Factory amp and head units reinstall
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Factory amp and head units reinstall So I'm doing the opposite of what most people are and I am wanting to reinstall the original Factory head unit and amp that was in my 2002 Trans Am WS6. That and the exhaust are the only two things on this car that are not stock, and I want it to be set up just like it was when it rolled off the showroom floor. So my question is how difficult will this be to do? Any tips or pointers will be greatly appreciated.
A little bit of backstory, this car only has 27,000 original miles and I just got it a couple of weeks ago. I put the factory air lid back on it but want to get this swapped out as well. I had this exact same car back when they were brand new and ended up having to sell it. I modified it to death and it was fun, but I swore that if I ever got another one it would be 100% bone stock. This one is as close as I have found, with low mileage, at a reasonable price.
Thanks
A little bit of backstory, this car only has 27,000 original miles and I just got it a couple of weeks ago. I put the factory air lid back on it but want to get this swapped out as well. I had this exact same car back when they were brand new and ended up having to sell it. I modified it to death and it was fun, but I swore that if I ever got another one it would be 100% bone stock. This one is as close as I have found, with low mileage, at a reasonable price.
Thanks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,647
Likes: 2,573
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Just like an engine, there are a variety of ways to modify the audio system so folks can only guess at what was done unless you can give much better details on what you are trying to reverse and/or what factory parts are still intact.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I don't think anyone can answer this question without knowing how modified the system is in the first place. Is anything left from the factory system (wiring, amp, any of the speakers)? Have modifications been made to fit a larger head unit? Has any of the carpet been cut or damaged during the install of any aftermarket amp(s), sub box, etc.?
Just like an engine, there are a variety of ways to modify the audio system so folks can only guess at what was done unless you can give much better details on what you are trying to reverse and/or what factory parts are still intact.
Just like an engine, there are a variety of ways to modify the audio system so folks can only guess at what was done unless you can give much better details on what you are trying to reverse and/or what factory parts are still intact.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
That's a double-DIN head unit and bezel, so you would also have to get an original bezel (the original head unit is only 1.5 DIN).
It's possible that the previous owner removed the Monsoon amp and installed a bypass connector there to avoid rewiring all the speakers. Not a good idea, but in this case it would make it much easier for you to return to stock... especially if they were good enough to use wiring harness adapters rather than butchering the factory wiring. Then it would be mostly plug-and-play to return to stock. Even if they butchered the head unit connectors, they are readily available in the aftermarket for replacement.
It's possible that the previous owner removed the Monsoon amp and installed a bypass connector there to avoid rewiring all the speakers. Not a good idea, but in this case it would make it much easier for you to return to stock... especially if they were good enough to use wiring harness adapters rather than butchering the factory wiring. Then it would be mostly plug-and-play to return to stock. Even if they butchered the head unit connectors, they are readily available in the aftermarket for replacement.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I took the rear passenger panel off and it looks like they rewired everything, so this doesn't look like it's going to be a fun job. I didn't pull out the head unit to see if it was butchered up or not though.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
I don't see the factory amp connector there - is it still there or was it removed? The wiring they did looks neat and clean and appears to be separate from any factory wiring, so that's a good sign. Looks to me like they took the time to do it right, so you may find that the original connectors are intact and just left disconnected. That would make going back to stock much easier.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Yeah it looks like they did a good job of keeping it clean, but I can't find the factory connector. I haven't disassembled all of this, but I did feel around behind the amp and everywhere that I could.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo