PCM 2.1 Retro-fit

Wondering if anyone out there would like to retrofit their Cayman / S with PCM 2.1 Nav. As some dealer sponsors of this site carries the parts to do it. The parts cost likely around $3800 for the unit and will need a new electrical harness on top of that. If there are enough interest, I can look into the install cost & look for a Group Buy to drop the price.

I thought about it for a while, even just doing the screen upgrade first by buying a used one on ebay; but the cost is crazy. You can get better navigation, bluetooth, satelite radio and ipod control for under $1600 by going Pioneer, unless you have Bose, then you pay lots more for new amps, speakers, but still less than the pcm retrofit.

Yes I've considered it and if you can get the price right, I'm in.

I am interested. Not sure my wife will agree with the cost, but I'll do my best to convince her.

The main issue with that is that PCM is not great technology. After checking out one of those Nuvis, I can't imagine putting the bucks into PCM. I sometimes miss the integrated Nav that even my Honda has, but cost/benefit analysis is poor. Let's hope the audio system survey many of us completed will lead to a more state of the art system in future vehicles. It is certainly one area where the Japanese manufacturers are crushing the euros. Acura charges you basically $2,500 for a great sound system, nav. that is integrated to traffic alerts, and bluetooth integration of your phone. Porsche is like $5,800 for their answer to that and you have to pay extra from there for steering wheel controls......8 years from now PCM is going to be an outdated piece of technology in the middle of your dash (as will be the CD player for that matter). Good luck with it if you go that way -- your dream is YOUR dream.

Suneet, the pioneer fits well! But i do have Bose, & like to keep the Porsche with all OME stuff. Good to see there are a few members wanting the PCM 2.1. I will start the research tomorrow with Suncoast & others to see what we can do with a Group Buy. Should have an answer by Friday. Thanks again guys.

That looks a lot like the AVIC-Z1, suneet. I'm planning on adding the Z1 when my CS gets in. You can count on me asking you for that sweet Porsche background. Jeremy

Swancoat, I wish that was my car... for now I'm devoting all my money to performance mods; but one day I will throw it in my car; as it is pretty much a drop in part if you have the sound package plus. I'm sure you can get the Porsche background online though; if not, I'll throw one together for you on photoshop.

God I wish I haven't chosen the Bose option now.

Eecsdude, could you (or anyone) take a picture of the Bose amplifier in the front trunk and send it to me, perhaps a close up of the wiring harness. I have the wiring diagrams but they're pretty unclear. I'd love to get a look at it and see if an easier retrofitting method could be figured out. For example, if it is in fact copper wiring going from that amp to the speakers, you could use an aftermarket 4 channel amplifier (that is stable at 2ohms) to drive two tweeters and four midranges by utilizing factory wiring and running new wiring from the Pioneer headunit to the amp. Perhaps even implement the Bose powered sub using speaker the speaker level connections. If possible, the cost could come down from around $4000 to $2000 to revamp the audio system with a new headunit. - Suneet

Suneet, Is that your car in the photo with the aftermarket Nav? If so it would be nice if you authored an article in our new articles system when it goes up on how to do that!

No, it isn't my car. But I've taken my headunit out and done all the research towards which wires have to be moved over and everything. For now I decided to just leave it at adding a subwoofer to my car with the stock hadunit. Eventually, after some new wheels, Evo intake, and a catback I will go ahead and do the install. But it is a very simple procedure to replace the headunit with the sound package plus, You unplug the two connectors on the back of the cdr-24, and in connector B there are four speaker level outputs that you move to the new unit, then there is a power cable that you have to tap into to get power. By doing this you will use the headunits amps to run the midranges and tweeters and still provide the ASK amplifier with its analog signal so it can power the door woofers and center channel. You can then use the preouts on the new headunit for a non-fading subwoofer. Leave all the other wires and connectors alone, so you can always put back the cdr-24. I tapped the two rear speaker wires when I was putting in the subwoofer. - Suneet

Just finished talking to Suncoast in regards to the PCM 2.1 retro-fit. For a Group Buy, they can sell the unit for $3383.00 + Shipping, which is a good discount comapre to a list of over $4K. The harness will be between $80 - $100 depends on what other accessories you will put into the PCM. ie: they can do XM for $900, the phone module $1150, as the harness is different depends on what you have for the PCM. Installation should run between 3-5hours. Overall, i think it is a pretty good deal, as if you are looking into the Pioneer unit AVIC Z1, that's over $2K in your Best Buy or CircuitCity. If you are interested, please e-mail me with your CS VIN#, as Suncoast will have to check your cars options to match the proper type of harness.

