Since 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette has been an icon in the North American automotive industry. These two-seaters represent value and performance with styling that always lets them stand out from the crowd. Try as General Motors might, there’s still room for improvement, even on a flagship vehicle like this. Let’s look at some of the upgrades available to improve the performance of the audio system in a Corvette and accessorize the vehicle to make it more functional and look better.
Corvette Audio System Upgrades
Whether your Vette came with an analog radio mounted on its side (a la C2) or a touchscreen multimedia receiver in a C7 or C8, the audio system performance in these cars has never been something to write home about. Thankfully, the aftermarket is here to support your quest for superb sound with hundreds of upgrade options.
Companies such as Custom Autosound Manufacturing and RetroSound offer twin-shaft radio designs that will work with your C1 through C3 Vette. These radios include a modern digital AM/FM tuner, Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio compatibility when combined with an SXV300 tuner module. A USB port will let you connect your iPhone or use a USB memory stick to digital audio files. Best of all, these radios include preamp outputs that allow your installer to add high-power amplifiers to bring your music to life.
RetroSound offers its Long Beach radio in a design specific to the unique mounting requirements in the C2 Corvette.
Custom Autosound has Corvette-specific solutions such as this CAM-CVVE-740. You can play MP3, WAV and FLAC digital media files from a USB memory stick or stream music from your smartphone over Bluetooth.
For C4 through C6 Corvettes, the options for radio upgrades increased dramatically. Chevrolet used a more conventional design that paved the way for hundreds of radio upgrade options for music enthusiasts. The latest generation of floating-face radios are prime candidates for adding Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to your sports car.
The Sony XAV-AX8000 is a single-DIN multimedia receiver with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8.95-inch display sits in front of the radio chassis and can be adjusted to match the dash contour.
If you have a C7 Vette with a Bose audio system, you can upgrade the vehicle with high-quality amplifiers and speakers using a MOST radio interface such as the M650-GM from NAV-TV. This interface will extract a full-range audio signal from the digital connection between the radio and the factory amplifier. This signal can be fed to a digital signal processor and your choice of an amplifier to create an amazing audio system.
Power and control are the hallmarks of the ARC Audio PS8-50 eight-channel DSP amplifier. Equipped with 50 watts of power per channel and a full suite of tuning functionality, it gives your installer everything he or she needs to create an impressive audio system.
The M650-GM from ZEN Audio and NAV-TV will let your installer add your choice of digital signal processor, amplifiers and new speakers to make your C7 Vette sound great.
The Rockford Power-Series T3652-S component set features woofers with liquid crystal polymer fiber cones and a motor design with an integrated aluminum shorting ring to reduce distortion. This audiophile-grade speaker set also includes a pair of 1-inch silk-dome tweeters.
The Audio AP F8.9 bit is an eight-channel amplifier with an integrated digital signal processor. The amp features a host of integration options that make it easy to add to almost any factory-installed audio system.
The M Four DSP from Helix is a four-channel amplifier with an integrated 10-channel DSP. The amp can easily power the speakers in your car, and the processed outputs can drive a subwoofer for great sound.
Add a Subwoofer for Great Sound
If you’ve been a reader of BestCarAudio.com for any length of time, then you’ll know that adding a subwoofer to your car is easily one of the best bang-for-your-buck upgrades you can make. Corvettes can most certainly benefit from better bass response.
If you have a C7 and want to add a subwoofer, the PAC APSUB-GM61 interface is for you! The interface works with the radio and amp data connection to extract a signal for a dedicated subwoofer amplifier.
Of course, you’re going to want a subwoofer solution that works with your vehicle. JL Audio offers several Stealthbox vehicle-specific solutions that are exclusively designed for the Corvette. These fiberglass enclosures are molded to fit the contours of your car perfectly. The result is excellent bass in a solution that installs in about an hour.
The JL Audio SB-GM-C7CP1/10TW3 Stealthbox is designed for 2014 through 2019 C7 models. The enclosure features a single 10-inch subwoofer and is finished in a durable gray carpet that perfectly matches the interior.
The AFG-112CORV-D is a fiberglass subwoofer enclosure designed for 2005 through 2013 Corvettes. With an internal air volume of 1 cubic foot and a subwoofer mounting depth of 6 inches, it works great with a variety of 10-inch subwoofers.
Park Safely with a Backup Camera
If you’re having a multimedia receiver installed in your Corvette, ask about adding a backup camera. With their low seating position and relatively high rear bumper, Corvettes can make it difficult to see what’s behind your car. If you aren’t changing the radio, you can always have the rearview mirror upgraded with a unit that includes a color display for a camera.
A backup camera is a great way to see what’s behind your car when parking or maneuvering.
Sound Deadening Makes Driving Comfortable
If you are using your Vette as a daily driver, then you might want to consider having the doors, floor and hatch area treated with a layer of sound deadening. This butyl material absorbs sound energy and makes driving quieter and more comfortable. If you use Bluetooth hands-free systems or a smartphone integration technology like CarPlay or Android Auto, having a quieter car will make your voice easier to be heard.
Audiomaster in Austin, Texas, treated the doors of this Corvette with a layer of SoundShield sound deadening to make the car more comfortable.
