phenryiv1 325ic Stereo Install & Interior Thread

[phenryiv1]

First off, this is NOT going to have much monumental progress. I am starting the thread to chronicle the stereo portion of my build/restoration (full thread of build here: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=316880 ). There will be some "help needed" questions here as well as "how I did things" posts. I am NOT saying that what I am doing is the right way or the only way. This is just how I am doing the install.

Equipment List
Headunit: Pioneer DEH-X7500HD http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X750...H-X7500HD.html
Antenna: Z3
Wiring: Alphasonik PCA40 plus supplemental RCAs & power cables (used) http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...lva-BAK44.html
Front midranges: E34 Premium Midranges, P/N 65138370935 https://www.ecstuning.com/ES181850/
Front tweeters: Dayton ND25FN-4 http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-...4-ohm--275-053
Front crossovers: GAS Local PCN http://www.germanaudiospecialties.co...r-network.html
Rear fill: Pioneer TS-A1357 5.25" http://www.crutchfield.com/S-H7a7tEZ...-TS-A1357.html
Front Amp: Alpine KTP-445U 5 http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_60631_Alpine-KTP-445U.html
"Subwoofer" setup: Clark Synthesis TST329 http://www.parts-express.com/clark-s...haker--300-862 http://clarksynthesis.com/clark-synt...d-transducers/
Subwoofer Amp: (Leftover) Rockford Fosgate Punch 100a2 http://rftech.custhelp.com/app/answe...-owners-manual

Initial (as of 05.26.15) Equipment List:

Headunit: Pioneer DEH-X7500HD http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X750...H-X7500HD.html
Antenna: Z3
Wiring: Belva BAK-44 plus supplemental RCAs http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...lva-BAK44.html
Front midranges: Dayton ND140-4 http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-...4-ohm--290-216
Front tweeters: Dayton ND25FN-4 http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-...4-ohm--275-053
Front crossovers: GAS Local PCN http://www.germanaudiospecialties.co...r-network.html
Rear fill: Pioneer TS-A1357 5.25" http://www.crutchfield.com/S-H7a7tEZ...-TS-A1357.html
Amp: MB Quart OA1100.5 http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...-OA1100.5.html
Subwoofer enclosure: GAS / Lukebox V2 http://www.germanaudiospecialties.co...2-big-boy.html
Subwoofers: Kicker Comp 8" (will update with model number)

Onyx Series 5-Channel Class D Car Amplifier
Channel 1-4 Max Power Rating:

4 ohms: 75 watts x 4 chan.
2 ohms: 150 watts x 4 chan.

Subwoofer Channel Max Power Rating:

4 ohms: 350 watts x 1 chan.
2 ohms: 500 watts x 1 chan.

The size (9-7/16"W x 16"D x 2-1/4"H)

Amp photos:





HU box photo:



Not the most attractive HU but the specs and features are awesome for the price.

Lukebox and subwoofers:



Not my first choice in subwoofers but they work with the enclosure and the price was right.



Front stage:




And now, Step 1 of the install:

I started work on the stereo wiring. The car had previously had an aftermarket stereo installed. I never saw the headhunt- just the harness that remained. The wiring to the speakers was aftermarket, so as to bypass the OEM amp. I never tested it.

Before:



After:



UNFORTUNATELY, I never tried out the wires, nor checked the wire codes. Stupid me. The HU would not power up. Not a big deal- I'll pull the codes, check the connections, and try again later this week or next. Wiring directly to the speakers will be temporary, only in place until I get my amp and subwoofer installed.

If I have to I will run a new 12V+ and ground and find the 12V switched.

I started working on the Z3 antenna install. Unfortunately the antenna cable termination was totally cut off. I'll have to look into that one:

[rcsoundn1]

I had the same issue with my antenna, some guy on ebay if I recall correctly sells the entire cable for like 30bux or so.

[phenryiv1]

I had the same issue with my antenna, some guy on ebay if I recall correctly sells the entire cable for like 30bux or so.

I'll go that route. A used one seems to be a PITA to remove, thus prices are high.

I also discovered that somewhere in 6 rubbermaid bins I have the proper grommet for the Z3 antenna but I don't know where. I see it in pre-paint photos but the only one I found in the parts bin holding the Z3 antenna was the stock grommet.

Having so many parts is a severe liability at times.

[Codym42]

Sub'd

This should sound fantastic. I'm curious as to how you fit those Dayton midbass drivers. They look like they will stick out and hit the kick panel, unless you use some sort of spacer.

[phenryiv1]

Sub'd

This should sound fantastic. I'm curious as to how you fit those Dayton midbass drivers. They look like they will stick out and hit the kick panel, unless you use some sort of spacer.

