'87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

So as the title states, I have an '87 GTA with the stereo that has the extra bas dash button and bass slider. I know it's not best practice with stereo upgrades, but I would like to keep the stock radio head unit but upgrade the speakers. Something about the stock radio in an older car that just brings good memories and feelings. Same with the 8 tracks in the 70 cars, just really cool.
So I read on other threads on here with this stereo that the car has 4 4x6 speakers and 2 5's. So my question is for anybody that upgraded, what were some of the choices you found?
I go on Crutchfield and type in car make/model and it gives me choices, but I also read on threads here guys had trouble fitting alot of sized speakers in as they were too thick and such. So for the people that have travelled this route, what did your research come up with in choice selections and what's available today and hasn't been discontinued ???

Thanks folks!!

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

This is the closest thing I've found to date. I'm guessing there will need to be some type of modification for them to work; the Firebird SUB-box mounts the speaker as a face-up "drop-in" install,... but the Fiero mounts the speaker face-down in it's SUB box, so I'm thinking some type of spacer/gasket will be needed and possibly cutting the hole a bit larger in the Firebird SUB-box.

http://www.rodneydickman.com/product...75432eba9e8d88

http://rodneydickman.com/images/Sub%20speaker%20new.jpg


If ANYONE has a install-&-go SUB they can recommend,....... PLEASE DO !! ( I can't just re-cone mine ! )

:driving:

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

Thanks for the info John!

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

So bumping this up. On Crutchfield site they have front and sail panel plates to run 4" and 6 1/2 " respectively. Has anybody done this? I do admit I like the idea of the bass button on the dash still functioning, kinda cool about the car.

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

You could probably convert the 4x6 speakers in the dash to 4" with the adapter plates (driver side location is shallow, so be mindful of that if shopping for replacement speakers). The 4x6 speakers in the sail panel sub boxes could probably be converted with 4" adapter plates, too.

But the 6 1/2" adapter plate isn't for your car. Most 3rdgens have standard sound systems with 6x9 speakers in the sail panels, for which those 6 1/2" adapter plates could be used, but your car doesn't have that size back there. Your car's Performance Sound System has sub boxes in the sail panels that contain 5 1/4" subwoofer speakers, paired with 4x6 speakers. The GAIN switch, which you said you like, and a small amp behind the dash power those subs.

Your subs might be able to be rebuilt, if they've gone bad. I had mine rebuilt. But if you want to swap them out for new subs, then you won't have many options. General web searches show a few questionable "subwoofers" in that size, but the only one that has always been consistent in its description throughout the years is from Tang Band. I don't know if it's any good, but that's what I'll be trying if I ever replace mine. It's also available on ebay and a few other sources, too.
Tang Band W5-1138SMF 5-1/4" Paper Cone Subwoofer Speaker (parts-express.com)

Or you could remove the factory sub system components and install whatever you want.

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

I don't think that Tang Band speaker will work either,...... If I'm reading the specs correctly the mounting hole has to be about 4.7" ( 120.5mm ) but the sub-speaker hole in the Firebird speaker box is only about 4" and it can't be made much larger due to the design of the box and the mount hole "posts" molded into it.

http://www.tb-speaker.com/en/products/w5-1138smf

After putting a LOT of time trying to find a good replacement speaker the only one I *THINK* might work is the one I listed above from http://www.rodneydickman.com/product...75432eba9e8d88 ,... and even that will require some modification ( spacer at a minimum ) to work. They do include a spacer for it,... but I doubt it will be correct and am guessing that it too might need modification.

** I would inquire with them as to the size of the mounting hole needed on that rodneydickman speaker before purchasing to see if it's 4" !

At this point - I think I'm going to start looking more seriously for a company that can rebuild the originals. I've asked a couple places already last summer that have said no; I remember 'SpeakerWorks' was one that said no,.... but can't-recall the others.
:driving:

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

I'm running 4" rounds up front and 4x6's in the sail panels. All 2-ways with no amp yet.

