Car Stereos: Installing aftermarket audio parts., stock speakers, gm factory

Question
Hey there Justin.

Firstly, I really appreciate you taking the time to help out! It's a good thing I stumbled across this site, otherwise I'd possibly run into a bit of trouble.

Anyway, I plan on upgrading the factory sound system in my 05 Cobalt Coupe.

Now, I've done my fair share of research (hopefully that'll make it easier on you, assuming I didn't gather a bunch of false info! LOL.) so I know most of the basics.

I have the proper wiring harness that I'll need already, I'm just not particularly sure if aftermarket speakers will fit into my factory ones (they're the same size, 6.5" in front doors, 6x9 in rear deck). I believe that the stock speakers are actually attached to a bracket on the door... will these be able to be slipped out, and the aftermarket ones slipped in, and using the same wires, reconnect them?

Will adding a 160 watt (nothing fancy) deck and a few medium-quality speakers be enough to warrant buying a new battery to prevent dimming, etc?

Thanks again,
Nolan

Answer
Hi Nolan,

First off, you should be able to fit the 6.5" in the front, and the 6x9s in the back, but without a template/bracket, you might have to do a little bit of work to get them in.  The factory ones are likely clipped in, and the new ones might need some drilling to fit in place, but it's not a lot of work.  Just make sure you get a snug fit, because rattling speakers will easily ruin your sound.

Second, you're going to need a GM factory integration adapter.  GM routes all sorts of car information through the deck like your door chime, and some alarms/warnings.   Without a factory integration adapter, you'll lose all of that functionality.

Third, you don't need a new battery unless you get a relatively powerful amplifier.  160w decks are usually something like 60w RMS, and don't draw much electricity at all.

Good luck,
Justin