'98 Firebird Monsoon System Replacement
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 10
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From: Western Canada
'98 Firebird Monsoon System Replacement Hey everyone & Happy New Year (it better be better than last year!!!),
I have a Formula with the Monsoon system c/w cd player and need to replace it (which would include all the other parts as well). I would like to put in a double-din unit but my existing HU is 3-1/2"h x 7-3/4"w, is there something that will fit in without having to do a major re-fit alteration? The measurements I took of the HU are, the space above the top of the HU to the dash opening is probably 1/8" & the bottom of the HU to the a/c controller is about 3/8". It looks like I only have about 1/2" of play room. From what I was told, the average height of a 2-din unit is 4.2", is this true or is there something that will fit? I was thinking Pioneer, Kenwood or Alpine with steering wheel controller & back-up camera input, any possibilities or preferences? The reason for the Alpine is that I have an old 6-cd changer I hope may be useful - but maybe not.
My second concern about installing a new HU is, will the existing bezel interfere with it or be too large or small for the unit I eventually put in?
The wiring, speaker specs and amp was covered by Whitebird00 under the FAQ's - thank you. The speakers themselves being a combo of 2 & 4 ohm and, SVC & DVC, made me scratch my head as to why GM decided to make this stuff so convoluted is beyond me (besides having customers go to them for replacement parts).
Speakers bring up another subject, coax or 3-way full range? I'm leaning towards the 3-way's but I haven't done enough research yet. Any recommendations from the local experts here?
Thanks.
I have a Formula with the Monsoon system c/w cd player and need to replace it (which would include all the other parts as well). I would like to put in a double-din unit but my existing HU is 3-1/2"h x 7-3/4"w, is there something that will fit in without having to do a major re-fit alteration? The measurements I took of the HU are, the space above the top of the HU to the dash opening is probably 1/8" & the bottom of the HU to the a/c controller is about 3/8". It looks like I only have about 1/2" of play room. From what I was told, the average height of a 2-din unit is 4.2", is this true or is there something that will fit? I was thinking Pioneer, Kenwood or Alpine with steering wheel controller & back-up camera input, any possibilities or preferences? The reason for the Alpine is that I have an old 6-cd changer I hope may be useful - but maybe not.
My second concern about installing a new HU is, will the existing bezel interfere with it or be too large or small for the unit I eventually put in?
The wiring, speaker specs and amp was covered by Whitebird00 under the FAQ's - thank you. The speakers themselves being a combo of 2 & 4 ohm and, SVC & DVC, made me scratch my head as to why GM decided to make this stuff so convoluted is beyond me (besides having customers go to them for replacement parts).
Speakers bring up another subject, coax or 3-way full range? I'm leaning towards the 3-way's but I haven't done enough research yet. Any recommendations from the local experts here?
Thanks.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
You need a metra bezel, wire harness adapter, and possibly some minor trimming to fit a double-din. It is easy. There are many threads on this.
I did it even before the bezel was available. I do have that bezel now though.
The Monsoon amp isn't that bad. You can get a replacement speaker set from Kee Audio that will work with the Monsoon amp.
I did it even before the bezel was available. I do have that bezel now though.
The Monsoon amp isn't that bad. You can get a replacement speaker set from Kee Audio that will work with the Monsoon amp.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I just bought a 2000 Trans Am with monsoon system. Factory radio has been change, factory Amp is still there. Getting ready to pull door panels to replace both power window motors. Figure I will do door speakers at the same time. The rear seat sail speakers (I understand they were the subs in the original system) are gone. Have the grills but holes are empty.
I am really not sure what to do to replace this. Don't want to spend a ton, but am leaning towards separates in the doors, and replacing the other speakers around the vehicle including using the factory back seat area for two 6.5 inch subwoofers and keeping the factory amp.
Interested in the decision you make on this.
I am really not sure what to do to replace this. Don't want to spend a ton, but am leaning towards separates in the doors, and replacing the other speakers around the vehicle including using the factory back seat area for two 6.5 inch subwoofers and keeping the factory amp.
Interested in the decision you make on this.
I just bought a 2000 Trans Am with monsoon system. Factory radio has been change, factory Amp is still there. Getting ready to pull door panels to replace both power window motors. Figure I will do door speakers at the same time. The rear seat sail speakers (I understand they were the subs in the original system) are gone. Have the grills but holes are empty.
I am really not sure what to do to replace this. Don't want to spend a ton, but am leaning towards separates in the doors, and replacing the other speakers around the vehicle including using the factory back seat area for two 6.5 inch subwoofers and keeping the factory amp.
Interested in the decision you make on this.
I am really not sure what to do to replace this. Don't want to spend a ton, but am leaning towards separates in the doors, and replacing the other speakers around the vehicle including using the factory back seat area for two 6.5 inch subwoofers and keeping the factory amp.
Interested in the decision you make on this.
Welcome to the site. Before you get into the doors, be sure to read up on the shbox site and his method for replacing the motors. This method is much easier, safer, and saves wear-and-tear on the door where the regulator mounts.
