ahs@houxu.UUCP (Arthur Steinman) (03/21/85)
Having recently purchased a new car I am ready to improve its sound system. It (Chevy Cavalier Type 10) came equipped with an AM radio. I want to replace it with an AM/FM stereo w/cassette. My questions are: 1) Should I attempt to do it myself? The hook-up procedure seems simple, its the installation procedure I'm concerned about. The Chevy has a console that looks like it would be easy to work on. 2) Does a power booster (40 watt) make a significant difference? The unit I'm installing is an Audiovox 3200 (an older model) that comes with a seperate power amp. I would guess that the player puts out no more than eight watts. 3) Can anyone recommend a good book on how install a unit? Any and all suggestions will be welcome. Please reply to: Art Steinman Path..houxu!ahs
fish@ihlpg.UUCP (Bob Fishell) (03/22/85)
*** AC T YOUR AGE *** > Having recently purchased a new car I am ready to improve its sound system. > It (Chevy Cavalier Type 10) came equipped with an AM radio. I want to > replace it with an AM/FM stereo w/cassette. My questions are: > 1) Should I attempt to do it myself? The hook-up procedure seems simple, its > the installation procedure I'm concerned about. The Chevy has a console > that looks like it would be easy to work on. Installation charges ordinarily shouldn't run more than $25, depending on the kind of unit you get. The hard part is making holes for the speakers. You should plan on about 2 hours' work to do a professional job, depending on your car and mechanical expertise. If the dealer doesn't want too much to do the job, let him, especially if he guarantees the work. I found that it was easier for me to do the job myself on my '82 Accord, but that was because I bought the car without a radio (the G**D*** dealer wanted $300+ for one that was less than what I wanted), and I happen to enjoy that type of work. I did the job mostly with crimp connectors, except for the speakers; I threw away the push-on terminals and soldered the wires right to the lugs. Vibration, you know. > 2) Does a power booster (40 watt) make a significant difference? The unit > I'm installing is an Audiovox 3200 (an older model) that comes with a > seperate power amp. I would guess that the player puts out no more than > eight watts. Yes, a power booster makes a HUGE difference. In fact, you just about have to have one if you expect to get any volume out of the thing. I have TWO power boosters, one for the speakers (25w/ch) and one for a pair of subwoofers (20w/ch). They are not expensive, and they're well worth the extra time you need to install them. > 3) Can anyone recommend a good book on how install a unit? > Go back to the dealer and buy a shop manual for the car. If you're lucky, the car is already wired for stereo speakers, and all you'll have to do is find out where the wires are. Afterwards, you'll have a handy reference when you have to replace a taillight or some such. In fact, get a shop manual for the car even if you have somebody else put the radio in for you. /_\_ Bob Fishell ihnp4!ihlpg!fish