First of all, thanks to Thew of RX8Garage for the PIE parts and questions answered as well as IndyFlyboy and others with XM Commander who came before me.

The XM Commander provides FM Modulation or Direct Output via RCA jacks. Wanting to get the highest quality possible, I went the direct output way and used the PIE adapter and PIE cable to tap into the CD changer port on the head unit.

I used this excellent set of head unit removal instructions to remove the head unit and install the PIE adapter Cable.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/fully-illustrated-ipod-install-35400/

I decided to go ahead and wire this setup to also accomodate a portable MP3 player. To facilitate this I ran RCA type Y splitters into the PIE, connecting one set of L and R channels to the XM Commander and the other set to a RCA out cable with input from 1/8" stereo jack which can be plugged into the headphone output on a portable MP3 player. In this fashion, the PIE and therefore the factory head unit can accept input from either source. The following shows the wiring setup prior to installation. By using the PIE, all radio controls such as volume buttons on the steering wheel work in the same fashion for your external source just like they do for the factory radio.



I installed both the PIE and the XM control unit under the dash to the left of the existing head unit. There are plenty of choices here using wire ties for the PIE as it is very light weight and velcro attacments for the XM head unit.





I tapped into the interior fuse box for acc and direct battery power using add a circuit clips (XM Commander requires acc power, direct always on battery power and a ground). A ground loop isolator is also required either on the power or RCA cables going into the PIE to elminate alternator whine and electrical system feedback.

I chose to mount the antenna for the XM on the dash in the rounded portion right behind the steering wheel. The antenna is very small and shaped like a computer mouse and this does not obstruct the drivers view in any fashion and the wiring run is very clean and barely visible at all. Others have reported no reception problems installing the antenna on the dash and I can verify this, there is no problem with reception.



I modified the face of the XM display unit to glow red as IndyFlyboy had done, using cellophane fruit wrap colored transparent red. You can get this at hobby/craft stores or discount stores. Simply cut a piece a little larger than the display face and remove the plastic cover of the XM Commander, laying the cellophane over the display and reinstall the plastic cover. In this fashion the display glows a reddish/pink color and ties into the interior light display on the RX-8 for those like me who need color coordination!

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/make-xm-commander-match-your-interior-%3D-16174/

I installed the XM commander as well as the MP3 input cable in the ashtray holder removing the cig lighter as well as the plastic divider in the ashtray holder between the ashtray itself and the cig lighter. The XM display unit is very light in weight and is attached with velcro. I also used black plastic from a 3 ring binder that matches the interior of the RX-8 by cutting a section to match the shape of the ashtray. I glued this piece in the ashtray prior to mounting the XM display unit. The provides a clean background free of scratches or imperfections from modifying the ashtray holder. I have about 3-4 inches of MP3 input cable and which simply lays in the ashtray holder alongside the XM display unit.

Here are the pics of the final install. My digital camera is not the greatest in terms of quality. It looks nice and clean and I am pleased with both the install and the quality of the XM unit and MP3 input. The auxiliary input on the factory head unit is controlled by pressing the CD button which toggles input from your factory CD changer to the external units, in this case XM or MP3. By removing the plastic divider in the ashtray holder, you can accomodate all this and still close the ashtray holder door for a very clean installation as shown

 

looks awsome... nice install.

 

So that will work on the 2004 RX-8 as long as you get the pie adaptor (not just 2005 RX8)? If it will work on 04, im not very handy AT ALL, any ideas of the type of place to give someone the parts and have them install the XM, as per the instructions above? (i know i know,stupid question, but im stupid about this stuff, so enlighten me). Or any handy person in pacific northwest i can hire? I really dont want to use FM modulation. i have a 2004 RX8 GT with cd changer. thanks

 

You can plug any audio device into the pie adapter (assuming the audio device has rca outputs) and you have firmware 9.55 or above. You may find it difficult to get the PIE adapter. They seem to be backordered for months now.

 

Are all 2004s a certain firmware #? how do you find out what your firmware # is? Thanks

 

All 2004's are not the same firmware. Here is the method to check the firmware.

"To check firmware on the HU Push and hold the text button while holding it also hold the 1 preset. This will tell you your Firmware. if you do it wrong you will clear your memory for preset 1 and the screen will say clear. Just make sure you hold the text button in and then push the preset 1."

 

The XM Roady 2 has a 3.5mm ministereo jack, can that be converted to rca outputs? If not i may have to go with XM commander not Roady2 it sounds like. My RX-8 is being shipped to me so I cant check the firmware. I may have a hard time getting the dealer to do it for me before he ships it since he already seems not too happy about the low price, but I'll see. So some 2004s may not be 9.55 firmware or above it sounds like?

 

If your firmware is below 9.55 and you live in the US you can have it upgraded to 9.67 by thew at rx8garage.net.

 

How is the volume from your XM with this setup? I have a similar setup with the Roady2 and the volume is way too low. I'll switch if this setup works better.

Thanks!

 

What model PIE units did you use? I have a single CD player now, will it still work after installing the PIE adapter? What do you press to get your AUX to work.

Thanks,
Lou

 

Press the CD button again to switch to AUX.

I ran the headphone cable i had along the console into the cupholder...

 

Where do you guys get the PIE adaptor?

 

read the first line of the post!

 

Any where else?

 

http://www.pie.net/ is the manufacturer. They have a list of distributors.

 

This firmware display trick does not seem to work on a 2005 8, so am I to ASSUME that it will work with the PIE adapter?

Edit: It does work on an 05. You have to push in text (and hold it) then immediately push in preset 1 (and hold it) and the version comes up. If you delay too much between buttons as I was doing it will not work.

Anyone know if you can use the factory add ins (MP3 player) AND the PIE connected at the same time?

Edit again: Since the MP3 player replaces the standard CD deck, then the MP3 and the PIE should work fine together.

Thanks,

Dennis

 

Well, I successfully did this yesterday - but wasn't the XM - just a PIE to a audio cable to plug my MP3 player into. Works like a champ!

Stew

 

The PIE is very clear. I was impressed.