Here's the harness that will connect my modified overhead unit to the modified PAC unit:
Quick test fit before finishing installation, to make sure everything is working:
Xanth
FEB 10, 09:29 PM
Testing the unit, have to turn up the volume a bit to be able to hear it, but the unit works perfectly. Smooth volume change from low to high.
Overhead in place, waiting for my new headliner:
PAC unit in its location for now, needs to be tidied up, and RCA cables shortened:
[This message has been edited by Xanth (edited 02-10-2008).]
craigsfiero2007
FEB 10, 10:01 PM
Very Nice. I hope to do this to my new Fiero, but by the looks of it that will have to wait for now.
Xanth
FEB 10, 10:49 PM
It is very time consuming, the way I did it. Today alone was about 6 hours, just for the volume control unit. If I didn't care so much about it appearing factory it would be quicker, but I like the fact everything just plugs right in and works. So now I can easily change amps, headunits, subs, etc. and everything will just plug in.
Having the Performance Sound overhead volume control work with an aftermarket amp is great, I can easily adjust the bass to the song without messing around with the stereo equalizer and overdriving the speakers.
I am quite happy with it
GT Quick
FEB 10, 10:57 PM
What an exhorbatant waste of time. All you had to do was buy a high level to low level adapter and run an A/B switch for the high or low sound systems.
For that matter, why would you ever want to have a high quality sound system and then switch it off anyway ? The factory decks are already preprogrammed to not overload the factory speakers when turned all the way up. Did you not know that ? Wow.....you did all that work for nothing. NIce switch though.
Xanth
FEB 10, 11:06 PM
quote
Originally posted by GT Quick:
What an exhorbatant waste of time. All you had to do was buy a high level to low level adapter and run an A/B switch for the high or low sound systems.
For that matter, why would you ever want to have a high quality sound system and then switch it off anyway ? The factory decks are already preprogrammed to not overload the factory speakers when turned all the way up. Did you not know that ? Wow.....you did all that work for nothing. NIce switch though.
Its not a switch, its a gain control for the amplifier. The slider adjusts the gain of the Subwoofer, not the speakers. It is identical in function to the factory Performance Sound unit, many amplifiers come with a remote volume control knob, are they then pointless?
Part of the advantage is I can counteract that preprogrammed function you mention. As the volume of the stereo is turned up, the stereo reduces the bass. So I slide the slider over to boost the subwoofer.
Edit: In case you didn't notice, that is in fact a High Level to Low Level adapter.
[This message has been edited by Xanth (edited 02-10-2008).]
GT Quick
FEB 10, 11:31 PM
Ahh I get it.
Another approach would be to just use a high level input/output E/Q and run it as the preamp for the sub amplifier but wiire directly to the factory speakers. Then regardless of factory output it could be adjusted by high/mid and low frequencies. A number of audio manufacturers made these in the early 90's to resolve this exact problem. It was an active/passive unit that would have worked perfectly in this scenario.
Then yet ANOTHER aproach would be to hard wire some ohm boards that split the signals to the speakers. We use to call them "bass blockers" and they were a primitive version of the box that the 3 way speakers come with these days. Take those and hard wire them, use the outputs to go high level in/low level out and run it to the amp RCA's input. Adjust the amp volume accordingly and tweak it so that the factory EQ has enough control for good quality sound with acceptable bass.
Or if all else fails drop the dime for an aftermarket head unit and go from there.
Xanth
FEB 10, 11:47 PM
Part of my goal is a factory appearing and functioning unit, so an aftermarket deck was not an option. I sold my Pioneer Premier and got the Delco Pontiac unit, bolts in and matches the Fiero interior and lighting.
Stock subwoofer housing, using aftermarket sub and amplifier for flexibility. The amp can easily power a larger sub should I choose to do so and will be completely hidden when I am done.
The amp has a built in crossover, so the sub receives only the low frequency. I do not want to block bass from the speakers, I want to maintain a full range of sound from them.
So I can use the equalizer on the deck to set the speakers to sound how I want, then use the volume control on the overhead to boost or turn down the subwoofer. I set the gain on the amplifier itself to set the high end, and the overhead unit adjusts within that range, using the high level to low level converter.
Keeping a stock appearance is a major part of my goal, I have to use the stock performance sound overhead and a factory stereo.
If I was willing to use an aftermarket deck, I wouldn't have to do any of this. My Excelon decks had all the features built in that I am adding to this unit. I would not be as happy with it, even though it would be greatly easier.
[This message has been edited by Xanth (edited 02-10-2008).]
craigsfiero2007
FEB 10, 11:55 PM
I like it because it looks original but performs better. Will the Performance Sound still work if I just replace the Head Unit with one out of a Newer Pontiac. I just want a CD Player right now, I will do what you did when I have the money and drive to tackle the job.
------------------ 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP- R.I.P.
1986 Pontiac Fiero GT- My Summer Fun. Mildly Modified
I hope to do this to my new Fiero, but by the looks of it that will have to wait for now.
