The UM6 has failed in my 1990 Formula. Rather than try to find another used one that might work for a few days or spend $$$ to rebuild an old unit that really does nothing today, I thought I might upgrade the system, but do so without compromising the stock attributes of the car or maybe even maintain the stock appearance?

So here's what I'm thinking and I'm looking for some suggestions, input, and other options. My budget? Let's say $1,500.00. That should cover many different options I would think.

Okay, first up I already have 4 brand new speakers for the car which is how I discovered for sure the radio is bad (it only outputs to left front channel at low volume, also some buttons just simply don't work anymore) The radio face is pristine, car only has 70,000 miles on it!

Option 1: Keep the stock radio in place and just unhook it and bypass it. It simply becomes for looks only. Install a media player with USB, etc...up inside the passenger hush panel and route a remote screen eye for control to the ash tray (hidden under the door). Does anything like this exist today? I'm recalling a CD changer I had way back in the day that had a wired remote screen for control that fit in my old 91 Camaro ash tray PERFECTLY and stayed hidden. It also had a remote.

Option 2: Remove the factory radio and install a single din USB media player (looks like a CD player, but is not very deep) and flush mount this unit so it does not stick out. I hate the bulge kits, really hate them!

Option 3: Remove the factory radio and install a single din USB/CD player and flush mount it as well. Again, no bulge kit, I hate those with a passion. My 89 has this ugly bulge kit since I bought the car and as soon as I figure out what to get to flush mount it, that changes.

Option 4: Rebuild the UM6 and add some kind of function to it where I can plug a flash drive in and cycle through folders/choose songs. This sounds the most difficult to me, but maybe not?

Option 5: Remove the factory radio and install something period correct looking with modern function, 2 din?? 1.5 Din?? with USB capability flush mounted.

Option 6: Do something with a smartphone. I do have a flip phone....Galaxy Z Flip that is! So, I can put music on that, though I haven't yet and it's my first smartphone so I'm still learning how to use the damn thing, but it flips and impresses the hell out of everyone that sees it including me who is a flip phone maniac since they were invented.

So, my current choice of music right now is a flash drive that I take from vehicle to vehicle. I also have soft cases of CDs, but they are about wore out and like to skip, so they primarily stay in the truck (since it's a 97 with a CD player).

My goal is to be able to hop in the Firebirds with my flash drive, plug it in, go cruise and listen to what I want. I have the other two cars worked out, but they are not stock and are modified beyond stock. The Formula is special in that it's like a brand new car honestly and I want to be able to enjoy tunes in it, but also be able to put it back to complete stock, should the need arise or maintain stock appearance. Nothing shall be broken or cut in the Formula.

So, there it is, sorry for the long wind, but we're all stuck at home anyway, so I appreciate some input and suggestions!

 

Sounds like you would be the perfect candidate for one of the Retro Sound Newports. It looks a lot like the original factory radio with selectable green or amber lighting. However, it has a built in iPhone interface, Bluetooth, a front and a rear USB port, and two regular auxiliary inputs. The built-in power is decent at 25 watts x 4 but has 2.8V front and rear RCA pre-outs with subwoofer output - if you wanted to add external amplifiers and/or a sub.

$260 at Summit.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/res-new264661662

Can read the reviews from Crutchfield
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_068NEW...d-Newport.html

That would leave a lot of cash to play with speakers, amps, and subs if you want something more than just functional.

 

I'm not a huge fan of the looks of the Newport, but being somewhat disappointed in my first attempt at improving the factory system, I'm considering one. It's hard to beat the performance of 30-40 year newer electronics.

 

I forgot about the Newport. Thanks for the reminder and the info.! I was shown this a couple of years ago when I was looking for a radio for the 82 and passed on it back then. I think it was like 340.00 new then. Didn't realize this was still around and apparently cheaper. That is an option I suppose. It does have that old GM radio look, but it almost looks a little too basic compared to the UM6 for instance.

