Stereo WITHOUT a head unit

blackout3

Junior Member
Here is my issue. I have a 2003 Corvette. It is a track car/ street car. But no show car.

I want to remove the OEM head unit and use my ipod as my only source of music. No radio or anything. Essentially plug my ipod into my car (as I would into an amp in my house, using an audio cable), and listen to tunes. Without my ipod, no music. No dock (for charging), just a regular audio jack is fine. I can make my own face plate out of carbon fibre (power switch, volume knob, audio jack)

I want to use my stock speakers (two front and two rear), I think the two fronts are also amplified (not 100% sure)

This is some general info on how the stock bose system is wired: Tech Tips

Without splicing into the vehicle side of the harness, what could I do to make this work?

This has been done before, but not in this kind of car.

OEM stereo ***** because it's older than dirt and I just want to listen to my ipod. I dont want to wire an ipod adapter in to the OEM head unit. I don't want to use an aftermarket head unit at all.

Audio gurus... what can I do?

 
it is not as simple as adding an EQ in your case because you want to reuse the stock amplifier. people who go without a head unit have external amplifiers that they have added and the EQ feeds the amps a signal.

the stock amplifier needs to get front and rear speaker outputs as input signals. so you still need a head unit. and by removing the factory head unit you eliminate the safety chimes which can give your insurance company reason to deny claims. GM puts other features inside their head units which need to be maintained.

this is why you have probably been told to buy a GMOS adapter (for around $100) which allows you to swap to an aftermarket head unit. of note, an aftermarket head unit will not only give you iPod/iPhone interface and charging, but also BT for hands-free talking and USB for even easier file storage/access.

 
I've done it, but ya gotta have rca's run a rca to aux hook up adapter, but all spks and sub have to be running off external amps.... my chevy cobalt comes stock with a 6ch amp and sub.....

 
I've been told to buy a PAC AOEMVET-1... Which I will anyways. I still get chimes and stuff (no on-star or anything to worry about).

Okay. BONUS QUESTION (20.5 points)

What is the smallest head unit with Ipod aux that I could use. I kinda want to hide it or incorporate it into the aluminum control panel I made (for fuel, diff cooler, ***** cooler, ignition, starter).

 
and by removing the factory head unit you eliminate the safety chimes which can give your insurance company reason to deny claims. GM puts other features inside their head units which need to be maintained.
corvette doesnt need chime interface till 05

 
if you get the pac piece then you could just run a headphone to rca cable with y splits straight to the aoemvet-1, then no need for a head unit.
I was actually wondering about that... Might work. Won't know until I order/get the stuff.

 
Activity
No one is currently typing a reply...
Old Thread: Please note, there have been no replies in this thread for over 3 years!
Content in this thread may no longer be relevant.
Perhaps it would be better to start a new thread instead.

About this thread

blackout3

Junior Member
Thread starter
blackout3
Joined
Location
Edmonton
Start date
Participants
Who Replied
Replies
9
Views
7,746
Last reply date
Last reply from
blackout3
IMG_20260513_214311575.jpg

ThxOne

    May 13, 2026
  • 0
  • 0
IMG_20260513_213956814.jpg

ThxOne

    May 13, 2026
  • 0
  • 0

New threads

Top