Advice on a 96 firebird audio replacement

[nateleduc]

Hey guys!

My stock headunit finally bit the dust. Can't seem to find a good replacement and found a awesome deal on a double din w/ gps & Sirius modules included. The rest of my audio system is in pretty poor condition as well, which is why I decided just to replace it all. I'm wanting to keep the stock wiring in tact incase I ever decide to sell the car. I'm wondering if I can remove the stock speakers and replace them with aftermarket. I have access to a bone yard, where I can clip connectors to match the stock connectors.

So my questions, If I buy a harness adapter, can I just remove my old speakers (and speaker amps) and throw in aftermarket speakers?

I plan on replacing all 6 speakers

This is the head unit I purchased:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/GPS-Navigation/AVIC-X930BT

[firebird_1995]

Kee Audio should be able to answer that

[95albinobird]

the factory amp was for the 6.5 subwoofer's in the sail panels the door and rear hatch area are powered buy the head unit in my 95.
just get the harness adapter plug that the after market radio wires to then plugs right into the stock plug I would never cut anything except for the speaker plugs in the doors then you can cut them with enough to splice them in if you want to put them back on later.
splice the spade terminal ends form the new speakers to the factory wires in the doors and the hatch area and boom you are done I have had quite a few job's over the years 1 of the was a installer at a audio shop.

[nateleduc]

That actually sounds great,

So theoretically, I can replace all 6, keep the amp for the rear hatch speakers, and just use the head unit to power the front and mid speakers.

[95albinobird]

That actually sounds great,

So theoretically, I can replace all 6, keep the amp for the rear hatch speakers, and just use the head unit to power the front and mid speakers.



yes but the factory amp powers the sail panel woofers the hatch is the deck I thought about these for the sail panels in my car http://www.ebay.com/itm/KICKER-10CVT65-1-CAR-AUDIO-6-5-SHALLOW-MOUNT-SUBWOOFER-SUB-WOOFER-2010-10-CVT65-/390823407209?pt=Car_Subwoofers_Enclosures&hash=item5afee3ee69&vxp=mtr
you could also try this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Stereo-Radio-Replacement-Interface-Wiring-Installation-Install-Harness-Plug-/331041740571?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AFirebird&hash=item4d13a0171b
but I used this and my sail panel speakers still played
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-CAR-STEREO-CD-PLAYER-WIRING-HARNESS-WIRE-AFTERMARKET-RADIO-INSTALL-PLUG-/331034636454?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1997%7CModel%3ACamaro&hash=item4d1333b0a6
my car has steering wheel controls and had the cd player with the 5 band eq it was the "premium sound" setup
I put the aftermarket tweeters where the factory 1's went you can't tell it still looks factory

[nateleduc]

yes but the factory amp powers the sail panel woofers the hatch is the deck I thought about these for the sail panels in my car http://www.ebay.com/itm/KICKER-10CVT65-1-CAR-AUDIO-6-5-SHALLOW-MOUNT-SUBWOOFER-SUB-WOOFER-2010-10-CVT65-/390823407209?pt=Car_Subwoofers_Enclosures&hash=item5afee3ee69&vxp=mtr
you could also try this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Stereo-Radio-Replacement-Interface-Wiring-Installation-Install-Harness-Plug-/331041740571?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AFirebird&hash=item4d13a0171b
but I used this and my sail panel speakers still played
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-CAR-STEREO-CD-PLAYER-WIRING-HARNESS-WIRE-AFTERMARKET-RADIO-INSTALL-PLUG-/331034636454?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1997%7CModel%3ACamaro&hash=item4d1333b0a6
my car has steering wheel controls and had the cd player with the 5 band eq it was the "premium sound" setup
I put the aftermarket tweeters where the factory 1's went you can't tell it still looks factory


I've got the steering wheel controls, do I need a special adapter for this? I've read I need a Pac swi-rc, but I'm unsure how it integrates with my radio

I plan on getting the Kee Audio level 1. I'm guessing I'll also need the http://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Stereo-Radio-Replacement-Interface-Wiring-Installation-Install-Harness-Plug-/331041740571?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AFirebird&hash=item4d13a0171b to handle the center speakers.

Thank you a bunch for the help!

[95albinobird]

this is what i used but the instructions sucked all i had to do was use 3 wires power ground and 1 from the steering wheel then you program it like a tv remote,push a button on you radio remote than push the button on you wheel that you want it to be....http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-PIE-PF-SWI-X-Steering-wheel-interface-/181125859498?pt=US_Adapters&hash=item2a2bf148aa
like i have am/fm my answer phone button my radio has a bluetooth link to my phone.but

[nateleduc]

How do I know if my radio has the ability to be controlled via steering wheel?

[95albinobird]

I just looked at what you got and it's a wired remote option.
so you need this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAC-SWI-PS-STEERING-WHEEL-CONTROL-4-PIONEER-AVIC-X930BT-/250797799697?pt=US_Adapters&hash=item3a64b6b911

[nateleduc]

You rock!

Thank you for the help. Last question, that aftermarket amp you posted a link to earlier, do you have on in your car?

[95albinobird]

You rock!

Thank you for the help. Last question, that aftermarket amp you posted a link to earlier, do you have on in your car?

I left the factory amp in the car its doing nothing I have a fosgate bd1000 on 1 12

[nateleduc]

Interesting.

