BRIAN98Z28

Ive got the setup in my 98 Z with teh 12 disk changer/ tape deck in the dash....i HATE it. Can i buy a used monsoon indash CD head unit and swap it out and will everything work? Not that it matters too much but will I still have use of my 12 disk changer?

LS1Baron

Yes, you can. PM sent.

VIP1

Stick with a 2001+ model. There was a change mid-year 2000 to allow the CD headunit to control the changer, but your best bet to be sure you get one that will work for you is to get a 2001+ model. Another nice thing about the 2001+ model is that they can control more than one AUX source (you need an adapter from PIE or PAC though).

LS1Baron

My '99 head unit controlled a CD changer with no problems.

VIP1

Was your 99 headunit a CD player or tape player? Did you buy the car used? If so, then the previous owner may have changed the headunit.

LS1Baron

It was the CD player, but I had it repaired (replaced) in 2002 under warranty. I never thought about that.

VIP1

They replaced it with a 2002 model which can control the CD Changer. You can varify this by pulling the headunit forward an looking for the date on the sticker on the top of the headunit.

LS1Baron

Actually, it's sitting in the top pf my closet.

VIP1

It should be easier for you to find the date then.

LS1Baron

Nah. I can't read!

99MONGOOSE

I replaced my 1998 Z28's tape deck with a CD deck but I don't know what year/GM model it was from. My buddy gave it to me for free so I tried it and it worked. It's not a Monsoon HU(the stereo system isn't Monsoon either, thankgod), but it looks just like my 1999 SS's CD HU except the SS's HU is a shitty 200 watt unit. The 1998 Z28's factory system was just like your's: Cassette HU with a 12 disk changer. I tried operating the changer with the CD unit's AUX button but it wouldn't work. So if I get a 2001-2002 CD unit it will control the changer too? Aren't all the 2001-2002 CD headunits Monsoon? The 2001-2002 Monsoon systems in the Camaros were upgraded from the lame/weakass 200 watt system to the better 500 watt system that Pontiac has had since the LT1s, right? So if I am right about the newer Camaros having the 500 watt set-up, will a 500 watt Monsoon CD headunit work in a 1998 Camaro's non-Monsoon system and also operate the factory GM Delco 12 disk CD changer?

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

OK, there seems to be some confusion here. There were two changes made over the years regarding the use of external CD changers and other auxiliary devices. In mid-1999, the CD head unit was changed so that it could control a CD changer. Any late-99, 2000, or newer CD head unit will be able to control a CD changer. Starting in 2001, the head units were changed so that they could control more than one external device. If you have a 2001-2002 head unit and you get the adapter then you can have both the CD changer and another device such as satellite radio or an MP3 player. You will be able to switch between them using the CD/Play button on the head unit.

Also, there is no real difference between the 200W and the so-called 500W Monsoon systems. Other than what I mentioned, the head units are the same. GM just started publishing peak power instead of RMS to make the system seem more powerful.

BRIAN98Z28

Mhulsan....I would like to know what the date is on your CD player before I buy it off you.

VIP1

WhiteBird00,
The later amp actually does have a higher output. To my knowledge, GM always quoted the peak instead of RMS (I could be wrong on this, anyone else wanna chime in?). I wasnt sure if the change was mid 99 or mid 2000. Thanks for clearing that one up.

LS1Baron

Brian98Z28, it's got a manufactured date of 5/11/99 on it. Sorry about that. It did control a CD changer before I replaced my system, though.

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

That would be considered "late-99" since the model year runs from September through June. That head unit should be able to control a CD changer or a single auxiliary device (with adapter) but not both.

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the info. I've heard various answers about the difference between the 200W and the 500W and nobody really seems to know what's the real power output (i.e. RMS) of the units. In any case, the head units aren't really different - the change was in the amp, right?

LS1Baron

You know, it's precisely this reason why I replaced the entire setup in my car.

VIP1

I think they also added 2 more speakers (8 like the convertalbe vs. 10) when they upgraded to 500watt from 200watt. I think the only real change was the amp (the headunit might be the same). I am not completly certain on this though. I'll try a search online later to see if I can find out more. Maybe we can get a sticky going about the changes to the stock stereo through the years.

EDIT:
I found a good source of information about LS1s. It was in jrp's sig.
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/519275/4

VIP1

I did a search. I got a ton of hits, but nothing all that helpful yet. I'll post back if I find anything.

Meanwhile....TTT