Hello everyone. Im a new visitor to the forums. I will be ordering my Cayman tomorrow so I have been doing some reading about aftermarket mods, especially in the audio area. Is it possible to take out the stock head unit and insert and aftermarket one without to much trouble. Im thinking of purchasing the Pioneer Avic-Z1. It has built in nav,bluetooth, plays mp3s on dvds, and also has a 10gb hard drive for mp3s. Anyone taken out the stock unit yet?
No you cannot do this because the car has the MOST fiber optic bus, you would also have to rip out that bus or at least bypass it by laying all new copper wire, you cannot simply swap out the head unit as the head unit would have no amp or speakers to attach to because those require the MOST fiber optic bus, again unless you replace with copper wire. Not impossible, just not 'easy'.
Wow! Thanx K-Man for the heads up! I wanted to do that too, but now...
I do not think K-mans response is entirely correct. According to the Cayman brochure, the MOST system only comes into play with the CD chager, the Bose system, and the telephone module. So if you have any of those options then K-mans response is correct. BUT, when ordering only the standard Sound Package Plus, the system is analog. So I believe that you could pull out the HU and replace it with another and still have the amp and speakers working. The stereo opening is large enough to accept the double DIN Avic Z1 (I measured) but you will most likely need to have a custom mounting bracket fabricated. So, I havent tried this myself but this is my plan and I am hoping that my assumptions are correct.
dangerfish,
What brochure are you referring to? AFAIK the MOST system and CAN bus come into play in EVERY car Porsche ships. There would be no economic incentive for Porsche to wire up some cars with copper and some with fiber optic. A Cayman wiring diagram should put this to rest, or someone pulling out their normal radio head unit to look at what attaches to it, or the amp, etc. I could be wrong but I think it is all ball bearings these days boys...
Open the pod bay doors Hal //// Sorry Dave, I can't do that
K-man,
You are right, it would not make sense to wire the same car differently just based on the stereo that goes into the car. I am reading from the 90 page Cayman book that they give you when you come in to look at the car that tells you about all the features. Page 77. It says that the sound package plus has an analog amplifier which makes me ASSUME that the speakers are also analog and not fiber optic. There is not going to any way to know for sure until someone does actually pull out their head unit and see what happens.
Also, see the thread '
How to kill a Cayman S
' now in the Cayman Chat forum... what a mess.
brad
I believe the guy in the 'how to kill a cayman' thread had the bose system. I have no doubt that you would run into countless problems if you tried to remove a piece of the fiberoptic 'network'. I am assuming/hoping that is not the case with the standard audio package.
Hope is not a method.
You can bypass the fibre optic and the stock head unit by replacing the HU and adding a aftermarket amp. It will work.,My car sounded great after they installed all the new equipment. The real problem is removing the stock HU. The CAN system in the Cayman is going to look for the stock unit you cant just remove it. The solution we came up with was to keep the stock HU and AMP wired into the car. We moved the HU to the the space for the changer ( it fits). Problem was the installer killed the car by breaking a gromet that was seal ed around a wiring bundle. After all of the problems I decided to put it back to the stock config and not bother because I was going to run into warranty issues. My service advisor said it woud be a 'grey area' and the electrical system is not a good place to be considered a grey area.
If you want I can go take some pictures so you can see what was done.
Edited by - obiwan66 on 04/16/2006 2:57:58 PM
obiwan66,
This is a question in regards to your post back in April. Did you previously have the Bose system or, the Sound Package Plus system? I'm not an electronic expert but, it would seem that if light hit the fiberoptic wiring after the gromet was broken, this might have caused the 'killing' of the car. We're trying to find out if the Sound Package Plus has the same fiberoptic wiring as the Bose system.
Marc
obiwan66,
I found your original thread detailing that you had the Bose system.
Does anyone know for sure if the Sound System Plus uses the same fiberoptic wiring? Also, even if it does, would that make a big difference to the CAN system in the Caymanwhen changing out the HU? (As long as it's not Bose, right!)
Marc
I think the sound pack plus uses the most bus but it still has copper to the speakers, the std stereo has the speakers plugged into the back of it on a brown ISO connector. It would be quite easy to remove the stereo just not so easy to upgrade the amplification and keep the CDR 24 unit
Oh also the brocure does say analogue system for the sound pack plus but I could not find any measurable outputs on the back of the unit fitted to my car whichhas the std sound system
Thanks for the info. I think I'm going forward with the Sound Package Plus and then, switching out the head unit and adding an amp and sub. It doesn't sound as integrated with theCPUas the Bose system (not sure if that has to do with the Bose use of fiber optic). A rep from Porsche suggested that over any kind of head-unit-onlyswitch with the Bose. I'll try to have the shop take pics. That might help others in the future.
