2000 GAGT Radio Install

[UGAkilla]

I've got a Sony CDX-M730 HU that I wanna replace my factory HU in my 2000 GAGT with.

1) Can I use the existing tweets if I purchase a x-over? How many ohms and what is the power rating on the tweets?
2) How hard would it be to fit another set of 6x9's in the rear deck? (The 6x9's are dual voice coil, I just checked)
3) I was reading that there is a wiring harness that I can use to keep the chimes and to avoid any warning lights and malfunctions. I can't find the post I was reading this from. Has anyone had any problems with the security features or the chimes? Can anyone give me the info so I can obtain this harness?

There is no indication on the factory head unit that I've got a Monsoon system

Any other tips and tricks would be GREAT

Thanks people

[nineteen88ga]

1) By replacing just the deck, your factory tweeters should still play and work fine. I've done a few decks in GA's with the factory tweeters and they all worked after the install and sounded great.

2) As long as its not monsoon, you should still be able to put a set of aftermarket speakers in place of your factory speakers. With the new rears, you'll just need to hook up one set of the speaker wires.

3) On a 2000 GA you shouldn't have to worry about the door chimes. Check the "Sticky" post in this section about the correct dash kits/antenna adaptors/harnesses you'll be needing to do a deck in any year Grand Am. :)

[UGAkilla]

Damn. My apologies. I forgot to add the fact that I'll also be using an aftermarket amplifier. Can I still use the factory tweets then?

[sunrunner_pei]

If using an external amp, I would not use the factory speakers.

[UGAkilla]

Due to the my wonderful ability to leave out crucial details, I'm going to repost my first post with all neccesary info:

I've got a Sony CDX-M730 HU that I wanna replace my factory HU in my 2000 GAGT with. I also plan on using an aftermarket amp to run my interior speakers and then another amp to run my sub.

1) Can I use the existing tweets if I purchase a x-over? How many ohms and what is the power rating on the tweets?

2) How hard would it be to fit another set of 6x9's in the rear deck? (The 6x9's are dual voice coil, I just checked) Crutchfield.com says that one only pair of 6x9's they have will fit. Anyone else have issues putting 6x9's in the rear deck of a 2000 GAGT?

3) I was reading that there is a wiring harness that I can use to keep the chimes and to avoid any warning lights and malfunctions. I can't find the post I was reading this from. Has anyone had any problems with the security features or the chimes? Can anyone give me the info so I can obtain this harness? Will the chimes still work if I use an aftermarket amp?

Ideally, the only OEM stereo equipment I wanna leave in the setup are the tweets and I wanna use an amp to push all speakers. I'd also like to keep the chime functionality.

There is no indication on the factory head unit that it is a Monsoon system

Any other tips and tricks would be GREAT!

Thanks people!!!

I apologize for my redundant posting.

[sunrunner_pei]

No Prob.

With the 2000, you have no worries about losing your chimes, warning lights, etc. That only affects 2001+ models. IIRC, the factory tweeters draw 6 Ohms.

I would not use factory speakers with an external amplifier. Chances are they won't be able to handle the power output. An aftermarket set of component speakers will be MUCH better.

I had no issues installing 6x9" speakers in my '99, although I had to slightly modify the speaker brackets. I removed the clips, and instead screwed the speakers to the brackets. You'll see what I mean when you take the rear deck apart. Since you'll be powering the new 6x9"s with an external amp, you can ignore the factory speaker wiring and simply connect your new speakers to your amp.

[UGAkilla]

Awesome!! Thanks so much! My first GAOC problem/question resolved! :)

One more thing . . will I be able to use the factory tweeter mounts?

[sunrunner_pei]

You can, but it will probably take some modification. Rather than destroy the factory mounts, I purchased some blank sail panels from a Grand Am that did not have factory tweeters (~$5 each) and used a hole saw to cut mounts for my aftermarket tweeters. That way I still have my factory tweeters and mounts to re-install if I ever trde the car.

[UGAkilla]

Genius! Simply genius! :P :lol: :bow2:

[UGAkilla]

Holy crap!!! I just installed my new HU in my car and it was sooooo easy (compared to my old 98 Achieva). Removing and installing the actual hardware took only 15 minutes. AWESOME. Next step is to do new speakers. :)

[sunrunner_pei]

Congratulations!!! :thumbup2:

[UGAkilla]

When I took out the factory HU, there were 3 connectors.

1) Antenna
2) Plug that I used with the new head unit
3) Plug that "wasn't need" on new head.

The unused plug had about 8 pins on it . . anyone know what these do?

The 6x9's in the back are dual voice coil (4 ohm and 10 ohm), does my headunit utilize both voice coils, or just the 4 ohm? (I hope it doesn't use the 10 ohm alone.) If the aftermarker HU only uses the 4 ohm, I'm going to wire both voice coils in parallel and that would give me a 2.86 ohm load. Maybe I can get my meter and check it if no one else knows.

[nineteen88ga]

The sony headunit isn't going to perform that well with a 2 Ohm load per rear channel. I believe its set up only to do 4 ohm and higher..nothing lower than 4 ohms. Theres a chance you may damage the deck if you do that.

Does your GA have steering wheel controlls for the stock headunit? I'm 99% sure thats what the other harness pluged into the factory deck was for. Just stuff it into your dash since you won't be able to use them with the aftermarket deck.

[UGAkilla]

I was riding around today and thought . . you know, maybe that extra plug was for my steering wheel controls. Ding Ding!

I also consulted my Sony owners manual. And again, you are correct, it looks like 4 ohms is the minimum for my HU.

Thanks for the answers ;)

[nineteen88ga]

No Problemo