Honestly, I might get one of these for my 97 Silverado since my factory one is missing a bunch of button covers and the CD player is sketchy at times. To ponder...

 

I can tell you have some sort of attachment to the factory radio or this is a low mile car that you're unwilling to deviate or reluctant to from factory aesthetics. You're not alone.

Option 1: This option very much exists and is used in the classic car world regularly, the company is called Hidden or secret audio. There's several options for controllers, some are small physical and other utilize blue tooth from your phone.

Option 2 & 3: Best bang for the buck, its always going to look out of place though. It did for me, I had a Kenwood in my GTA.

Option 4:
I had my original GTA radio repaired because it's a steering wheel radio and the wheel controls work. That ran about $200, I don't plan to put the radio back in. Honestly I just plan to keep it, should I sell the car it'll go in and I can prove the wheel controls work. I also have a U1A CD player with the amplifier upgraded and an aux port, that will go in the car.

Option 5: There are some retro options like Blaupunk has one, they are pricey. The Newport (Radio in menthol flavor) is an option. Are you interested in some thing off the wall, there's a lot of vintage options that people are in to like classic Alpines. Also really pricey.

Option 6: I stopped reading when you said flip phone

 

Now we're talking!! Looked that up and found this:
https://www.classiccarstereos.com/se...io-system.html

I think that's what I'm after right there.

Thanks for the info. I knew something like that had to exist.

 

I think I've run just about every combo of stock and aftermarket stereo components that will reasonably fit in a thirdgen. The conclusion I think I've reached is that nothing aside from the stock stereos really look right. There's no way to get really good sound quality out of the stock stereos, they'll always be holding the system back. The only way to get really good audio quality is to change everything, and then it doesn't look stock. At this point in life, I've done the big stereo thing, and I'm mostly back to seldom having the radio on at all.

 

It may not be appropriate for your 3rd gen but I put a $25 media player i found on Amazon in my wife’s mini van shortly before we sold It and I loved that thing. It synced right to my phone when I started and played music automatically. Even took calls. And I loved that it was shorter than usual, not a fan of the bulging radio myself lol

 

Not having USB is a disadvantage, but being able to plug in my phone to my GTA's radio with the new AUX jack has been a very nice addition for me.

Beyond new inputs like USB, are newer radios really much better? Has basic radio technology and the sending of audio signals to speakers really changed much over the years?

In their day, the Delco head units actually were pretty well thought of. I get if you're upgrading the speakers than you would probably want a more powerful head unit, but if you're using the existing speakers I don't think a new head unit would really matter, outside of USB capability.

 

You can only go so far with rheostats and antique capacitors. The power supply in the delco units isn't so much weak as it's dirty. You'll hear the difference with aftermarket speakers by changing the deck. The delco head unit will distort more at lower volumes, potentially damaging the speakers, vs a decent quality head unit from 20 years ago with a decent amp. They're OK, but when you finally switch to an aftermarket unit, you'll realize how bad the Delco sounded. The difference between the UM6 or UX1 and the basic Pioneer Supertuner is about like the difference between the original AM/FM analog tuned radio I pulled out of my Mustang, and the UM6/UX1. You'd have to delude yourself to not hear the difference.

 

I don't doubt what you say. It's like a great set of speakers in your home vs. a cheap pair. The different is obvious. And in my home, I buy good stuff. I've become more conscious of it over the years in my cars, as I've bought higher-end cars as I've gotten older with better sound systems. In my Trans Am, I don't really worry much about the sound quality and am happy with the old stock speakers and head unit. In that small cabin, I think the four speakers do a decent job. That car isn't exactly the best listening space anyway being kind of loud. I remember reading decent reviews of Delco head units.

I've always felt that the keys to good sound are speakers and receivers. I've never really heard any difference between different players or tuners. I don't listen to a lot of radio in my house, but between different brands of CD or tape players - and I've had cheap ones and expensive ones - I've never noticed any difference. The cheap ones (TEAC, Optimus) were actually more durable than the expensive ones (Denon, Yamaha).