Any thoughts on what to do for the center speakers? I'd like to keep all the factory wiring intact.

I'd really like also to not have to run any wires.



PS. Received my radio today. Wiring harness was a mess, but its all here!

[95albinobird]

the center you mean the rear's in the back seat area those are factory 6.5 subwoofers i sent you a link already or just go on ebay and look up 6.5 inch woofers

[nateleduc]

the center you mean the rear's in the back seat area those are factory 6.5 subwoofers i sent you a link already or just go on ebay and look up 6.5 inch woofers


I'm a bit confused.

So the door and middle speakers are powered by the head unit, and the rear are powered by the factory amp?

[95albinobird]

the front/doors are head unit,the hatch is also head unit. the back seat area(sail panels) speakers are the woofers.

when you take off the hatch panel off to get to your spare tire you can see that there is a tweeter and a mid (5 1/4) .

just install your new radio then replace all of your speakers if thats what you want to do.

you don't have to worry about where the power is coming from as long as you get the plug that makes the new radio plug into the factory plug.

all you do is unplug the factory radio then plug in the new radio.

it's simple you may be over thinking it.

i don't know where the sail panel speaker wires are the factory plug has 4 speakers on it.

GM spliced the woofer and tweeter wires in somewhere for you.

just hook up the radio and you will see,

if your speakers are not blown all 10 speakers will play.

there is a tweeter and a mid in each door that's 4 and the hatch has a tweeter and a mid on each side thats 4 then there is a woofer on each side thats 2.

4+4+2=10

[nateleduc]

the front/doors are head unit,the hatch is also head unit. the back seat area(sail panels) speakers are the woofers.

when you take off the hatch panel off to get to your spare tire you can see that there is a tweeter and a mid (5 1/4) .

just install your new radio then replace all of your speakers if thats what you want to do.

you don't have to worry about where the power is coming from as long as you get the plug that makes the new radio plug into the factory plug.

all you do is unplug the factory radio then plug in the new radio.

it's simple you may be over thinking it.

i don't know where the sail panel speaker wires are the factory plug has 4 speakers on it.

GM spliced the woofer and tweeter wires in somewhere for you.

just hook up the radio and you will see,

if you speakers are not blown all 10 speakers will play.

there is a tweeter and a mid in each door that's 4 and the hatch has a tweeter and a mid on each side thats 4 then there is a woofer on each side thats 2.

4+4+2=10


Exactly what I needed. I'll do just that. Once my Bezel/adapter comes in.

Last question(i promise), since I'm trying to preserve my entire wiring harness, is there a car I can cut the female connector off of for the steering wheel controls? I know that the connector that plugs directly into my radio is male.

[Injuneer]

The 96 factory shop manual is available in a free download:

http://www.firebirdnation.com/forums/topic/342426-link-4th-gen-service-manuals%3B-82-02-parts-diag%3B-99-02-wiring-diag/

It has the wiring diagrams for the premium audio system. Maybe from that you could understand the system setup easier. If you don't want to download the manual, I could send you a .pdf of the pages.

[nateleduc]

The 96 factory shop manual is available in a free download:

http://www.firebirdnation.com/forums/topic/342426-link-4th-gen-service-manuals%3B-82-02-parts-diag%3B-99-02-wiring-diag/

It has the wiring diagrams for the premium audio system. Maybe from that you could understand the system setup easier. If you don't want to download the manual, I could send you a .pdf of the pages.


I've read those, but thank you!

I'm just wondering if I can get a connector to match the steering wheel connector that connects to the radio. That way I can keep my OEM harness unmolested.

[95albinobird]

mine was a adaptor for a infrared remote I only needed power ground and 1 control wire I didn't cut ant thing I just taped into 1 wire from the wheel.
the instructions that come with you adapter should tell you what you need to connect to.
don't cut the wire just tap in to it or cut it than use a crimp cap or a but splice when you put it back together twist the wire or wires from you adapter to the harness wire than crimp it.
if you go back stock all you got to do is snip out you remote adapter than the stock plug will still be there,unplug the aftermarket radio and plug in the factory radio back in.
that's what I would do.I don't know of a plug that allows you to plug in that adapter that don't mean they don't make 1.

p.s I just went to the pac website and looked up your instructions it took me 2 seconds... it's a 3 wire hook up 1 power 1 ground 1 control wire from the wheel you only have to connect to 1 wire from the wheel

[nateleduc]

mine was a adaptor for a infrared remote I only needed power ground and 1 control wire I didn't cut ant thing I just taped into 1 wire from the wheel.
the instructions that come with you adapter should tell you what you need to connect to.
don't cut the wire just tap in to it or cut it than use a crimp cap or a but splice when you put it back together twist the wire or wires from you adapter to the harness wire than crimp it.
if you go back stock all you got to do is snip out you remote adapter than the stock plug will still be there,unplug the aftermarket radio and plug in the factory radio back in.
that's what I would do.I don't know of a plug that allows you to plug in that adapter that don't mean they don't make 1.

p.s I just went to the pac website and looked up your instructions it took me 2 seconds... it's a 3 wire hook up 1 power 1 ground 1 control wire from the wheel you only have to connect to 1 wire from the wheel

I didnt know it was just one wire. The picture shows quite a few wires in the module.

I'll order it Thursday once I get my paycheck