2005 Cobalt SS Project

intervoid · 06-01-2005, 12:00 AM

So, I have a nice little brand new Cobalt SS with the 7-speaker Pioneer setup. Time to start a little modding right?

I'm not new to the car audio scene, but I want to get a little bit more in-depth and I need some help.

I have a few goals in mind that I want to stick with:

Keep the dash looking as stock as possible
Keep the stock radio/xm functional if possible
keep this project relatively cheap

This is the spot I want to work with. Right below the radio and above the climate controls. I believe its empty and just big enough to fit a motorized LCD screen in there.

I have a laptop for this and a GPS unit. Is there anyway to run the speakers to the radio and the computer and switch when I want to play mp3s or the radio/xm?

Eh..I just realized this is very hard to explain what I want to do and I'm really tired. If anyone gets a gist of what I'm trying to say and has any idea how to tie all this together or if I'm dreaming, hit me back.

Thanks a lot.

Escalade182 · 06-01-2005, 12:09 AM

I dont know if thats big enough...maybe. are you talking about a single-din? if so, then it wont work. You should mold it where your radio is and run XM off of software.

0l33l · 06-01-2005, 12:28 AM

Looks like you've got enough space for an 8" LCD.

For the XM I'm just use the stock antenna. What's the XM tuner nowdays? Like $30 after rebates? Even less?

J187 · 06-01-2005, 08:25 AM

WOW, It seems like you've got a perfect space for a molded screen. WHy would you wanna keep that - no offense dude - ugly factory head unit and work with that tiny space below? Have you any idea how cool a molded 8" would be in there? Think it over man.

J187 · 06-01-2005, 08:42 AM

Check it out, C'mon.

And put a nice DVD Combo drive below in that blank space. OR even an A/M HU.

SickVette · 06-01-2005, 08:51 AM

Nice photoshop job.

How do you like the car? I know it is a bit off subject but I checked out the Cobalt SS for my wife a few months ago. Very cool car. Is it a big improvement over the standard Cobalt?

By the way that tiny sliver of space will not allow for a standard sized motorized monitor. You would have to cut into the ac or radio. I would do as the others have suggested and dump the factory radio.

intervoid · 06-01-2005, 11:51 AM

Dumping the factor radio won't lose my XM or anything else? I've read that newer cars are a pain because a lot of electronics run directly through the radio. I'm also pretty statisfied with the audio system in it currently and would really only like to add MP3s by either my computer or my Zen Touch and a DVD nav with the stuff I have at the house. Is there anything to hard wire an mp3 player in? I really don't want to use a ****ty FM transmitter.

Yes, the car is quite an upgrade from the base model. The engine is OMG cream pants for a 4-cyl and I'm in love with the interior.
http://www.cobaltss.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343

Thats the thread from another forum of my detailing the car

Cris · 06-01-2005, 12:14 PM

Any pics of the whole interiour. Thge car looks really really nice btw...!

J187 · 06-01-2005, 01:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SickVette

Nice photoshop job.

How do you like the car? I know it is a bit off subject but I checked out the Cobalt SS for my wife a few months ago. Very cool car. Is it a big improvement over the standard Cobalt?

By the way that tiny sliver of space will not allow for a standard sized motorized monitor. You would have to cut into the ac or radio. I would do as the others have suggested and dump the factory radio.

HAHA, Yeah I took all of about 3 minutes to photoshop that together, just for an idea.

J187 · 06-01-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by intervoid

Dumping the factor radio won't lose my XM or anything else? I've read that newer cars are a pain because a lot of electronics run directly through the radio. I'm also pretty statisfied with the audio system in it currently and would really only like to add MP3s by either my computer or my Zen Touch and a DVD nav with the stuff I have at the house. Is there anything to hard wire an mp3 player in? I really don't want to use a ****ty FM transmitter.

Yes, the car is quite an upgrade from the base model. The engine is OMG cream pants for a 4-cyl and I'm in love with the interior.
http://www.cobaltss.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343

Thats the thread from another forum of my detailing the car

Like others have suggested, you can get XM software through the car PC and like Ol33l said, tuners are cheap enough other than that. It would like 50,000 times nicer to mold the dash, and with that to work with, it wouldn't be hard at all.

mrcanngo · 06-09-2006, 01:16 AM

hi,

i was planning on adding a screen to my buddies cobalt. Any updates on your project?

For his car, i was planning on taking the faceplat off the stereo, cut the middle out, and bondo the xenar/lilliput screen right into it. I believe the measurements are okay for that.

Thanks.

Jahntassa · 06-09-2006, 08:25 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by intervoid

Dumping the factor radio won't lose my XM or anything else? I've read that newer cars are a pain because a lot of electronics run directly through the radio. I'm also pretty statisfied with the audio system in it currently and would really only like to add MP3s by either my computer or my Zen Touch and a DVD nav with the stuff I have at the house. Is there anything to hard wire an mp3 player in? I really don't want to use a ****ty FM transmitter.

Yes, the car is quite an upgrade from the base model. The engine is OMG cream pants for a 4-cyl and I'm in love with the interior.
http://www.cobaltss.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343

Thats the thread from another forum of my detailing the car

Yes, if you ditch the factory headunit, you will lose the ability to use your Factory XM. They're saying get an XM Direct unit and run it through the computer.

AFAIK, that car runs with the GM LAN system. You need to get a 'kit' and/or adapter to retain the radio's data functionality, or find a harness that would allow you to relocate the radio if you wanted to take it out completely. Unfortunately someone at GM had the great idea to run some of the car's computing functions through the radio.

You could probably fit something to 'flip out' between the radio and controls, but it's not a single DIN space, so you'd have to construct something.

Switt23 · 06-29-2007, 04:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Jahntassa

AFAIK, that car runs with the GM LAN system. You need to get a 'kit' and/or adapter to retain the radio's data functionality, or find a harness that would allow you to relocate the radio if you wanted to take it out completely. Unfortunately someone at GM had the great idea to run some of the car's computing functions through the radio.

This is actually untrue for the Cobalts. In the new Monte Carlos and the Malibus however, it is true. They are talking about the DIC or Driver Information Center. This module displays your important data info like Mileage, Coolant Temp, Oil Life (Useless), MPG, Miles left on Tank of Gas, etc.

Here is the difference...
Take a look at the Malibu Radios.. notice it's all on the radio.

Now here is the cobalts...

The DIC controls the Cobalts as well, but it's located on the Gauge cluster. The only reason you may need to keep your stock radio is if you had ONstar, which I don't believe too many cobalts had. There may also be a module to work like XM has.

As far as the Screen goes.. a 6.5" or 7" fits almost perfect with a metra adapter.

I will be completing my project by the end of summer with GPS, MP3, DVD and WIFI with a Sprint Card

emperorjj1 · 07-10-2007, 10:29 PM

nice is that what you got now? any plans of carputer?

lor109 · 02-24-2008, 12:40 PM

Just thought I'd post this for anyone replacing there DIC on 04 and up Malibus. The DIC continues to function after the stereo is removed. So you do'nt need to relocate it or get a DIC replacement. Just make sure you have all the settings the way you want them before you remove the Factory Stereo and they will be remembered. It was very hard to find info on this when I first started my install, but know being finished I know this works.

Nathaniel