nSanity

Hey guys, just something that i would like to ask that i havent been able to find the answer to on the forums as yet?

I dont have my 8 yet, but will be getting it soon, something thats been puzzling me is how would you do an install on the 8, what i mean is, looking at where the stock headunit is and the size of it, theres no easy way to swap it out and fit an aftermarket one, unless a new centre console is fabricated.

Also, noticed a few people have installed tv screen head units on the bit where your sat nav would go, but stock headunit is still there, how does this setup work? Do you leave the stock headunit in place but leave it inoperable and just run off the aftermarket one, or do u run it through the aux out or something??

Also, amps/subs .... can they be run through the stock headunit? I mean how good of a unit is it??

Thanks for the replies, just something that i've not really found answers for as of yet

Kel Rx8

its either expense and in my opinion a aftermarket (unless double din) looks
horrible in there.but the stock headunit has no issue's.u can retain some features like
the steering wheels functions.also if u decide to replace the headunit u will have to mount the stock headunit away in the vehicle.the a/c works thru it.unless u dont mind loosing the a/c.as for a amp/rca wire u can do what Im doing and other and get a line converter from the rear speakers.

Kel Rx8

this would look better in there if you are replacing the headunit
its a cheap replacement company but u get the idea

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/my-completed-system-67438/

Here's a pic of my install, all I did was add subs and an amp..oh..and a ton of custom fab in the rest of the trunk. We are running all the highs off the factory Bose and all the lows off the amp and it sounds fabulous, it really brought the Bose to life and made a tremendous difference. If you intend on replacing the oem unit it can be done, but with these cars it's a bit complicated as the HU is integrated with other parts of the car. (namely the climate controls). What you would have to do is lengthen a lot of wires, leave everything connected and relocate the factory unit somewhere else in the car. Then you have to build a panel that will fill the area around the aftermarket HU and try and get it painted to match etc. I'm sure as time progresses there will be install kits available (they might already be out there) but for now it's all custom work to make a single din fit in there and look right. (its been done by several folks and they all looked pretty awesome from what I saw). My fave thing about my install is when you look inside the car there's no evidence of a system at all

nSanity

Yeah, i remember looking at pics of your car canaryrx8. Awsome boot install, so the stock headunit is workable with a boot install, good to read. I've seen some pics of rx8s with aftermarket screen where the stock satnav would go, how does that work? Wired up separate from the stereo or through the stereo?

Its cool that you dont have evidence of a system in the car, until u crank it up that is :p

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

I'll be doing video down the road as Soundstream has an adapter/interface coming out that's going to change a lot options for people with nav (that's all I can say for now) and it will play through the stereo as well. I'ver seen a few with aftermarket but my goal is to get something working that keeps it stock and stealth