Stockalicious Build Thread...

[Feuerstoss]

Well, here goes something. I'm creating this thread as kind of a sounding board where I can ask questions, post pictures, get ideas, etc... of what I want to do as far as in-car entertainment goes. Right now I've got a hell of a lot of questions and a few ideas, but not much else. I lost my digital cam a little while ago so unfortunately pics will be slow in coming once I start gathering parts and doing work.

As the thread title suggests, I want to keep with a mostly stock look. No aftermarket decks with glitzy flashing lights and et cetera that will clutter up the car's interior. The only concessions I will make will be listed below.

I also want to get everyone in on this... I definitely have more than a few questions. This isn't my first stereo build(I did one for my old G1) but I'm still pretty inexperienced. So, here goes.

The main problem with interfacing a mostly aftermarket, clean sound system is the stock head unit. Most stock head units are internally amplified, and they don't offer RCA outputs. Line level converters cut down on some of the noise, but from what I've read it's a stopgap measure at best. However, the Bose head units for the Legend are unamplified... meaning they're sending a low-level signal anyway. If there's a way to convert these low-level inputs into an RCA cable, this just might be the key to feeding into an amp. I think someone on here has already done this with a good level of success. In order to do this, you would need an adapter... basically cut off the stereo plug from a hapless junkyard Honda and use an aftermarket plug-in wiring harness to interface most of the goodies. Run new speaker wire, and you're pretty much set. Not sure how I would do the remote lead to the amp... any suggestions? I'd also consider a straight Bose conversion, but the aftermarket solution seems like it would be far easier to accomplish. I'm not going into my specific aftermarket components just yet, as I'm not sure what I'm going to keep from my old setup and what I'm going to throw out. Please keep in mind I don't want to be heard down the block and I want to keep most of my trunk space... I do have a decent JL Audio 8" in band-pass I'm considering using... sounded decent in my G1 and looked pretty good, too.

Now, another drawback to the stock head unit is, well, accessories. Forget sat radio or navigation, unfortunately. However, since the Legend comes wired for a CD changer, the existing connections can be used(with adapters, obviously) with Alpine 6-disc changers... even MP3-capable changers can be used and played through the stock head unit. You can also get an adapter for an Ipod as well, but considering I use a Zune I really don't care about Ipod integration. My main question with this is where the CD changer cable is run... driver's side or passenger's side? I'm almost positive it's the driver's, which makes that the choice for running all my 'signal' cables... speakers, RCA's, etc... leaving me to run amp power through the passenger's side.

Another consideration, and this one might be difficult. I wouldn't mind an aftermarket navigation unit, and would love to break out my old XM car kit and start using it again. However, I hate those damn suction cup windshield mounts. They look hella ugly, and I hate having things clutter the dash... I'm anal and wierd, I know. I want to at least mount the XM unit elsewhere, even if it means having to custom make a bracket... any ideas? Also, I'm looking to hardwire this stuff, so I don't have to get a splitter or other ridiculous clutter for cig lighter power adapters. Branch off the cig lighter power wire so it'll shut off when the car does, or do something else? As far as the navi goes I'd like to do a similar setup, but I have seen some Tomtom ones that are battery-powered(no wiring necessary) and just stick onto your dash with a simple suction cup and not one of those monstrous plastic mounts... that would be a hell of a lot more livable. The mounting location I'm looking at is on the center console, directly to the right of the head unit. I also don't want to drill into a rare black console, so I'm also looking to do a mount that can bolt in somewhere. I'm picky, right?

So, yeah. Hopefully this gives folks who are looking at doing this some more options, but I also do have some questions I'd like to discuss. Anyone?

[Stu]

Get yourself an aftermarket navigation unit. Most come with a black disk that attached to the dash ( or anywhere else ) with double sided tape - easy to remove ) The only time you need it plugged in is when its charging - run it on the rechargable battery and you have no wires ! You can suction it to the dashboard, lots of people do it, but I think it looks like shit there and I want it closer to me so I can reach it easier when I an driving.

As for as the stereo goes, the Bose system is not something you can not really upgrade very easily. Its essentially an all or nothing proposition .... keep it all or scrap it all and start from scratch. If the Bose speakers/amp/head unit are all working properly, you can get better sound with a new aftermarket system for sure, but you are looking at spending between $1,500 - $2,000 to buy everything and get it professionaly installed. If you have some gear already and can do the install yourself, obviously you can save a few bucks and do it for less.

A new system has ipod plug ins and other nice features, but it all comes for a price ..... and when you are done, you have a system you have to worry about being stolen !

Good luck

[Feuerstoss]

Originally Posted by Stu

Get yourself an aftermarket navigation unit. Most come with a black disk that attached to the dash ( or anywhere else ) with double sided tape - easy to remove ) The only time you need it plugged in is when its charging - run it on the rechargable battery and you have no wires ! You can suction it to the dashboard, lots of people do it, but I think it looks like shit there and I want it closer to me so I can reach it easier when I an driving.

As for as the stereo goes, the Bose system is not something you can not really upgrade very easily. Its essentially an all or nothing proposition .... keep it all or scrap it all and start from scratch. If the Bose speakers/amp/head unit are all working properly, you can get better sound with a new aftermarket system for sure, but you are looking at spending between $1,500 - $2,000 to buy everything and get it professionaly installed. If you have some gear already and can do the install yourself, obviously you can save a few bucks and do it for less.

A new system has ipod plug ins and other nice features, but it all comes for a price ..... and when you are done, you have a system you have to worry about being stolen !

