Upgrade Help - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Badger · 03-15-2014, 03:01 PM

OK..before I start I am Far from being an audiophile so go easy on me please.
in fact this is the 1st time I have been into the audio threads since I joined this site..LOL I did try to search but all refered to the BA units
I have a 1SS with the bottom of the barrel sound system. I like my music but I don't need any of the big subs in the trunk and ear bleeding volume ect ect. I just want a little upgrade to the system I have..... Will it be worth it for me in keeping the stock Head unit...to get a better amp that will go where the existing amp is with more power and just upgrading the door and rear deck speakers? any ideas would be appreciated...I am thinking Polk Audio amp and speakers Thoughts? Idea's? Thanks

JimE · 03-17-2014, 06:58 PM

As far as I know, only the BA system has an external amp. Which will make wiring a bit more complicated. But in short, yes, an amp and speaker upgrade will make a world of difference.

Badger · 03-17-2014, 07:08 PM

Yeah..I have been doing alot of searching....I think I am going to pay the geek squad a visit and get some idea's...thanks

VeeGeeTea · 03-17-2014, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger

OK..before I start I am Far from being an audiophile so go easy on me please.
in fact this is the 1st time I have been into the audio threads since I joined this site..LOL I did try to search but all refered to the BA units
I have a 1SS with the bottom of the barrel sound system. I like my music but I don't need any of the big subs in the trunk and ear bleeding volume ect ect. I just want a little upgrade to the system I have..... Will it be worth it for me in keeping the stock Head unit...to get a better amp that will go where the existing amp is with more power and just upgrading the door and rear deck speakers? any ideas would be appreciated...I am thinking Polk Audio amp and speakers Thoughts? Idea's? Thanks

Hello, start with your amp. You may want to look into ******** T-Harness to avoid cutting up wires on your vehicle.

If you don't notice an improvement in sound quality then start changing out your speakers.

Your head unit is just a controller, it doesn't directly affect the sound output in your vehicle.

Once you have an amplifier install, turn every dial to 0 or low, slowly increase your gain until sound is distorted then dial down to a level where you hear no distortion, do the same thing with the other dials.

If you want to know whether your car battery is strong enough to power your amp, check your in vehicle light, if they start to dim then it means you need a new battery. The default battery should suffice, unless you add 2 subwoofers in your vehicle, then you'll need a higher wattage or a second battery in the trunk.

JimE · 03-17-2014, 10:23 PM

And again, unless I'm mistaken, ******** doesn't have a harness for the Non-BA systems.

JCunningham · 03-17-2014, 10:54 PM

there's nothing wrong with the head unit in this car. amp and speakers is all you need

RobertRS · 03-17-2014, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCunningham

there's nothing wrong with the head unit in this car. amp and speakers is all you need

Hey J, You still got your supercharged Silverado or did you trade it for the SS? I'm a member at silveradosierra and couldn't help but notice your screen name.

JCunningham · 03-17-2014, 11:33 PM

traded

RobertRS · 03-17-2014, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCunningham

traded

Hey, It's all good.

JCunningham · 03-17-2014, 11:57 PM

ya kind of regret it

RobertRS · 03-18-2014, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCunningham

ya kind of regret it

She was a 'bute'..... Still have my 2102 L9H. My wife drives the Camaro. I'm planning a few little goodie bolt ons for her and maybe in the not so distant future have my sets on a lightly used ZL-1. I dunno for sure yet though.

Knockoutpie · 03-18-2014, 12:43 AM

Hey Badger I'm Knockoutpie! Let me help you out a bit before you go to Best Buy, as a Best Buy employee I know what we charge to do stuff like this and let me tell you, why would you pay when you can do it yourself? It's pretty easy man let me show you what you need, so that you can install an aftermarket amplifier.

First off you will need this, http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAC-AA-GM44-...27f6c9&vxp=mtr
Don't be intimidated it's extremely easy to put in, infact, it's plug and play, basically pull the head unit out, unplug the main harness from that, plug it into the aftermarket harness and then the aftermarket harness goes into the headunit, Now you'll need to change the wired end of this baby and put the RCA's on it, again, plug and play.

There's 3 main wires for this, Yellow, which you hook up to a 12v power source, blue, which is remote to turn on the amp, and black which is of course ground, to the metal of the car. Honestly that's pretty much is, then you just plug RCA's into it and hook up the amp. If you need any help shoot me a pm.

