I am going to augment Remy's flimsy stereo set-up and in the planning I came across a couple questions I am wondering if someone can help me with. First, and perhaps the easiest, does anyone know how much room there is under the passenger seat? What is in the space under the bolster? Lastly, does anyone know of anyway, any adapter, any wiring setup to create an auxillary input into the stock head?

Any help, information, would be appreciated.

Gracias!

 

How much space? A generous area but only a couple inches of height, enough for a small amp but probably not enough for a CD changer.

Bolster? I think you mean the hump in the passenger floor? If that's the case it's for the exhaust system (the cat or a resonator or something)

Into the stock head? No, I don't think there is and even if there were I don't think you'd want to. If you really want to keep the stock head unit you could get a line converter (MTX's LSX1 for example) that takes both speaker and low-level RCA inputs and sends the signal to a separate amplifier. That way you'd just turn off your head unit to listen to whatever other device you have.

But if you're going to go that far, you may as well get a new head unit that has aux inputs already built in...just my $.02

-Jason

 

Sorry. I'm new to the mod scene. I thought the "bolster" is where the convertible top folds down. You know... that plastic tub? There seems to be some space between the trunk and the plastic behind the seats. As far as the stock head, I would sort of like to keep it, because I like the controls on the dash. I was hoping to be able to plug in an accessory device (ie. MP3 player) into the stock head. The signal seems to be good enough quality-wise, but lacking on the power end (obviously).... So. I saw a consultant the other day and we worked out a high-end component system and an amplifier. The sub question is where...? Have people cut into the plastic behind the seats? Will an amplifier fit under the passenger seat? I have heard of, as has the consultant, of a subwoofer that fits atop the spare tire (granted I'm not talking about 1000W items here). Any suggestions? I am interested in preserving as much of the stock as possible. Thank you for your time.

 

Ah yes, the plastic tub. On the right side is the spare tire, on the left is some fuel tank stuff, and maybe enough room for a small amplifier. I'm sure there are amplifiers that will fit under the passenger seat - but amps come in all shapes and sizes so somebody'll have to measure to see if the one you want will fit.

People have cut into the plastic behind the seats, and have mounted small (usually 4") rear speakers there to good effect. There's even the capability of the stock head unit to power rear speakers if you wish - do a search on "rear speakers" or member Lucid - he's the one most involved in that setup.

It is possible to retain the dash controls with an aftermarket head unit, as long as the new unit has an infrared remote. The solution involves a device called the PAC SWI-3 that receives the dash control signal then emits an IR command learned from your remote. Member Pinky sells head units all programmed and ready to go - a "plug and play" solution.

Some have looked into the Bose subwoofer available for the new RSX (the spare tire sub) but I'm not sure if it is yet known whether it will work with the S2000 or not. The most common sub setup is a prefab or custom box in the trunk well containing the spare tire tools.

One thing I hadn't thought of- if you got an FM modulator for your MP3 device, you could just tune into an unused FM frequency on your stock head unit to listen to your MP3s. I've seen CD changers installed that way sometimes. Your stereo consultant will be able to tell you more...

Enjoy!

 

Hey JZR! Great stuff. Thanks. I doubt however that I will do the mp3 FM modulated. My ear doesn't like the quality loss when doing that method. But yeah.. I'm familiar with that option. I will check out the tool basin thing. Gotta be able to put my golf clubs in the back though, and the fit is tight already! If I AM able to use an aftermarket head, while preserving the dash controls, I may do that down the line. Thanks for those ideas. THAT would be the way to add the MP3 reader in there. Have you heard much of the ones with hard drives built in (I heard insane memory for thousands of .mp3's)? I suppose I will start with the component speakers (was shown some top-end 6.5" infinity's), amplifier, and the option to line the inside of the doors; sealing and effectively making the door panels a "living" part of the sound system (added bonus of reducing road noise a little). This consultant has some good ideas for the sub, and I will relay that info on about the tool basin. The head will be a last project maybe next spring (have to save for a wedding, eck. Why don't women like to elope? ...so much faster, cheaper, less stress, less hassle???? bah. ) Thanks again, J.

 

The coolest unit I've seen is the Empeg (I think its name changed recently) - a couple members on this board have them, and seem to be very happy. To have one's whole mp3 collection available at the touch of a button in the car must be great!

The install ideas you mention sound familiar, as that's almost exactly what I've done - check it out

..just waiting for my sub to get here...

 

That's incredible stuff, JZR. Thanks for that play by play. So how did it work out? Does the padding the doors make a difference with the roadnoise? ...enhance speaker performance? Gimme the skinny!

Oh! I love the black and white checkered garage. You must be a nut, man! ...and another thing. I couldn't help but notice the crutches right next to the ski poles on the garage wall. LOL. I found that amusing.

 

Actually, credit for the garage floor has to go to my father, the guy whose reflection is in this picture. He's been kind enough to let me do most of the stereo work at his place (no garage at my apt.) - thanks dad! And yes, car-nutitude is a genetic trait in my family that goes back generations...

The doors work great! Rapping one's knuckles on the outside produces solid "thuds" that don't reverberate. I wish I could say the Dynamat noticably decreased road noise, but my hearing isn't good enough to say so. It would probably make more of a difference w/ the hardtop. I did it more to solidify the door than anything.

But that was before I got a good suggestion from my sub box builder - fiberglass (to solidify) and mount baffles behind the speakers (XTC foam baffles $6/pair from Crutchfield). Once I had them installed, I noticed the side mirrors stop shaking so much, and the outer door skin vibrating less. The baffles have the same effect the stock speaker basket does, protecting the speaker from the elements and providing a cushion of air behind the cone, much like a sealed subwoofer box. I'm happy I did it, even though it sounds pretty much the same to me. Messy project, too:

Right now I'm since I'm without subwoofer - it got held up with the affair in NY but should be here by Friday. The system sounds good now, but oh-so-unsatisfying without real bass. When, oh when will it arrive? ? ?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by PigPen
[B]Lastly, does anyone know of anyway, any adapter, any wiring setup to create an auxillary input into the stock head?Gracias!

 

Great news! If the auxilliary mp3 unit has some sort of IR remote or whatnot, it may be controlled that way while preserving the head CD player.

OK. I'm looking at the unit now and it looks ideal, but... how does it interface with the head unit?