Good luck

Excellent.. thanks for the advice. I was looking at some of the more inconspicuous aftermarket nav units; I'll be doing some more research shortly. As far as the Bose system goes... forgot to mention that I've got an L, so I'm currently running the L-model internally amplified head unit(with Alpine Type S 6.5" rounds all over that were scavenged from my old G1). I found an earlier thread I did some brainstorming on... this might clarify what I'm thinking about on the head unit end: Is this a crazy idea, or...?

I'm also considering the easier route and just grabbing the 80W internally amped 2200... stock look but with a little bit more power; should be able to run a decent setup if I don't mind not having a sub in the car. I am a little worried about theft since my roommate's truck has been broken into three times and someone tried to make off with my CA5 Accord(failed miserably; cars don't work well with alternator fuses and ignition coil leads pulled off ), I don't want anything that will attract the attention of neighborhood lowlifes.

[antik]

I'm inclined to agree in part with what Stu has said. You can certainly get better sound from an aftermarket setup but it's not going to be dirt cheap: to really do it, you have to expect to spend $1500+. $2000 certainly isn't unreasonable and really, the sky is the freakin' limit.

I disagree that the stock setup isn't flexible though: there are quite a few MBUS adapters that allow that CD changer wire to become remarkably versatile. You can generally get an aux input and keep your CD changer at a minimum and that's a heck of a start: would handle a zune or xm kit just fine.

The OEM changer pre-wiring is run down the driver's side of the car. This is unfortunate as the battery is on the driver's side of the engine compartment which means to run power wire down the passenger side, you have to snake around the engine bay and drill in or come into the car through the grommet behind the fuse panel in the driver's footwell and snake across somewhere in the interior (I feel that's just asking for noise though...)

I can appreciate the concern about theft but I'd say go big: the screen nav head units really look great in our cars and they get you everything you could want: satellite, aux, pre-amp level output, improved circuitry for better sound, etc.

As these units are expensive, I'd do this first and buy some RCA wiring (3 pairs) at the same time. There's enough room in the underpanel beneath the glove compartment to stash the wires if you don't feel like running them through the car right away: you can wire the speakers and such into the head's line level out for now. Then once it comes time for amps and all, you can run power down the driver's side, rca down the passenger side.

Once you're there, you can use whatever gear you want. By time you're done, you'll have a system that's superior to the OEM system in every way.

[IAmLegend]

IMO you're making things difficult.

Your head unit is the center of your sound system. You're seriously limiting yourself with the factory radio. I don't see the point in upgrading the speakers (unless their blown) only to keep the stock radio. The radio you ultimately decide on will tell you what possibilities you have with your sound system. They always say decide on the head unit first, then build your system around it.

If it were me personally and I decided I wanted to keep the Bose unit, I wouldn't even mess with the speakers or amps, because it's not going to sound that much better. It's an all or nothing type of deal with the Legend.

[CEN2MENTAL95]

Originally Posted by IAmLegend

It's an all or nothing type of deal with the Legend.

it's actually like that with EVERY car...every car is limited by its head unit and stock speakers, hell even speaker locations can limit options...

[Feuerstoss]

Hm. Interesting points. Firstly, I'm honestly a very minimalist kind of guy. I don't like lots of flashing lights, etc... I want whatever I put in my car to look like it came from the factory that way. I was considering the stock Bose HU since it is unamplified and would be easier hooking to an aftermarket amp(I have an L coupe which didn't come with Bose; I already have 4-ohm components in there as it is) and et cetera. The problems with wiring are making me lean towards getting a double-din screen, although here's where the minimalist approach comes in. I need the steering wheel controls to work(the SWI-X will work, although I'm trying to find one that will work with a direct plug-in option instead of mounting a remote eye somewhere), something that is simple to operate with no menus, etc... something where I can add a custom start-up screen would be nice.

Doing a little research, the Alpine IVA-W205 has caught my eye. Slightly older model, doesn't have navi built in but it can be added. Changer and sat radio control... and I believe the splash screen can be changed. Does anyone have experience with this head unit?

[IAmLegend]

Originally Posted by CEN2MENTAL95

it's actually like that with EVERY car...every car is limited by its head unit and stock speakers, hell even speaker locations can limit options...

Well my point was that with most cars you can swap a head unit in, and swap the speakers in the doors and have a decent sounding system. With the Legend, if you have the Bose amp behind the back seat, you can't upgrade the head unit without either bypassing the stock amp or running all new speaker wires. And if you're going to do that (bypass the amp) might as well do it all (aftermarket amp, new wires, new speakers) or it's nothing (remain stock).

[AckraMan]

hey im just wondering where you connect your remote wire from amp to? radio fuse or i have to splice some wire from the harness on the deck? im having trouble finding where to connect remote wire to, trrying to bang some music with my new sub

[IAmLegend]

Originally Posted by AckraMan

hey im just wondering where you connect your remote wire from amp to? radio fuse or i have to splice some wire from the harness on the deck? im having trouble finding where to connect remote wire to, trrying to bang some music with my new sub

Do you have an aftermarket or stock radio?

If aftermarket: Your aftermarket radio has a blue wire coming out of it (that may already be connected to the power antenna wire on your harness) that you need to splice into.

If stock, wire it to some switched source that provides +12v output when the key is in the accessory and/or on position.

Its best to wire it to the lead coming from your aftermarket head unit, this insures that your amp(s) will only draw power when the head unit is on.