C5 Radio

Hi all, new member here looking for some info - My C5 was originally a Japanese car so the radio has very limited frequencies, do I just need to swap out the radio unit for a UK/USA unit or does anything else need changing too? I'm also contemplating swapping the head unit for a single din unit with a flip out screen, I like the idea of an upgrade but one that stays period true, and they were all the rage back in the early 2000s. Thanks

You can get a band expander for Jap cars to enable the original radio to work in the UK.

Now I don't have a C5, BUT I do have a Mitsubishi FTO that is distinctly JAP ONLY. After import over here a band expander was fitted by the importer so the radio worked. I soon replaced the head unit with a standard UK aftermarket headunit and all UK radio frequencies were available.

I don't see why the C5 wouldn't be the same, as its just the radio. Maybe ask any friends to borrow an aftermarket unit to try out, or find a cheap one on Ebay etc?

Swap it out. Easier in the long run. I've seen old Pioneer single DIN flip out unit with a CD player and Bluetooth. I did also change the rest of the system as well (speakers/amp/sound deadening etc), well worth it.

Cheers for the replies guys, I am leaning towards swapping the lot. I've already put decent rear speakers in as I had a set spare, then found out the rears are mono so not even sounding as they should.

C5Steve what setup did you go with?

Wingc5 said:

Cheers for the replies guys, I am leaning towards swapping the lot. I've already put decent rear speakers in as I had a set spare, then found out the rears are mono so not even sounding as they should.

C5Steve what setup did you go with?

Click to expand...

Pioneer 4 channel amp behind the passenger seat, split to drive the sub in the centre section of the boot (replaced the storage cover with a piece of ply) and the door speakers which are components with a crossover and separate tweeters. Tweeters are mounted on the door behind the panel (didn't cut through it) next to the crossovers.

Sub's pioneer and the components are Focal I think, I'd need to check it's been years. Didn't bother hooking up the rears, as you say they're not really worth it and also water is constantly falling into them when I open the boot no matter how careful I am so I didn't fancy wasting money!

Can't remember the exact model of the head unit, it was a very good one at the time with external iPod (remember those) and USB connectors in the glove box, as well as actually playing DVDs. I keep a copy of The Fast and the Furious in there for posterity.

C5 with a double din conversion still running the Stoke bose speakers with the pac loom adapter

Another c5 double din as well but this one we added a sub and amp into luggage area

Sorry to kind of hijack this thread, but I'm also in a bit of a stereo related pickle 🫠
I also have a 2001 JDM C5 and it has a terrible Japanese Pioneer Carrozzeria double din fitted which drives me insane!
It's all in Japanese with no way of changing to English, the nav still thinks its in Japan, it overheats and shuts itself down after a while too (due to age).
So time to change it

I've bought a new double din which will basically enable me to mirror my phone, so very handy for using things like google maps/waze, music etc. But I honestly haven't got the slightest clue where to start in terms of wiring fitment needs?!
I will be keeping all the factory speakers.

I've done a bit of online researching but I'm not really finding any clear or solid answers
The last time I fitted a stereo to an older vehicle, it was as easy as buying an ISO lead which simply connected to the cars factory wiring/plugs, and then directly to the rear of the new stereo with no fuss whatsoever
I haven't removed my stereo yet so I've no idea if it has any butchered wires from the current aftermarket install?
I know how to get to the current unit fine, but I'd like some advice on what to expect to find (if I'm lucky and all's not been messed with... too much), and what's the best way to attack this stereo swap?
Anything I might need to purchase to make my life easier and so on?
A wiring diagram or explanation of what colours do what... might be a big help?

Thanks

p.s. I assume it should of had some sort of install to the wiring to allow the factory stereo to be swapped to a Pioneer double din Nav unit, and to run with all the factory Bose speakers???
But please correct me if I'm wrong

All does rather depend on what you find behind the current headunit ! I the car is still running the stock bose system then you may find it already has the pac vett lead installed keep your fingers crossed it has then it should be a fair simple swap over . I got a couple of the c5 pac leads still in stock if you need one . Best thing to do is have a look behind ur current headunit and give me a call if you need any other advice on it 07801150162

Review this


Shows what each wire to radio is for each of the 4 wiring connectors to radio
Connectors C1 to C4
Scan down that service manual webpage for all other info about the radio and sound system

Here are some examples of radio systems for the C5
I cannot help on functions as I never really use any of my Corvettes radio except maybe every 3–4 years
I turn it on to see that it still functions

Sorry, I couldn't resist the joke .....

teamzr1 said:

Shows what each wire to radio is for each of the 4 wiring connectors to radio
Connectors C1 to C4

Click to expand...

.... but his is a C5

So, I have an OEM-1 PAC fitted as you can see below



So what exactly do I need to do now?
I have a number of wires in the back of the stereo



not dived in to the car side yet (if I have to? or is that the purpose of the PAC?)

So from what I can see, the PAC unit is all hooked up to the car and everything runs through this 1 plug that goes in to the rear of the stereo



The stereo then has minimal wires remaining.
Thick antenna wire (which I've removed)
Rear camera wire (black lower right)
GPS wire (green upper left)
AV in•out (not connected to anything)
And 4 black wires each numbered 1 2 3 4 (no idea what these are for, but seem to go back in to the dash out of sight)




If someone could give me a run down of what the black wires (numbered 1 2 3 4 in the stereo) are for?
And what I should do from here, then I'm sire I can make a mess, ruin it and hate my decisions from there

Is your photo of a stock C5 radio in your 2001 ?

Connector C3 which has 4 wires and looks like the colors yours has
Each goes to a speaker

Couldn't tell you what these 4 wires are for. They're all black and thicker gauge than the rest of the wiring.
They look like they plug in to the unit the same way you'd plug wires in to the back of a home stereo (bare wire fed in to a crimp style clamp).
I assume it could be 1 wire per speaker? But without a wiring diagram, its all guess work

* correction *
They're actually all plugged in properly. Not like I said. Apologies

Krusty said:

Couldn't tell you what these 4 wires are for. They're all black and thicker gauge than the rest of the wiring.
They look like they plug in to the unit the same way you'd plug wires in to the back of a home stereo (bare wire fed in to a crimp style clamp).
I assume it could be 1 wire per speaker? But without a wiring diagram, its all guess work

Click to expand...

Real easy to ring this out with a OHM meter
IF one per speaker as to the stock C3 connector, I showed

Get to a front speaker
One side of meter probe to one of the 4 connections on radio and other probe of meter to speaker (would have to try each connection of speaker)

Or simply turn radio on so it is putting out sound and then disconnect like wire pin 1 ( where 4 dark wires plug in) of radio and listen to see if sound stops for like left front speaker