Connecting carputer to stock amplifier of a 2001 Pontiac FireBird TransAm?

WWE-TicK · 03-08-2004, 08:36 PM

I'm a newbie looking to install a carputer into my 2001 Pontiac FireBird TransAm. I plan on taking the stock head unit out and have the carputer do everything. However, I don't want to replace the stock amp and speakers if I don't have to.

Would it be possible to plug the carputer directly up to the amp? The amp does not have any RCA inputs. However, according to the amp's pinout diagram (http://www.houston-f-body.org/tech/m...mpFirebird.htm), it seems I might be able to hook up the outputs of a 4 channel sound card to pins E1 through E7 and pin F1 of the amp. Would this work? If not, what would it take to accomplish what I am trying to do? Or is it even possible?

Thanks!

breimann · 03-08-2004, 10:12 PM

you might want to consider installing an FM modulator instead... little work required and it'll give you a decent sound and you dont have to butcher your stereo

Evo Designs · 03-09-2004, 05:09 AM

umm you shouldbe able to hock this up but it mighttake a little bit of your time. but it would sound a hell of lot better than a modulator

Lando · 03-09-2004, 06:28 AM

Wht not just use a line converter?

jnusaira · 03-09-2004, 07:04 AM

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pffWndl...=0&cc=01&avf=N

will this work in reverse???

like could i go from my RCA outputs to speakers??

cause i actually bought these years ago ... and never used them .... i am sure they are somewhere in my houuse

Alric · 03-09-2004, 07:51 AM

Quote:

you might want to consider installing an FM modulator instead

Anything but an FM modulator!

P4_2.66GHz · 03-09-2004, 08:53 AM

The problem you may run into is that the stock amp accepts "balanced" input and the sound card, as well as most aftermarket equipment, provide "unbalanced" output. In a balanced system, the 2 wires that deliver the signal, will be opposite of each other relative to the ground. In an "unbalanced" output, one of the signal wires is the ground, so the full signal is delivered relative to the ground.
When you get this thing connected directly, you may only get 1/2 of the volume from the amp.

P4_2.66GHz · 03-09-2004, 08:54 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by jnusaira

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pffWndl...=0&cc=01&avf=N

will this work in reverse???

like could i go from my RCA outputs to speakers??

cause i actually bought these years ago ... and never used them .... i am sure they are somewhere in my houuse

No, LLC will not add a RCA input.

WWE-TicK · 03-09-2004, 04:46 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by P4_2.66GHz

The problem you may run into is that the stock amp accepts "balanced" input and the sound card, as well as most aftermarket equipment, provide "unbalanced" output. In a balanced system, the 2 wires that deliver the signal, will be opposite of each other relative to the ground. In an "unbalanced" output, one of the signal wires is the ground, so the full signal is delivered relative to the ground.
When you get this thing connected directly, you may only get 1/2 of the volume from the amp.

So what do I need to do to make the signal from the sound card balanced? Would it be possible to get another amp that has RCA inputs, hook the carputer up to that, and then hook up that amp to the stock amp?

WWE-TicK · 03-10-2004, 10:06 AM

Hmm ... I think I have come up with something that might work. According to the "Monsoon Audio System Schematic" at:

http://www.houston-f-body.org/tech/monsoon/Schem1.htm

the stock head unit directly powers the stock system tweeters directly.

At this site:

http://www.acscontrol.com/Index_ACS...._Audio_Amp.htm

are PC sound amplifiers used for embedded PC applications.

What if I took two of these things, plugged the outputs of a typical 4 channel sound card into them, and then hook the outputs of the PC sound amps to the system tweeters using a 16-pin wire harness? I mean, wouldn't that make the PC seem like any old aftermarket car stereo? According to this "radio replacement install guide" at:

http://www.soundgate.com/pdf/radio-r...-app-guide.pdf

all it really takes to install an aftermarket stereo into a Firebird/Camaro Monsoon sound system is to simply wire the 8 speaker leads of the new stereo into the system.

What do you guys think?

P4_2.66GHz · 03-10-2004, 11:52 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by WWE-TicK

So what do I need to do to make the signal from the sound card balanced? Would it be possible to get another amp that has RCA inputs, hook the carputer up to that, and then hook up that amp to the stock amp?

If you want to go from unbalanced to balanced, the effort is not worth it.
I would just buy an amp and replace the stock one. The stock audio, however, may need to go then.

That's what I did in my setup. The stock audio system in my car was very "picky", so I replaced and rewired most of it. My PC is used as a headunit.

P.S.
Looking over the schematics diagram, it will be a pain to keep your speakers. It seems that the stock amp has x-over built in. I had to replace my rear speakers for this reason.

scotty562 · 03-15-2007, 07:16 PM

Did you ever find a solution?