jrapczak

I'm a fairly new RX-7 owner and my factory system has been replaced (by the former owner) with two free-standing speaker enclosures and a Honda tape deck. The speaker wires are going under the seats and into the console in a rather unsightly manor. Needless to say this setup sucks. I have an 88 RX-7 coupe.

I want to upgrade this thing as I'm in my car a lot and the lack of decent audio is killing me. However, I don't want to pay installation fees when they're probably just going to mess something up or charge me a whole lot of extra money for random stuff that I know nothing about.

I want to do this upgrade myself, but I have no experience with car audio. However, I'm eager to learn. If anyone has any tips or instructional web links to direct me to, please let me know. I have no idea what size/kind of speakers to get, etc. I need to know any RX-7 specific quirks or nuances that could make my installation go easier.

For the immediate time frame, I am planning on installing an AIWA CD/MP3 deck and two 6x8 speakers (brand undetermined) in the towers. I'm also considering either the door or dash speakers as well. In the future I plan to add an amp, a woofer and whatever speakers I don't add now.

I am going for quality of sound, not loudness or super-bass. Thanks for the input!

pd_day

iTrader: (6)

Hey, I want to install my own HU, amp and woofer too.
Anybody know if I need a harness adaptor to connect a Pioneer DEH P736 to the car?
Also, I have heard a lot of talk about placing a subwoofer in the spare tire area. Does anyone have the dimensions for the box?

Thanks.

[bnd]

you don't really need an adapter, but it helps with identifying the wires.

each sub requires a box built specifically for it. the dimension requirements for a sub box rely entirely on the specs of the sub. the spare tire area seems to be the best place for a stealth application, but it'll take some effort to fit anything larger than a 10" in there.

tong53

I am going to put two 10" subs in there. I have no clue how. But my friend asures me he can do it no problem. If you want i can see if he will make a box for you at any dimensions. Price would be what ever it cost plus a little extra for labor. Not to bad though.

Icemark

Unless you are moderately experienced in car electronics, I would not recommend doing it yourself on a FC.

The GXL and CD player equipped models have amplified speakers in the four corners that will need to be re-wired on any system where radio puts out more than 10 watts a speaker.

So you would be re-wiring each speaker at the speaker or routing new wires (which is less than optimal unless you plan on adding amplifiers that put out more than 75watts a channel.)

The FC (as most 80's Mazdas’) also requires you to use a relay to wire the power antenna.

The dash is also very easy to break if disassembled incorrectly or you are not paying attention to get all the screws.

So unless you are the type to rebuild your motor or change your own struts, trouble shoot a bad coil pack, or build your own home computer I would not recommend any Mazda sports car built after 83 for your first attempt at stereo installation.

jrapczak

Well, I do build my own computers but I don't do any of the other things.

Anyway, I managed to buy a floor model head unit at Best Buy for a huge decrease in price and free installation, as well as an open-box set of Pioneer TS-A1765 Oversize 6 1/2" for $99 with free basic installation. My question is this:

Will these speakers (2 1/2" deep) fit in the door? If not, what's the maximum depth? Will the A1765's fit in the shock towers? Wherever they'll fit, I'll put them there and have Best Buy install them.

Let me know!

P.S. Will the TS-A1655's (1 3/4" depth) fit in the doors if the A1765's won't?

pd_day

iTrader: (6)

I rewired my whole house to get free satalite TV, build my own network of computers at home and troubleshoot easy problems on my FC. You think I am up for the challenge?

I also found a wiring diagram for the FC, you think it would help??

Icemark

Sounds like your ready.

I'll write up how to do it tomorrow. And leave it up to you (and whoever else wants to try).

Just remember if you have later to take it in for an installer to finish/fix, it will cost more than if you took it to a good installer in the first place.

pd_day

iTrader: (6)

Thanks man.

btw, here is the wires explained that I found

pd_day

iTrader: (6)

schemetic for the antenna

PaulC

You can pick up a wire harness adapter from whoever you buy your new head unit from. They should have them in stock. The biggest problem I have found when running mine has been breaking plastic pieces cause they suffer from dry rot.

Angel Guard Racing Team

My Unit has two 4 pin plugs, Two 3 pin plugs, a black "Clarion" box with one plug on each side, Some will only fit in one place but the 4 and 3 pin fit in more than one place... HELP!!!!!!!!!!

West TX RX-7

Might try going to a local instal shop and see if they a specific harness for your car. Man plug and play is easy as pie. The shop should also have a mounting kit to make it fit better and look better. If not then just follow the diagram above in correlation with your pioneers wiring diagram and do it all yourself.

Angel Guard Racing Team

You don't seem to get it... I don't need a kit, I don't need a diagram and I don't need a harness all I need to know which plugh goes in which hole on the back of the radio... I don't wanna burn it...

Icemark

On the factory radio you can't mix them up... they only go one way

Enthu

iTrader: (1)

Anyone have a wiring daigram like that for an FD 94? I reall yneed to get this figured out. I'm installing right now and got confused on the right rear polaritys..