rotary16

Recently acquired a very clean 2004 RX8 GT, 6 spd, Winning Blue with 86,000 miles. I have owned no less than 4 RX7's over the years. Last one was a 1984 GS, 13B with Racing Beat header/exhaust, Intake with Holley 600. The 12A that was swapped out when the 13B went in had a tad over 286,000 miles! True Story!


Kids came along, RX7 went to a new home.....Kids are older now.....So the RX8 followed me home!


I do have a question that I hope some of the vast knowledge on this forum could help with. Once I had acquired the 2004, I learned that getting Satellite radio is not going to be a simple plug and play situation. I really want Satellite Radio as I have had it for years in my other vehicles. I am 51 yoa and kinda set in my ways about stuff like that, lol. I live in a small South Carolina town named Graniteville (not far from Augusta, Ga.).


I have researched these forums but may have confused myself somewhat, so some questions if I may;


1. Is it possible to swap an OEM head unit from a later model S1 that has SAT button? If so, what else other than HU would be needed from donor?


2. IF I go aftermarket, how/will the new unit interface with the Bose System?


3. I have read that the Heat and A/C controls will be affected by an aftermarket system, How can this be remedied? Also, will the steering wheel controls be affected?


Any input or information is greatly appreciated.

gwilliams6

I don't know about swapping the later Series 1 head units with the Sat button, it probably is a direct swap since the Sat. parts are internal. But even if you did that the two Sat. unit parts that you need to complete the Sat setup are no longer available from Mazda or any aftermarket outlet. They were listed as Mazda accessories in the Mazda catalog for the Series 1 and also still listed on many aftermarket vendors sites, but are no longer available. I know this because I have a 2008 40th Anniversary edition RX8 and wanted to upgrade my Sat-ready unit to Sirius and searched as well as my Mazda dealer and those two necessary parts are no longer available for purchase, so you will probably have to just go to a new satellite radio setup that you can wire into your amplifier and speakers. The Series 2 Sat.radio kits are still available.

Maybe someone out here on the forum has better news about this. I know this a bummer as I am 63 and love all the old hits available on Sirius without commercials, great for long trips which i take often in my RX8.

rotary16

I am thinking that I could get everything I would need from a SAT ready car that is being parted out?


I hope I can go that route before the aftermarket option...


Thanks for the response.

gwilliams6

This is important to understand, even if the Series 1 is Sat ready like mine, you still have to add the additional two parts kit sold as an accessory by Mazda to be able to actually have the Sirius radio work. without those two additional pieces the Sat radio is NOT complete and won't work,even in a Sat-Ready unit. Those two pieces are no longer available new anywhere. NO Series 1 RX8s, except some Shinka model RX8s , came from the factory with the full complete Sat. Kit installed. You would have to find someone with the completed Shinka kit or who had bought the additional two pieces to the Sat-ready kit and completed the Sat radio, and was willing to sell all the pieces to you.

If you have a Sat ready Mazda RX8 OEM setup, the two parts you then need are :
0000-81-K02B: Sat Radio Inst. $14.95;
0000-81-G01B (interchanges with G01A):Main Kit, Sat Ra $347.95
(Mazda Dealer prices)

These are the two parts that are no longer available new anywhere. Hopefully there is someone out there that has them and is willing to sell for a reasonable price. I am still looking.