83ho86tpi

I want to replace my rear speakers with new ones. I salvaged the optional plastic speaker boxes that came with some cars (1984 style) The box fits in the hole where the 6x9s go and each box mounts a small speaker "the same size as the front one". The box part encloses about a 4in speaker and has a bass hole. I know the 4 in speakers were run with an amp and had a switch to activate these small "subs" Will this be a better sound setup for the rear or will some nice 3 way 6x9s with or without an small amp be better?

Boomin Boy

aftermarket amplified systems are always better

onebadwagon

i will say it one, maybe two more times, 6x9s do not SOUND good, the best ones sound okay.

make an adapter plate from 1/4 inch MDF or something similar, and put a 6.5 in there.


adam

83ho86tpi

Thats a good idea adam, i think ill give it a try and fit as big a speaker that will fit in that hole, or maybe make the hole bigger, whatever is big and fits!

87LS

Thanks Adam
I am going to upgrade my system I think, and I thought I could do that
Thanks for the reassurance it can be done
AJ

FastElectrics

Does anyone have pics of these "Factory Subs" I've never heard of it..or seen them.

onebadwagon

if you REALLY wanted to do something unique, you could do some midbass drivers or 8 inch subs in there, with a good set of components in the kicks.


adam

83ho86tpi

I have taken a pic of the factory sub boxes and the switch to activate them. If you check back here in about a week I can have the pic developed and uploaded here. The parts I have also came with a small amp that I did not grab, it was listed as option UQ7. It started as an option in 84 and went through 89. The one I have is a 84. The 85-89 model had a different looking switch than mine due to the changes made from 84 to 85 model year.

83ho86tpi

Here is a pic I "borrowed without permission" from GTA4ME. It shows the later style subwoofer switch with adjustable control on his 88 gta, thanks for letting me "borrow" your pic GTA4ME.

83ho86tpi

pic

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

Hi everyone. I just found the site. It's pretty cool.

I ordered my '87 Formula with the subwoofer system in it that you're talking about. Aftermarket dealers tell me there's no such thing, lol. And unfortunately, no aftermarket manufacturer makes a sub that small(5 1/4" GM says, but you're right, the hole is only 4")--believe me, I've searched!!!

Pioneer made them for Delco, and stopped making them in '92. I had to have mine rebuilt recently because no dealer in the world has any left in stock. I even contacted Delco about it. The speakers simply do not exist anymore. So if you're planning on a sub system now, you're probably gonna have to re-think your sizes.

Good luck to you.

FastElectrics

So this factory sub system, is this anything like the rear most speakers in the locking lid when you have a bose sound system?

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

Oh, 83ho86tpi, do you still have your 83ho? My car before my '87 Formula was an '83ho Z28. That was a rare car. I LOVED that car! But sadly, it was stolen and never recovered in 1986. That's what led to me ordering my Formula.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

No. The factory sub system is in the B-pillar where the 6x9s would usually be.

There's a housing that holds a 4x6 coaxial on top. And below it is a port for the sub with a 5 1/4" subwoofer next to the port.

FastElectrics

ummmm.. interesting.. did it sound any good?

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

Yes. For a small subwoofer, it puts out some pretty good bass--clean and solid. But being small, it won't rock your world, lol. So if you're looking for "earthquake" bass, go for something larger. The components in that housing already fit very tightly, so I doubt you'd be able to modify it for anything larger. It's a real pain to try to work in.

If I remember to get some film, I'll take a pic of it.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

Sorry it took so long to take this pic, but here's my factory subwoofer system.

The enclosure holds a 4"x6" coaxial near the top; below it to the right is the 5 1/4" subwoofer; and the hole to the left of the sub is the port for the enclosure. And as you can see by how tightly it all fits together, it would be a bit difficult to get a larger sub in there.

I've phoned Delco, who said it's a 5 1/4" sub made by Pioneer, it was discontinued in 1992, and they didn't have any left. My dealer's done national and international searches for anyone who might have one left in stock, but no one has any. They're gone, so good luck finding them.

And no sub that small exists on the aftermarket, either. Car stereo shops(custom shops, not the circuit cities) have all told me that no such system ever existed and that I have no such subwoofer, lol. So I've taken one out and showed it to them, and they're like, "damn, that's a subwoofer!"

These sound good, but I'm sure you'd get better sound from something larger. So if you don't already have the small subwoofers for your enclosures, you might wanna consider a different set-up--unless you're simply wanting your car to be "factory." Then good luck. Try a 6 1/2" sub. Who knows? You might get it in there.

FastElectrics

Thats pretty cool.. Thanks for the picture..

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

You're welcome.

If someone were ambitious enough, it looks like there's an inch or so above the 4"x6" to move it up and some room to the left of the port to move(enlarge) it. That might leave you enough room to get a 6 1/2" subwoofer in there(which IS available on the aftermarket).

I'm staying with the set-up as is, which still has the original 4"x6" speakers. They still sound great--even when playing cds on the freeway with the tops out, lol. But I'm finally gonna upgrade all the 4"x6" speakers, probably to a 4"x6" triaxial. Pyle makes one.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

LA, if you ever wind up needing to repair those again, I'd suggest checking ebay or some of the salvage yards that advertise on this site. I regularly see those subwoofer assemblies on ebay for $10 or similar pricing. Dispite how rare they are, there seems to be very little demand for them.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, they're definitely rare. And since most dealers didn't know the system existed, I doubt many of them ordered that option for cars for their lots. So unless the individual buyer spec'd out his order, like I did, it was probably rarely installed, which is obviously why it was a short-lived option.

