Does replacing factory ba amp make a big difference

[Dmundz]

Originally Posted by 2010 Indy Pace

Not sure if you considered it, but the JL XD400/4 fits perfectly in the spot the stock amp was (using the mounting board Steve supplies). It also has a set of RCA pass-throughs which you can use to connect to your sub amp.

Oh shit I did not consider that. With the amp pass throughs then did you need the full fark kit? Since I have the original harness I'm gonna try to attach my extra rca's to it I guess.

[baby02]

Originally Posted by Iwantone2

In my opinion, it was totally worth the upgrade. Replaced mine with the JL Audio XD400 and it made the BA speakers really come to life. But if you're going to upgrade, you may as well do it right. So I replaced the BA speakers with Alpine Type-R speakers.

I agree, JL and kickers front and rear, one of the best mods to date.

[FurySS]

Originally Posted by Dmundz

Oh shit I did not consider that. With the amp pass throughs then did you need the full fark kit? Since I have the original harness I'm gonna try to attach my extra rca's to it I guess.

I had already bought the full FARK harness so I had it. From what I understand if the amp does not have pass-throughs, you can use a RCA Y cable to tap into the rear channel of the harness RCA's.

[JamiK]

Originally Posted by Agent WD-40

How did those Focals fit? Where did you mount the tweeter?

Focals fit in the door where the BA's fit, had to build a little platform so it would fit. Tweeters fit exactly where the BA tweeters were. Put the crossover in the door. Kept the BA cover that was on the door to keep it simple. Don't care that the speakers say Boston Accoustic!

BA speakers crossover was like a little transistor. The Focal's is a fairly big box.

[chevyboy81]

i have two kicker 12 comps and had the same problem. i switched out the door speakers with custom ones and it sounds alot better and also did a four channel amp for all the speakers. awesome sound !!!!!!!

[JohnnyComeLately]

The Boston Acoustics tabs are easy to remove. When you have the door panels, look on the backside of the grill and you'll see two paperclip thick wires coming through. Carefully straighten them, and then flip back around. Using a mini screw driver just carefully work the tab straight out. There is a tiny bit of glue left behind which a fingernail can easily remove. Done! Clean grills.

Or, do what I did... Grab some Gel SuperGlue, pull the badges from your Focal or Hertz (or whatever) and glue them where the BA tab was. Looks pro and only another Camaro owner will catch the switch (but you can smile everytime you see it). Mine say "Hertz" now and it looks perfect in the BA's old spot.

For the cross over, I put mine in the car's door panel. You're double protected against moisture there and there's a ton of room. On the bottom, farthest from the door hinge, inside of the panel is a little strip of insulation taped to the door panel. You can lift it up and tuck it under, and then run your wires up the factory wire channel for your "mood lights" whch run across the door. Wrap electrical tape around 3 sets of wires (1 in, 2 out) and tie wrap wire bundle to to the wiring channel. PRO! WINNING, now go drink Tiger's Blood and repeat on the other door.

[Agent WD-40]

Originally Posted by JohnnyComeLately

The Boston Acoustics tabs are easy to remove. When you have the door panels, look on the backside of the grill and you'll see two paperclip thick wires coming through. Carefully straighten them, and then flip back around. Using a mini screw driver just carefully work the tab straight out. There is a tiny bit of glue left behind which a fingernail can easily remove. Done! Clean grills.

Or, do what I did... Grab some Gel SuperGlue, pull the badges from your Focal or Hertz (or whatever) and glue them where the BA tab was. Looks pro and only another Camaro owner will catch the switch (but you can smile everytime you see it). Mine say "Hertz" now and it looks perfect in the BA's old spot.

For the cross over, I put mine in the car's door panel. You're double protected against moisture there and there's a ton of room. On the bottom, farthest from the door hinge, inside of the panel is a little strip of insulation taped to the door panel. You can lift it up and tuck it under, and then run your wires up the factory wire channel for your "mood lights" whch run across the door. Wrap electrical tape around 3 sets of wires (1 in, 2 out) and tie wrap wire bundle to to the wiring channel. PRO! WINNING, now go drink Tiger's Blood and repeat on the other door.

Have any pictures of how you mounted your x-over and wiring? Sounds pretty slick though.

[Dmundz]

How are the hertz speakers I was leaning towards the alpine spr-60c

[Dmundz]

Lol well I just bit the bullet. Damn you eBay just ordered

1 kicker - 10ix500.4
1 pair of alpine spr-60c
1 pair of alpine spr-69


Now to hope canada post quits their damn strike I have so many thing in the mail right now I'm waiting for.

[Fraxum]

Originally Posted by Dmundz

Awesome thanks for the opinions guys.

I think I will swap out the amp and speakers maybe start with the speakers first.
What would you say is best bang for your buck?

Fraxum. You said you didnt have to buy a whole new harness just modify they original harness from ********?

My original harness had all of the wires for 4 channel, but I was only using 2 channels for my sub. I was using a LOC for my amp (Steve recommended a LOC).

So I just pulled out the other wires and added a second LOC. The wiring diagram for the plug is a sticky in this forum.

You still have to buy the second connector and the rear tweeter jumpers from Steve.

These are on ********s web site individually. His items look a little different now on his site. You have the X3 harness I assume. Drop Steve an email. he can tell you what you need.

[Dmundz]

Sorry don't wanna sound stupid but what exactly is s loc.

Shoot didn't realize I need the tweeter jumpers.

[Dmundz]

I can't seem to find the tweeter jumpers would you by chance be able to link them?

[Iwantone2]

Originally Posted by Dmundz

Lol well I just bit the bullet. Damn you eBay just ordered

1 kicker - 10ix500.4
1 pair of alpine spr-60c
1 pair of alpine spr-69


Now to hope canada post quits their damn strike I have so many thing in the mail right now I'm waiting for.

Good choice in speakers!!

[JohnnyComeLately]

I'm pretty sure LOC is "Line Out Converter." It takes post-amp levels and drops it to a pre-amp level (usually between .5 and 2 volts). It's a cheap and easy way to add an aftermarket amp to an existing system.

If you go with an aftermarket head to aftermarket amp, you just go line level all the way. The tweeter jump is because you've got a separate line to the rear highs. I've wondered if I could just run a single set, and then split parallel at the rear speakers, putting in the cap I removed from the front door tweeters. I'm not highly motivated to do this as I'll probably just yank and replace OEM speakers with either Alpine 6X9s or 6.5" co-axial/components.