Subwoofer upgrade. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

LuckyZL-1 · 09-08-2013, 03:09 PM

Have any of you guys upgraded the factory equipped sub and gone with an aftermarket amp and speaker?? I had the rear seat out while doing the CDC Bar and starting thinking about it.

RedZL1 · 09-08-2013, 04:38 PM

I chopped out the factory amp and replaced it with the JL XD700/5. This amp fits in the same location as the stock amp. I also added a sub enclosure (2) 10" subs. The difference in sound quality/clarity is night/day compared to the factory set-up. I still have the stock rear decklid speakers which seem to be holding up to the increased power level.

You may want to check out ********.com as they make a wiring harnesses that allows you to plug-n-play.

OVERPAR73 · 09-08-2013, 04:44 PM

You need to get yourself an AMP, sub and upgrade the speakers, you won't be disappointed! I put in the Fark Harness from Subthumb.com, Kicker sub, JL amp and JL speakers. It sounds amazing! Check out my build thread for all the complete items and what I did to my vert. I just finished some upgrades to my engine so now all I listen too is the exhaust!

OPP · 09-08-2013, 04:45 PM

I have this in my trunk. It fits perfectly snug in the trunk to cabin opening and doesn't need fastening. Sounds killer.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-me...e=UTF8&index=0

LuckyZL-1 · 09-08-2013, 05:10 PM

Well I really didn't want to lose what little trunk I have being a vert. I was just thinking about upgrading that single one that comes mounted behind the rear seat.
This one! I was just wondering which after market would fit ok seeing that behind it is where the top folds into.

Bowtie724 · 09-08-2013, 06:13 PM

I used the ******** harness and stealthbox. JLw6 12" with a 600 watt JL Mono amp (turned up half way). If anything its to much. Very clean sound from JL and ******** made the install easy. Still need to at least upgrade the stock amp.

TomF1 · 09-08-2013, 06:42 PM

I did what he said,
JL StealthBox fits perfectly on driver side rear, I put the JL XD600 behind the carpet in passenger side rear fender, and put the RLC remote inside the center console.
I'd need to save up some money to do the rest of the system someday

Jer4251 · 09-08-2013, 07:45 PM

we convertible guys cant put those sub enclosures in the back like you can in the coupe. can't block the cargo shade.

I haven't messed with it but im sure you can stick a better speaker in there and toss in a better amp as well.

LuckyZL-1 · 09-08-2013, 08:03 PM

Cool guys I found exactly what I was looking for on ********.com. Thanks for the heads up and great input!

jeffrop · 09-10-2013, 12:57 PM

Just placed my order with ********.com - taking the plunge since the stock system is just pathetic on certain songs from the ipod

Ordered the FARK (Factory Amp Replacement Kit), Amp mounting board, and dual 10 inch box

I have some high end equipment left over from a previous install. I think I'll start out with Alpine PDX amps (4 channel & Mono sub) and (2) Kicker Solobaric 10's..I'll see how the system as a whole performs before I go replacing all the stock speakers - they are Boston Acoustic after all.

My only concern is not being able to adjust the sub volume independently from the drivers seat. Obviously I could buy an amp that has a remote volume control but I'd like to use what I have already. Guess I'll just have to find a happy medium with the gain control on the sub amp.

My guess is the additions above will have a dramatic effect on the sound quality/bass/volume. I'll post results as I get further along.

ZL1DropTop · 09-10-2013, 03:45 PM

I've upgraded mine, and I have a vert. I also didn't want to lose trunk space. I took out the factory sub, and mounted a better quality one in it's place. The screw holes did not line up, so I drilled new holes in the plate. Next, I used a bunch of dynamat and basically made a sealed box by putting the dynamat all over the framing members between the trunk and back seat. It took a while, but we got 98% of the air leaks sealed off. It sounds nice, and I didn't lose any trunk space, and no one knows that I have something aftermarket in there.

for the amps, I mounted them in the space for the spare tire (no tire is in there on the zl1's) and I just removed that foam thing that holds the air pump. My air pump just sits in the trunk now beside the vert cover.

kaos_ss · 09-10-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckyZL-1

Have any of you guys upgraded the factory equipped sub and gone with an aftermarket amp and speaker?? I had the rear seat out while doing the CDC Bar and starting thinking about it.

I have the GM MTB Box with 2 10" Speakers. Fits great in the trunk but doesn't sound great with ALL songs. Sometimes it distorts the bass.

