Hey guys, I'm not too familiar with car stereos but I'd like to upgrade all my speakers and head unit in my 02 SS. I want to put a sub in the trunk sometime in the near future but speakers and headunit for now. I bought an Alpine CDE-136BT headunit. I want to maintain as much of the stock features as possible(door chimes, steering wheel controls, etc...) should I be upgrading the factory amp at the same time? What size should I go with? Plan is to eventually put a single 12 in the trunk. I don't really need or want the loudest stereo on the block. I don't need to rattle the neighbors house, I just want higher quality sound. Anyways, what all should I be looking into to begin this particular set up? What sort of modules or adapters are needed to make this possible? My head unit says its "Steering remote control ready" sounds to me that I wont be needing the Steering Wheel Control Interface I saw on Crutchfield, correct? What is it I'm reading about Security light coming on? I certainly don't want any of that going on.


Thanks in advance

 

Best Buy has for sure the unit that you will need to be able to keep your door chime and other functions. They also have a PAC controller that will allow you to use your steering wheel buttons. I have heard from other stereo people that the factory amp is touchy with aftermarket stuff. maybe someone here can comment on that

 

Thanks man, appreciate the help. I assume I'd be better off upgrading the weak factory amp, especially since I'm going to have to get one to run my sub a month or two down the line.

 

According to bestbuy its 200 in wiring harnesses to keep on-star, wheel controls, and warning chimes

 

I never have had my security light come on, although I decided not to keep my steering wheel controls or door chimes. Also in my own experience before I got my sub my speakers sounded better when I bypassed the factory amp and still had the factory HU installed, and unless you plan on getting some real high end door speakers and rear deck speakers I wouldn't bother getting an amp for them. here soon I'm going to be putting 8"s in the doors and maybe a 10" between my 6x9's in the back so I'll probably grab a 1500watt 4channel amp for those

 

You can get most of the harnesses and other stuff discounted greatly at Car Audio Stereo - Car Subwoofers - Car Amplifiers and Speakers