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

Thank you for the responces and ideas and info gentlemen, I appreciate it! Always good people on this forum, enthusiats.
I may wait amd see what comes out of getting the stock speakers fixed, mine aren't 'gone' gone, but they do not like volume up thats for sure. Surely there will be a company that steps up for rebuilds???? I know upgrading the system is the obvious better solution, but like I mentioned, I have that quirk about trying to keep some factory things working. Having that dash bass button and slider there doing nothing, as non essential as it is, would always be a thing with me, lol. I mean, I know amy upgrade deck would be better, and tape decks are.... obsolete. But if I had a '77-'78 Bandit Trans Am with an 8 track.... well it wouldn't be going anywhere. Guess this is kinda the same.

Thanks again for bouncing ideas fellas!!!

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

LAFireboyd: Can you share any info on the shop that rebuilt yours ??

FYI about the stock speakers,.....

front 4x6's are 10 OHM
rear 4x6's are 4 OHM
rear 51/4" are 4 OHM.

Factory head units do NOT like being connected to 4 - 4 OHM speakers, and most aftermarket speakers are 4 OHM.

:driving:

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

Thank you John!
So I guess that means if I want to just stay with the stock head unit.... it's rebuild the stock speakers.... or rebuild the stock speakers. Lol.
Gonna keep eyes/ears open to places that offer this...

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

It was a little hole-in-the-wall shop on Vineland @ Oxnard, in North Hollywood, CA, that I used to pass on my way to work everyday. Sign out front said "Speaker Repair." So after about a year of passing by, I stopped in and told the guy what I had, and he said to bring them in.

He was absolutely sure that they couldn't be subs, at only 5-1/4", and that I was mistaken about what I had, but he would take a look at them.

Then when I took them to him, he was like, wow, those really are tiny subs, very cool.

After examination, he called me and said the voice coils were fine, just needed new surrounds. And he fixed them.

The sign is still up over the store front, but the shop has looked closed for many years now. But it kind of looked closed then, too, so maybe it's still open.

Edit: Still in business, according to Google maps. GSS Speaker Repair Services, 6030 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91606, 818-763-2861

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

Someone might want to see how these work.
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.co...s-4-ohm-round/

They have a fairly wide rolled surround and a 10mm x-max (5mm one way), which is about double of most speakers this size. 4ohm, 4" cutout, and decent sensitivity for the size.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...73408afeb9.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...68f85fbb2c.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...9aa761ccf4.jpg

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

BadSS : That's the closest potential replacement that I've seen yet. :thumbsup: Not sure about the mounting holes and it will still need a spacer,... but it sure looks like it will fit !

:driving:

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

I called a very reputable speaker company, top notch. I a have my fingers crossed they do rebuilds on speakers like ours.... waiting to hear back next week.

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

So the company got back to me, unfortunately they do not offer this service. Still on the hunt...

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

Just in case nobody saw my edit, you might try the place that did mine. It was probably about 15+ years ago, but they are still open. I just phoned and talked to Singh, who sounded like the man I dealt with back then. I figured I should check before I recommended that people contact him. I explained what an unusual speaker this is, with no realistic replacements on the market. And as long as the customer covers all shipping costs, then he said he'd take a look at them.

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

Thank you for the legwork and info sir!!
This place will stay on my radar, especially with nothing popping up closer. Being the distance I will probably see if anyone else deals with them now, and take feedback. As the boarder opens up more things will get easier, shipping and such. (Fairly close to boarder, so makes shipping/recieving packages easier to cross and send/recieve.)

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

If you want to try the SB Acoustic speakers, Solen in Canada has 4 (27.22$CAD each).
https://solen.ca/products/speakers/h...idwoofer-4ohm/

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

Thank you BadSS!!
That is definetly worth considering.....hmmm

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

Thanx for the updates Guys !!!!

:driving:

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

i know it wouldnt be using the factory boxes, but i bet you could fab up some new baffle plates for some 6.5" monsoon subs out of a 4th gen. they are dual 2 ohm units, so you could connect the coils in series for a 4 ohm load. they run in free air in the 4th gens and sound real nice. (i have tried a few others including bazooka drop in replacements in those cars and none of them sounded as good as the factory subs).

just tossing that idea out there. i do understand the interest in keeping the factory setup, it is very cool.

