l008com

http://www.whatsmyip.org/lib/rx8-aux-ipod-input/

I just wanted to show off how I installed my iPod, but people tell me this is really good just as far as radio removal and installation goes. So here's the link. What it shows in full is:
Remove your radio, take it apart, solder up an AUX Audio input, the all important putting the radio back together, then put the radio back in your car. LOTS more pictures than the average tutorial.

Mick8

There is a "Tape/MD" button on the radio. Couldn't that input be used instead of splicing into the CD input?

l008com

Yeah there's a whole other hack for that. You need to buy a tape module to do that one though, and tape modules are close to $200. Doing the CD input way costs about $4 for a cable. Also someone is working on a plug in module that goes where a tape module goes and has RCA inputs. But there's no telling when this is all going to be done. I wanted my iPod NOW.

RX-8 Pimpin'

Loo8, you are the man! I just added the AUX input and it works flawlessly with the carputer. I had to add a ground loop isolator, but it's all good now! Thanx for the great DIY.

keyek

I'm just getting started on the mod now. How do you make the ground loop isolater and where does it connect???? Thanks!

l008com

You might not need one. I didn't. I don't know why other than maybe my Belkin iPod adapter maybe has one built in?

Durahl

Holy crud! I did the same hack a while back and took a few pics, but I didn't think to take as many pics as you did. Great DIY!! It's perfect. Mine is still working flawlessly and I love it. Anyone looking for a fairly easy aux-in hack should follow this DIY to the letter.


btw, I needed the Ground Loop Isolator for my install (20 bucks at Radio Shack)

l008com

Did you use an ipod or audio from something else? It must be that the belkin ipod car adapter thing has one built in

thew

i have the PIE adapter now For sale inmy Vendor forum
good deal foru club members

Also WE have all the P.I.E. Stuff SO i have your ISO's Wire, CAps..

hotpot

Very well documented hack indeed.
The only thing I would do differently is to solder female RCA plugs/sockets to the HU instead of the mini-jack plug. I would then connect a male RCA/mini-jack cable to the female RCA plugs. This way, if I want to remove the HU again, I can just unplug the RCA plugs without having to touch the mini-jack cable..

BlueGrimRX8

So how will this work if you have the stock 6 disc changer? Will it work?

l008com

I would imagine that it would work the same, and just stick the 'blank' cd on loop on the cd changer. But I've never seen the 6 disc so I don't know.

thew

umm.. Why arent you using the PIE aux input ?

l008com

because i did this one before the PIE thing was available, and besides, mine's much cheaper.

thew

good point but the pie was always here.. we just did not understand the firmware issues..

But also the P.I.E. is a very high quility input. It will allow you to use an Alpine CD controller as well. and accese it via the OEM controlls.. its just that we are converting that box to a RCA input for the other usees.. But for $90.49 shipped to Rx8 members free .. how can you beat that ..

BlueGrimRX8

Well I am about to get XM for christmas and it seems more economical to spend the $4 on the RCA cable instead of the $80 on the PIE. Is there an advantage the PIE has over the CD Hack. Besides having to do the sodering and losing my factory warr. on the radio. I have read 100's of posts and haven't been able to find an advantage to one over the other, and I also haven't been able to find someone who has done this to the CD Changer.

I also read thew somewhere that people with NAV have had problems with the PIE is this true?

I am interested in your CarPC though and would love to be able to replace the factory screen with another touchscreen and still get the NAV in to the aftermarket screen since I bought the NAV already....., any ideas?

Thanks for all the input and if there are some advantages I will be more than happy to shell out the $80.

thew

Yes.. sound quality for one.. 2. your Warranty, 3. you spent 28,000 on your car at least so why not get the right part for the right job.!! ?

As long as your HU is 9.55 or higher you will have no issues Nav or not. IF you don't have 9.55 or higher I can upgrade your HU for you.

To put this in perspective. I only recommend the Tape or CD hack to peeps that live over seas and don't have a USA spec rx8 .. both the hack require a fake disk or Tape.. and then you will hear hum from those sources.. ..

Why would you want to go this path. The Pie Kit will not void your warranty and you get to push the CD button a 2nd time and then you get your new input !!

Easy as PIE ..

As for the replacement of the screen to a touch screen maybe someday. but not now.. for now you will have a wireless mouse device or remote

l008com

You can beat that ($90.49) by buying a $4 audio cable and doing the hack. You still need to buy the ipod adapter either way.

thew

ok,, if you say so .. but I like may Warranty on my new car.. and I love my clean audio.. I undrestand why you did the hack.. I to had the hack in my Cd unit.. but the Sound diffrance is like night and day.. you get all the full range and the ease of a full 6 disk changer full of real disk's all 6 ! and then i push one button and have my MP3 and or DVD audio ..

l008com

But I never use CDs anymore, so its no inconvenience for me to have a CD in there all the time. And My audio is 100% clear! Its as clear as a CD is. As far as the warranty goes, I'm sure if i took everything apart, and tore the wires out of the radio, and put it all back together, then brought it in for service, I'm sure they would never even know i had mod'ed the radio.

And what hum are you talking about from the cd player?

BlueGrimRX8

Just out of curiosity what does the display read when you push it the second time to access whatever is connected to the PIE?

thew

EX1, Ex2, Ex3... - EX6

there are 6 inputs and the display will show what ever inputs you have hot.

It will flash EX1 while your Audio is active.

thew

IF you turn on your CD/RCA hack.. run the volume all the way up.. with no audio coming into the rca hack and listineg for Audio you will most likely hear Hum,, and Hiss at higher volume levels.

There should be no noise at all.. And one more thing..
Rember that Mazda does read these forums. If your HU ever goes bad they will remove it and replace it.. Then it will get sent off to a shop that repairs and diognoses them .. They will see your hack .. But you are right none of it matters.. its all up to your taste.

Yes you can buy a 4 dollare rca cable and then open you cd and then solder on to it.. but most people will not do that to there cars. and want a plug and play solution.
For them they can have there PIE and eat it to

truemagellen

this is crazy...'in theory' the $4 hack is a good idea but in application it is not...yes the sound quality is poorer and yes it voids the warranty, and yes it requires taking apart the HU and soldering to it...blah blah blah...but the really issue here and the reason I never did this hack is...

YOU HAVE TO HAVE DAMN BLANK CD RUNNING ALL THE TIME! I don't want to have to take out the CD I'm listening to...insert a dummy blank one just to listen to my DVD player or MP3 player!!!!!!! What is the point of having a Mode button on the steering wheel when you get to CD and you have to change CDs to listen to nothing

I love being able to switch between a CD and my mp3 player on the fly from the steering wheel...there is nothing more to say really

l008com

its not in a position i can take a picture of. But its only an inch long, and screws through metal and directly into the side of the radio, so you should be able to look at your dash and stick your hand up there and get a good idea of where the bolt should be.