First off if anyone can tell me how to get the pictures inline that would help. Usually on most boards it is just link

I had to have an aux-in port in my RX-8 but didn't want the shady CD hack. So i went with the GROM audio adapter. It mimics a CD changer so you can just hit the CD button a second time and have an aux in. They have ipod and other adapters as well but i just wanted a 3.5mm jack

Items needed:

http://www.gromaudio.com/store/aux_adapters/mazda_02+_aux_adapter__direct_digital_interface_.h tml
A Panel mount 3.5mm jack from Parts Express (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=090-317)
Anything that has at least a 3.5mm on one end will work. i used about 5 feet to get the connector to the place where I wanted it. Here a 6 foot cable at Radio Shack. (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102949&filterName=Brand&filterValue=RadioShack)
Drill
Phillips Screwdriver
Flat head to pry up parts.
10mm socket with long extension and ratchet.


First off you need to get behind the radio. there are tons of guides out there for that and i don't want to have to rehash that so for now here is a link. Follow it thru step 6 and that is all you need.

http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/

Then also you will need to remove the entire center console. Start with this first screw in front of the cup holders.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_i8nQv4Ciyuo/TS3P3lMvFEI/AAAAAAAAFSk/cpmVUvSeC7s/s1024/DSC_0997.JPG

Then remove the felt in the cellphone area and remove the one screw there.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_i8nQv4Ciyuo/TS3MwY3wWmI/AAAAAAAAFRs/_ngfGR5rKhc/s1024/DSC_0999.JPG

Now there are two move in the rear cargo pocket, and two more under the truck/rear seat divider.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_i8nQv4Ciyuo/TS3Mygy-MII/AAAAAAAAFR8/GRkCLsBAzkM/s1024/DSC_0002.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_i8nQv4Ciyuo/TS3Mx2nLyRI/AAAAAAAAFR4/MPoq46Cn0Bo/s1024/DSC_1006.JPG

Now pop the 12volt power plug from the console (disconnect the cable obviously)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_i8nQv4Ciyuo/TS3MqvyrT_I/AAAAAAAAFRI/ROCSgtY7zXw/s1024/DSC_0975.JPG

Drill the Hole and place the connector.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_i8nQv4Ciyuo/TS3MrD2kG7I/AAAAAAAAFRM/yXUxDKncp4c/s1024/DSC_0978.JPG

There are three prongs. Two silver and one gold. One of the silver prongs is longer then the rest (the one in the middle) That is the ground. I combined the grounds from both the right and the left audio to make one ground. then the other silver is the left audio, in my case the black wire. The gold was the right audio and in my case a red wire.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_i8nQv4Ciyuo/TS3Mrfksz-I/AAAAAAAAFRQ/XH7lXBQ6Zxs/s1024/DSC_0982.JPG

Then i put the GROM box (1) behind the A/C controls and put the cd changer wire/connector up into the radio compartment (2) and feed the 3.5mm wire up from the center arm rest. (3)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_i8nQv4Ciyuo/TS3MuqIDleI/AAAAAAAAFSc/VNIpVZUUh30/s720/DSC_0994.JPG

I then started reassembly with the GROM unit plunged into the head unit.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_i8nQv4Ciyuo/TS3MthTArLI/AAAAAAAAFSw/2E_QGOi1imo/s1024/DSC_0990.JPG

All Done :)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_i8nQv4Ciyuo/TS3Mww7CS_I/AAAAAAAAFRw/a1NIiU6x0FY/s720/DSC_1002.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_i8nQv4Ciyuo/TS3MxAyVkDI/AAAAAAAAFR0/FfJHr6BqAqc/s1024/DSC_1005.JPG

What year is your 8? I have an 05 gt.. do you think my head unit will take this?.. single CD and Bose speakers..

My cd player stopped working a while ago, and both of my power outlets in the car also lol. any ideas on those?

What year is your 8? I have an 05 gt.. do you think my head unit will take this?.. single CD and Bose speakers..

My cd player stopped working a while ago, and both of my power outlets in the car also lol. any ideas on those?

Mine is an 05 aswell. you may want to check your fuses though. Kinda odd if anything else would be the cause of the power plugs not working.