Timing When are we talking about doing this? I'd like to get the PCM + XM installed, but coming up with $4300 isn't a couple day exercise. Does that price include labor?

The price does not include install. No time-line has been set, right now i m looking at how many are interested b/f going ahead. The people at Suncoast are really nice, am sure they can work with us on the timing.

Forgot to add that the XM can be added later, they just need to know that so the harness they supply will accommodate it.

Just finished talking to Roger Jobs Porsche. Their service department will charge no more than $625.00 for the PCM 2.1 install. Low end will be $500.00. Reasonable price for what the job requires. They are looking to see if their parts dept can match Suncoast pricing for the PCM; if they can't match, I will order from Suncoast & get this project going. Will post more info as they come in.

I bought a PCM 2.1and DVD NAV unit from a 997 off Ebay for $1500 and even if its a $1000 for all the install and harnesses etc thats still $2500. When I approached the dealership about buying it new the whole price was $5635! Holey Moley, thats quite a savings. G.

Just found this on the net, seems like a good deal....... http://www.carlsenporsche.com/cgi/parts/2004100110191073 G.

Sorry, scratch that, it doesn't include the PCM monitor, just the DVD NAV drive.

Finally, i have ordered the PCM 2.1 from Sunset and it is being shipped as we speak. Once arrived, I will get it installed by Roger Jobs Porsche. Will post pictures after, but likely in mid Feb, as I am heading out of town next week. Sorry for the delay. Anyone still interested, Sunset will set-up the Group Buy. Please either e-mail me or post your interest.

im in im in for a group buy, but it will be determine by the price we can get the pcm 2.1 for!!!

Is Sunset different from SunCOAST? Suncoast is a sponsor here and in fact are the one supplying me with the new unit for the installation article. Unless these entities are the same, SunSET would need to become a sponsor to run a group buy. I know SunCOAST is willing to do it and they've got some great pricing on units.

Is Suncoast going to post the group buy prices? I'd be interested, but given the retail pricing, it's too expensive.

I don't know yet, I think they are still hammering out details..

Sorry, it is Suncoast not Sunset. Suncoast is the Porsche Dealer, Sunset is their parent name "Sunset Auto Group". Hope this clears it up.

Here's the deal from Rick@suncoast. The PCM 2.1 unit + the wiring harness for my Cayman S with Bose sound & CD changer. = $3468.83 + shipping. As stated before, the install cost is around $650.

K-man, If enough members are interested, i can get Rick to post the Group Buy?

Ploc36, Keep in mind that different versions of PCM cost different amounts, I believe the one for the BOSE system is quite a bit more than the non-BOSE unit. Ric just told me the other day that they just got in updated units from Porsche as well, a slightly newer software revision. Ric can certainly run a group buy but I'd let him lay out all the options, for example do people want new units or refurbished units, etc? Refurbs cost less but still have a warranty. I think he might want to announce a group buy in conjunction with the install article I am doing. My PCM unit is in route from Ric and should be here early next week and then I'll do the install and article.

Wow, that is A LOT more than I expected for the PCM unit itself. The PCM + Nav kit is only $500 more: http://www.carlsenporsche.com/cgi/parts/2006020712210404 Seriously, I expected to hear $2k for a group buy price of the heatunit itself. EDIT: Ok, now I'm sure something isn't right about that price. Even suncoast's own price shows the PCM + NAV as $3695. There's no way that the additional equipment for the GPS (GPS antenna, gyros, NAV disc, DVD drive) is only $200 more...