Stock Head unit with Subs??
 

Does anyone know if this can be done on the 8? I have hooked up a few different vehicles with subs and amps using the stock head unit using RCA converters by splicing into speaker wires. I did this on mine and it won't work. I heard it can't be done on the 8. Maybe I done something wrong. I dunno. Any help would be appreciated. I just don't wanna have to buy the dash kit lol. Can't see spending that much for plastic, I could build it out of fiberglass or mod mine for way cheaper.

You can do it on the stock deck using an Inline converter just simply sits behind your deck although will not sound as good with an aftermarket deck still does it justice of a sub I put an alpine 505 unit in mine 1000$ unit and the dashkit from metra was 300$ but luckily I use to work as car audio sales so I got it for cheap

do a search for Jedi stereo upgrade and youll see what he did while keeping the stock head unit

and the metra kit isnt for the plastic its so your A/C controls, which are currently connected through the stock head unit, will work the the aftermarket head unit

thanks guys I appreciate it. It was had me stumped

Do you have the bose system?

yes

You dont need an line level converter. Tap the signal line before the amp that is attached to the rear deck. Attachment 242593
This came from a thread on this site but I cannot remember which one. But anyway. Splice in (or you can make your own like I did) some rcas. The + goes to the center conductor on the rca and the - goes to the shield / outer conductor. You can get your switched 12v on the pink wire with black stripe. Just as a precaution I would insert a diode (I did) on the switched 12v line. It appears to goto ground. I have had some amps that did not like that in the past. But you may be perfectly fine without it. Its an easy install.

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/DSCN0439.jpg

You can do it but it sounds horrible. You won't lose Ac controls, only thing you lose is steering wheel controls on left , you'll keep your cruise , etc on right. You'll initially lose your ability to set your clock / temp but there's a fix for this in another thread.

I just traded in my 02 RSX Type S for a 2005 RX-8 over the weekend. I installed a set up in the RSX (it had a BOSE system in it) so i used the Line Out Converter like Therum said to tap into the factory amp. The RX-8 doesn't have a Bose system in it so would I use the line out converter and tap into the deck like mentioned? Also where should I run the antenna wire? should I run it to the accesories fuse? or would it work if I spliced that into the deck speakers as well?

Antenna wire??? What LOC do you have?

the antenna wire / remote wire from the amplifier. Idk if there are other names for it lol. In the RSX all I did was splice that into the remote wire already there for the Bose system.

For future reference for you:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/audio-headunit-frequently-asked-questions-have-question-look-here-first-226065/

Yes. Just tap off the rear speakers for your line output converter.

The remote turn on wire needs to be sent to a +12V ignition only source. I would recommend the rear cigarette lighter in the center console. Pop out the panel it's mounted in and tap into the green wire. Run the wire back to your amp. Now your amp will only be on when the key is in the ignition position.
https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...8&d=1070920111

Awesome! Thanks a lot! probly delaying my system installation a little more cause I think I can get a guy to buy my set up now for $300. If thats the case Im gunna buy a 12" Type R sub and 500watt RMS alpine amp to go with it for real cheap. my current system would take up the whole trunk.

There is a switched ignition wire located in the same harness where you will be tapping for signal. I will give you the wire color later today when I get a chance to look

Non-Bose. You saw that right?

Oh. Duh... Thats right. ;)

Thanks guys, as of now it looks like I'll be waiting til after the holidays to buy the new system. I will also have to set up a date with my buddy to use his 5 car garage with a lift (not that that is needed for this job) just beats installing it in a driveway during the winter lol

come on..
 

Hook me up with some cheap stuff too! ha

I have an 04 without the bose system and my amp for subs requires a system control wire to run. Just wondering what wire that is out of the stock deck? would rather have an idea before i start splicing everything together.

The non-Bose headunit doesn't have one. You'll need to splice it into any 12V ignition source. If you have that accessory cigarette lighter under the center arm rest, you can pop that out and use the green wire.

I tried this too and it still didn't work. but my 12v was not working as well. Could that be the problem?

..... what do you think?

How is that fixed? fuses? or buy a new one? first foreign car i've owned.. don't know much about it yet. had it for about 2 weeks...

Depends what you mean by "my 12V". If you mean the main power wire for the amp from the battery, then check all your connections and the main fuse you, hopefully, installed. If you mean you're getting no power out of that accessory socket at all, then check the fuse panel in the driver's kickpanel area. Obviously, either of these would prevent the amp from working.