakers. That's about where my experience ends.

For this project I am retaining the OE headunit and amp from the 4th gen Monsoon system, along with essentially all of the stock 4th gen wiring. OE systems have come a long way since the 80's, so I think it should be just fine. My truck, for example, has the Bose system in it. I rarely turn the volume past the halfway mark, and I think it sounds decent. So, if I can get similar performance out of the car, I'll be happy.

With that said, I'd like a little help with the selection. I'm leaning toward 6.5"/6.75" coaxial speakers in the doors, maybe 8" subs in the sail panels, and either 4" or 5" speakers in the cargo panels (where the 4th gen had them).

Am I going to run into issues mounting the 8's in the sail? Is there anything I need to pay particular attention to?

I am totally open to suggestions on the speakers, and really appreciate any insight. I'd like to get them ordered up tonight with the hope that I will have them to install next weekend.

 

Mounting 8" subs in the sails isn't a lot of trouble wit a little fabrication, some have even mounted 10" subs there. You will want to sound deaden the sheet metal to keep vibration to a minimum. Free air or infinite baffle subs will be your choice unless you want to do some extra work and seal the space in the sail panels like I did in the following link, which is no longer "under construction"...

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/car-...tem-under.html

 

Would it be terrible to just fab up some "adapter panels" and trim the sail panel as necessary to fit the 8's, without sealing it off and creating a "box"?

 

Not at all bad, I sealed the area because of the type speaker I used. Find one one good for "free air" or "infinite baffle" and you don't need to seal anything up.

Something like this one should work, depending on the power going to it...
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_...nid=1294672011

 

After looking at the 8's in the sail panels, I'm having second thoughts. Do you think that they could be installed so that they sit flush and do not cause the sail panel covers to protrude?

Alternatively, I might just throw some 6's in the sail and run with them...