How do I run an aftermarket amp with factory head unit
Senior Member
Joined: 12-18-2005
Posts: 1,791
From: Middle Village, NY
I have not pulled out my amp yet, but either spealer wires or RCA jacks are coming from the factory head unit. If they are RCA, you can get a Y connector from stereo store or Radio Shack and feed it into the new amp. Then, hook up power, ground, and trigger lines, then the speaker wires to the sub box.
If there are only wires feeding the factory amp, then using the wiring diagram on this forum, find the proper ones for the sub and hook them up to a line level converter. This converts the regular wire into RCA wire that can be plugged into your amp. But there is a loss of quality with this method.
(Plus, I once used a converter that had a short in it and I blew up my radio.)
If there are only wires feeding the factory amp, then using the wiring diagram on this forum, find the proper ones for the sub and hook them up to a line level converter. This converts the regular wire into RCA wire that can be plugged into your amp. But there is a loss of quality with this method.
(Plus, I once used a converter that had a short in it and I blew up my radio.)
Banned
Joined: 10-14-2005
Posts: 9,121
From: Rochester,N.Y.
The factory system does not have RCAs. You have to tap the wires whatever way you feel comfortable with. I suggest a converter as well as many others will but if you feel comfortable connecting the the RCAs directly to the stereo wiring go for it, it's your ride. 
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 05-02-2006
Posts: 123
From: Branson Mo
so by using a line level converter coming from the wires off the amp that go to the sub it will disable the factory sub and send the signal through the converter allowing me to be able to hook up RCA cables to from the converter to the amp....Am i right about this? if so it sounds easy enough.....
Banned
Joined: 10-14-2005
Posts: 9,121
From: Rochester,N.Y.
Originally Posted by slamed87lincoln
so by using a line level converter coming from the wires off the amp that go to the sub it will disable the factory sub and send the signal through the converter allowing me to be able to hook up RCA cables to from the converter to the amp....Am i right about this? if so it sounds easy enough.....
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 05-02-2006
Posts: 123
From: Branson Mo
would this one work? ir is it to much? it looks like all the factory wires go to one side...then back through it to the amp..with the RCA pre outs in there allowing me to connect the RCAs from there to the amp....
is that what i need or do i need one from this page http://www.davidnavone.com/adaptor_products.htm if so what one would work best for the HHR...i dont want to cut the factory wires if i dont have to...only the wires for the sub so that i can use my 12s and amp.....
is that what i need or do i need one from this page http://www.davidnavone.com/adaptor_products.htm if so what one would work best for the HHR...i dont want to cut the factory wires if i dont have to...only the wires for the sub so that i can use my 12s and amp.....
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 05-02-2006
Posts: 123
From: Branson Mo
i think im making this harder than it really is...... would this work for the converter?
http://cgi.ebay.com/STINGER-SALOC-HI...QQcmdZViewItem
looks like i just splice into the factory sub wires and run wires directly into this converter and then connect the RCAS......will this work for what im doing?
http://cgi.ebay.com/STINGER-SALOC-HI...QQcmdZViewItem
looks like i just splice into the factory sub wires and run wires directly into this converter and then connect the RCAS......will this work for what im doing?
Senior Member
Joined: 04-29-2006
Posts: 249
From: Brevard County, Florida
You seem to think the amp only powers the sub... Not true. The amp is a 5 channel unit, powering the sub, and has outputs for your four door speakers. This is where the line converter comes into play, on those outputs. Any 2 channel converter will work, the PAC unit pictured above is a four channel unit. Just make sure that the unit you choose has adjustments for gain, to avoid clipping.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 05-02-2006
Posts: 123
From: Branson Mo
Originally Posted by Tokyo
You seem to think the amp only powers the sub... Not true. The amp is a 5 channel unit, powering the sub, and has outputs for your four door speakers. This is where the line converter comes into play, on those outputs. Any 2 channel converter will work, the PAC unit pictured above is a four channel unit. Just make sure that the unit you choose has adjustments for gain, to avoid clipping.