Expert: Cleggsan - 1/21/2011

Question
I have a 2000 Monte Carlo SS with the factory amp in the trunk below the rear deck and was told by someone at Best Buy that I can tap into that to get my RCA cables and a remote wire through the factory amp and run them to an aftermarket amp without replacing my factory stereo.  Is this true and if so how do I go about doing that? I have attached an image of the bass package I am looking at also, it is an Alpine MRP-M500 amp with 2 12" Alpine SWE-1243 subs.

Answer
Yes, you can tap into the amp outputs by using a hi-lo converter kit.  You will find them at installer.com and other online shops.

http://www.installer.com/main.php?page=hilo

You can study the above and select one that might fit your needs.

BTW: The image did not come through, but I think we covered your interest.  Thanks.

PS: This is a mono FET based class D amp that is a good one; many sub amps have a hi-lo input switch that allows you to connect directly from the hi output of an amp but this one does not seem to have that (according to the short specs I looked at on cructhfield.com.)