I've been looking for 2 weeks on google and the like for a site such as this. I own a 2003 Monte Carlo SS and am doing some work to the stereo system. I've found the factory "amplifier" (under the rear deck, mounted upside down - don't they tell these engineers that hot air rises?), but I have no idea what the specs are on it. Not just the wiring colors/diagram, but the actual power rating as well. I want to make sure I'm looking at the correct aftermarket amps to get a really nice boost.
Any information that could be provided would be most welcome.
Hmm...is this a Monsoon or Bose amp by chance? I have an '02 Sunfire with the Monsoon system and they claim 200 watts RMS for that. It's actually not a bad setup - the only drawback is that it's not easy to replace the factory speakers(there is a 4-ohm tweeter and a 2-ohm woofer in each corner, and they all are crossed-over inside the factory amp.)
What are you planning to do/have you already done to the car right now?
Actually, it's neither the Bose nor the Monsoon set up. Pontiac does a much better job w/ their stereo engineering than does Chevrolet. Probably because it's cars are geared more towards a younger audience. I can guarantee that the amp in my MC is nowhere near 200 watts RMS.
First step: put in JL 6 1/2 inch components in doors and install Audiobahn amp. After that, don't know.
So you're planning on keeping the factory deck, and replacing just the front speakers with components, and running them off of an aftermarket amp?