Aftermarket radio install
 

Hey Everyone,

So I was looking to upgarde the stock radio to an aftermarket radio. I read that the fronts can only handle 15 watts peak from the radio and the rears 15 watts peak from the amp.

Seeing as how most radios now have an RMS output of 15 watts or higher and a peak output of around 50 watts this would lead me to believe it is better to replace the entire sound system.

Has anyone only replaced the head unit without problems?

Pretty much I don't to replace the entire sound system if just replacing the head unit would do.

I do like to listen to rock and what not and at times like to blast the radio. If the factory set up cannot handle much would it be better to replace everything?

Thanks in advance

what is the year and model? the FD has individual amplifiers on the speakers so you would want to bypass those if you run an aftermarket headunit

the head unit will probably start to distort the sound before the wattage output overpowers the speakers. replace the head unit now, then as speakers start giving up, replace them.

Its an 86 GXL.

I was thinking about a head unit and bypassing the amp. Sound good?

Thanks

I'd suggest replacing not only the head unit, but also the factory amps, wiring and speakers. The quality of all those items is far inferior to even a $99 modern stereo.

If you intend to Put in a Head unit,I would just run all new wires to the speaker locations.
wiring into the Stock setup would just be too much hassle.It wouldn't sound good and the Power would be minimal compared to what you could get off of Just the aftermarket head unit itself.

I know the OP has a FC, but "for the record" this is true only if they had the BOSE system...Touring or PEP. The 'R' and Base models did not have this problem and were much easier to upgrade.

FC also has individual speaker amps if it is an upmarket model such as the GXL. The front speaker amp is located about under the glove box, and then each rear speaker has it's own amp in the speaker enclosure.

I would just rewire each speaker from the headunit directly to each speaker as well as replace the speakers. I did that on my GXL and the sound difference from stock with the old wiring to new wiring with sony xplod headunit and speakers was huge and it was fairly simple.

Agreed. Replace the speakers and headunit and you will be more than satisfied. My original wiring was still good so i just cut off that connector and put on the correct ones to go to the new speakers.

I have and 85 and I work at best buy I bought a cheap sony deck and full set of kicker speakers till i get the security system be careful when getting the trim off its easy to break and there's hidden bolts a lot of the time i would look for a guide to remove it before you mess with it to much if your going to go with single din get a pocket you shouldn't need a kit they do sell the harness on bestbuy.com or you get a volt meter or wiring diagram use factory brackets looks better

The surround is held in by clips and the stock radio is held in with screws and bolts and weighs like 5 pounds lol. Take the shifter surround off first and the ashtray out. The biggest pain on an FC is unhooking the lighter wiring because there isnt much room to pull it off and its a bitch to get off from being stuck on there since the 80's. Luckily for me my new Rx7 has the stock radio already out and I have an extra Sony headunit from my Teg

Also don't forget to add a relay for your antenna You can find the schematics here on this site very simple to do but necessary for the electric antenna to work

That is, if you are going to be using the radio. I never use the radio because quite frankly the radio sucks so I never hook up the antenna cable to the head unit and the antenna will never go up. Plus I hate how the antenna is like 3 feet taller then the rest of the car lol

neo,
you got a quick guide to make the antenna work on a fb? still working on that one. As for the stereo install, I just rewired everything and using the stereo output to run my 6 speakers, sounds great. p/o removed the storage boxes and used the speaker plates the p/o installed...................nice sound.

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...52#post5131052


third post around the middle you will see relay diagram if you need further assistance hit me up at unknown525i@hotmail.com and i will walk you thru it