One of the iconic American super cars in history, the Chevy Corvette is an incredible machine that’s still highly sought after. With a flexible range of powerplants and the incredible base GEN III LS1 engine, the Corvette is often popular among car audio enthusiasts. If you happen to be a Corvette owner and want to install an aftermarket stereo or radio, this Corvette stereo wiring diagram can help you.
Today I’ll be showing you from the third generation Corvette, or the C3 onward and giving you the Corvette speaker wire identification you need. With this Corvette stereo wiring guide, you’ll easily complete your Corvette stereo install. No matter whether you are a professional stereo installer or simply trying to complete your Corvette stereo install by yourself, this car audio wiring guide will help.
Third Gen Corvette stereo wiring C3 1968–1982
The third generation Corvette featured a stylish exterior with the venerable first of the LT1 engines. Although there are many swaps using later model GEN III engines or the later model LT1 into this chassis, there’s still a lot of value in this Corvette. If you are planning on installing an aftermarket stereo into this year range of ‘Vette, you will need stereo mounting brackets.
Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Orange
Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Yellow
Car Radio Ground Wire: Black
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Gray
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: Brown
Car Stereo Antenna Trigger Wire: Pink
The front speakers in this Corvette are mounted into the dashboard, making upgrades slightly more difficult.
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Tan
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Gray
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Light Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Dark Green
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Brown
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Dark Blue
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Light Blue
The rear Corvette speakers are 6 ” x 9 ” units that are mounted into the rear panels. There are many options when it comes to upgrading your rear Corvette speakers because of the common size.
Fourth Gen Corvette stereo wiring C4 1984–1996
The LT1 underwent several changes in this generation of Corvette. These changes also extended into the interior which made it one of the iconic 80s interiors of this era. Like the previous year you will need aftermarket mounting brackets to make sure that your aftermarket stereo fits correctly.
Constant 12v+ Wire: Orange
Stereo Switched 12v+ Wire: Yellow
Stereo Ground Wire: Black
Stereo Illumination Wire: Gray
Stereo Dimmer Wire: Brown
Radio Antenna Trigger: Pink
The C4 Corvette combined many electronic aspects that are well featured in the dashboard and instrument cluster.
The front Corvette speakers are easier to upgrade than the previous model however. If you are installing a stereo crossover or car stereo amplifier, you can easily access the speaker wires through our Corvette stereo wiring guide.
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Tan
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Gray
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Light Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Dark Green
If the stereo you are trying to install is not a double DIN sized unit, you will also require a custom mounting install kit. These kits will include paneling that help make the stereo fit into your Corvette dashboard.
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Brown
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Dark Blue
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Light Blue
Fifth Gen Corvette stereo wiring C5 1997–2004
The first of the Corvette’s to utilize the legendary GEN III GM block known as the LS1, this Corvette is still incredibly popular and affordable as well. Factory C5 Corvette stereos in this generation shared the same layout as the Camaro and other GM models with the double DIN Corvette radio.
Corvette Constant 12V+ Wire: Orange
Corvette Switched 12V+ Wire: Yellow
Radio Ground Wire: Black
Radio Illumination Wire: Gray
Radio Dimmer Wire: Brown
Radio Power Antenna Trigger Wire: Pink
One of the first Corvettes to move the front speakers into the kick panels, completing your Corvette stereo install using our Corvette stereo wiring tech sheet is easy to do.
Left Front Speaker Wire (+): Tan
Left Front Speaker Wire (-): Gray
Right Front Speaker Wire (+): Light Green
Right Front Speaker Wire (-): Dark Green
If you are planning to convert to a single DIN layout, you will require a custom install kit like the one shown here. These will help you make the single DIN Corvette stereo install look natural and fit within your factory dashboard.
Don’t forget that if the stereo you are installing has a motorized face or detachable panel, you will require the right mounting brackets to space them properly. The Corvette stereo install kit will simply give you the plastic paneling to make it look right.
Left Rear Speaker Wire (+): Brown
Left Rear Speaker Wire (-): Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Wire (+): Dark Blue
Right Rear Speaker Wire (-): Light Blue
Installing a subwoofer or car stereo amplifier into the Corvette of this year range might prove difficult.
When you want to install a navigation system or upgrade your Chevy sound system, the Corvette stereo wiring schematic on this page will save you time and money. Have any questions about our Corvette stereo wiring guide? Leave them for us below!
Hi I change stereo on corvette C5 and skeakers Infront is low in sound tk