Hi folks-

I'm looking for someone who has installed a late model stock head unit like the one listed on FDNewbie here:

http://www.fdnewbieimports.com/Backu...t3pic.php?n=40

and can tell me about the install.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

 

The install should be a straight forward, direct swap.

I'm not trying to take business away from Ramy, but you can get a head unit from a 98-05 Miata for less than half what you'd pay for a 99spec FD head unit, and it's also a direct swap and looks great.

 

Thanks much Slo.

When you say a direct swap, what does that mean? Do I get a plug-in pigtail for the car harness, then splice all of the connections from the pigtail to the late model radio?

Forgive my ignorance, I've built a couple of sports cars from the ground up, but I've actually never wired a radio before...just want to know what I'm in for.

All the best,
Chris

 

by direct swap, I mean the molex connector is the same for the newer stereos as it is for the older stereos, so you literally unplug the old one and plug in the new one.

The only thing is, if you have a Base, PEP or R1, you'll have to remove the pocket with the lid under the stereo to make room to fit the double DIN head unit.

I'm fairly confident of that, anyway. I haven't done the swap personally but I have installed plenty of aftermarket head units.

Worst case scenaro, splice the wires from one connector to another. The wire colors are usually standard for all head units.

 

Thanks for your help....

I'm a '93 R1.

Looking at the connector in my dash, and the connectors on the head units in pics (FDNewbie, ebay, etc.) they're different (the later model mazda female connector is bigger than the male connector in the dash, and the smaller connector looks like the pins aren't going to match up.) Also, I have two additional wires in the dash that were connected to the head unit, and I don't know where they would connect to a later model unit. I've attached a pic of the connectors in the dash so you can see what I'm looking at.

Which pocket with the lid needs to be removed? I had a head unit and a cd player in mine, and with both out it looks like all I need to do is remove the "separator" that was between the two units, making a hole big enough for the larger late model mazda unit.

All the best,
Chris

 

You can ask Ramy when you order the head unit, but the connector's look the same from the picture as stock.

Stock, all non-touring cars came with a pocket in the lower DIN slot. One of the previous owners must have removed it to add the CD player.

Here's a picture of the stock pocket on my car. It is below the head unit, behind the shifter area. Probably where your aftermarket cd player is.

Out of curiousity, is the cd player in your car the stock Bose unit or is it aftermarket?

 

Now I see what you mean by the pocket....

The units are out of the car, I took a couple of pics of them....the CD player looks very stock, (could it have been a dealer option?) The connector in the back is a 13 pin that looks like it was made for it.

Thanks again and keep your eyes on this space for when the pigtail arrives ;^).

All the best,
Chris

 

Here are a few threads that should help you out. Don't know if you have a Bose system or not but you will get the point. I am not sure if anyone has done the Spirit R swap or not.

https://www.rx7club.com/interior-exterior-audio-26/2001-2002-millenia-bose-head-unit-swap-757172/
https://www.rx7club.com/interior-exterior-audio-26/spirit-r-stereo-715779/
https://www.rx7club.com/interior-exterior-audio-26/bose-modular-din-radio-install-513449/

I know of a few people who have swapped out the units. I have had mine for over two years now and love it. You have some cutting to do to get the unit in but it is not a huge deal. The how to thread is well written. Just go step by step. The wiring will be a bit different for a non-bose unit.