The surrounds do have quite a bit of protrusion to fit behind the kick panels but i picked those based on a GAS recommendation (the thread is in here somewhere). I should have done e34 premium mids but I got impatient.

[benz-tech]

I'll vouch for how nice that deck sounds since I just installed one. HD radio is 1,000 times better than Mercedes Factory. Not tinny at all.

[gwb72tii]

you're also going to like the sound from the MB Quart amp. I just installed the same amp and it sounds really really nice. especially after following the amp tuning guide

[phenryiv1]

I'll vouch for how nice that deck sounds since I just installed one. HD radio is 1,000 times better than Mercedes Factory. Not tinny at all.

I have a different Pioneer HD Radio HU in my daily-driven WRX and the difference between FM and HD FM is night and day. Hopefully this is the same.

you're also going to like the sound from the MB Quart amp. I just installed the same amp and it sounds really really nice. especially after following the amp tuning guide

I sure hope so. It is such a big amp and the install is going to be a PITA. I hope it is worth it. I was tempted to replicate the amp setup in my WRX (Alpine PowerPack 445U & RF PBR300x1) for space and ease of install. This Quart better be the bees' knees.

[phenryiv1]

Sub'd

This should sound fantastic. I'm curious as to how you fit those Dayton midbass drivers. They look like they will stick out and hit the kick panel, unless you use some sort of spacer.

Found the reference. Page 6, some info (backstory) on Page 5.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...on#post4135186

[StereoInstaller1]

Yup, Clays' car... First set of LPCNs ever shipped, he is a childhood friend of Justin Bresee, my business partner... So he got them first!

Ask about when I showed him how his big-ass Infinity Kappa Perfects had zero information below 200hz....his car pissed me off enough that I finally got motivation to get the E30 Crossover stuff off the ground!

[phenryiv1]

Right now the update is that I don't have an update. I ordered (and received) the German Engineering keyless entry module but the car is on the way to have a (reluctant) service at a shop. I need to install camber plates and am on vacation so rather than to get nowhere in the next week (in terms of progress) I am turning it over for the camber plate install.

In the interim since the last post I still have not identified the issue with a lack of 12V power to the head unit (as well as to the dome light and the 13-button OBC) and my check panel seems to have a mind of its own.

My main concern over the last week has been the fact that after installing a Momo steering wheel and Momo hub the turn signal cancel function has ceased to exist. The cancel "nub" on the Momo hub is shorter than on the slip ring on the stock weheel, which is probably the culprit.

Still working on a solution to that.

[phenryiv1]

No progress on the steering wheel cancel but some good news in general:

I got tired of driving the car with no stereo so I broke out the multimeter and the electronics troubleshooting manual and went to work. The 12V+ wire was still reading nothing but the 12V switched was good. I went back to the fuse box and re-checked the fuse- blown. Not sure how but it was toast- and I swore I had checked that a few weeks ago. I stole the fog light fuse (fogs are not installed while I await the return to the body shop) and it powered right up.

Bonus was that my tach and 12-button OBC also powered up. I have no idea how long the fuse had been out but the lack of a tach had been a concern for me for a while so having it back up was a nice side benefit. I was about to drop $$$$ on the SI board service but it seems to be working now. Sometimes it is (literally) the little things that make big differences.

Now, I admit that this stereo is far from attractive but it does have all of the features that I wanted. I installed it quickly to test function- later I will work on texture/color matching the trim ring and running the USB cable for a thumbdrive/iPod/phone connection.



And I finally have some music for the drive!

After getting tired of looking through boxes I dropped the $9 on a new Z3 antenna grommet. The antenna is not connected but at least the hole is now water tight.



I have the new antenna cable (HU to antenna) but am waiting until I run other cables to do the install.

Next up I will look to get the front speakers replaced. I don't know what is currently installed but they have, um, questionable bass. I am guessing some entry level coaxials as the OEM tweeters are not installed but I still have some highs coming from the front.

[AndrewBird]

As far as the antenna wire goes, you can buy a connector that will fit on and allow you to plug the antenna in. No soldering or crimping required.

[phenryiv1]

As far as the antenna wire goes, you can buy a connector that will fit on and allow you to plug the antenna in. No soldering or crimping required.

Do you have a link?

I bought a replacement cable (front to back) but I'd try a connector forst if I could find one.

[phenryiv1]

I managed to do a quick & dirty antenna repair on the mangled end of the OEM antenna cable. I took apart the 12V +/- connector and wired it up to the Z3 antenna base and then used the raw end of the antenna cable and was able to get a solid signal to the headunit. No pictures now (and when I have them I warn that it is ugly) but at least I know that it is possible to have to work until I install the replacement antenna cable.