But for real, buy the item in the link, cheapest on eBay. You WILL need it if you want to install a sub or sub(s)

VeeGeeTea · 03-18-2014, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knockoutpie

First off you will need this, http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAC-AA-GM44-...27f6c9&vxp=mtr

But for real, buy the item in the link, cheapest on eBay. You WILL need it if you want to install a sub or sub(s)

I've checked the link and it has a $10 shipping fee + $11 import fee.
You can get it cheaper from Amazon with Free shipping and no import fee.

http://www.amazon.com/PAC-AA-GM44-Am...ds=PAC+AA-GM44

Badger · 03-18-2014, 09:42 AM

Thanks guys for the help.....Knockout I will be in touch if need be..thanks again

03-15-2014, 03:01 PM	#1
Badger Drives: 2010 ABM SS #14 of 2,027 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York Posts: 1,217	Upgrade Help OK..before I start I am Far from being an audiophile so go easy on me please. in fact this is the 1st time I have been into the audio threads since I joined this site..LOL I did try to search but all refered to the BA units I have a 1SS with the bottom of the barrel sound system. I like my music but I don't need any of the big subs in the trunk and ear bleeding volume ect ect. I just want a little upgrade to the system I have..... Will it be worth it for me in keeping the stock Head unit...to get a better amp that will go where the existing amp is with more power and just upgrading the door and rear deck speakers? any ideas would be appreciated...I am thinking Polk Audio amp and speakers Thoughts? Idea's? Thanks __________________ "One of the ordinary modes, by which tyrants accomplish their purposes without resistance, is, by disarming the people, and making it an offense to keep arms." -- Constitutional scholar and Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story, 1840

03-17-2014, 07:08 PM	#3
Badger Drives: 2010 ABM SS #14 of 2,027 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York Posts: 1,217	Yeah..I have been doing alot of searching....I think I am going to pay the geek squad a visit and get some idea's...thanks __________________ "One of the ordinary modes, by which tyrants accomplish their purposes without resistance, is, by disarming the people, and making it an offense to keep arms." -- Constitutional scholar and Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story, 1840

03-17-2014, 10:54 PM	#6
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	there's nothing wrong with the head unit in this car. amp and speakers is all you need __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

03-17-2014, 11:33 PM	#8
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	traded __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

03-17-2014, 11:57 PM	#10
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	ya kind of regret it __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

03-17-2014, 06:58 PM	#2
JimE Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 3,087	As far as I know, only the BA system has an external amp. Which will make wiring a bit more complicated. But in short, yes, an amp and speaker upgrade will make a world of difference.

03-17-2014, 10:23 PM	#5
JimE Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 3,087	And again, unless I'm mistaken, ******** doesn't have a harness for the Non-BA systems.

03-18-2014, 12:43 AM	#12
Knockoutpie Drives: 2014 2SS RS Coupe Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,454	Hey Badger I'm Knockoutpie! Let me help you out a bit before you go to Best Buy, as a Best Buy employee I know what we charge to do stuff like this and let me tell you, why would you pay when you can do it yourself? It's pretty easy man let me show you what you need, so that you can install an aftermarket amplifier. First off you will need this, http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAC-AA-GM44-...27f6c9&vxp=mtr Don't be intimidated it's extremely easy to put in, infact, it's plug and play, basically pull the head unit out, unplug the main harness from that, plug it into the aftermarket harness and then the aftermarket harness goes into the headunit, Now you'll need to change the wired end of this baby and put the RCA's on it, again, plug and play. There's 3 main wires for this, Yellow, which you hook up to a 12v power source, blue, which is remote to turn on the amp, and black which is of course ground, to the metal of the car. Honestly that's pretty much is, then you just plug RCA's into it and hook up the amp. If you need any help shoot me a pm. But for real, buy the item in the link, cheapest on eBay. You WILL need it if you want to install a sub or sub(s)

03-18-2014, 09:42 AM	#14
Badger Drives: 2010 ABM SS #14 of 2,027 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York Posts: 1,217	Thanks guys for the help.....Knockout I will be in touch if need be..thanks again __________________ "One of the ordinary modes, by which tyrants accomplish their purposes without resistance, is, by disarming the people, and making it an offense to keep arms." -- Constitutional scholar and Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story, 1840