Here is what it looks like:

http://www.amazon.com/GM-92213214-Su.../dp/B008FCCPBM

OVERPAR73 · 09-10-2013, 04:31 PM

I think the only way to go is with the Subthumb.com system. I installed a Kicker 10" sub and JL 700/5 AMP. I also installed Dynamat all over everywhere I could reach to include the complete trunk and interior. I replaced the stock speakers with JL's 6.5's, tweeters, crossovers and 3.5's in the rear seat. I installed batting behind the rear speaker area in all of the empty cavity behind the sub speaker. You'll see after you get the seat out and speaker removed what I'm talking about. This stereo system sounds amazing now!! Check out the build thread for a detailed step by step on everything Iv'e done so far.

jeffrop · 09-15-2013, 08:50 PM

Got my stuff from ********.com and installed it today..WOW what a difference a little power and a couple 10 inch subs made! It's amazingly louder and now there's BASS!

It's not competition quality but it sounds pretty good for factory speakers/head unit and I got to keep all the functionality of the stock head unit.

Here's the anemic stock amp in the trunk prior to removal:

The Alpine PDX-4.100 4-way amp installed on a custom amp rack, also provided by ********.com(you can also see the FARK in this pic):

This is what took so long - the power & ground wiring for the amps:

Here's the Alpine PDX-1.600 Sub amp on the front of the box provided by ********.com (still need to clean up some wiring):

This is a handy little adapter/harness provided by ********.com that allows your aftermarket amp to power both the mids and tweeters in the stock 6x9s:

The finished product (Stock Amp location):

And finally the ********.com box with my Kicker Solobaric 10's installed:

09-08-2013, 03:09 PM	#1
LuckyZL-1 Ragtop Rocket!!! Drives: Black on Black Convertible Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 809	Subwoofer upgrade. Have any of you guys upgraded the factory equipped sub and gone with an aftermarket amp and speaker?? I had the rear seat out while doing the CDC Bar and starting thinking about it. __________________ ADM built 2013 Triple Black ZL-1 Convertible M6 ADM custom cam, LPE stage 2 heads with dual valve springs, LS-3 ported throttle body, LPE 2 piece pulley, LPE overdrive balancer, 10% overdrive pulley, ported supercharger inlet, ADM race intake system, stainless works 1-7/8 headers, Injector Dynamics injectors, ADM heat exchanger, ADM dual fuel pump system, ADM exhaust switch, ADM 3 tunes tuning package. 744rwhp 727rwtq

09-08-2013, 04:44 PM	#3
OVERPAR73 2018 Garnet Red ZL1 conve Drives: 2013 & 2018 ZL1 vert Join Date: May 2009 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 1,471 View My Garage	You need to get yourself an AMP, sub and upgrade the speakers, you won't be disappointed! I put in the Fark Harness from Subthumb.com, Kicker sub, JL amp and JL speakers. It sounds amazing! Check out my build thread for all the complete items and what I did to my vert. I just finished some upgrades to my engine so now all I listen too is the exhaust! __________________ Build Thread: 2018 ZL1 Vert Purchased (Overpar73)

09-08-2013, 04:45 PM	#4
OPP Drives: 2018 MBM ZL1 Auto Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico Posts: 960 View My Garage	I have this in my trunk. It fits perfectly snug in the trunk to cabin opening and doesn't need fastening. Sounds killer. http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-me...e=UTF8&index=0 __________________ .

09-08-2013, 05:10 PM	#5
LuckyZL-1 Ragtop Rocket!!! Drives: Black on Black Convertible Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 809	Well I really didn't want to lose what little trunk I have being a vert. I was just thinking about upgrading that single one that comes mounted behind the rear seat. This one! I was just wondering which after market would fit ok seeing that behind it is where the top folds into. __________________ ADM built 2013 Triple Black ZL-1 Convertible M6 ADM custom cam, LPE stage 2 heads with dual valve springs, LS-3 ported throttle body, LPE 2 piece pulley, LPE overdrive balancer, 10% overdrive pulley, ported supercharger inlet, ADM race intake system, stainless works 1-7/8 headers, Injector Dynamics injectors, ADM heat exchanger, ADM dual fuel pump system, ADM exhaust switch, ADM 3 tunes tuning package. 744rwhp 727rwtq

09-08-2013, 07:45 PM	#8
Jer4251 Camaro Addict Drives: too many Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: 912 Posts: 1,274	we convertible guys cant put those sub enclosures in the back like you can in the coupe. can't block the cargo shade. I haven't messed with it but im sure you can stick a better speaker in there and toss in a better amp as well. __________________ 1990 IROC-Z Vert LS 1996 SS Vert LT4 1992 Z28 Z03 T5 1992 Z28 Z03 L98 2018 Sierra Denali 6.2 1997 Z28 Z4C 1995 Z28

09-08-2013, 04:38 PM	#2
RedZL1 Drives: Victory Red ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Fairless Hills PA Posts: 125	I chopped out the factory amp and replaced it with the JL XD700/5. This amp fits in the same location as the stock amp. I also added a sub enclosure (2) 10" subs. The difference in sound quality/clarity is night/day compared to the factory set-up. I still have the stock rear decklid speakers which seem to be holding up to the increased power level. You may want to check out ********.com as they make a wiring harnesses that allows you to plug-n-play.

