Jbuchanan

Hi all, I need help locating a working factory Delco head unit for my 87 GTA. It has a aftermarket Kenwood unit but I want it back factory and want to add an aux input on it. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

formula1LE

iTrader: (3)

Look for a Pontiac Monsoon CD player from a 4th gen! It illuminates red and would be a perfect fit in your radio pod opening.

Jbuchanan

That would be nice, I remember those. I could probably pick one of those up at one of our salvage yards and get the harness with them. Surely the pigtails were changed.

formula1LE

iTrader: (3)

Yeah-pigtails are different-I have the wiring diagram for it if you need one-PM me your email and I can send you the file. The Theftlock CD players from those years are FAR superior sound/wise compared to the stock radio-even the higher end EQ one.

1992 Trans Am

iTrader: (2)

I'd rather have the one that is correct for an 87 GTA. They both will sound poor compared to even a $100 aftermarket headunit. It's all about the nostalgia if you're trying to put it back to factory, and a 4th gen unit isn't putting it back to factory imo. Might as well keep an aftermarket unit in there...

GASPEDDLER

iTrader: (2)

Send "84ta" a PM

formula1LE

iTrader: (3)

Um-not even close to sounding the same.

1992 Trans Am

iTrader: (2)

No one said they would sound the same but they'll both sound much worse than even a new $100 pioneer head unit from Walmart. And a 4th gen radio doesn't look similar and it's not factory correct which is what he's looking for. If not going for the factory look, why not just put a decent aftermarket unit in there?

formula1LE

iTrader: (3)

Well I agree with that BUT-the GM theftlock head units sound much better than even the optional stock 3rd gen ones and you don't have the theft worry to deal with. I've built plenty of mid level sound systems using them and nobody is the wiser. Nobody would think a car with one of those has amplifiers, subs, etc. lol. I also had the built in EQ curves eliminated and then routed it through an Audio Control processor for even better sound levels....I just prefer clean updated stock head units over aftermarket mainly for the stealth factor. If going full Resto then yeah the scarce EQ GM head units are nice to have....but they lack any kind of power if you want to push even a decent set of component speakers with it imo.

formula1LE

iTrader: (3)

This is one of my GP dashes but this gives ya an idea how the GM CD player looks like it belongs there-and nobody will think that his head unit actually runs to a couple of vintage rebuilt Zapco amps and a sound processor....

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

I've got this available,.... Closest thing I've got to what your lookin' for.

FitzGTA

I have one. PM inbound. Worked great when I got my car, I put an aftermarket head in there for Bluetooth.

formula1LE

iTrader: (3)

Here's another option IF you want CD capability and want to add an IPod input without modding a fairly scarce factory EQ unit. This is from a bonneville SSEI about 1994-95. These are as easy to find in boneyards as finding a rusted out F150! This one was really nice....says Pontiac and also illuminates red as most Pontiacs did-looks factory and doesn't sound too bad imo.

FitzGTA

Apologies for lateness

heres a pic of mine. Works fine

1992 Trans Am

iTrader: (2)

That is the one to get in my opinion!!!

formula1LE

iTrader: (3)

That IS a nice factory unit too-don't see them often. See I'd hate to modify a fairly scarce factory unit tho!

FitzGTA

It it is a good working unit, but I don't see a problem with modding it. I figure if you mod it for aux in , then you might just keep it in the car instead of going aftermarket

i really like the retrosound unit but damn it's pricey

84BrownBird

I am considering the same swap could you send me the same wiring diagram


I'm thinking about the same swap could you send me the wiring diagram too

formula1LE

iTrader: (3)

Here's the list I made-if works for all GM theftlock style radios like the 96-up blazers and 93-02 Fbodies.

sonjaab

Note that the later year Delco stereos use a small pin plug on the rear.
Earlier year (like my 84) has big pins.


I have the delco gold series CD in my 94 Buick rat.
I tried to swap it into my 84 Z and couldn't do it because of the pin size
difference.
I know now that Crutchfield.com has adapter plug ins to solve this problem
without butchering up the wiring harness.


Just check the pin size in your new radio.
Also note that a delco radios from 03 and up are vin# locked so a trip
to a GM dealer Tech 2 will be required to unlock it.


Earlier pre-03? delco theft loc radios can be unlocked following a simple
procedure found elsewhere on this forum or on line.

sonjaab

This is the later small pin style up close.




Top radio is the later CD small pin.
Bottom is the stock 84 am-fm-tape big pin.