1968 Chevrolet Camaro Audio System For Gainesville Client

We see everything from daily drivers to works trucks here at Sound Depot and Performance. They all get the same attention to detail and commitment from every member of our staff. Occasionally, we have the opportunity to work a vehicle that is truly exceptional. One of our customers came to us with a unique project – he wanted a Camaro audio system for his 1968 RS model. The car was unique in many ways – the most important of which was its origin. His father previously owned the car, so not only was it cool, but it had significant sentimental value.

Camaro Audio System Designed To Compliment The Car’s Upgrades

We worked with the client to design an audio system that would complement the style of the car while meeting his performance needs and budget. The car was far from stock – huge tires, ladder bars and a nitrous oxide injection system are easily identifiable examples of that. The audio system design gave us flexibility regarding style and integration.

Vehicle Protection Is Our First Goal

Immediately upon delivery of the car, we wrapped all the door jams and trunk lip with 3M painter’s tape to ensure it would not get damaged while we worked on it. Ensuring our customers’ vehicles are safe is an important step.

Dash Modifications To Accept Kenwood Radio

The mounting trim plate for the radio was treated with an OEM looking texture to match the dash.

Our radio addition gave this Camaro a big boost in technology.

The factory radio in the Camaro was a very basic dual-shaft design. The client wanted CD, USB and Bluetooth, so we chose the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X599 CD receiver. We opened up the dashboard to fit the chassis of the radio and created a custom trim pod to blend the radio into the dash. The trim pod features a textured finish that closely matches that of the car’s center console.

Audio Power From Kenwood

Audio signals run from the head unit to a Kenwood Excelon XR900-5 five-channel amplifier. The amplifier provides the front and rear speakers with up to 60 watts of power and 600 watts to the subwoofers. We connected the amplifier with a 4 AWG Memphis Car Audio amplifier installation kit.

Front Door Pods For Hertz Speakers

The pressed metal grill for the speaker pods was created by our technicians to protect the speakers and enhance the look of the final product.

These great looking pods should have been a factory upgrade option!

For front speakers, we chose the Hertz ECX165.5 speaker set. Our installation team created a set of door pods that allowed the speakers to be placed securely in the bottom corner of the door. Finished in matching vinyl, the pods feature a two-piece pressed-mesh grille that gives them a stylish look that integrates nicely with the interior of the vehicle. The trapezoidal shape of the grille would be repeated on the rear deck and in the trim panel for the subwoofer enclosure.

New Rear Parcel Shelf

Grills for the rear speakers were also hand-pressed for protection and cosmetics.

The Hertz speakers in the rear deck help the client to hear his music loud and clear, even over the roar of the massive Chevy engine.

We used a set of Hertz ECX690.5 6×9-inch speakers on the rear deck of the Camaro. We created an entirely new parcel shelf cover and wrapped it in matching vinyl again. The two-piece pressed-mesh grilles continue the cosmetic theme of the installation.

Custom Subwoofer Enclosure Really Sets This Trunk Apart

Just like the doors and the rear deck, the subwoofer enclosure got custom pressed metal grills to protect the JL Audio subwoofers.

Our hard work paid off, the result was a trunk that was still very functional but looked and sounded much better!

We constructed a subwoofer enclosure for the trunk of the Camaro that would provide a home for a pair of JL Audio 10W3v3 subwoofers. We concealed the rear-firing subwoofers with a trim panel and two mirrored trapezoidal grilles. These grilles were more complicated than the ones we made for the front speakers. They feature two bends in the mesh and an accent piece in the center of each. We painted the accent red to really stand out against the black-and-silver vehicle. Surrounding the mesh inserts are raised trim pieces that feature a gentle radius transition into the trim panel.

For a little extra attention, we created a shield-shaped accent at the top center of the trim panel and affixed a Chevrolet SS logo to it. The entire panel was wrapped in the same black vinyl as the door pods and the custom rear parcel shelf.

Additional Stinger Battery Adds Reserve Power

The main battery of the vehicle always stays charged when the car is off thanks to the addition of the PAC relay and Stinger auxiliary battery.

Before we started work on the car, the client had mentioned that he often takes it to car shows and cruise nights. He wanted to be able to show off the stereo without having to run the engine. To give him extra system play-time, we added a Stinger SPV44 battery and PAC 200 Amp solenoid to the vehicle. This additional battery allows him to play the stereo without putting any load on the main battery in the trunk. When he turns the key to the “on” position, the solenoid connects the two batteries together so the alternator can charge them. This configuration also means that he will always have his main battery available to start the engine.

Final Tuning And Vehicle Care

As with every installation we do here at Sound Designs, we wrapped up the project by tuning the system for maximum performance and reliability. We use industry-standard test equipment and our decades of experience to ensure the system’s crossovers and sensitivity controls are set accurately. We gave the vehicle a thorough vacuuming and wipe-down to make sure it was just as pristine as it was when the client dropped it off.

Crystal-Clear Camaro Audio System Had Client Speechless

The customer was blown away with what we created for him. The look of the speaker pods and trunk left him speechless. He hopped in for a listen and was smiling ear-to-ear. Even with the massive 396 cubic inch engine rumbling away, the stereo system was still clear and musical. The client was happy, and we were proud to have been able to work on a vehicle that had so much emotional value.

If you are interested in a custom audio system, or any of our products or services, we invite you to drop by our store today. You also can contact us here.