I don't think you want to use that 3.5mm panel mount input from Radio Shack as that is Mono.

Hey, could you post the product ID that you had for that 3.5mm on Digikey?

First off if anyone can tell me how to get the pictures inline that would help.

Yeah, its just DirectLink

pretty kool setup

Hey, could you post the product ID that you had for that 3.5mm on Digikey?

Here is a link to the headphone jack. I found it cheaper on Parts Express. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=090-317

Yeah, its just DirectLink

Tried. It just makes it a direct link. Maybe it had something to do with me being new here... No idea.

Also, I noticed that there are three prongs on the back of the input module, which wire grounds to what on the back of that from the 3.5mm cable; did you by chance get a picture of the for the noobs in the room?

Also, I noticed that there are three prongs on the back of the input module, which wire grounds to what on the back of that from the 3.5mm cable; did you by chance get a picture of the for the noobs in the room?

Like you noticed there are three prongs. Two silver and one gold. One of the silve prongs is longer then the rest (the one in the middle) That is the ground. I combined the grounds from both the right and the left audio to make one ground. then the other silver is the left audio, in my case the black wire. The gold was the right audio and in my case a red wire.

How is the quality?

How is the quality?

Perfect. There is really no loss.

ZOMG, now I'm all excited to drop my other idea to do this one :-o

im having trouble removing the center plug after removing the climate control plug. I just cant figure out how to unplug it. i can get my hand in there, just cant figure out where the tab is.

any suggestions?

im having trouble removing the center plug after removing the climate control plug. I just cant figure out how to unplug it. i can get my hand in there, just cant figure out where the tab is.

any suggestions?

Find someone with smaller hands... lol it is a pain for sure I was able to get it after about 10 minutes off fussing and cussing. I ended up using a small flat head to press the tab with one hand, then pulling the plug out with the other, while holding the price with my chin.

Good luck

Thanks for the write up, it's great, but I'm a little confused. Did you plug the RadioShack aux cable into the grom box, cut the other end and connect it to the 3.5mm jack? Is that a simple process? I noticed you said you combined the grounds, isn't there only one ground on the audio jack, what else are you referring to? I've never spliced cables together, or soldered anything, but I'm sure I could figure it out.

Thanks!

Thanks for posting this thread it helped me find a good product.

Thanks for the write up, it's great, but I'm a little confused. Did you plug the RadioShack aux cable into the grom box, cut the other end and connect it to the 3.5mm jack? Is that a simple process? I noticed you said you combined the grounds, isn't there only one ground on the audio jack, what else are you referring to? I've never spliced cables together, or soldered anything, but I'm sure I could figure it out.

Thanks!

Sorry it took me a while to get back with you. Yes, You just cut off one end of the cable at the right length you need and strip the wires back. When I mentioned combining the grounds it is a reference to the Shielded part of the cable AND the ground wire in the bundle. They should both be grounded to avoid interference. You could however leave the shield out if you like but I wouldn't.

Soldering is fun, and there are tons of videos. I'm spoiled having done a lot of it I own a nice iron with a fine tip, this maybe hard with cheaper irons as they heat the wire up ALOT and can melt the cover off of the 24+ gauge wires. Just be careful and buy heat shrink to cover your solders. Make it nice ;)

Sorry it took me a while to get back with you. Yes, You just cut off one end of the cable at the right length you need and strip the wires back. When I mentioned combining the grounds it is a reference to the Shielded part of the cable AND the ground wire in the bundle. They should both be grounded to avoid interference. You could however leave the shield out if you like but I wouldn't.

Soldering is fun, and there are tons of videos. I'm spoiled having done a lot of it I own a nice iron with a fine tip, this maybe hard with cheaper irons as they heat the wire up ALOT and can melt the cover off of the 24+ gauge wires. Just be careful and buy heat shrink to cover your solders. Make it nice ;)

Awesome, thanks for replying, I appreciate it! I figured that's what you meant. I will be sure to check out some videos on soldering. I recently just quit working at RadioShack, so I think some of my old coworkers can get me a deal on a soldering iron. What gauge/type of solder should be used for something like this? I'm definitely doing this aux install in the same place you did very soon. Can't wait. Thanks again for the write up!