Aftermarket Stereo Installacion

[Chipsybg]

This is my first thread started , I'm new to this forum , but decided to start a project and I need some help ...
First , following the Princess instructions about the factory head unit removal , I got the thing off . Now , the head unit is made by Pioneer , should be good , I guess ... The factory unit has 6 connection terminals and I have no idea which is which . Here is a picture of the back of the stereo :
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/2241/picture015su5.th.jpg (http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture015su5.jpg)

If there is any help to anybody , the factory stereo model number is : DEX-G3147zhs1 , supposed to be Pioneer number , but I can't find it anywhere , or at least a manual for connections terminals ...
Does Metra or similar company makes a conversion cable harness for an aftermarket receiver ?
I need any help I can get , here are all the pictures I got from the unit :
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/4492/picture005ro0.th.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture005ro0.jpg)
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/1176/picture006wz7.th.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture006wz7.jpg)
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/8593/picture008nz3.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture008nz3.jpg)
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/6232/picture009oa9.th.jpg (http://img352.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture009oa9.jpg)
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/4057/picture011wn5.th.jpg (http://img211.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture011wn5.jpg)
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2033/picture012kl8.th.jpg (http://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture012kl8.jpg)
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2454/picture003ol5.th.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture003ol5.jpg)
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/819/picture004in4.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture004in4.jpg)

[kimchi29]

might still be too early for a kit. I remember the hassle my friend had to go through on this rx8. the kit for aftermarket HU cost him like 400 bucks. he also had a little screen that told him all the climate control information and such, just like on the accords. i think its going to be a real pain in the butt to do after market HU's

[Chipsybg]

My car is without the climate controls . I need only wiring harness or some idea what goes in the connectors from the factory unit . I wonder are the 07 and 08 wiring identical or at least close ? Although the 07 doesn't have Subwoofer ...
I have also a car2pc (http://indashpc.org/new/adapters/car2pc-hon1.html) and it fits on the factory unit , but I have no interest for it anymore , the idea for it was to give me a AUX-In for my 06 Accord :(
I just talked to Scosche and they said that they should be ready with a product somewhere at the end of this month . They will release a head unit kit and wiring harness kit .

P.S. If some of the admins of the forum think that is in the wrong category , please move somewhere else , since after all is a stereo question :)

P.S.2 Does somebody else care about the same thing ? I doubt I'm the only one thinking about changing the factory stereo ????
If someone knows the color codes for the speakers , sub , wheel controls , the AUX input , probably i can cut the cables and hook it straight to my Clarion Unit I'm planning on using , but it's too many different connections going IN the factory unit , I need desperately to figure out which is what ... :(:(:(

[Chipsybg]

bump

[08 Coupe]

Are you trying to replace the headunit or add new speakers to the existing headunit?

[08Coupe]

I think you shouldnt mess with the actual head unit, what are you trying to acomplish? The unit itself should do everything you want from it, I can understand adding more power but you can just add an amp for that. Looks like you give up a lot just for an aftermarket head unit.

[Chipsybg]

Are you trying to replace the headunit or add new speakers to the existing headunit?

I'm trying to replace the original headunit and add ampS and speakers . I like the I/O options of my aftermarket unit , the Bluetooth option , the amp outputs and so on . I already have the unit , so why not install it after all ? I want to build car PC setup , playing audio over Bluetooth , I can use my phone , laptop and so on , and I'll put a VGA screen in the factory head unit location and replace the LCD panel with another one (probably for the PC parameters or something similar... ) .

[08 Coupe]

Wow, ambitious.

Car manufacturers have gone to great lengths to make their OEM radios harder to replace and at the least, uglier when you do. Honda did a banner job with that. Whatever kit you find or make will prolly look like a kit unless you are a real handy fabricator. In a former life I did just that, custom car audio. The first thing I said to myself when I saw the factory dash was Thank Gawd I don't have to wrangle with that one.
But I have been looking at it for 4 months now and the blueprint to success is clear for a HU, LCD and Navi, just very tedious. A bit of aluminum, fiberglass, vinyl, a couple of servos and lexan and it would be a dream dash, even working the vents and climate control into the design. Open your wallet though, I would estimate about 40-50 hours plus parts, just for the dash fabrication. Then you need to look at the wiring as it would be ridiculous to do all that and use factory wiring. There is plenty of room in the doors for better MB and TW and the so-called subwoofer could be converted into a sweet infinite baffle with all that room. But there would need to be a considerable amount of work done to prep the package tray and trunk to pull that off as well. Next is amplification, exceeding 30 amp draw would require a bigger alternator as Honda keeps the 12v headroom to a minimum so running a single clean 4 channel bridgeable amp that is 2 ohm stable would do the trick quite nicely to give excellent front staging with rear fill.

