Factory radio again

I read the post awhile back about the different audio systems but I have a few questions.
I want to keep the stock controls and don't want to mess up the interior so I would like to use the factory head unit (non-Bose). Does this unit have pre-outs? I see there is a ribbon type connector on the back of the radio, is this used for pre-outs or something else? My idea is to get different speakers and use separate amps for them. I don't want anything too exotic but just want to have some nice sound. My factory system totally sucks. The speakers rattle; there is no base or treble, and no volume. I imagine that by using the factory head unit that it will be the weakest link and only sound as good as the unit is capable of.
I have had some real nice stuff when I was younger and had nothing else to spend money on and know that will never happen again but if I could get by with a few hundred dollars it would be nice. I see I could by a factory Bose head unit that has the pre-outs and go from there, would this be a good route to take, or should I stick to the head unit I already have. My head unit does have a problem with not always accepting CDS; I can always get it to work but would be nice if I didn't have to always fight with it. Do the Bose head units have this same problem?

Thanks for any insight on this
Dave A.

I think all Aurora(early)head units are the same. Only the speakers and subwoofer were different in the Bose equipped cars. There is an adapter for the steering wheel controls, I just can't remember who makes it. I would'nt expect the head to have pre-outs, factory units never do. Just like my Bose sub amp under the rear deck. The amp connections are not like the aftermarket standard, it's specific to the cars wiring harness. Don't be afraid of upgrading. As you know from your youth, there is no substitute for quality audio.

No it doesn't have preouts but don't give up hope. I replaced my speakers with polk audio's, they are the closest to infinity I could find for sound. Infinitys wouldn't fit due to depth available. I think they fixed that problem this year.

Any way I have rockford amps powering them and it sound GREAT. Not competition but definately concert quality. Just get a QUALITY amp with line level inputs.

When setting up the amps volumes don't exceed 75% volume on the head unit and then only set the amp volume to either the loudest you'd ever want or until the speakers start to distort, turning up any more power will add to the alternator whine you probably will get, its the compromise you have to pay to use the head unit and line level inputs. You can faintly hear the alternator whine in mine when at idle, not moving and revving slightly, under cruise you can't hear any.

You can buy a filter to minimize it but I haven't found it objectionable. I also have 2 rockford 10's for thump. I LOVE the sound of my car.

But thats one way you can do it with little investment and BIG returns.

For good sound and not a lot of volume just replace the speakers. Thats the easiest and biggest improvement you can make for the money required. Works great until you want clean sound at more than cruising volume.