Factory MP3 players
Factory MP3 players does anyone know if the GM factory mp3 players will work in the f-bodys, plugs the same, etc.? Are there any aftermarket mp3 cd player that you dont have to rewire the speakers? Thanks
Last edited by orangeirocz28; Nov 2, 2006 at 03:40 PM.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
All current GM radios that are MP3 capable are double DIN and our dash opening is only 1.5 DIN. I've heard that the Pontiac Vibe (yes, that ugly thing) had a 1.5 DIN MP3 capable radio but that it has to be cross-wired to work.
Any aftermarket radio can be installed without rewiring the speakers. Just get a mounting kit, a wiring harness adapter, and an antenna plug adapter and it will plug right in.
Any aftermarket radio can be installed without rewiring the speakers. Just get a mounting kit, a wiring harness adapter, and an antenna plug adapter and it will plug right in.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
There is absolutely nothing special about the Monsoon head unit - it's just an ordinary Delco radio with a Monsoon label on it. So yes, you can install an aftermarket head unit and it will work fine with the Monsoon amp and speakers. As I said earlier, just get the harness adapter, etc. and it will plug right in.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by ggk
you wont need the monsoon amp if you get an aftermarket hu.
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Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The Monsoon amp is actually one of the better parts of the entire system - the head unit and speakers are the source of most problems. Another consideration is that you really should replace the speakers if you're planning to run them directly off the head unit. This is because they are a mix of 2-ohm and 4-ohm and most aftermarket head units aren't 2-ohm stable.
I would recommend leaving the amp in place and just changing the HU unless you also want to replace the speakers and rewire.
I would recommend leaving the amp in place and just changing the HU unless you also want to replace the speakers and rewire.
Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
All current GM radios that are MP3 capable are double DIN and our dash opening is only 1.5 DIN. I've heard that the Pontiac Vibe (yes, that ugly thing) had a 1.5 DIN MP3 capable radio but that it has to be cross-wired to work.
Any aftermarket radio can be installed without rewiring the speakers. Just get a mounting kit, a wiring harness adapter, and an antenna plug adapter and it will plug right in.
Any aftermarket radio can be installed without rewiring the speakers. Just get a mounting kit, a wiring harness adapter, and an antenna plug adapter and it will plug right in.
Just replace the head unit.
People crap on the monsoon amp but their assumptions are wrong. That amp puts out more power than any of the standard head unit amps, more channels and better headroom. The only exception (possibly) to that statement are the Panasonic head units with the digital amps.
If you intend to keep the monsoon speakers it is an absolute no brainer. Just change the head unit out and be done with it. You should keep the monsoon amp in the picture until you want to work with aftermarket amplification.
Anyone who says differently is making assumptions that are not correct.
Even if you intend to use aftermarket speakers you are still better off using the monsoon amp, though some understanding of how things are hooked up is necessary to be sure the correct connections are made.
Many people just plug in aftermarket speakers without understanding the wiring arrangement and get bad sound - so they assume the monsoon amp is crap. It's not.
Post up what you want to do and we'll help you out.
People crap on the monsoon amp but their assumptions are wrong. That amp puts out more power than any of the standard head unit amps, more channels and better headroom. The only exception (possibly) to that statement are the Panasonic head units with the digital amps.
If you intend to keep the monsoon speakers it is an absolute no brainer. Just change the head unit out and be done with it. You should keep the monsoon amp in the picture until you want to work with aftermarket amplification.
Anyone who says differently is making assumptions that are not correct.
Even if you intend to use aftermarket speakers you are still better off using the monsoon amp, though some understanding of how things are hooked up is necessary to be sure the correct connections are made.
Many people just plug in aftermarket speakers without understanding the wiring arrangement and get bad sound - so they assume the monsoon amp is crap. It's not.
Post up what you want to do and we'll help you out.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by BigE
What do you mean by cross-wired?
The vibe radio and newer gm will not work anyway bc they are bcm controlled. These radios do not have an ign wire they receive a wake up signal from the bcm and after the key is turned off they go to sleep a while after the key is turned off.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by 01WS6/tamu
The vibe radio and newer gm will not work anyway bc they are bcm controlled. These radios do not have an ign wire they receive a wake up signal from the bcm and after the key is turned off they go to sleep a while after the key is turned off.
Is it only certain years or models of the Vibe that have this radio?
I like the factory appearance in my Formula, but would like the capability to play MP3's, but more importantly, an input for satellite radio. With the PIE adaptor on a CD changer port, I think I could do it.
I like the factory appearance in my Formula, but would like the capability to play MP3's, but more importantly, an input for satellite radio. With the PIE adaptor on a CD changer port, I think I could do it.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
My bad - that head unit is double DIN. I was trying to remember a thread I'd read about installing a factory GM MP3 player in an F-body. The Vibe radio had been mentioned because it is the only recent GM head unit to be available with MP3 capability (or nav, or in-dash changer) that still used conventional connections rather than class-2 signals. I thought it was a direct fit but in fact the original poster had to modify the trim somewhat to make the double DIN HU fit in the 1.5 DIN opening.
So, getting back to the original question - no, there isn't a newer model factory MP3 player that will bolt right in. The Vibe radio can be connected but it will require some dash modification to fit properly.
So, getting back to the original question - no, there isn't a newer model factory MP3 player that will bolt right in. The Vibe radio can be connected but it will require some dash modification to fit properly.