Ebay, maybe, but a salvage yard speaker would be about 17 years old and disintegrating, too, and would need rebuilding anyway. So unless I could find new ones(still boxed and unused), I'll just keep having mine rebuilt. At least I'll know where they've been, lol.

KC10Chief

So THAT'S what that spot is on my dash to the left of the rear defroster button! Always wondered what option went there. So, I should get a 6.5" speaker instead of a 6x9? And just order an adapter plate with it? Crutchfield includes adapter plates if you order different size speakers. I was planning on ordering some 4" Kenwoods for the front. Matt

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

Well... it wasn't as rare as you think. Every GTA came with that setup as standard equipment.

86iroctpi

I saw a pair of those on ebay not too long ago. I didn't know anything about them, but now I wish I would have bid on them.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

If one wanted to keep the enclosures, how about something similar to a component system? With no modifications to them, you could replace the coaxials with 4"x6" plate speakers and replace the subwoofers with 5 1/4" woofers. Then you could add a larger subwoofer system in the rear of the car.

Or instead of the plate speakers, you could probably make separate tweeters and midranges work without any mods. Then you'd have a REAL component system.

83ho86tpi

I have decided not to go with that factory box setup since the speaker is tiny and hard to find. I dont like that they wasted a lot of good space for the 4x6 above the box, why didnt they use the room to put a bigger speaker in, who would want 4 4x6 speakers for their setup? I think I might stick with 6x9s for midrange and just go with 12s in the hatch for bass. I still think the box is cool but Im wanting to try for better sound.

83ho86tpi

This is a old thread and I finaly got my picture of the speaker boxes. Sorry it took so long. For anyone interested here is what they look like out of the car. The older style switch is in the middle of the speakers.

FastElectrics

Thats pretty interesting anyways.. As a different note. a decent replacement for the factory 5 inch woofer (sub) .. I know many don't like Pyramid.. but they do make a full line of speakers.. and yes woofers that small.. Not to sure how ever what other manufacures sell bass speakers that small.

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

YOU GUYS ARENT AMBITIOUS ENUFF.. MY STOCK SOUNDMAKERS (they cant really be called speakers) WERE SO BAD THAT I STOLE ONE OF MY SPEAKER TOWERS FROM MY HOUSE( 1 8in woofer, 1 5in woofer, 1 3in tweeter) RIP OUT THE RIGHT SIDE 6x9 CUT THE HARNESS OFF SPLICE TOWER IN AND PLACE FACINF THE REAR HATCH PREPARE FOR BOOM... lol i also have a pioneer 12in sub wired the same exact way(no amp) to the set... i got it for free from my friend( he cracked it so i rubber cemented it)... ill take pics if my cam ever works again

BTW they were $5 yardslae house speakers from like 1983....

onebadwagon

Focal 5ws, if you are looking for a 5 inch subwoofer.

aaron7

iTrader: (7)

Many computer sub setups are 5"... I have 2 Cambridge soundworks subs that have them, sitting in the basement! Now that would be a neat upgrade!

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

Tangband makes an inexpensive 5" "woofer" with an impressive xmax, and is very affordable.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=264-826

I've modeled it before and it looks like a typical ported box gives a -3dB point of 66hz. The box is .130 cubic feet, with the port tuned to 62hz.

An EBS (extended bass shelf) alignment gives a -3dB point of 47hz, but sensitivity is down about 2 or 3dB compared to the SBB4 alignment.

Just keep in mind that no matter what you do, you're NOT going to get a lot of output out of these little drivers.

aaron7

iTrader: (7)

Jim, advocating a cheap audio component... just playin!


Those little things look kinda interesting... hmm, I want some! What could I use them for though... .... .... no seriously, I have no idea.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

Don't get the wrong impression of me dude.

Cheap vs. expensive is not an issue with me.

Quality vs. crap is.

I've used some tangband 3" full range drivers before, and they are outstanding for what they cost. Tangband also makes a high excursion 8" woofer that a lot of car audio guys are going nuts over. I may pick one up for my girlfriends car. For $30, you can't go wrong.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Between the two 86 Birds I've parted in the last two years, I have assembled a nearly complete factory sub soundsystem. The only parts I'm missing now are the subs themselves. I have extra switchs, amps, various wiring, and front 4x6's.

I doubt the sound will compare to the entirely aftermarket system I have in my 6cyl firebird, but it'll be an interesting conversation piece and a nice addition in my 86 Trans Am.

ThraxXx

I have the "Performance sound system" in my T/A. I just went out and bought a small amount of MDF and made a plate over the ported sub box and put some Pioneer 6.5" components in there. I don't have the tweeters hooked up yet because I am molding them into that upper plastic part however the previous owner some how managed to damage the plastic piece that goes up across the back area just before the trunk. Once I get that all taken care of I will post pics of the work

CAMp3RO

Jim, looks like you're enjoying DIYAudio.com. ive got a set of tangband speakers for my pc setup and they are spectacular for the money. i think i'm gonna do a crazy home theater setup with them (the spires design).

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

In a few days I'm going to post the pics of my recently-finished Tangband boxes. Black Urethane basecoat/clearcoat = shiny. Piano finishes can kiss my ***. I have a show-car finish.

irocnroll89

iTrader: (4)

so whats the update? I'm looking to do something with the "Boxes" also. Here in Japan they have every kind and size of component. They are pricey, but I would like to here if anyone has install a new 5" or 5.25" "woofer" in there.
thanks