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

See I always thought the GM Monsoon stereos were pretty goodin the 4th gens too. Then a few 4th gen owners told me they were not that great?? A good friend with a CETA bought upgraded speakers from Kee Audio, they have a couple levels of upgrade. I just went to the page, they also have some upgrades for 3rd gens.
http://www.keeaudio.com/

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

Here'a a nice thread on the UQ7 sound system
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/car-...ments-uq7.html

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

a few years back, kee offered bazooka brand subs as a drop in for the 4th gens. i bought a set of those, and honestly didnt think they sounded as good as the stock monsoon units. i think the monsoon subs played lower frequencies better iirc? i rarely crank mine up very loud and care more about the actual sound. i may try a set of the cdt's in the future on my 4th gen.
also, there is a few oem and aftermarket 6x9 subwoofers available now, and you might be able in put those in freeair with no other speakers. if you wanted some highs in the rear you might be able to float a plate speaker over the 6x9 subs?

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

Been a REAL long time since I posted here on TGO and wanted to at least get this info posted until I begin to post more regularly again !


I purchased a pair of aftermarket SUBs for the UQ7 set-up and while it wasn't a direct 'drop-in' installation, there were only minor modifications needed to the original speaker boxes needed to make it work. I ALMOST bought the SB Acoustic speakers; but decided against it once I realized that they were just 30 watt speakers and aftermarket SUB that Rodney Dickman was selling were @ 60 Watts. They also have a lower frequency response starting at 45db compared to the SB Acoustics @ 58db. Total delivered for a pair of Rodney Dickman " Fiero " replacement SUBs cost me about $130 delivered.

https://berlinetta.info/mypics/88GTA...marketSub1.JPG

These pics show how the speaker sits in the box when just dropping it in. The SUB hits the edge of the 4x6 speaker and the mounting holes do not line-up with the factory holes. You can see how substantial the foam insulation is and the speakers WILL have an air-tight seal once they are final installed. I used a Dremel to grind away a little of the 4x6 'insulation' along the offending edge and drilled some new mounting holes.

https://berlinetta.info/mypics/88GTA...marketSub2.JPG

https://berlinetta.info/mypics/88GTA...marketSub3.JPG

https://berlinetta.info/mypics/88GTA...marketSub4.JPG


The speaker mounting screws that are included are too short and you'll need to find 8 that a bit longer. I also found the terminal ends that are included are a bit too small for the terminals on the speaker - I was able to use them, but would have used larger terminal ends if I ever did this again. The Foam has a sticky side and has to be "stretched" a bit for the best fit. You can see how it's fitted once installed. ( the SUB speaker harness must be installed UNDER the foam ! )


https://berlinetta.info/mypics/88GTA...marketSub5.JPG

https://berlinetta.info/mypics/88GTA...marketSub6.JPG


A side profile pic of the SUB when set on top of the foam,.... and when fully secured.


https://berlinetta.info/mypics/88GTA...marketSub7.JPG

https://berlinetta.info/mypics/88GTA...marketSub8.JPG


Here are a few pics after final install into the car; you can see that the SUB face isn't sticking too far out - at all. Looks to me to be in a very similar position when compared to the stock SUB speakers. While I didn't think much of the sound when the SUBs when they were first tested (out of the SUB Box),... once they were fully installed in the factory boxes the SUBs sounded a LOT better.

https://berlinetta.info/mypics/88GTA...marketSub9.JPG

https://berlinetta.info/mypics/88GTA...arketSub10.JPG

https://berlinetta.info/mypics/88GTA...arketSub11.JPG

This system produces a very distinct sound (DEEP, FULL, 'FEEL-IT' kinda sound ) compared to a basic 4-speaker system,..... The LOUDNESS button on the head unit effects all 4 of the UQ7 4x6 speakers providing for a much 'richer' sound, but the effect is different when the GAIN button is pushed because your turning-on 2 more (SUB) speakers that were silent. NOT SORRY for taking the time and spending the $ to get the factory style "Performance Sound" system back-in-action !!

** FYI: I tested a few SUB AMPs when working on this system and one of them was removed from an 86 Fiero. ( It was a 26,000 mile all-original GT part-out and I stripped it bare so I'm confident is was the original AMP. ) When the Fiero AMP was plugged into my GTA I got sound from BOTH SUB speakers. ( Fiero only uses 1 SUB. )

Re: '87 GTA Speaker upgrade options
 

Very cool John! Thanks for sharing this.

I never knew what to expect from the factory system, because I never experienced it working with the original speakers. After I repaired them with new foam edge / surround, I didn't know if they sounded like they should or not.

I may have to try a set of these just to see, when T/A stereo rebuild #2 gets underway.