xray_racer

hmm...I was thinking of running my own, but a $12 harness that will give me power and ground may be worth it. meh...I'll have to think about it. Is that all the cheap harness does is give you power and ground? And I guess Crutchfield would say that harness (the cheap one) doesn't fit because it doesn't give you all the stuff the expensive GMOS harness gives you (door chimes, etc)?

Again, thanks for the help.

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

correct. if you can get them T taps work as well. but buying a bag of them and the male tabs will probably run u about 10 bucks anyway.... you dont really need the harness as long as you can properly make the connections but its really up to you. sadly i have the harness yet im only using constant and ground... but im only using the ground for the video bypass and volt guage not the HU

JayBoo

Im trying to decide if I wanna get new components or get an amp and sub... My budget for this 200-300.

Thoughts?

xray_racer

300 will be cutting it close for an amp and sub. I guess it depends on how much power you want to be pushing. If you do go this route this is what I would get:

Sub: $50 @ Crutchfield http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1081252...2w.html?tp=111

Amp: $200 http://www.crutchfield.com/p_236JH30...00.html?tp=115

Box: $50

Then you still need your Amp wiring kit which is another $50 or so.

That sub is the one I have in my car and it's very capable. It won't shatter your windows, but for most people I think it's plenty powerful.

I actually have a more powerful amp, but to push that sub I'm only running it at about quarter power, so I think the amp I listed above would push it just fine.


If you replace the HU, which is what I would recommend first you can get decent Pioneer decks for approx $250 - $300 including everything you need except the expensive GMOS harness we've been discussing. Going from stock HU to aftermarket you will notice a huge difference in power and sound quality.

Just my thoughts. Replacing the speakers helps a lot too. You can get decent infinity speakers for $50 to $100.

JayBoo

I already have another head unit in the car.. Plus Ive found amp wiring kits for 20-30 dollars. Appreciate the post though for sure as far as that sub. also, found a mono amp for 130.

I was able to luck into finding a coworker that does all his own car audio and asked him some thoughts.

Was looking at trying to stay pioneer.. for no real reason except for I cant afford alpine lol.

coworker wants to go to an audio warehouse place and see what can be found there.

ChevyRockstar

iTrader: (4)

i dont feel luike read atm lol , but what is the simplest way to make a aux connection for a 06 ss/sc, with stock system

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

Damn david you cant wait like 4 days?


ya i would go ahead and say dont. Alpine and pioneer make very good radios and very mediocare at best subs and speakers (alpine amps are pretty good... pioneer not so much)

I wouldn't necessarily recommend the MTX jackhammer amp either the X-thunder is surprisingly much better built.

Overall its much better to piece the equipment together especially if your on a budget. No single company is good at everything so just keep that in mind. For the most part the only time a system is "good" with a single company is when you get the most expensive of everything but even then you can normally do much better by mixing

JayBoo

I know.. its just dumb.. I ended up going to an audio warehouse.. Said I wanted to add a sub to my system.. 250 quick dollars later and I have a 12" Kicker comp sub, box, some 400w amp and an amp wiring kit.

Now just waiting on install.

stoon_cobalt_colby

heres my stereo running off 420w amp subs are way underpowered http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cPIHKhCrKo camera makes it sound like ****

JayBoo

So emp, I got it all installed.. Amp turns on.. have the RCA from back of head unit to the amp and the amp bridged properly... nothing coming out of the sub. =[

Quick thoughts off the top of your head?

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

make sure the sub preout is turned on. alpine might have it "off" normally and u need to manually turn on

JayBoo

nah i got the pioneer head unit remember? it says sub is on, on the head unit.. i need to find the manual for it and go over that to see what i missed.

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

hmm. check to see that your getting voltage on the amp then. both power and remote

JayBoo

im gettin green power light on amp. if thats what you mean.

mike_rambo

Hi, i'm new and have just bought a 2006 coblat ss sedan

this may have been said earlier but I want to absolutly sure before I buy anything. My car has the pioneer 7 speaker system without on-star or xm. I am wanting to install an aftermarket HU and want to make sure I buy everything needed for a proper install.

So all I need is the Metra 70-2103 wiring harness + antenna adapter + an install kit?
will this maintain the DIC, door chimes etc?

thanks for the help

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

ya that should be it. if you want to get real technical then the toosl and parts that should be used would be: ~15 crimp caps or butt connectors, wire stripper tool, crimp tool, panel popper, 2 zip ties, and *optional* add a fuse

AsK

didnt see if you update it but the 03 does retain the onstar

mojoopop

i have an 07 ls i was just wondering if the rear speakers were directly mount in ... cuz i know the fronts you have to fabricate your own bracket?

Spun

iTrader: (1)

No I'm 99% sure the rears didn't have a bracket like the fronts. They just bolted right in.
However be aware that not all 6x9's will fit in the hole. Some of them have bigger baskets on them, some of them are just shaped different. I think the stock ones had a lot of flat surface area around the edges ( bottom side) thus causing the hole to be a bit smaller.

You can buy the bracket for the fronts (all of the cars with the Pioneer systems came with them) but there expensive though the dealer. But fabricating a bracket is as easy as cuting a ring out of wood. Use thinner wood cuz if its too thick you won't get the door panel back on the way

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

damn spun has this **** down. that is correct to a T

chucklowe44

http://www.installer.com/cars/by_car.php?carid=1041... that has all the parts you would need

mike_rambo

Ok so went to buy the headunit i want from future shop, tell them i need the metra 70-2103 harness and they are trying to tell me I need a 200$ harness to retain chimes and all that stuff. Ive been reading up on this and talking with people and i am just getting confused now.

its for a 2006 cobalt ss with the pioneer system. Basically what i am asking is if i install the cheap metra harness will my door chimes/warning chimes, factory pioneer system still work?
I was under the inpression that you only need the expensive harness for 07+

Thanks for the help guys

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

correct

PolishPauL

The HC1800 is only $195 at Amazon, so its not too much more

tooner_58576

hate to add to the long thread the same applies to an 09 ss w/onstar and xm correct? i know they say it will work with 06-07 (GMOS-LAN-04) just checkin i got the alpine ixa-w404 tryin to keep all of my stuff well as much as i can