Marc, My car is in the stereo shop as we speak. I have the basic sound pakage plus also. You do not need to change the head unit if you want to keep a stock look. There is a new unit call clean sweep that goes between the head unit and a new amp. It it awsome. It corrects the sound respose to mnake it totally flat. A perfect clear signal. I put this in with a 600 watt jbl amp in the front trunk. 6.5' with seperate tweeter in the doors (Eclipse) and coax 4' Eclipse in the rear. A custom made 10' sub for the back trunck area. 100x4 to the speakers and 200 watts bridged to the sub. I will be getting it back Sunday and will tell you how it went. The car looks totally stock. Only if you look in either truck can you see anything. I like that.
Jeff
Jeff,
I dig your set-up. I read up on JL's CleanSweep unit. That thing is killer. The only thing is, I wanted to throw in a double-din DVD player. That would be the only visible change but, that's where I'm stuck. There are only a couple of shops (if even that) here in Hawaii that have some experience with fiber optic wiring. If they can pull off the head unit switch, I won't need CleanSweep. If they can't...CleanSweep here I come! I guess I'll just sacrifice the integrated DVD player.
Is the shop you're going through planning to re-wire the entire car (along side of the fiber optic wiring)? If so, what was the price estimate? The quote I got here was approx $1000 just for the new wiring. The whole job with components, amp and the sub/box would be between $3500 and $5000 (with the biggest price difference being which head unit I choose). Ouch...
I sat in a car with a single 10' with almost the same power output as you described. That car rocked. I literally could not believe it was a single sub (He was using a JL at 2 ohms). After adjustment, in the Cayman's small interior, it should sound incredible. I am jealous as I have to wait until Dec for my car. And then, even longer for the stereo install. I would love to hear about(and see) how your system came out. Thanks again and talk with you soon.
Aloha, Marc
Marc, IThe regular sound package plus is not fiber optics. I think only the Bose is. Yes, they rewired the whole car because the stock wiring was the thinest cheap wires available I'm sure. The wires alone were about 250.00. The whole system cost about $3400.00 installed. If you change the head unit it's less expensive as the cleansweep is more then an average good head unit and less wires and labor. I went to the shop and heard it without the sub and it was unreal. I was thrilled. So when I pick it up tomorrow I think I will be shocked.
Jeff
Jneg, please follow up!!! How's the new system? I just stumbled onto this post but it's gotten me very excited and jealous. Can you confirm the wires running through the car aren't fiber-optic? What model eclipse speakers did you use and what type of amplifier? Is it the 300.4 JBL woofer, or perhaps the 6 channel GTO755.6 II. This is definitley something I might be doing, but I'd like to install it myself. Also, any error codes or anything like that with the new hardware? Could you actually install all the new things without much re-wiring?
Thank you,
Suneet
Edited by - suneet on 09/18/2006 6:10:45 PM
I hate to be the bearer of bad news. (And actually, I'm hoping I could be wrong on some of this as I am dying to install an aftermarket system). After some extensive research, here's what I've learned...
All 2005 and newer (porsche sports cars) have fiber optic wiring through out, no matter the system. Products like JL Audio's CleanSweep and Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.2 are good for stock systems like thiswhich are difficult to modify. These units connect to the factory-installed system (as if it were a speaker) essentially allowing you to add aftermarket components of your choice ((iPod, satellite radio tuner, DVD player, etc.)
This would help with most aspects of modifying the stereo system except for the head unit which would remain. (With the Cayman being so compact inside, I just couldn't find another good place to install a separate DVD screen). What I wanted to do was replace the HU with an aftermarket double-din DVD player, add an amp, new components and a sub/box. Because the car is small, the hardware wouldn't be that expensive (Most of the cost would be labor and wiring).
In regards to the Sound System Plus, I was advised by several different Porsche repsto remove all componentsand leave all the wiring untouched. Then, add your own wiring for all new components, power, ground, remote and speaker wire as well as rca inputs. Since you're leaving the factory system basically intact, there should be zero issues with warrantable repairs. And, your system can be removed if the car is sold or returned after a finished lease.