All told, 40-50 hours on the dash, 10-15 on the speaker components and wiring, 20 hours on the baffle, amp and rattle control. All this plus the cost of hardware makes this a great project, as long as you don’t have to pay for it.

There really is only 2 ways to do this car, glue and 2 or bring your gold card! Mine will stay stock dash with upgraded component speakers and a nice little pair of 8's in a tight suspension in the stock location. I'm into stealth!

[dking99]

I wanted to have my 5 channel Alpine amp installed and still maintain subwoower level controls (5th channel) and my quote from two VERY reputable places was $900 and $950. This is NOT including the cost of the amp!!! This includes some sound processor, wires, and labor. They are all swearing that you need to have this $350 JL Audio sound processor to bypass the "premium sounds system" amp already included in the car.

Good luck with your installation. It wont be easy / cheap.

Id also like to replace factory speakers with all Boston A's...That is another $900 including installation.

I have the amp and subwoofer from old civic, but add that on and you are looking at $2,500 for a decent upgrade to the stereo.

[A&Fbro28]

This is pushing close to a pre luxury car. Do you really want to butcher up on the interior? I can only imagine the resale as it would be a mess to even try to put the stock stuff back in. If you wanted all that stuff it probably would have been a better idea to have purchased a car with a true Double Din area. If youve notice, no one makes dash kits for cars with stereos like this. TL/TSX/RL/BMW/MB. Seems like only american cars and VW still do DD. Good luck with it. You are really better of from a resale point of view install an audio sound processor add amp, and replace with the best speakers that will fit. Just my .02...

[Chipsybg]

Well , the dash kit will be ready in the end of this month from Metra and Scosche . I already butchered the interior , so it's too late . It's really easy to take everything off and put it back on , no problem for resale value ;)
Exactly I'm trying to avoid buying an sound processor (JL Audio - 450$:screwy:) and all that stuff . I figured I'll use different wiring for the speakers ( I'm not looking for showroom view , somewhat invisible is fine with me :thmsup:) , I can use USB media , Mass Storage MP3 players and so on , Bluetooth streaming .... Audio quality should be better , I'm not sure . The main idea is to put the aftermarket head unit in the two pockets area , probable instead of the upper one , get a kit from Scosche and fit a LCD in it instead of the factory Head Unit . I'll figure the wiring easy , almost done , there is not way to pay to somebody 1K $ to do the thing for me , I'm not that rich , my whole setup will probably fit in that (except the laptop , which I'll put in the trunk , where a change or Navi DVD should be ...) . So that's it , pretty simple , right ?

[Chipsybg]

Ok , one problem ... Does anyone know on the factory stereo interface connector , which wire is for the steering wheel controls ? Princess ?

P.S. My project is half-way finished , the music is ON , loud and CLEAR . The car is very well build , no rattles form sub and high-power speakers , I'm impressed . Although I had to tight couple of things in the trunk . But I still need the wheel controls wire and the dash kit ....

[jblaust]

dude your crazy! Your going to Rigg your 25-30k car up with homemade connections and brackets and mods. Just add a hi-lo adapter add a couple of amplifiers and aftermarket mids/his/and lows and call it a day until a nice aftermarket radio kit comes out. Dont jump on the first one that comes out either. Some of them that come out are real CRAP and make your car look cheesy! You get what you pay for wait for a real nice kit and spend the extra money. W/e kit it is, is going to replace buttons/vents/and radio location so make sure you keep it looking OEM and not aftermarket cheesy crap. Have you seen some of the kits like this for the older gen accords? They are hideous! I wouldnt cut into the harness either wait for the conversion adapter.