Radar Detectors and Laser Defense
Who would buy a Corvette only to drive it slowly? If you find you have a bit of a lead foot, you might want to inquire about having a radar detector and laser defense system installed. Radar detectors are available in portable units that are great for quick installation and transportation from one vehicle to another.
The Redline 360C is one of the newest portable radar detectors from Escort. This unit offers amazing radar sensitivity and uses advanced filtering and GPS to help eliminate false alarms.
For the ultimate protection solution, consider a custom-installed radar detector and laser defense solution. The biggest benefit of a custom system is the availability of laser defense technology. As more and more police forces equip their officers with lidar instead of radar, you need laser shifters to help prevent tickets.
Ralph’s Radio in Vancouver equipped this Vette with a custom-installed Escort MAX Ci radar detector and laser defense system. The display for the MAX Ci was integrated into a custom housing on the steering wheel trim piece.
Adrenaline Autosound in Clayton, North Carolina, installed an AL Priority laser defense system in this Vette. The team built custom acrylic plastic mounts for the rear laser shifters.
Window Tint and Paint Protection Film
Having the windows of your car tinted offers three benefits. First, tint protects your skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. If you spend a lot of time in your car, tint can help to prevent wrinkles, blemishes and, in extreme cases, skin cancer. The same properties that protect your skin also protect the fabrics, leathers, vinyl and plastics in your vehicle. Colors won’t fade anywhere near as quickly, and plastics won’t dry out and crack.
Second, window tint is a great way to help keep the interior of your vehicle cool. Tint films such as 3M Ceramic IR and Crystalline block 97% of the sun’s infrared energy. If you live in an area that’s hot during the summer, heat-blocking window film is a great investment.
If you care about how your Corvette looks, then window tint can dramatically improve the style of your sports car. A nice dark tint can be very dramatic.
Shops such as Precision Audio in Thomasville and Bainbridge, Georgia, offer heat-rejecting window film that can help keep the interior of your car cool and comfortable. This Corvette was tinted with Llumar ATR film.
Speaking of great looks, you may want to consider having your car protected with a layer of paint protection film. Also known as clear bra, this transparent urethane film applies directly over the paint to offer a layer of protection from stone and gravel chips, bug splatter and stains from road tar. While most installations focus on protecting the front bumper, fenders and hood, other areas that deserve attention are the rocker panels, doors, mirror covers, and the area around the hatch. If you take your Corvette to the track, protecting the rear fenders from gravel and rubber chunks thrown up by the rear tires is a great idea.
Ocala Car Audio in Florida applied 3M Scotchgard Pro to this 2020 Corvette to help keep it looking pristine for years and years.
Remote Starters Add Comfort
Another great option for those living in areas of the country that get painfully hot is a remote car starter. Though more commonly associated with freezing winter conditions, remote starting your car a few minutes before it’s time to go will let the air conditioning system start cooling the interior.
The PRO T13 remote starter system from Compustar includes a color LCD remote that offers up to 3 miles of range and two-way communication. The included Drone telematics system lets you control your vehicle using your smartphone from anywhere you have a cellular connection.
We know that your Corvette is your pride and joy. It’s important to protect it and keep it safe. If you’ve opted for a remote starter system, then ask about adding security features such as a high-output siren, a remote with two-way communication or a GPS tracking option that works with your smartphone. If your car is moved without your authorization, the tracking system will send an alert to your smartphone, and you can check its location and notify the police if necessary.
The Drone telematics system works with a cellular receiver in your vehicle and the DroneMobile app on your smartphone to alert you when the alarm is triggered, or the car moves.
Dashcams Add Protection
Whether you’re worried about how the drivers around you behave, or you want to keep track of who or what is prowling around your car when it’s parked, having a dashcam installed is a great upgrade. These compact digital video recording systems install on the front windshield of your car. If there’s an accident, fraud or just something amazing happening in front of your vehicle, you’ll capture it all on video. Many dashcams can be upgraded with rear-facing cameras, and many include GPS options and built-in accelerometers.
Dashcams such as the Mio MiVue 798 include high-resolution image sensors, a built-in GPS receiver to capture vehicle speed and location information, and an accelerometer that detects impacts.
LED Lighting Adds Fun and Safety
If you have an older car with incandescent headlights, drop by your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer and ask about high-performance LED replacements. Not only do LED bulbs put out significantly more light, but they are also more efficient. With less draw on your electrical system, the alternator will be happier. Ask the retailer you’re working with to spice up your Vette with some LED lighting. Headlight rings, such as those popularized by BMW, are a popular upgrade. Of course, multicolor LED lighting strips are a great choice for personalizing your engine compartment or footwells or for adding under-car lighting.
Mobile Edge in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, equipped this 1976 Corvette with LED lighting in the engine bay to highlight the swapped 6.2-liter LS3 V8.
Companies such as Diode Dynamics offer various LED rings that can switch between white and amber to add some style to your headlight assemblies.
Upgrade Your Corvette Today
Whether you’re driving a Corvette that’s fresh off the showroom floor, the car you had in college or a custom restoration, your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer has thousands of options to update your vehicle. Drop by today and talk to them about new communication technology, a better sounding stereo system or a lighting upgrade.
This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.
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