Please don't flame I'm a total noob when it comes to stereo systems. If you have a amp and sub installed does that decrease the cars performance ? Does it put a drag on the cars power or battery life?

 

usually not - the alternator has a little more work to do but that's all

For a definitive answer you have to know how much current your stereo is drawing. In general, the average system of up to 1000 watts should be well within the load capacity of the stock alternator.

 

and even if you get an extreme system that overdraws, you can just upgrade the battery and even the alternator down the road. but unless your battery is going out anyways, you have to get a fairly powerful amplifier or set of amplifiers before that becomes an issue.

the only real negative thing a stereo does to performance is that it adds a little bit of weight. if you're at all careful, it won't add much.
--but you have to keep in mind how little it can be: the difference between a full and empty tank of gas is 70-80 lbs. any normal stereo should weigh less than that, and many are quite a bit less. if you don't notice much/any performance difference when the tank is full vs empty, you probably won't notice a stereo either.

 

Thanks guys...I have a pioneer Hu 5100??? not sure of the model a pioneer amp 740W max and a kicker sub box (pre built from kicker) I dont think im drawing to much power but just wanted to make sure. Also can i just connect the power to the battery or do I need a terminal attachment?