[jblaust]

I have a full stereo in my car now. Just put a hi-low adapter on the back of the factory radio and they even have my factory subwoofer and amp bypassed and my subwoofer controls on the radio still work for my bass amp. I put all boston accoustic and rockford fosgate. System is very clean with 2 10's in the trunk that fit perfectly flush between the strut towers in the trunk and i still have plenty of room back there for cargo. All new mids and hi's and it cranks and looks stock!

[jeffreyhuhn]

I want to see this rig. Can you put some pictures up?

[dking99]

I want to hear jbluast's system...I am jealous!

How much were the hi low adapters? I am looking to add a 5 channel amp - I was told with one amp you lose bass controls, although they can add a hidden knob that +/- the gain.

I already have the Alpine 5 channel (MVR-450) 4x50, 200x1 - is there any way I can maintain full subwoofer controls through the factory head unit?

[08 Coupe]

The scosche AND metra kits will be available in april and may. THey alow for single din and double din head units. Patience! I am i the same boat with a Pioneer AVIC-Z2 sitting here in a box just waiting to be installed. ::sighhhhh::
so what are you going to do with the LCD in the middle of your dash that wont be used anymore?

[jblaust]

I want to hear jbluast's system...I am jealous!

How much were the hi low adapters? I am looking to add a 5 channel amp - I was told with one amp you lose bass controls, although they can add a hidden knob that +/- the gain.

I already have the Alpine 5 channel (MVR-450) 4x50, 200x1 - is there any way I can maintain full subwoofer controls through the factory head unit?


They just installed high low adapters on the speaker wires comming from the factory radio to convert them into RCA outs for the amplifiers. In order to keep the OEM sub woofer controls on the radio working they just disconnected the factory sub woofer and left it in the back deck and converted the speaker wires to rca for the bass amp and 2 10's in the trunk. All factory subwoofer controls still work like normal. They did the same thing for front and rear cabin speaker wires and used those rca outs for the 4 channel Mids/Hi's amp. This way I lose no functionality and still have a nice stereo system with thumb controls, Mp3, 6 disc changer, and Ipod input (which i use). I have all boston accoustic for the mids/hi's in the cabin and Rockford fosgate for the bass. Its crank nice and is a clean stock looking install with plenty of room to spare in my trunk. I have all moster cables and am planning on upgrading to a Gel battery even though It is working fine off the stock battery right now. I paid $1200 total for my system installed at a buddy's car stereo shop in Miami.

[jeffreyhuhn]

I paid $1200 total for my system installed at a buddy's car stereo shop in Miami.

I want that deal!!

[dking99]

jblaust....I probably cant get the deal you did, but what would I expect to pay for the converting of the existing speaker wires to RCA?

Once I had the RCAs available, I would then need the amp installed and the speakers re-wired to the amplifier, correct? My guess on that (including wires) is $200 or so.

[culvercoupe]

jblaust,

Sounds like you have an envious system. Do you get any rattling from the interior with the added bass? I had a RF Power Stage 2 10" with 700rms in a ported in my 07 accord sedan. The trunk was dynamatted well but I still got the interior shaking like Brazillian girl's butt when I cranked it (especially with the sunroof open). The 08 coupe is fairly solid but I still imagine a lot of squeaking/rattling with some heavy bass. There's just so much plastic in the interior and the tolerances are very tight. My sub/amp is sitting in my closet right now, so I'm debating on whether or not to install it.

[jblaust]

It rattles some but not excessily I would say most of it is comming from the panels around the back deck area. You can see the side body of the car wobbling from the bass outside too. I had 2 12's at first but exchanged them the next day for 10's. It was just too much and was rattling the hell out of my new car, plus the box didnt fit as perfect between the strut towers in the trunk. With the 12's i couldnt get to the spare easily. With the 10's I can get to the spare just like normal. The hi lo adapters are like $15 or $20 each you can get them anywhere even Walmart. It converts a speaker wire pair into an RCA out pair. Ebay you can probably get them cheaper.

[jblaust]

jblaust....I probably cant get the deal you did, but what would I expect to pay for the converting of the existing speaker wires to RCA?

Once I had the RCAs available, I would then need the amp installed and the speakers re-wired to the amplifier, correct? My guess on that (including wires) is $200 or so.


