I have a 1990 RX-7 Convertible with a turbo engine. I've owned this car for the past 11 years and it is one of the greatest cars I have ever owned.

This past weekend, with the weather so nice, I dropped the top and took the car out for a spin, and it dawned on me that changing the factory head unit to a touch screen navi system is probably a good modification to bring the car "up with the times".

I've changed head units in cars before, but this one seems like it would be quite complicated with the speakers in the headrests, and the odd size of the space, which seems like a double din and half or triple din opening. So, I figured I would check in with others on this site, who no doubt have done this modification in the past.

I did a search and there seems like a lot of good information, problem is that despite being a member of the rx7club for YEARS, I have been a quite observer all this time and have not met the 10 required posts to see pictures and threads.

So, in a nutshell, thanks for allowing me to be a member for all these years and I apologize if I post some pointless comments to increase my stats so I can see pictures and threads on a navigation install. I imagine the wiring is tricky. Does anyone make a plug adapter for the factory wiring harness? How about a dash kit?

I really like the Pioneer AVIC-XX head units.

Anyway, thanks again. Cheers and happy driving!

 

I know you're boosting your post count. But this isn't all that horrible. I've been thru most iterations on my 'vert (though no turbo here).
I've done - stock HU + sub + amp
stock HU + component + sub + amp
aftermarket HU + component + sub + amp + amp
Through all this I have headrest speakers, the dimpy little 4" speakers behind the seats running on their "stock" amps, with full control.

One major tip - buy an amp with a "remote" control (wired is fine). That way you can adjust your sub level based on top up/down - it makes a dramatic difference in the acoustics - top down mode will overload you top up, and top up mode is inaudible top down, etc.

Wiring harness adapters are easy to come by, as are dash kits. Crutchfield sells them, as do all the other main online sources.

Remember you'll need to wire in a relay if you want the antenna to function - polarity is backwards on the stock setup.

I put my sub box in the driver well under the spare tire cover. You can move the headrest amp that is there now into the wheel well space. I also put my amps under the spare tire cover - that way it's all hidden. The sub box was mocked up with cardboard and the built out of mdf, cosmetics don't matter - it's hidden.

Best of luck!

As to nav units - you can get a very decent portable unit for less than $200 - there's not much in it for the built ins anymore. but that's my opinion. I do recommend a solid upgrade to get mp3/wma/ipod or dvd use - not to mention that any decent new HU won't skip over every single little bump.

 

I'm in the same boat brotha.
here's the best i can do for you.




that's my buddy's FC. he basically told me you'll have to fab your own "dash
kit" plexiglass will work, you've just got to dremel your own openings and what not. you're a smart guy, you'll figure it out!

 

actually i think if you've got an S5 it should fit in the surround just right.
test that **** out, and let me know what's up!

 

"here's the best i can do for you. " Actually that looks great. I have a 91 vert and just stuck in a standard radio/CD player when the stock unit died. So I've got lots of space just covered with a plastic plate. What GPS is that and where is it from?

 

Those pics look like a Pioneer AVIC-D3. I <3 that deck, Espcially the color matching illumination. That unit now apparently comes with the bluetooth adapter in the box (at least that's how we've been recieving them at Best Buy).

Puhpaper, why did your friend have to make his own dash kit? I thought the S5 was a perfect double din. Did he just not have a stock cage? My Clarion right now is DIN mounted so it's flush with the sides and top and the lower, DIN sized spacer.

 

meh, d3 i think just didnt do it for me. the n1 was good, the n2 was the best, but the d3 just left me flat. didnt have the options that the nx series did. course, the n series was a pull out screen, and the d was a double din, but still, just not the same. ive dealt with both and the n2 was the best so far.
have fun, i would personally do the eclipse touch screen navi if i had the 2g to do so.

peace

 

Yeah but the D3 is so simple and clean!

I know it's not the best, but at the price point (I can get it for around $600) it's a damn good value. Plus the styling goes with the old interior and doesn't clash with it. I'm very big on matching style. I don't want to over-update parts of the car while other parts are unupdateable.

Plus I've just wanted a double din screen since I first saw an Eclipse DVD unit back in the day.

 

Puhpaer,

That install is AMAZING! That is EXACTLY what I want to do with my RX-7 - even the same head unit. IS your buddy a member of the site? Do you thin I can ask some questions?

 

I want that......

 

I contemplated an in dash install of my nav, but decided against it as I move the nav between multiple cars.

Those pics are making me re think my decision

 

Sorry about the late response, I haven't been checking this thread.
Yep he's on the board, check your pm for his user name.

 

that's an s4 center console surround, so that's why. I think the gap is bigger, but don't quote me as I don't own a s4.

 

I really want to do this in my S5 but I've wanted to see a pic of an install to see if its clean or not. Im looking at the Pioneer AVIC-D3 or D3x for price and features (looks like that might be what that is). Anyone have pix of one in an s5?

 

the above is a picture of an s5.
but utilizing a s4 surround.

look up.

 

well obviously I mean in an s5 surround as well lol