Wiring, Stereo & Electronics Audio Components | Radars | Alarms - and things that spark when they shouldn't

System in '98 Camaro

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 31, 2009 | 10:54 PM
  #1  
ItsGone97's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Boise, ID
Default System in '98 Camaro

Guys -
I want to start putting together a system for my car. I mostly listen to rock and metal... not looking for a ton of base but I do want more than a "stock" system. I have heard of a few guys putting 8'' subs into the speaker panels in the B post. I am thinking of doing this and then just buying some higher end speakers to replace the door/hatch stockers. Maybe a 500 or 1000 watt amp to finish it off. Let me know what you think of this plan and what you guys have done or seen work well. Not looking to spend a fortune; I just want a solid system. Thanks.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2009 | 11:41 AM
  #2  
ItsGone97's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Boise, ID
Default system

I went back and read through some previous threads on this topic..... I want to replace the door and hatch stock speakers like a lot of you have done. I haven't decided if I am going to replace the stock subs with 6.5'' or 8''; I know I will have to work harder to get the 8'' installed; any advice on what size/brand of sub to go with? Also.. I have the POS 200 watt monsoon amp and I want to replace it with something in the 500-750 watt range. Any suggestions? Finally, I have a monsoon head unit out of a '99 z28, if I replace all of this stuff, will I have to replace the head unit also? Will I be able to get the full benefit of my upgrades with this head unit or am I wasting my time with it? thanks for any input.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2009 | 07:46 PM
  #3  
Fbodyfan's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Ga
Default

Most people seem to feel that the head unit is a much weaker link than the stock amp. I have replaced the door speakers and the head unit is next. After that I am plannig to add a sub and amp. The last step will be to upgrade the rest of the speakers, rewire, and replace the stock amp. The only thing I have not decided yet is whether to move the rear full range up to the sail panels or keep the mid bass there.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 11:41 AM
  #4  
midnightblue02's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: danville, ky
Default

if i were you, id look into a 10'' sub in an mtx thunderform box that tucks away in the side, looks clean, sounds good. me myself wouldnt even both with an 8'' sub. but yes replace dorr and rear speakers it makes a ton of difference. you can use the stock deck, but i would look into getting something different, that will make a difference too. but then again this is coming from a guy with 3600$ in his system. good luck
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 11:52 AM
  #5  
ItsGone97's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Boise, ID
Default

yea... I know that putting a 10'' or 12'' sub and a box in would be optimal.. I just dont need a ton of base. Is replacing the stock subs in the sail panals with an aftermarket 6.5'' or 8'' even going to be noticable? Or is that a waste? As far as the stock amp goes.... I have heard that you get a lot of distortion from using it and you can get rid of a bunch by putting in a higher quality amp. Any thoughts on that? Thanks guys.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2009 | 10:02 PM
  #6  
Niteninja's Avatar
Staging Lane
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Default

I have 8" mids in my sail panels and YES it helps with the mid bass.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2009 | 10:50 PM
  #7  
mycamaroSS's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 0
From: San Marcos/Plano, Texas
Default

im in the same boat, pm kee audio. He'll get you what you want.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2009 | 02:41 AM
  #8  
99Bluz28's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (35)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,705
Likes: 12
From: C. V., Kalifornia
Default

Get a good 4 channel 100rms x 4 @ 4ohms and power 6.5" components up front and a set of CDT, or ED 6.5" subs for the rear. Then make sure you put a layer of sound deadening with a single layer of 3/8" closed cell foam rubber glued to it inside the sailpanel, and inside the doors for better sound quality.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 9, 2009 | 02:04 PM
  #9  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

Originally Posted by ItsGone97
yea... I know that putting a 10'' or 12'' sub and a box in would be optimal.. I just dont need a ton of base. Is replacing the stock subs in the sail panals with an aftermarket 6.5'' or 8'' even going to be noticable? Or is that a waste? As far as the stock amp goes.... I have heard that you get a lot of distortion from using it and you can get rid of a bunch by putting in a higher quality amp. Any thoughts on that? Thanks guys.
No, the factory head unit is the source of almost all distortion in a Monsoon system - it's a distortion machine. The Monsoon amp is actually quite good for what it does. It's not particularly powerful but it's better than using just HU power and there aren't many compact 8-channel amps with built-in frequency filtering available in the aftermarket.

Ian at Kee Audio will tell you not to install 8" subs in the sail panels. He's done it and regrets it. They sound okay but they don't sound any better than good 6.5" replacements so why butcher your body?
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 05:50 PM
  #10  
ItsGone97's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Boise, ID
Default

Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
No, the factory head unit is the source of almost all distortion in a Monsoon system - it's a distortion machine. The Monsoon amp is actually quite good for what it does. It's not particularly powerful but it's better than using just HU power and there aren't many compact 8-channel amps with built-in frequency filtering available in the aftermarket.

Ian at Kee Audio will tell you not to install 8" subs in the sail panels. He's done it and regrets it. They sound okay but they don't sound any better than good 6.5" replacements so why butcher your body?


Thanks for the input. Is there such a thing as getting an aftermarket head unit and putting a monsoon face on it or something... really dont want an aftermarket head unit in my dash, I think they look like ****. Ian sounds like a good resource, if he would only return my calls/pms......
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 10:48 AM
  #11  
Flaring Afro's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: VA
Default

if you want oem looks you have 3 options. leave hu alone, dismantle the hu and rebuild it (never heard of being done but im sure is technically possible), or carputer since you have a plain screen like what it would have looked like if our cars had navi.

personally, i'd just go to sonicelectronix.com and look at the cheaper HUs since they will look more plain or factory, if you just want something simple but good noise.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:46 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE