Does anyone know how this radio is different than the Monsoon radio? This radio does not say Monsoon on it and is not the right radio for a 1998-2002 Firebird.

https://www.1factoryradio.com/collec...music-09390772

These are some of the known Firebird Monsoon radio part numbers:

16257152, 09380122, 09350812, 09390782, 09375292, 09370202

 

And has anyone tried the radio with Bluetooth from Hawk's?

When I talked to 1 Factory Radio they said they didn't have anything in stock that would work in a 2000 Firebird right now.

 

https://www.hawksmotorsports.com/96-...ooth-09390772/

 

The differences are there, just like you said. Who knows about the internals.
These are the radios you could get for 2001 Firebirds. I copied the pages for you straight from my Pontiac salesman's portfolio. I hope it helps.

 

There is nothing special about a "Monsoon" radio other than most (not all) had a Monsoon logo on their face. Otherwise they were just ordinary Delco head units. There were differences in features between models such as CD versus cassette, the graphic equalizer in Firebirds, the Speed Compensated Volume in Camaros, and differences in illumination and face colors to match the dash. Some early CD models (prior to mid-1999) didn't support the optional external CD changer which also meant they didn't support aftermarket auxiliary input adapters, but otherwise they were all interchangeable... not just between f-body models, but between any equivalent 1.5 DIN GM models at the time.

The five 2001 radio options listed above all have the exact same head unit except for the Monsoon logo above the display. The HU provides four speaker level outputs which is all that the base system uses. The other four options route their four outputs to the Monsoon amp which amplifies and filters the signal for eight specific speaker outputs. The differences are all in the media player installed and coupe versus convertible:
W53 - CD head unit with four speakers for coupe or convertible
W54 - Cassette unit with ten speakers for coupe (Monsoon)
W55 - CD unit with ten speakers for coupe (Monsoon)
X10 - Cassette unit with eight speakers for convertible (Monsoon)
X20 - CD unit with eight speakers for convertible (Monsoon)

So, that Grand Am head unit will mount and plug right in to your Firebird and work with the Monsoon system just like any other head unit would. In fact, they themselves list it as compatible with Firebirds - they just don't know that it will work in a Monsoon system just as well as long as you don't mind the missing Monsoon logo.

 

Good morning, and thank you both for all the information. When I just called 1 Factory radio, they said that they had nothing in stock that would work for my application, and they might or might not get stock again in the future. But then when I look at the Hawks website, they show a radio from 1 Factory Radio that is available for purchase, with a 30 day wait for them to build it? Do we know anybody that's gotten this Hawks radio and found it to be any good? I'm also looking into another option that might work, but I wondered if anybody has tried this Hawk's radio?

 

Unless your car is a low mileage show car, I'd just upgrade to a double din touchscreen. The sound quality will be better.

 

The problem with the touchscreen is the appearance of it. Not sure about the OP, but I personally can't stand how they look - especially in an older car like this.

To bad they don't offer a rebuilt stock unit with upgraded internals for better sound - but I guess there isn't a huge market for that. I'm curious about the Hawks rebuilt radios too, I don't need one but I wonder if anyone has tried one yet?

 

I'm definitely considering a double DIN as an option.

See what you think of this. The radio is a Chinese DUDU -- dudu 4-4-32-6.86

I do like the period specific look of the GM radio.

 

Thank you for the interest!

Yes, I want the OEM look but powered by iPod!

I think I may try this. I'll let you know!

So far the only thing I don't like 100% is this modded radio probably isn't going to say Monsoon.

But if thats the only issue, I would be ok with it!

This radio with this setup is close to impossible to find!

 

whitebird -- this helped me -- "other than most (not all) had a Monsoon logo on their face."

and "So, that Grand Am head unit will mount and plug right in to your Firebird and work with the Monsoon system just like any other head unit would. In fact, they themselves list it as compatible with Firebirds - they just don't know that it will work in a Monsoon system just as well as long as you don't mind the missing Monsoon logo."

 

Stock monsoon HU is a distortion machine with rest of the monsoon being fair in comparison to factory. I do not care for the look of aftermarket anymore in these cars and do like a dark cabin when I drive ruling out the double din.

But, if you want great sound out of a stock deck and don't care about the newest aftermarket fluff but still want to upgrade everything behind the deck you can add a Audio Control LC6I unit. It will take the crappiest factory signal and turn it into a clean signal you can feed out off board amps for you subs and highs. It allows you to scrap the rest of the monsoon sys and retain the deck for appearance and factory operation.