If you still have the original amps, you can get proper subs to go in the sail panels. Kee Audio sells replacements, which will not explode like the stock speakers did. (That's probably why your originals are gone.) The proper speakers make things sound really nice.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Western Canada
I have a feeling I'm going to need to replace the window motors too, my passenger one is pretty slow closing.
I blew both my sail panel subs and not even playing the stereo that loud, blew the driver's side sail last spring so I replaced it and then the passenger side sail went in the fall. I was pretty pissed since they were $130 each (that's Canadian chump-change - I know LOL) each, but at least they were still available at my local dealer. They are dual voice coil (dvc) like Whitebird mentioned in his faq. Mid summer, the damn thing ate one of my cd's so I'm looking at replacing everything but putting in something like a Pioneer system with bluetooth and a reverse camera if it will fit. I priced everything out that I want to use and it would cost me about $1,000 doing everything myself. Too bad you can't just rip out the old hu and slip an aftermarket new one in but that's way too easy! Aaahh the good old days.
I'm thinking of putting in a Pioneer AVH-211EX hu, Pioneer GMD8604 amp, Pioneer component spk's TS-A1607C, 6.5", 2-way mid's with separate tweeters in the doors and hatch and I'm considering the Pioneer TS-A652F 3-way full range speakers. If I replace the oem sub's with Pioneer TS-A652F's instead of the sub's, I probably won't get much base out of the system.
Any thoughts?
I blew both my sail panel subs and not even playing the stereo that loud, blew the driver's side sail last spring so I replaced it and then the passenger side sail went in the fall. I was pretty pissed since they were $130 each (that's Canadian chump-change - I know LOL) each, but at least they were still available at my local dealer. They are dual voice coil (dvc) like Whitebird mentioned in his faq. Mid summer, the damn thing ate one of my cd's so I'm looking at replacing everything but putting in something like a Pioneer system with bluetooth and a reverse camera if it will fit. I priced everything out that I want to use and it would cost me about $1,000 doing everything myself. Too bad you can't just rip out the old hu and slip an aftermarket new one in but that's way too easy! Aaahh the good old days.
I'm thinking of putting in a Pioneer AVH-211EX hu, Pioneer GMD8604 amp, Pioneer component spk's TS-A1607C, 6.5", 2-way mid's with separate tweeters in the doors and hatch and I'm considering the Pioneer TS-A652F 3-way full range speakers. If I replace the oem sub's with Pioneer TS-A652F's instead of the sub's, I probably won't get much base out of the system.
Any thoughts?
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
You're Firebird is still in the "good old days" of factory radios. If you think that is bad..... don't look at any modern car with modern integrated radio/nav/climate/etc (very few have easy to replace radios anymore).
Trending Topics
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Yes, VIP1 is correct... you certainly can just replace the head unit like in the "old days". All you need is a double DIN bezel, an adapter wiring harness , and an antenna plug adapter - all told about $45 worth of installation parts.
Just replacing the HU will significantly improve sound quality and the longevity of your speakers. The horrible distortion of the factory HU is what destroys the speakers (other than old age of course).
Just replacing the HU will significantly improve sound quality and the longevity of your speakers. The horrible distortion of the factory HU is what destroys the speakers (other than old age of course).
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Western Canada
Thanks guys, I really appreciate all your info, that really changes things and sounds like I can cut my cost down to about $300 bucks with just the head unit replacement and the adapters. If I'm reading your posts correctly, then all I need now is to make sure my new hu connections will match the old one (so-to-speak) and I can spend a bit more on the head unit. I do want to keep my steering wheel controls and the adapters are peanuts to be concerned about. Now I don't feel so bad about replacing the subs in the sail panels last year! Yipeeee:-P
I went to a couple of local car radio shops and they told me I had to replace everything & it would cost me about $2500 total. I knew there was some "bull" being thrown around because it just did not sound right - I think they're just trying to capitalize on me being naive. Even if it was true, I can do that stuff myself anyway. I used to change decks in my previous cars all the time and it wasn't that hard even though you had to splice the wiring as no one sold adapter harnesses. I definitely would not want to try and change systems in the newer vehicles, it must be convoluted as heck having a lot of the vehicle operational stuff integrated into them.
I bought my 'bird in 2003 and it's bone-stock except for that key/bcm issue that Whitebird helped me with - can't thank you enough for the help on that one!
I went to a couple of local car radio shops and they told me I had to replace everything & it would cost me about $2500 total. I knew there was some "bull" being thrown around because it just did not sound right - I think they're just trying to capitalize on me being naive. Even if it was true, I can do that stuff myself anyway. I used to change decks in my previous cars all the time and it wasn't that hard even though you had to splice the wiring as no one sold adapter harnesses. I definitely would not want to try and change systems in the newer vehicles, it must be convoluted as heck having a lot of the vehicle operational stuff integrated into them.
I bought my 'bird in 2003 and it's bone-stock except for that key/bcm issue that Whitebird helped me with - can't thank you enough for the help on that one!
