I HAVE THE STOCK "ERS" RADIO WITH THE 5 BAND EQ AND CASSETTE IN MY 86. I WANT TO ADD A POWER AMP(MAYBE 100 OR 200 WATTS), CD CHANGER AND BASS SPEAKER BOX IN THE HATCH WELL AREA. ANY RECCOMENDATIONS AS TO IF THIS CAN OR SHOULD BE DONE. CURRENTLY THE RADIO AND REAR SPEAKERS PLAY JUST FINE BUT THE FRONT LEAVE SOMETHING TO BE DESIRED. ANY RECCOMENDATIONS FOR THOSE ALSO? I HAVE ABOUT $700 TO A GRAND TO SPEND. THANKS

------------------
86 Camaro Black SS Coupe, T Tops, Flowmaster, Custom Paint, Dunlop Road Kings S/R tires, Wheel Country Directional Chrome Wheels, New Leather seats, new carpet and headliner, complete front end suspension rebuild, new Valve seals, and more mods to come
http://www.angelfire.com/sports/niterider/86camaro.html

 

To run an amp off your stock head unit your going to need preamp outputs. I bought ones that you wire up to the speakers, I'm not sure how good they work I never used them. As for the box in the well... you could use free-air sub(s) with just a board over the back, or you could build a box to put back there, it might be kinda difficult since you got the latch and curves, but my 86 I bought the guy built a box for the back so it can be done. I had 2-15" kicker free airs in my 89. You might not want something that big. I even seen 4-10" back there before depends on what you want. I don't know what size your fronts are but you can go to crutchfield.com any after market speaker should be better than stock. hope this helps

------------------
1989 Camaro rs 2.8 v6
Blue w/white stripe
T-Tops 2-15" PG x-max's

1999 Blazer 4dr 4x4
For Sale

 

well radio shack sell's a powered crossover for 20 bucks before tax. i have 2 of them in my car never had a problem and they come with a 3 year warranty how can you go wrong and you are able to tweak the DB level's i like it and never had a problem

 

Is it that you're trying to save money, or are you really attached to your stock head unit?

I personally would try to keep the stock piece in there myself, as it looks better and is easier to use.

On the other hand...an RF-type CD changer costs more to buy and install than the type that hooks directly to the radio. And adding amp(s) to a stock radio can be more complicated, and you may need converters that cost extra money.

With the price of good aftermarket tape decks as low as $100, it might be more practical to go that route.

 

CHRIS, YOU HIT IT ON THE HEAD. I LIKE THE ORIGINAL LOOK OF THE RADIO AND IT REALLY DOESN'T SOUND BAD, I JUST WANT MORE! NEED MORE EXPLANATION ON THE CROSSOVER THING. JUST CONSIDER ME A LAYMAN AND TAKE ME STEP BY STEP! THANKS

------------------
86 Camaro Black SS Coupe, T Tops, Flowmaster, Custom Paint, Dunlop Road Kings S/R tires, Wheel Country Directional Chrome Wheels, New Leather seats, new carpet and headliner, complete front end suspension rebuild, new Valve seals, and more mods to come
http://www.angelfire.com/sports/niterider/86camaro.html

 

You don't need a crossover unless your amp doesn't have one built in. Just to hook up the amp to your stock head unit, you need a "PAC" adapter. Basically a little box that you wire off of your 6x9s signal wires, and it has two RCA connectors, which you would run to your amp's RCA connectors. Even though some amps have high-level (or speaker-level) inputs that eliminate the need for the adapter, this method is the "right" way to do it, and gives you flexibility for future amp upgrades. In my experience, using the speaker-level inputs on some amps is noisy and take away from whatever you're tapping the signal from (of course it might have just been the low-quality amps, but again that's just my experience).

Also, just a thought, but if you really like the stock look, but want better performance, Classic Industries has some "stock" looking head units by Kenwood that even say "Camaro" on them.

 

Jza; Is there a WEB address for Classic industries? I would change out the stock for better performance if I could get the stock look.

------------------
86 Camaro Black SS Coupe, T Tops, Flowmaster, Custom Paint, Dunlop Road Kings S/R tires, Wheel Country Directional Chrome Wheels, New Leather seats, new carpet and headliner, complete front end suspension rebuild, new Valve seals, and more mods to come
http://www.angelfire.com/sports/niterider/86camaro.html

 

www.classicindustries.com

But... um... they're pretty damn expensive.

 

If you want to be able to drive quality speakers and subs you need a clean signal. The stock head unit is low on power and does not have RCA outputs which means you need to convert speaker level outputs to preamp level using a line level converter (they have them at Crutchfields). The only problem I have with that is the signal will NOT be as clean and could be a problem with distortion at higher wattage. As JZA mentioned, there are good DIN + one-half head units (Camaro size) from a number of companies, Pioneer, Jensen, Kenwood etc. that provide for multiple pre-amp outputs to drive separate amps for speakers such as subwoofers. This is the way I went to obtain crisp, clean sound at higher wattage. IMHO,

John

------------------
1984 Z28
L69, CC Quadrajet
K&N Filter
3.73 Limited Slip
Centerforce DF Clutch
SLP 1 5/8 headers, high flow CAT, SS Exhaust
GM Motorsports Struts