 

So here is the secret audio SST system:





I really like this unit, however, the controller is 5" wide and the Firebird ash tray is 4 1/4" So, I cannot put it where I thought I was going to without cutting out the divider between the ashtray and cig lighter. Going to look into other places I could put it out of site, but still accessible. This seems to be the smallest controller/unit I can find.

 

The Memphis Audio unit appears to have a smaller controller.

https://www.classiccarstereos.com/me...bluetooth.html

 

I did see that one, but the controller has no screen which requires a secondary device (phone) to have a screen to view.

 

kentuckyKITT: Can you post a picture of your original UM6?

There's a couple reasons I ask: First: I want to verify EXACTLY what style was used in the 90 Firebird. Second; I can probably offer you a very reasonable working UM6. I've got a couple good UM6's that lack a clean face-plate,.... the radio itself could be sent with or without a face-plate ( just use your good original face ) and with or without an AUX jack. You could get the original working again (+ AUX) & you'd still have almost all of your funding to invest in a 2020 tech "hidden" system if so desired.

Sometime around 90 or 91 I think Pontiac began to use a different version of the UM6 in the Firebird and if your is all original,... your picture will help me figure that out !

 

Here you go:
Has a gray face plate:

 

Very Cool; THANX !!

It was still the same as earlier years. If there was in fact a change made to the Firebird UM6 than it must have been in 91 or 92. (Rather than SEEK/SCAN the radio had SEEK UP and SEEK DOWN buttons.)

Thanx again.

 

The push on/off power button went away in 91. They got rid of the troublesome button and started using a volume **** that acts as a power button. Turn it all the way down then it clicks to off. Also why they put the yellow dot on the volume ****. They dumped one of the other buttons too. At the moment I can't remember which of the three it was. I've got both of the 91 cassette decks and an 88 T/A 5-band around here, but none of them are really handy at the moment.

 

Upgrade Complete! So, after attempting to install the secret audio system in the Formula and not being able to fit the brain box where I wanted it without modification, I ended up getting a factory looking CD player instead. It has been completely refurbished/rebuilt including an upgraded CD drive. It also has Bluetooth. It's a very nice unit and looks like it belongs in the Formula with correct gray face/gray buttons and appearance compared to the factory cassette. Plugged right into the factory harness and bolted right in with zero modification. I've tested it and it works as it should. Plays CDs and pairs with my Android phone for music nicely. Excellent sound quality and very loud with my brand new Kenwood speakers. It doesn't do hands-free calling, but I don't need that since I'm old school and don't talk or text on my phone in the car anyway. I just drive.




I will now be putting the secret audio system in the 89 and getting rid of the unsightly aftermarket CD player since I figured out a way to hide it, but it requires modification and the high mile 89 is the perfect car for modifications.

 

That is a BEAUTIFUL radio! Had the exact same in my original 85. Recreating it now with another 85, will soon be taking out the aftermarket single DIN and replacing with a Grand Prix radio to which I 'm adding bluetooth. If I could find an original radio THAT nice, would be using it instead, I think.

 

Looks good! Who did the Bluetooth conversion?

 

Thanks! Found it on Ebay. Seller ccc87gn. Was browsing on there for factory radios and came across it. Really liked the look of it and the Bluetooth option. Took a gamble and it paid off. Also, it has a 6 month warranty.

 

If I could get Bluetooth and USB added to a factory HU that would rock so hard. Oh and RCA preamp out, though I guess they have boxes for that. I have a Monsoon HU I got at the thrift store for $$ that has both cassette and CD. I know Monsoon HUs aren't better than anything else but I like tape and CD. And it was $4

 

My stock cassette player died I my ‘85 T/A. I put an older Alpine deck in it with the bulge mount, but I plan on it being temporary.

Plan is to buy an iPod, use it to feed a line driver, line driver into my old school Phoenix Gold amp(s), trunk sub box and 6.5s in kick panels, use the factory radio through the stock speakers.