It is definitely possible to make the change but, it's not easy.Here in Hawaii, only threeaudio shops have some experience with fiber optic wiring.If anyone chooses to go forward with this, see if the audio shop will guarantee their work regardless of the success of the installation. Meaning, if something does go wrong, they will pay for all repairs.
I have a December order so, I'll be keeping an eye on the threads until then for any additional details/success stories. (Also, if I made any mistakes with my info, please let meknow. I'd be more than happy to follow up to find out more info). And, if anyone does a successful stereo mod, any details you have (Including exact components and model numbers used) will surely be appreciated.
Aloha, Marc
I love the idea of retaining the aftermarket HU for the best look. I just priced out a system with new wiring and a 6 channel JBL or Infiniti Amp, Polk component speakers (6.5 fronts, 1.5 tweeters, 4 in' rears), Pioneer Premiere 10'' amp with enclosure, and the enclosure with pricing used by various internet vendors and it should come out to $1200. I'd do the installation myself, while I don't have experience with fiber optic cabling, do I really need it since I'm installing all new wiring? The only aspect I'm unsure about is how difficult it will be to connect the JL unit to the becker HU.
- Suneet
Suneet,
I found this threada while ago whileresearching this. I included it not to scare you but rather, to give you some insight on what went wrong with his installation. Having some experience changing stereos, you might pick up on details that others might overlook.
http://www.planet-9.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3555&FORUM_ID=1&CAT_ID=1&Topic_Title=Finally+received+the+wiring+harness+pics+are+up&Forum_Title=Cayman+Chat
Personally, I haven't changed out the stereos in my cars in over 10 years. When visiting the shops here, I'm very exact in presenting what needs to bedone. Once they realize they are workingwith fiber optic, they usually know instantly if they are capeable of doing the switch or not. If you've kept up with the aftermarket stereo game, you might be well skilled in doing the switch.
As for the JL CleanSweep unit, their support site should be able to provide you with a clear path on how to install it before getting started. (
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/support_pages.php?page_id=130
)
Hope this helps a little. Good luck!
Marc
Marc,
I did read that thread. I definitley don't plan on continuing until I see how user Jneg's system turns out. I do think however, that if the interface works, everything from then on should be easy if new cables are laid side by side with the fiber optic ones, and absolutely nothing is removed from the car as to not trigger any error codes. Thanks for all the help
. Honestly, the stereo is one the last things on my current mods list, right now it is 1) sport shifter, 2) 19'' wheels, 3) GIAC tuning and EVO flow, 4) Miltek exhaust, and then 5) stereo improvement, or at least IPOD install.
Also, I thought I'd add, even though I'm pretty young, I definitley am not a fan of those "bass-thumping" systems, my good friend's got one of those dual 12'', hurts to breathe systems and it sounds so horrible and his car is falling apart with the rattling. I've always been a strong believer in keeping car audio stock, but the one in the Cayman just doesn't suit me, on some songs at some volumes it is ok, but I have mine turned up to 22-25 all the time because I enjoy riding with my windows down and it just sounds horrible. I play with the settings endlessly to try and improve the sound to no avail.
- Suneet
Edited by - suneet on 09/18/2006 9:34:33 PM
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I got the car back last night. It sounds really great. We hooked it up several different ways. I have the 6 channel jbl amp, Eclipse sc 8264s 6.5' + tweeter components in the doors. 4' point source in the rear, and a 10' kickerunder the rear hatch (sealed). I don't have the model #s with me as I'm in my office. First, I believe the original wiring has been kept in tack. The stock head unit attach's to original amp then to the clean sweep then to new jbl amp. There are 2 volume controls in my kick panel. 1 forthe suband 1 for cleansweeps master volume which you keep at about 3/4. I'm not sure about the fiber optics but I'll tell you this. Before the cleansweep unit came in he (my instaler) hooked it up to a basic head unit bypassing the stock head unit and straight to the amp. It sounded so great I was blown away. But, when he got the cleansweep in and we used the stock head unit the sound was not quite as good. Still 190% better then stock. It can be heard quite cleanly no matter what other beautiful sounds are around us (engine). Therefore it is no problem to change the total system if that's what you want to do, as we did it prior to the cleansweep coming in. No engine codes or any issues came up. In fact these guys work together with my local Porsche dealer. I'm going to live with it like this for a while and see if I'm still happy months from now. The head unit can always be changed with a custom face plate the same size and color as the stock unit. That I know sounds unreal.<o
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Jeff<o
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By the way. My instaler said there's fiber optic only from the head unit to the original amp.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
