Can I use a CD/Radio from a late model Pontiac (or other GM product) in my Fiero without chopping up the dash? If so, which ones work best? What do I need to do with the wiring? What about the Security Lock feature that the late-model cars have? What would I have to do to override that? Does anyone make a wiring adaptor for this swap? That's all for now. Thanks.

Yes, you can. Many folks use models out of a Grand Am or Firebird. You will need a wire harness adapter, which is available commerically. If the theft lock is activated, you can have your local dealer unlock it, but it is pricey to do so.

Here's some shots of a late model Grand Am CD player installed:

Here's an older CD player out of a Bonneville in my other car:

Best of luck,
Hartz

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'84 SC 5.7L V8
'85 SE 3.1L V6 Turbo
Hartz's Toys

Not to hijack this thread, but did you make that 3 guage aux. guage pod front plate yourself? Been thinking about doing that for a while and was wondering how you did it and what material you used.

Ken S.

looks like the GT guage box with AutoMeter Guages installed.

seeing as everyone is highjacking...is that a dvance/retard knob i see in the last pic? We should get together sometime...or you can help me with teh 3.4 swap! hahaha

Fieroman

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~ Shane
AIM: fieroman500

I can only dream......

LOL. OK, lemme see if I can get these replies straight!

kslish: Pyrthian is correct. It's a GT aux gauge pod with a sheet metal front, and three Autometer gauges stuck in it.

Fieroman: Yes, that is the ignition retard from my MSD box. It adjusts ignition per pound of boost from the turbo. Kind of a poor substitute for a programmable ECU, but it works OK. If you ever want to get together for some beers and Fiero BS, give a shout - I'm up for it.

Hartz

Depends just how new and what cars....

An increasing number of GM radios are tied directly into the ODB2 bus that runs everything in the car. These radios cannot be moved to another car and the cars with them may have issues if you try to install aftermarket radios. These sounds systems do more than play music... they also provide output for the chime signals, voice nav, and onstar.

Stand alone radios are becoming extinct in GM cars. You cannot even upgrade from one factory radio to another in many models. You can't take a good radio from a wreck to fix another car. The ODB2 radios have the VIN burned into them.

Most GM "radios" thru the mid/end of the nineties were stand alone units. (You had some funky stuff in high end lines like Vette and Cadilac...) The selection of these will dwindle each comming year. The stand alone units are all pretty much plug and play. You will need an adaptor set to install the newer ones in your Fiero or other old GM car. You can get the kit cheap from many dealers. (The part number is around here someplace but it's a pretty common part, many parts departments know about it.)

I expect there may be some sort of legal action against GM and other car makers over the new integrated systems in the not distant future. The aftermarket audio companies are unlikely to quietly sit and watch a significant segment of their market evaporate. (Similar to threatened legal and congressional actions that are forcing the car makers to cough up servise data to the aftermarket.)

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11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.

And after all that...

Assuming you DO manage to find a radio that'll fit (and is still just a radio, not an in car navigation/chime/coffee maker) - if it's newer than about 92/93 you'll need to remember to get an antenna adaptor as well since the buggers changed the size of the connector!

I was initially pleased to see that I got 7 responses, only to find that 4 of them were related to a hijacking. Can't be helped, I suppose.

Anyway, back to the original topic of this thread: late-model GM radios in a Fiero. Can anyone tell me which models have an amber display?

Also, does anyone have any experience with or documentation for splicing the two harnesses together or is that a stupid idea?

Check out these sites for ideas on which stereos might fit your needs. Then keep an eye out here on the Forum, or on eBay, for one much cheaper!
http://mnrelectronics.com/ http://www.aatechnologies.com/

I wouldn't bother splicing the harnesses. Too much work. The adapter kit is only like $20 or so and is plug and play. Much easier!

Hartz

Kru,

Look at the first picture in Hartz's first reply. That is the radio you want if you want someting that looks just like it was made for the Fiero. Orange lights, grey knobs, white lettering. It requires very minor rework of the mounting brackets and the adapter harness previously mentioned.

There is also a more popular version with a multiband graphic equalizer instead of the treble and bass control sliders.

[This message has been edited by Mark (edited 10-23-2002).]

