Is it okay to swap porsche head unit for aftermarket?

[manx]

I know that Boxster owners in Japan can order one without a radio, so that they can install a 2DIN nav unit afterwards. (PCM isn't available in Japan, and kind of obsolete for that market.)

They have kits like this (works both on 997 and 987)


Don't know abou the alarm issue, or if there is something special about 987s built for the Japanese market.

[mach schnell]

Olly, i have an 05 987. Interesting thought about the alarm - any one have any comment on that one?

[ljd-924se]

I thought the radio was a MOST system on new boxsters, meaning all the wires going through the unit are fiber optic. In that case, there is no way the head unit could be easily swapped, with or without a dash kit. Of course the Bose ("Blose") also uses an amplifier that you would need to get signal to. And finally bose speakers are all low impedence (1 - 2 ohm), too low for the alpine unit to be stable. Most car audio speakers operate at 4 ohm. In order to upgrade to bose system, you basically have to replace the entire thing, which is not going to cheap no matter what components you use.

Porsche has really mucked it up with the audio systems in their new vehicles. No mp3, no ipod, horrible sound quality, and expensive to upgrade. Then again, if they're going to get anything wrong, i'm glad it was the audio.

ljd your my new daily hero, if everything you mention is true it sucks!!!

I still can't understand why the alarm would be upset if you change the sound system thought, i guess they are two seperate system in the car, anyone with more comments on this?

4 ohms seems to be quite standard for car stereo, 6 and 8 are usually home entertainement systems, but i never heard of lower ohms bar on cheap stereo systems which Bose is definatelly not.

[RandallNeighbour]

The alarm system will work fine with an aftermarket system in it, providing the installer finds the single wire requiring grounding.

Otherwise, the horn chirps when the car alarm is activated, much like when one leaves open the center console, glove box (for those of you lucky enough to have one of those wonderful things) or the front or back trunks are open.

My installer didn't know this, and wouldn't know which wire to ground anyway even if i told him... but I really like the horn chirp because I usually can't tell if the doors locked in the loud city in which I live and park. The chirp is a audio reminder that I have indeed locked the car. But it's not "standard" to leave it that way.

[mach schnell]

So I talked to my local Porsche dealer today - "Don't Do It!!" was what I was told - "it's all fiberoptics, yada yada yada" But, they did say if it's swapped correctly, it won't affect the computer, etc.

Then, off to Circuit City - where the Alpine was purchased and originally installed in my Beetle, along with my xm kit. Turns out there aren't face kits available yet for the 05/06 boxster nor are there wiring instructions/diagrams (at least at Circuit City) for the 987. Stinks as my Alpine/XM set up is amazing (not too mention a past Christmas gift from my wife) that will ultimately go when I let go of the Beetle. Turns out, can't even put it in our Subaru Outback as there isn't a kit for that either!

Too bad that Porsche insn't keeping up with BMW or MB in the area of stock radios and satellite and iPod compatabilities!!!!

[Shellbmb]

Originally Posted by manx

I know that Boxster owners in Japan can order one without a radio, so that they can install a 2DIN nav unit afterwards. (PCM isn't available in Japan, and kind of obsolete for that market.)

They have kits like this (works both on 997 and 987)


Don't know abou the alarm issue, or if there is something special about 987s built for the Japanese market.

Has anyone been able to get their hands on one of these or found a comparable solution to add a double-din unit?

I found a couple of pictures that look sweet, but I'm not sure where they got the trim piece from or if they made it.

I have searched and cannot find a definitive answer on whether or not you can install an aftermarket DDIN unit like the Pioneer Avic Z1. One post said definitely no, then it was followed by another one that said you could. I"m assuming you can given the links I've found.

Could someone please clarify?

Thanks in advance from a newie.


http://custom.autos.yahoo.com/gallery/photos-car-10236;_ylt=AkHhCIL6QcfuGFXPXlDHMsZK.ckF?photo_cat= all&start=0&sel=1

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.pb-jp.com/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpb-jp.com%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D

I just had mine done a couple weeks ago, it took like 4 hours for them to install it because they had to hardwire it to an "oem converter"(got it from crutchfield) then hardwire it to the car. It works fine, but yes, the horn does chirp(which wire do you ground?????) Sounds awesome, but Porsche apparently doesnt give a rip about aftermarket stuff because well... its a Porsche. (And I wish more people could get Porsches because I see about 50 billion hondas around and the parts for that car are dirt cheap, I wish I could get a complete turbo setup for like 2 grand, or a $500 bodykit.)

[Shellbmb]

Originally Posted by boggtown

I just had mine done a couple weeks ago, it took like 4 hours for them to install it because they had to hardwire it to an "oem converter"(got it from crutchfield) then hardwire it to the car. It works fine, but yes, the horn does chirp(which wire do you ground?????) Sounds awesome, but Porsche apparently doesnt give a rip about aftermarket stuff because well... its a Porsche. (And I wish more people could get Porsches because I see about 50 billion hondas around and the parts for that car are dirt cheap, I wish I could get a complete turbo setup for like 2 grand, or a $500 bodykit.)

Did your installer fabricate a custom trim kit, or get his hands on the japan part, or what?

Also, which unit did you install? And did you keep the existing speakes or add new ones?

no custom trim kit but it sits in there pretty nice. I have a Panasonic cq 7203 yada yada, and I am keeping the stock speakers untill I have some extra cash.

[Shellbmb]

Originally Posted by boggtown

no custom trim kit but it sits in there pretty nice. I have a Panasonic cq 7203 yada yada, and I am keeping the stock speakers untill I have some extra cash.

How did they install a single DIN or double DIN unit without a trim kit?

You just put it in the old cd players spot, you dont really need a trim kit. I dont even know if they make them.
http://photos-693.facebook.com/ip006/v34/81/6/66804639/n66804639_30293693_6043.jpg

(thats my cd player)