Steve R

Hi All, I have a new (to me) '93 FD Touring model with the entire sound system removed (no head unit or speakers). I'd like to install a complete audio system myself for <$1000 that sounds decent. Not looking to max out the volume or win any competitions, I just want to max out the sound quality for the buck. I typically listen to either Audio CDs, MP3 discs or the radio... No 8 Track required

What head unit / amp / speaker combo would the audio gurus out here recommend? Also, any tricks on the install? Can / Should I reuse the stock wires or reroute all new wires?

Thanks in advance for you advice!
Steve

White94RX

Start with a good head unit. I like Kenwood. You could use the original wires. When the speakers were removed, did they take out everything? Because the Touring models had the Bose stereos, with an individual amp for each speaker. If you're completely redoing everything, might as well just run new wires straight from the head unit to the speaker. Probably a pain going through the door jamb, though.

bigcox_03

i would reuse the stock wiring.
after working at a car audio shop i found that there are many nice combinations out there. my favorite would be a nice alpine head unit(looks the best in an FD imo, but for functionality i prefer pioneer premier) as for door speakers i like the top of the line polks(this is the part that i wouldnt skimp on), and for good sound quality i like something like a jl w3 and an alpine 300w amp(very clear and clean sound from that combination!). there are many other combinations you can go with that will sound great tho. if you have any specific questions you can pm me and ill help however i can, i worked with car audio for a few years doing sales and installs.

spiderx7

the combo suggested above is nice but it will definitely run you way more than a grand.to stay close to your budget and still have good sound.i would go with the poineer head unit ,memphis door speakers,i l7 rocksford fosgate sub,phoinex gold amp.

KeloidJonesJr.

iTrader: (8)

What about just leave it alone? Not a fan of a sports car with a radio or speakers.

chinaman

That's why your name is'nt on the title of that car

Skich

iTrader: (4)

I have a touring and its a pain to rewire the whole thing and or make brackets to mount speakers in the quater pannels. Save your self the trouble and get a component set that fits nice in the door with minimal fabrication. Mount the cross overs and tweets in the door or on the dash or where ever you want basically. Get a decent head unit for like 200 or so and buy a 4 channel amp and a single sub (like a jl 8w3). Run rca's from the headunit to the amp and amp the component set from the sub and bridge the final 2 channels to the sub. It cost me around 1000 for the whole system and it sounds great.
If you wanted to upgrade in the future you could add more speakers in the quater pannels by fabbing something or add another amp......
Sony explode folding head unit = 200 (blends in very nice)
Rockfordfosgate components= 175
JL amp = 300 or so I forget exactly
8w3= 150
box = 25
wires= 100
Total=955 If you buy stuff from ebay or used you could get more of a deal I am sure

7_rocket

iTrader: (6)

Steve R

First off, thanks for the great advice... you guys have given me some good stuff to think about for under the xmas tree...


No system, huh? It's actually funny you say that... this is for a LS1 FD and everyone that rides in it tells me the same thing! I only play one song, but it sure is sweet!

2MCHPWR

iTrader: (2)

i'll ask luigi to give his recommendations here too (another ls1 nj dude), but he has told me get some nice 6.5's co-axals for the front doors, some 5x7 or 6x8's to fit in the stock brackets in the rear...i also think he said 6x9's can fit in there with some easy fabrication. do you want a sub? i didn't get one..or an amp...just keeping it very simple...the head unit alone powers the 4 speakers.

i have older sony xplod head unit, and polk 5x7's in the rear. just waiting to get some 6.5's for the front...then luigi said he'll come over and we'll hook em up. gotta rewire pass side door because the speaker there isn't working. i'll call you when we do to see if you wanna stop over.

fendamonky

iTrader: (6)

Memphis Car Audio makes great speakers and subs. Really not expensive either.

I would say get yourself a good head unit and check around near where you live for a Memphis distributer. You are not likely to get better sound quality than Memphis while staying in the same price range. I had it/loved it for years before my car got broken into, personally I will be setting my 7 up with a round of Memphis components as soon as I get back to the states.

wptrx7

The way this system is set up is exactly what I would do:

I reccomend this not only because of your budget, but saves you on install time, space and the sound quality is pretty good with a setup like this without heavy amount of tuning. I don't like 8" subs, I prefer 10s if you like for the bass to keep up with the music or 12's if you prefer the lower bass notes (this depends on the type of music you listen to). If you are bridging the last two channles on a 4 channel amp, do not go with the top of the line sub, mid range sub will be fine. A decent head unit with front, rear and sub channels (the power won't matter since you will be using an amp), price range will be around 2-300. Spend a good amount of money on speakers, make sure they match the amount of power the amp puts out, if the amp is underpowered, your high end speaker will sound like garbage.

Headunit: Alpine, Kenwood, some Pioneer
Speakers: Infinity, Polk, Alpine
Amps: Alpine ( I like the cleaner signal versus the most amount of power)
Subs: Alpine, Polk, JL, Infinity

I haven't done or looked into car stereo in years because I no longer work in the field, so I am not up to date on what's out there. My system consist mostly of Alpine products, with infinity speakers. D a littly home work, and make sure you power output matches what your speakers/subs can take. The more power doesn't mean the better system. For your speakers/subs look at the DB sensitivity, this will let you know how responsive the speakers/subs are to the power coming from the amp. Let me know if you need me to explain this

Luigi