Just put in a newer model Delco today. It came out of a 97 Sunfire. It looks like the top picture but has a 7 band eq on the right hand side. It sounds great even with the factory speakers. I bought the adaptor previously mentioned from M/R electronics and it is plug n play. M/R electronics has the stereo I'm talking about. The part # is 9390772. I bought my stereo from ebay for @ $100. Installed it looks totally stock and does have the orange lites that match the rest of the interior. Good luck.

Almost every day I do a search on eBay for 'Pontiac CD'. That brings up all the ones that say Pontiac and have matching lights for your Fiero. Some of the newer ones, as mentioned, will not work. But the ones like in the first response to this thread will work. Good luck.

I have a UP3 radio like this. Actually I bought this radio for a project car http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1866134113

Simply do a search in ebay for:
Firebird CD
Sunfire CD
Grand Am CD
Grand Prix CD
Trans Am CD
ect...

You will need Delco part number 16140051 for the adapter harness.
Your GM dealer will want: $39.16
If you have an account at your dealer: $27.41
GMpartsdirect.com wants: $19.58 + shipping
or get the delco part here for $17 + $6 for S&H with nextday shipping http://www.radiosandmore.com/prod_detail.asp?pn=16140051

Anymore question??? There is a slight change you must do to the adapter if you have a stock sub system but it is easy and quick.

Hank

[This message has been edited by Hank is Here (edited 10-23-2002).]

If you need the harness in a hurry or want to buy from local shops you could go to your local aftermarket audio dealer who sells Metra brand harness's and get part # 71-1858 and 70-1677-1. These will allow you to add the new GM radio to your Fiero. Of course a little mod for the factory sub. Should cost around $20.00 for the 2 parts.

You guys are AWESOME! Positive ratings for the whole lot of you....

Not necessarily looking for a rating but keep in mind that some of the newer factory CDs may technically be DIN and 1/2, but have a more curved shaped and won't necessarily fit. Especially Caddy and Vette. Sucks 'cause those are some of the nicest.

yea it sucks. am putting in a bose system in the fiero and love the cad cd with the curved face
ken

Here is my cd 'swap'. It's from a 1992 Grand Am..

I've got this "thing" for a stock look... So I grabbed a Pontiac CD player.. It lights up the same orange color as the rest of the dash..

It Fits right in.. Most people can't tell it isn't factory.

[This message has been edited by Poncho Jim (edited 10-25-2002).]

Hank is Here, does 16140051 come with the antenna adaptor? If it does, that is a good price.

For kicks, I've built myself a couple of "homemade" harnesses by cannibalizing mid 90s junkyard cars and late 80s cars that previously had aftermarket radios to get the correct plugs for both ends(but I had to pay $4 for the antenna adaptor).

[This message has been edited by Two88GTs (edited 10-27-2002).]

If you happen to get the radio side connector to the late 90s Pontiac radio don't bother with the adapter harness, just cut off the Fiero connector and match up the colors. They haven't changed over the last 15 years or so.

You will still need the antenna adapter. Just a few bucks from anywhere. I got one at Wal-Mart for about $5

quote Originally posted by Two88GTs: Hank is Here, does 16140051 come with the antenna adaptor? If it does, that is a good price.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

Simple one to answer, YES!

My radio is similar to Poncho Jim's, only out of a 96 model.

To anyone else contemplating doing this, I highly recommend it.
I was surprised to find that my Delco UP3 actually sounds better than the Pioneer DEH-P77 "GM fit" CD head unit. Both are run through Pioneer 4x10s in the front and stock 4x6s in the rear. I suspect the amplifier sections in the newer Delco CD radios are about the same as the older ones.

The only advantage that I can see to the Pioneer is that it has separate line level outputs, and it can control an XM tuner. (XM thing not commonly known or advertised.)

Here's the adapter for the Delco... http://mnrelectronics.com/par1612to21p.html

The part# is actually a GM number, so you can go to the dealer if they'll give you a better price. The adapter includes the cable for the antenna lead.

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Raydar

I'm not the fig plucker.
I'm the fig plucker's son.
But I'll pluck figs
'Til the fig plucker comes.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 10-27-2002).]

Hartz, you have a PM!