Differences in Monsoon Systems
Differences in Monsoon Systems I just bought a used stereo replacement for my '99 Z28. It's from a '98 S10 or Blazer. The front plate is identical to the one in my car except it says "Delco Electronics" instead of "Monsoon". On the back there's also a little fan for cooling, where as my Monsoon has no fan at all. Does anyone know anything about the differences between these two units? They both function identically.
One difference I've heard is that the Blazer of that year had an auxilliary tape deck that the CD/Aux switch would switch to. On '98 F-bodies, if you wanted the CD changer, you had to get the tape deck. If you have a '98 or '99 CD deck, than your Aux button doesn't function. This is confirmed in the '98 and '99 brochure.
My '99 radio is wired for a CD changer and manufactured in '99, so it must've changed sometime during that model year. In 2000 you could order the CD changer for both radios.
Here are some pic's of the 98 Blazer radio:
One difference I've heard is that the Blazer of that year had an auxilliary tape deck that the CD/Aux switch would switch to. On '98 F-bodies, if you wanted the CD changer, you had to get the tape deck. If you have a '98 or '99 CD deck, than your Aux button doesn't function. This is confirmed in the '98 and '99 brochure.
My '99 radio is wired for a CD changer and manufactured in '99, so it must've changed sometime during that model year. In 2000 you could order the CD changer for both radios.
Here are some pic's of the 98 Blazer radio:
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
There is absolutely nothing unique about the Monsoon system head unit except for the little "Monsoon" label. Otherwise it's just an ordinary Delco radio. The Monsoon system was all in the amp and speaker setup. You can plug in almost any 1.5 DIN GM radio and it will work fine with your Monsoon system.
The capabilities of the head units changed late in the 99 model year. Late 99 and newer models could control a CD changer with either the cassette or single CD head units. Prior to that only cassette HUs could control a changer. The earlier CD HUs had a CD/AUX (Chevy) or CD/Play (Pontiac) button that was designed to control an external cassette player that was available in other GM products but never offered in the F-bodies.
All Monsoon equipped F-bodies 98-02 were pre-wired for a changer regardless of whether one was installed from the factory.
The capabilities of the head units changed late in the 99 model year. Late 99 and newer models could control a CD changer with either the cassette or single CD head units. Prior to that only cassette HUs could control a changer. The earlier CD HUs had a CD/AUX (Chevy) or CD/Play (Pontiac) button that was designed to control an external cassette player that was available in other GM products but never offered in the F-bodies.
All Monsoon equipped F-bodies 98-02 were pre-wired for a changer regardless of whether one was installed from the factory.
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Hey Whitebird. I know you're the know-it-all on this stuff, and I've asked before but can't find my notes... I know it was only a change in the CD module part of the headunit that allowed the 99 and newers to be able to control a CD changer, that whole deal where the newer circuitboard part number had an "A" on the end of it. Is this making any sense?? Anyway, I was just wondering, for one, what that part number was, and second, was the cd drive module the same in the camaro units as in the pontiacs? Thanks for your help!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by 97V8Bird
Hey Whitebird. I know you're the know-it-all on this stuff, and I've asked before but can't find my notes... I know it was only a change in the CD module part of the headunit that allowed the 99 and newers to be able to control a CD changer, that whole deal where the newer circuitboard part number had an "A" on the end of it. Is this making any sense?? Anyway, I was just wondering, for one, what that part number was, and second, was the cd drive module the same in the camaro units as in the pontiacs? Thanks for your help!
I hope I don't come across as a "know-it-all"... 
The CD circuit board that supports a changer is stamped E-8276A-1. The CD board that doesn't support a changer doesn't have the "A" (i.e. E-8276-1). Pictures of the board are in this post. Both the Camaro and Firebird had the same stampings so I would assume they're the same parts.
