The sub placements will have to be modified to fit a modern large-magnet sub speaker of the same size in there; the opening will have to be made larger in diameter. At a local stereo place we tried probably 10-15 speakers of different make, and found only one that would fit. I've been playing with mine some (although now I think the problem is in the amp, not the speakers) and I could only get a small-magnet Kenwood speaker to fit the enclosure without modification. I haven't gotten as far as to actually test the speaker installed.... this is only a every-now-and-then task for me. Naturally, the bass response will be drastically less with this smaller speaker.

I replaced the dual-cone 4 x 6 speaker years ago with some Pioneer replacements.

BTW, the GAIN switch only controls the subwoofer's output. No other speakers are affected.

 

I was thinking of using a 5 1/4 component system, mounting the mid range speaker in the original sub hole in the sail pannel boxes, and then using a piece of wood or other material to creat a plate to cover where the 4x6 speakers were mounted, and then using that plate to mount the tweeters, storing the crossovers under the rear passenger arm rests. Any one have any better ideas? BTW what the best tool to use to enlarge the hole in the plastic speaker boxes?

 

I vote for oldest thread EVAR!

I have heard of people replacing the speakers with some nice 5.25" and 4x6" speakers, though most people rip it out in place of better sounding 6x9 or even the best (IMHO) 6.5".

 

has anyone tryed adding the amp and system to firebird with out the amp i got all the parts except the speakers but i can go back to pullapart and get the rest i got the amp the gain swith and the wiring harness and i got the harness in the car and connected but i got one plug with two wires the colors are dark blue with a white tracer and a light blue with a black tracer is that for the subs? i know this post is a little old but would like someone to respond back i have referd to a haynes manual for the wiring diagram but no luck finding it in it

 

From looking at the date you posted this it has been some time ago.
I have a 1984 Pontiac Trans Am also, and I found out it has the Subwoofer Amp. Question do you know where it is located ???
The only thing I see wrong is when I turn the Factory radio on the switch for the Amp comes on also, is this supposed to happen ??? or do I have a bad switch ???

Don

 

The amp is on the passenger side under that small plastic cover that on the 85+ cars has the preformance suspension badge. Cover between map pocket and under dash plastic. It protrudes from there up into map pocket area. Held in with 3 bolts. Amp itself held to bracket with 2 small 7mm screws. You have to take bottom under dash plastic off as well to take the 2nd cover off. There is also one screw that is hidden under guage bezel if I remember correctly

 

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Metal box far left^^^^^^

 

Never had a problem with switch. But I have only messed with 85 and on units

 

If you need to know anything else let me know

 

Dfscycle, you have a pic of the dash switch in your 84?

 

It's just a push switch compared to the slider on later cars

 

Thank you for this information, this helps a lot

Don

 

Question does anyone know if they make a replacement switch for the Subwoofer Amp. I have spent some time on the internet looking for one and can up with nothing.
Also can the switch be fixed ???
Mine is on when the radio comes on, I am not sure if that is good or bad.
I am also looking for the Factory bracket ( two of them ) for the OEM radio for my 84 Trans Am.

Don

 

They do not.

 

Best place would be a salvage yard, I run into them on rare occasion.

 

Hey guys I need help I have this system and replaced my subs but when I hit the gain button the subs just buzz hella loud can someone please tell me what is wrong

 

You have to figure out a few things... For starters, does the original Amp work? The original Amp does not work like an aftermarket amp... I hooked up regular 4ohm speakers to the amp and it worked fine, I used the aftermarket head unit to control the speakers, and just went to 4 ohm on all of the speakers... This does cause some problems as when you turn the gain on the amp, it is designed for 10ohm speakers, so when you drive the amp too hard it will pop because it clips the signal. More or less I was only able to turn the gain up 1/2 way, one thing you could do is get a 6ohm resistor... OR put 2 speakers in SERIES and it will solve the problem, but where do you put the extra speakers?

Someone might have a wiring schematic for how the amp works, it seems to me that it was a dual signal going in, the gain control is a single unit, and I think there was 2 signals going out to the speakers...

A lot of these amps have blown over the past 3 decades, so getting one that works, might be the challenge. If I could have figured out how to use the gain control on the dash to run an aftermarket amp, that would be super ideal...

John

 

I agree with everything above. As for making the factory gain switch work with a aftermarket amp, I am very close. I was able to wire up the switch to turn my aftermarket amp on. As for using the slider, I have not had a chance to mess with it as I'm away from home due to work. I have been looking into bass ***** to see if I can find something to combine with the factory slider. Haven't been able to find anything I could use yet.

 

I'd expect that at a certain point the limitation and age of the stock switch/slider, would be an undesirable element in a decent sound system. As much as I hate the block off plate, I'd predict that trying to incorporate the factory switch would ultimately detract from the system, aside from add to it. Aside from the Golly-Gee-Whiz-Bang! effect, I'm not sure it would be worth messing with.

 

For me it's the idea of raising the bar. I don't care how much time or money it takes. I am most likely going to replace everything on the inside. I have a Cad model drawn up with a few designs on how I would incorporate it with a cheap bass ****. Hopefully it will all work out.