$150 for the labor maybe $200 with wires. Plus your parts and accesories. I wouldnt pay more than that unless you doing some custom work or something. For a clean stock looking install $150. My amps are screwed to the back of the backseat and the wires are neatly ran under the side moldings and carpet.

[dking99]

Thanks for the price info...

As for rattling, I had a 2002 civic and the majority of the rattling came from the plastic panels on the rear deck. I took care of about 95% of it using Dr. Sholl's shoe inserts! I took an old pair (you may want to spend $8 and get new ones) and I cut them into strips. You can fold the strips up and wedge them between the windshield and the panels. If you do it right you cant see the padding fromt he outside of the car - especially if windows are tinted.

[DevinKato]

Chipsybg - Don't let these guys get you discouraged. I'm waiting for the dash kit myself, and i'm going to be doing the whole shebang also. Using a high-low converter is not a replacement for an entire system. More power to you, and good luck.

BTW,

Here is a pic of the upcoming dash kit. Doesn't look too shabby from the pictures.

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10690&stc=1&d=1201745819

[jblaust]

Dash Kit is one thing. He is making his own rigg. I would do the dash kit as long as it looks good. If you take the factory radio out you have to replace a/c vent and controls also. The high/low adpater works great and You dont have to worry about losing functionality or making your car look super cheesy. You can always install an aftermarket LCD or Navi or w/e u want in the lower pocket areas with a kit for that area. You can never completly replace that Screen in the dash because it is part of the A/C and Radio! This guy is trying to install a Navi screen over the factory screen that has his a/c control and radio display functions. its never gonna look right no matter what you do there cause you need that factory display to see what your a/c is doing.

[Chipsybg]

This guy is trying to install a Navi screen over the factory screen that has his a/c control and radio display functions. its never gonna look right no matter what you do there cause you need that factory display to see what your a/c is doing.

Who , me ? I don't have ANY A/C controls on the factory screen (EX , no EX-L) , I hate climate controllers , mine is manual , so the factory LCD is only for the stereo ... My CD receiver is sitting in the upper dash pocket area (still have the lower pocket ), waiting for a dash kit to come out for it . The factory stereo is still at it's place still , waiting for the Metra or Scosche kits . A touchscreen LCD monitor will fit in the double-din pocket , connected to my laptop , where all my music and video is , GPS , Wi-Fi , u name it ...
I have two amps (4 channel and mono ) with 4 60W (rms) Infinity speakers and an 2 12" Pioneer in the trunk . Right now I'm looking for a smaller box to fit in the trunk for , maybe 2 10" will be good ...

DevinKato ,
Thanks for you support , man , everyone else is trying to discourage me :):):)

[thesteve151]

why not make your own kit?

some cutting, some fiberglass, sanding, some bondo, sanding, primer, more sanding...paint...
it would take some effort, but it would look good, if you know what your doing.

[Chipsybg]

I can do it , but I don't have time lately , so I'm waiting for a kit ...

[jli18]

yo OP, let me guess. are you 18/19 years old?

[briansteffens]

Here is a pic of the upcoming dash kit. Doesn't look too shabby from the pictures.

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10690&stc=1&d=1201745819

Just what I'm looking for! Who is developing this and what's the name of the product please? I'd love to look it up and keep tabs on it =)

[vazquez1085]

does anyone have any more info on cleansweep? i def dont wanna add speakers i wanna keep what i have now and from what people are saying my best bet is cleansweep..its not too pricey but will it make a big difference?? how would i install it?? anyone do it yet??

[ZedsDead]

vaz,

I just installed one in my 2008 Coupe this past weekend.

You said you dont want to add speakers... ? What did you need the Cleansweep for?

[vazquez1085]

i thought cleansweep would have helped my stock system, since it wont should i just upgrade my interior speakers and add clean sweep?

[ZedsDead]

The cleansweep will eliminate DSP and give you a strong, FLAT signal to run to your aftermarket amplifiers. That is it's main purpose.

It accepts RCA or Speaker (wire) inputs and has only RCA (8volt) outputs so you would have to run the output signals into some sort of amplification before running it back to the speakers.

But, with the factory speakers it would probably sound worse.