Can I upgrade my 996 center console instrumentation?

Can I "upgrade" my '02 C4S center console with a Nav and sound system from a later 996? Mine is stock with the climate control in the upper section, and radio/cassette below it. I don't have a navigation system, or anything other than the 6-disk changer in the trunk. It sounds great, but is inconvenient. I love my car and want to keep it. But was interested in upgrading my sound system and display, if possible. Anyone know if I can replace my current configuration with newer stock Porsche stuff, or should I be looking at aftermarket? Thanks, Steve

You're better off getting current aftermarket than Porsche from that era.....

996 oem nav is dated and clunky. ^ get a new system. Tons of threads here on this topic. Skim through them.

Thanks for the comments. I was enquiring in case the OEM stuff was good, thinking it would plug in easier. Steve

Check out the CAI website, they have all required accessories for DIY install or you can get a complete set-up. https://cai-store.com/

Look up iPad mini install in a 996.

I replaced the OE head unit in my 2002 C4S with a Kenwood double DIN unit, and Focal speakers and amp. It was a huge improvement.

Sounds great Dennis. Any chance you could snap a photo of your dash to show it? Thanks, Steve

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It was 3 cars ago 2014 911 Turbo S Cabriolet Previous Porsches: 2008 911 Turbo Cabriolet 2004 Cayenne S 2002 911 Carrera 4S

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Correct! But here�s a link to the photos taken at the time by the shop that did the work. http://www.highlinecaraudio.com/curr...ctsevents.html I�m sure there are newer Kenwood units that are even better.

Aftermarket! Cheaper and much, much better. There are adapter plugs to make the install a simple job.

Looks great. Thanks for the links. I'll concentrate my search to aftermarket stuff. Steve

If you have the time and want to save money, do the install yourself...I had never done a car stereo, but I have now replaced the head unit with a double din display (Sony - like the look and old school ****), the front and rear speakers (CAI store, nice plug and play for difficult new speaker fit to existing speaker housings), and this week I installed a 900 W Alpine PDX-9V amplifier (this made a huge difference! Saved $400-500 just in parts, not to mention the labor just for the amp (Amazon). I just did the research, took my time, and honestly the install is better than professional...it did take me a lot longer but I learned a lot and now have the satisfaction of having done it myself..., but definitely go after market...really no reason to keep these cars 100% stock, they made a lot of them unlike the old air cooled models.

...what head unit looks like

Hi dbwisle, Thanks for the good encouragement and photos. Let me ask you a question... was your climate control system always on the lower half of the console? Mine is in the top half, and I have two empty storage pockets in the bottom half. I wonder if I could move mine down to the lower half, and install the stereo in the upper half. Has anyone done that? Moved the climate control system from the upper to the lower half of the console? Are the wires long enough, and is there enough room in there to simply move stuff around? Thank you, Steve

One more question... does your Sony system contain CD player/Nav/Bluetooth? Thank you, Steve

It’s easy to move the climate controls to the lower position. The wires are long enough, and the mounting points are there already. One thing to note is that Bluetooth telephone connectivity is fairly useless in a 996. The interior cabin noise from tires and engine is too loud to have a reasonable conversation.

Steve - my car had the climate control located lower and the radio and a cup holder were upper...you will need to move your climate control to a lower position, mine is in the middle lower location, under an open storage area and above the �batwing�, a solid piece (some contain switches) closest to the shift console. I installed a double DIN head unit so that took up the space for the single DIN (standard) radio and I completely removed the cup holder insert (highest location), this allowed perfect fit for a new double DIN unit. Relocating the climate control to a lower location is standard operating procedure, ...depending on your console trim pieces, you may need to get a trim piece that fits around the climate control in the lower location (it is a different size, but they are available cheap). I�ve had all the components out, including the climate control to replace the LCD glass (a simple task for $70), you will just need to disconnect the wiring harnesses and move things around, sounds simple, take your time, do your homework, you will learn some and it is actually kinda fun. The Sony head unit has Apple Car Play which works wired or Bluetooth, has navigation (via the phone)...they sell units with built in navigation like the Garmin units but you only need those if you are using you navigation and are in an area where your phone does not get a signal, so I didn�t buy that; pretty sure the Sony didn�t have it anyway; I think the Sony has a similar model with a CD player, I didn�t buy that one since my phone is the source for my music, when I�m not at home. Even the amplifier was pretty standard once I figured out what I was supposed to do: run source signal from head unit (via rca jacks) to amp, power amp from new location (car battery), connect amp to car speaker wires...some minor mods needed but if you take your time, I can almost guarantee you can do better than the pros...

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It might depend on which system you have. I have the iSimple bluetooth adapter for my CDR-220. I have the mic installed in the A pillar, just above the visor. I frequently have phone conversations with the top down in my cabriolet at 40 mph. People on the other end have no problem hearing me. Needless to say, I'm talking at a higher volume than I would if I was on a regular phone.

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Glad to hear yours is okay. I had a Motorola bluetooth kit originally, then I had the Kenwood system installed. Neither were great for calls.

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Not according to the people I talk to with mine. I have even used it with the top down, and it was workable as long as I kept the speed below about 50. Having installed numerous stereos in numerous vehicles over the years, including the Kenwood unit in my 996, I strongly recommend Crutchfield.com Their kits are bulletproof, and their tech support is very helpful.

I wish I had spoken with you when I still owned my 996! I tried it with the mic on the top of the a-pillar, and also in the center, near the rear view mirror. It sucked in both locations. It was better in my 997, and it’s better in my 991.