Hey guys, I have the chance to buy a 1984 Delco Bose stereo and it's pieces to put in my 1988 Camaro. I know there's differences between Bose-equipped and non-Bose cars, like the Bose stereos put out lower power and have the amps built into the speakers. What I need to know is if I want to put this in my car, what all do I need to grab? Can I get by with just running the Delco radio itself? Any other major differences?

Thanks

 

According to my 88 shop manual the wiring going to the speakers from the head unit uses twisted pair wiring that shielded so you also would need the wiring harness to go with the speakers in the amplifiers

 

Hard pass. No. Nyet. Negativo. There are better sound systems that will bolt in with a lot less work and headaches.

 

Thanks guys, I know there's better options out there I just wanted to keep a nice stock look, and cassette is a must Shame bcuz it's a nice looking radio, but I guess I'll see if I can find a non-Bose model. Wonder if I hook an amp between the bose stereo and my existing speakers if it'll work like a standard radio? Heard someone else did this on the forums and it worked fine

 

One of the biggest reasons I added BOSE to my 84 was to try and keep a "factory look",...... I really didn't care for a speaker box in the hatch and the original system had no THUMP.

If you want to install a BOSE system - this usually means the Speakers, Amps, & Boxes - than a factory wiring harness is a must. I say "factory",...... but I really mean a GM BOSE wiring harness. From a Blazer, from a Caddy, from a Thirdgen, Whatever.

Now that you've got all the speakers/boxes/amps and harness you need to decide on a head unit. You can simply plug a GM BOSE deck in there,... or you can use any other deck you want. If you use a non-BOSE head unit you will need to install a line-converter between the head unit and the speaker harness to adjust the volume levels. Most converters have gain controls for all 4 channels; these do NOT - and should not - be adjusted too high. Start with the adjustment all the way DOWN on each channel and adjust the radio volume to the highest setting. ( Equalizer slides should all be CENTERED) Turn each channel's gain adjustment till distortion is heard on that channel, then on to the next channel till all 4 are set. The adjustment will be minimal - less than you might think.

Good luck !

 

From what car did you get this equipment from. The Camaro specific Bose option wasn't available until model year 1987.

 

I am pretty sure that the Bose speaker outputs are essentially low-level "pre-amp" outputs. Each Bose speaker had its own amp. I am planning on making one of these as my head unit if I can ever get one of these radio guys to sell me one with an aux-in jack. I am hoping it is going to be perfect for inputting to a nice aftermarket amp.

 

The donor car is a junkyard 1984 Buick Riviera, which itself and a PERFECT condition 86 sunset metallic Trans Am are too nice to be in the junkyard, and they wouldn't be if they'd sell the darn things I haven't bought the parts yet bcuz I wanted to know what all I'd need to grab. I'm kinda liking the idea of seeing if I can throw this system together in my car, it'd be a fun project! So I'm going to need the radio, wires, speakers, and anything else I'm missing that came with the system? Many thanks guys

 

The sound quality is ok with the Bose system. Like John said it won't thump you out of car at all but the four speakers do a decent job of breaking up the channels. I had all 4 amps rebuilt and aux jack installed in a pristine equalizer factory unit (non-Bose as original was long gone). Like John says you need low level outputs (for regular factory radios) and I had to install the converter to not overpower (distort) the amps. I'm glad I actually have a factory working Bose system. With around 5000 total per year it makes it a little more unique.

 

Don't be surprised if the amps are dead by the way. It is pretty common for the capacitors to leak and go bad. You can get them rebuilt if needed for $45 a piece through Bose central out of Florida. Google it and they will come up. With any luck they are local to you.

 

Also, each Bose system (radio, speakers with amps) is designed for that vehicle it belongs to. So it may be more trouble to install it and get it to sound right. You may want to search for a 1987-1992 Camaro specific Bose system. Keep in mind, the radio lettering is yellow for model years 1990-1992.

 

Chopski,

Making sure you mean that low level converters are needed for non-Bose radio head unit outputs to aftermarket amps? I am thinking the Bose head unit output is already amp input level.

 

Exactly. Bose radio have low level outputs. Other factory radios do not. Mine is a period correct equalizer radio so I had to use a converter.

 

That's cool. I've got a Rockford Fosgate Punch 75 Amp that is working with a more modern aftermarket head unit, old bazooka tube, and factory speaker locations (aftermarket Polks). The final piece is a factory head unit with a clean aux-in to pump through a nice aftermarket system.

 

True,..... each system is designed for a specific car. However,... as long as the same type of AMP is used with the proper type of speaker, sound quality isn't really effected. I've used AMPS from Nissans, Caddys and 4th gens in my Thirdgen. Some AMPS are even marked to be used with a particular type of speaker they should be used with; For example: You can see the terms " FULL " and "WOOF" ( Full range & Woofer ) on these AMP circuit boards. ( Look above the lower right screw-hole,...... )



As long as the AMP being used is connected to the correct/proper matching type of speaker,... sound quality will be just fine.


Some more BOSE info here:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...-amp-info.html