09-08-2013, 06:13 PM	#6
Bowtie724 Drives: 2000 Camaro SS 2013 ZL1 Camaro Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ft Lauderdale Posts: 79 View My Garage	I used the ****** harness and stealthbox. JLw6 12" with a 600 watt JL Mono amp (turned up half way). If anything its to much. Very clean sound from JL and ****** made the install easy. Still need to at least upgrade the stock amp.

09-08-2013, 06:42 PM	#7
TomF1 Drives: 2013 CRT ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Whitby, Ontario Posts: 238	I did what he said, JL StealthBox fits perfectly on driver side rear, I put the JL XD600 behind the carpet in passenger side rear fender, and put the RLC remote inside the center console. I'd need to save up some money to do the rest of the system someday

09-08-2013, 08:03 PM	#9
LuckyZL-1 Ragtop Rocket!!! Drives: Black on Black Convertible Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 809	Cool guys I found exactly what I was looking for on ********.com. Thanks for the heads up and great input! __________________ ADM built 2013 Triple Black ZL-1 Convertible M6 ADM custom cam, LPE stage 2 heads with dual valve springs, LS-3 ported throttle body, LPE 2 piece pulley, LPE overdrive balancer, 10% overdrive pulley, ported supercharger inlet, ADM race intake system, stainless works 1-7/8 headers, Injector Dynamics injectors, ADM heat exchanger, ADM dual fuel pump system, ADM exhaust switch, ADM 3 tunes tuning package. 744rwhp 727rwtq

09-10-2013, 12:57 PM	#10
jeffrop Drives: 2020 ZL-1 M6 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 42	Just placed my order with ********.com - taking the plunge since the stock system is just pathetic on certain songs from the ipod Ordered the FARK (Factory Amp Replacement Kit), Amp mounting board, and dual 10 inch box I have some high end equipment left over from a previous install. I think I'll start out with Alpine PDX amps (4 channel & Mono sub) and (2) Kicker Solobaric 10's..I'll see how the system as a whole performs before I go replacing all the stock speakers - they are Boston Acoustic after all. My only concern is not being able to adjust the sub volume independently from the drivers seat. Obviously I could buy an amp that has a remote volume control but I'd like to use what I have already. Guess I'll just have to find a happy medium with the gain control on the sub amp. My guess is the additions above will have a dramatic effect on the sound quality/bass/volume. I'll post results as I get further along.

09-10-2013, 03:45 PM	#11
ZL1DropTop Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 94	I've upgraded mine, and I have a vert. I also didn't want to lose trunk space. I took out the factory sub, and mounted a better quality one in it's place. The screw holes did not line up, so I drilled new holes in the plate. Next, I used a bunch of dynamat and basically made a sealed box by putting the dynamat all over the framing members between the trunk and back seat. It took a while, but we got 98% of the air leaks sealed off. It sounds nice, and I didn't lose any trunk space, and no one knows that I have something aftermarket in there. for the amps, I mounted them in the space for the spare tire (no tire is in there on the zl1's) and I just removed that foam thing that holds the air pump. My air pump just sits in the trunk now beside the vert cover.

09-10-2013, 04:31 PM	#13
OVERPAR73 2018 Garnet Red ZL1 conve Drives: 2013 & 2018 ZL1 vert Join Date: May 2009 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 1,471 View My Garage	Vert stereo I think the only way to go is with the Subthumb.com system. I installed a Kicker 10" sub and JL 700/5 AMP. I also installed Dynamat all over everywhere I could reach to include the complete trunk and interior. I replaced the stock speakers with JL's 6.5's, tweeters, crossovers and 3.5's in the rear seat. I installed batting behind the rear speaker area in all of the empty cavity behind the sub speaker. You'll see after you get the seat out and speaker removed what I'm talking about. This stereo system sounds amazing now!! Check out the build thread for a detailed step by step on everything Iv'e done so far. __________________ Build Thread: 2018 ZL1 Vert Purchased (Overpar73)

09-15-2013, 08:50 PM	#14
jeffrop Drives: 2020 ZL-1 M6 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 42	Got my stuff from ******.com and installed it today..WOW what a difference a little power and a couple 10 inch subs made! It's amazingly louder and now there's BASS! It's not competition quality but it sounds pretty good for factory speakers/head unit and I got to keep all the functionality of the stock head unit. Here's the anemic stock amp in the trunk prior to removal: The Alpine PDX-4.100 4-way amp installed on a custom amp rack, also provided by ****.com(you can also see the FARK in this pic): This is what took so long - the power & ground wiring for the amps: Here's the Alpine PDX-1.600 Sub amp on the front of the box provided by ****.com (still need to clean up some wiring): This is a handy little adapter/harness provided by ****.com that allows your aftermarket amp to power both the mids and tweeters in the stock 6x9s: The finished product (Stock Amp location): And finally the ******.com box with my Kicker Solobaric 10's installed: