Pioneer AVIC-Z1 Total Stereo Replacement In Progress
 

Heya all. It has been a LONG time since I've posted on this forum but I still have my 8 and I'm doing the crazy. The stock radio is coming out and I am doing a fully customized dash install with a Pioneer AVIC-Z1 NAV/DVD unit. It is the 7 inch screen with the 30GB Hard Drive. The guys who are doing it are AutoMat of Hicksville, NY.

They are well known to work on cars of all kinds. They're installers are professionals in customized dash work. The install ISN'T cheap so I'll get that out of the way right now. Price doesn't matter to me as long as the install is quality, looks great, and functions as it should. Basically, everything will look stock (the factory piano black dash), and I will lose nothing except probably the middle of our LCD panel that shows the factory radio's station information, ect. The temp and HVAC controls will all remain. I will be taking some pictures of the install tomorrow (HIGH QUALITY PICTURES) and posting them up in this thread as frequently as possible during the entire installation process.

They have given me an estimate of no more than 3 or 4 days. That number I may be hesitant about since I know it has taken others who have done this much, much longer. But what I do know is that the shop will have multiple people working on the car, so who knows... maybe 3 or 4 days isn't a pipe dream. We shall see... and I shall keep you all updated on the progress.

Wish us luck...

you just better be sure that they will not tap the wrong wires.

I live in queens and I used to go to old westbury so I think I know where is the place ... if the install comes out to be good (no malfunctions), I might drop mine as well !

What price did they quite you, if you dont mind me ask (for the install).

Okay, after two days of non-stop work, I have some pictures of this install. So far, the Pioneer AVIC-Z1 is working and the steering wheel controls are working perfectly with controlling the Z1 unit. The dash piece has been sent to the bodyshop in order to paint it the original piano black. After dismantling the PCB circuit board that controls the LCD/Heating/Radio, we have found out that since I do not have the factory NAV, that we're able to mount the factory head unit beneath the plastic dash where the factory NAV unit would go. The installer is a pro at building and working with circuit boards so we basically cut EVERYTHING that wasn't necessary. The factory head unit will not have to be mounted in the trunk; instead only a few inches away tucked in where the factory NAV unit would go if I had one. That right there should eliminate any and all resistance issues that people have run into. I'll have pics of the finished (painted) piece in a day or so.

A good part of today was spent soldering and extending the wires a few inches so it will reach the factory head unit, a good 60 something wires were meticulously extended and soldered. I will try to get pics of that as well.

And now, some pictures for you all! Forgive me for the BIG file sizes...

Oh, and I should have my car back on either Thursday or Friday. So basicallyn 4-5 days of work and about 60+ hours of labor. That's the ridiculous crap Mazda is putting us through to just correctly replace the factory radio. Insanity huh???

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If anyone has any questions, then feel free to ask. Oh, and to answer the above questions, the install is running me close to $1600. As you can see, the price is definitely justified for the amount and quality of the work being done. Basically, is making a whole new front dash and rewiring a shitload of wires and editing a circuit board. If it were billed hourly, it would probably cost more than that.

that's pretty sweet.

Cool, keep us updated. I'll probably be going to them to lower my seats (My head keeps hitting the ceiling). (Need to get a 2nd estimate and setup aCool, keep us updated. I'll probably be going to them to lower my seats (My head keeps hitting the ceiling). (Need to get a 2nd estimate and setup an appointment for next month)

I'm glad to hear good stuff about them. They definitely seemed like they are a high quality shop.
napointment for next month)

Wow.....your ballzy.....Hows it goin anyway?

Well, so far, so good. I might not have anymore pictures until tomorrow because now that basically almost all the wiring is complete, it is a waiting game for the bodyshop to finish painting the dash piece. After that comes back, the relocation of the stock deck commences. The hardest part is still to come though and that is hooking up all the extended wires and making sure the LCD has no problems working perfectly.

After seeing the amount and the quality of work these guys do, I have the utmost confidence that everything will come out perfect.

Ballsy am I? You could say that... but I'm a car audiophile and navigation would come in super handy for the line of work I am in. I'll keep you all updated!

shit i might take my car up there to have mine done

Congratulations! I think you are the second documented person to successfully do a 2DIN swap. Hardhitter being the first. One of the things you have managed to do that no one have solved was the head unit. I'm surprised to read you guys are able to stuff it in the place of the factory nav location. That solves the resistance issue with extending the wires all the way to the trunk as well as keeping everything stealthy. I have wanted to try doing something like this for a long time. Thanks for being one of the trail blazers. Would you be able to point out what part of the circuit board is needed and what can be taken out? can the whole head unit be kept intact and still be placed in the factory nav location? Is your hazard light switch in the same location? How will you set your clock? Thanks.

wow cant wait to see this!!

Do you have the bose system or the standard stereo?

Standard. But I replaced the speakers with all high-end Boston Acoustics.

Boston Acoustics Pro60 up front in the door w/ tweeters. Boston Acoustics Pro60 6½ Competition 2-Way

Boston Acoustics SL95 Two Way 6x9 in the rear. Boston Acoustics SL95 2-Way 6x9

All the Bostons are powered by an Alpine MRV-F545 4 channel amp. Alpine MRV-F545 4-Channel Amp

The amp is pushing ABOUT 100x4 RMS to the speakers. I'm thinking about bi-amping the Boston Pro60's up front and getting a smaller 2 channel amp to amp the Boston SL95 6x9's in the back eventually.

Right now, it sounded awesome with the stock, non-Bose deck. I can only imagine how much more awesome it will sound with the Pioneer Z1 now that the signal from the radio will be much cleaner. I'm expecting the range from mid-base to highs will be greatly enhanced. Now all I need is a Boston Acoustics 10 inch G5 subwoofer.


When everything is all said and done, I will let you know about setting the clock. I've talked to the installer about it and I'm sure he has something practical in mind. The hazard light switch is in the exact same location as it was before. In regards to the head unit and circuit board. I plan on getting the exact information from him either today or tomorrow. And actually, I think he's been reading this forum and this post so if he so desires, maybe he will register on these forums himself and explain the whole thing because I sure as hell will mess up explaining all this to you guys and gals. :scratchhe

Oh baby. I just saw the finished dash piece and it is freaking GORGEOUS! Looks exactly the piano black color that it should. All that needs to be done now is hook up the LCD and mount the factory radio and all shall be done. i'll have pictures probably when the install is done this Mon/Tuesday. Can't wait until it is finally done.

On a side note, the guys at AutoMat (the installer's name is Darren) are doing ANOTHER RX-8 next week! It seems like someone with an RX-8 was referred to them by the same audio shop that referred me and now they're doing another RX-8.

Apparently the other RX-8's owner bought the factory nav assembly and screen. Darren at AutoMat is replacing the factory nav screen with a Kenwood touch screen and installing a seperate DVD playerand the Kenwood Garmin navigation system. The factory radio will remain and the DVD player will probably use the AUX-IN on the factory radio somehow. Cool huh?

I think my installation is still quite a bit tougher to do though. But I'm sure both installs will come out looking sweet. If ANYONE wants an aftermarket single din/double din replacement for their RX-8 and live close to the Long Island/New York/Tri-State area, then I recommend you bring your car to AutoMat.

Here's the information:

AutoMat
69 Hazel Street
Hicksville, NY 11801
Ph: 516.938.7373
www.autointeriors.biz

So far so good save for the installer has used one of the most unreliable connections known to man, the dreaded Scotch Lok connection. Get that connection out of there and have him solder the wire. Sheesh, $1600 on install and Scotch Loks are used.....

I too have done a new head unit with no resistance based issues and the factory boards left in the front of the car, no relocation. Just a insane amount of small wires to extend about a foot is all. Can't say I look forward to it again.

can you make me one? how much i send you the peice to canada, thanks....

Er, make you one what?

He wants a new dash panel made for a dvd unit. Can I make one, yes. Minimum of $700.00 CDN. I have a spare dash at my shop for this very application.

$700 CDN? Wow, that's like $1 USD!!

...kidding, kidding! lol

Okay, I have some pics of everything almost done. I needed my car for work for the next few days so he wasn't able to put the stock dash LCD back in yet but everything IS working; I just kinda yanked it away from him for a few days otherwise, no work = no pay. ...and I need pay, lol.


These aren't the best pics in the world, as I didnt adjust my Digital SLR perfectly or probably didn't even use the right type of lens for these kinds of shots, but bask in teh glorious of the aftermarket Pioneer AVIC-Z1 and one hell of a talented install job!

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...er... oops! How did that last one get in there? Heehee...

Anyways, the dash piece piano black is phenominal. I know the pictures will NEVER do it justice but I think it looks better than the factory stock finish. Fit and placement is amazing and it couldn't look any better than it does right now in my honest opinion. When my factory stock LCD is put in place, I'll take some final pictures and then my first MAJOR mod (besides speakers) will be done! In case you're wondering, everything works flawlessly (including steering wheel controls)!

Next up will be a Pionner Bluetooth module for the AVIC-Z1, XM Satellite Radio and XM Nav-Traffic and Sirius Satellite Radio as well (if I don't like the XM programming), maybe a TV tuner, iPod adapter, and a Boston G5 10-inch sub or two Boston G2 10-inch subs and an Alpine Class D mono amp, still considering the Pioneer Dolby Digital/DTS digital sound processor and center channel, perhaps a Boston Acoustic two-tweeter ambient sound imaging system, black or hyperblack rims, then maybe an extra screen somewhere (in glovebox or ceiling drop down), a Python 2-way, some different ambient lighting around the car be it neon or LED, then perhaps some outside graphics, and I'm doing a two-tone leather conversion in either black and white or black and silver heathed AND cooled leather. Of course I will be taking more pictures. All this will be done at my new favorite auto shop (and the same wonderful people who did this awesome stereo installation); AUTOMAT of Hicksville, New York!

Once everything is all said and done when I bring my car back for the final LCD fitment and to finish paying off this install, I think I'll treat Darren (the installer) to dinner or buy him a case of beer. He deserves this. He worked his ASS off on my car and did one hell of an awesome job!

I am so jealous!

Thanks for buying the nice Pioneer equipment:) Helps me keep a job!!

I am going to assume that you currently work for Pioneeer?

AWESOME! I would be willing to pay $1600 for an instillation like that as long as everything was guaranteed. Again, thats freaking sweet. Congrats! Ask the guy at AutoMat if he could reccommend anyone near North Carolina to go to for work like that. Amazing! :ylsuper: :rock:

Ok, I'm about to go down this same road and I have the same question another user did.

Can you verify which parts of the PCB you need to keep, and how you're going to set the clock?