So I decided to install a stereo in my E30 as it may be relegated to daily duty in the near future, and the stock system was not in proper working order. I jumped in on Luke's sale and ordered the 10" box and amp rack. On to the install:
C43 Business tape player
AudioControl LC8i
iPod/iPhone charger unit and RCA kit from Amazon
Jensen 5500
Obcon SVC 10"
Zapco i5.2 components
Stock rear premium speakers
New Hirschmann antenna from BMA
I started off by modifying the C43 to sit flush in the E30 HVAC panel. The DIY thread on how I modified the headunit, NOT the panel, can be found here:
Wiring was per Luke's writeup:
Aftermarket Dash colors Amp colors
RF+ Grey--------------Blue/Red-------------Grey/White
RF- Grey/Black--------Brown/Orange--------Grey/Brown
LF+ White------------Yellow/Red------------Grey/Red
LF- White/Black-------Brown/Orange--------Grey/Violet
RR+ Violet------------Blue/Black------------Black/White
RR- Violet/Black-------Brown/Orange--------Black/Brown
LR+ Green------------Yellow/Black----------Black/Red
LR- Green/Black-------Brown/Orange--------Black/Violet
(+12V Unswitched) Yellow----Red/Green (Changes to Yellow at C302)
(+12V ACC) Red-------------Violet/White (Changes to Voilet/Grey at C302)
(Ground) Black---------------Brown (may also be Brown/Black)
(ILL) Orange-----------------Grey/Red (Changes to White at C302)
(P ANT) Blue-----------------White (this is one of 2 white wires)
(AMP REM) Blue/White--------White (this is the one in the same harness as the speakers)
I had the stock premium stereo with no external fader. The only difference in wiring was that the negative channels were NOT brown/orange. They were all wrapped in pairs and had a brown stripe. Pretty self explanatory once you are looking at the wiring.
The stock antenna had failed and next up was the Hirschmann replacement from BMA. This antenna is plug and play with the stock antenna and mounts exactly as the stock unit. Good stuff although a bit pricey at $120.
Next, I installed the Zapco's in the front kick panels. Install was simply bolting them up and running the wires to the crossover. I also ran the input wiring to the crossovers at this time as well.
The tweeter pods were modified as such. The speaker glue can be dislodged using a screwdriver. An air grinder was used to open the plastic covering in order to flush mount the tweeter. I opened the hole just enough for the tweeter to press in tightly. The stock wiring to the speakers was used and extended at the footwell to the crossover. Both crossovers were mounted under the dash on each respective side.
The next step was to wire up the LC8i. I used KnuConceptz 12gauge wiring to extend the stock inputs at the amp. Do not use this size wiring. It is completely unnecessary and overly bulky. Seriously. Power was provided from a fused lead from the stock amp and the white wire was used as the remote turn on.
The LC8i remote was mounted in the dash in a blank plate above the radio. Drill, bolt, done.
I routed the front inputs to input #3 on the LC8i as I have heard that the fronts typically have a broader range than the rears. Per the LC8i, this bridges over to channel 4 for the subwoofer outputs. The stock jumper in the AC unit was moved to accept the remote line as opposed to a signal line from the inputs.
I also purchased an install harness for an iPod/iPhone from Amazon. 12V power and ground were tapped directly into the stock radio harness when installing. RCA cables run down the left of the transmission tunnel to the trunk.
The return lines were then wired and hooked up to the amplifier. 12V fused power line was run to the positive battery terminal, and I used the stock grounding location in the fender where the battery grounds to.
The subwoofer was bolted to the box and the box was bolted to the rear panel per Luke's instructions. Easy enough. Box construction was above expectations and fit was perfect. Literally, perfect. The whole setup takes up VERY little room in the trunk. Impressed was an understatement. Top notch.
Time to test everything out!
I should mention at this point that I have never had a professionally installed stereo and typically rarely even listen to the radio aside from talk radio. The whole idea of putting this in the E30 was more of a novelty thing than a necessity. The install was straight forward and quite smooth and didn't take all that much time.
I had one small problem with the amp covering rack. This was a communication error and we are going to have to work out some sort of solution. I ordered the cover with no lexan window and light and literally received a cover with no lexan window or light; however, I was looking for a cover with no cutout out at all. Will be working with Luke to get this glitch corrected.
Everything was powered up and it was time to here what everyone has been raving about for the past few years... Well, I was VERY impressed. Wow.
The most impressive aspect is the lack of noise on the outside and the large amount on the inside of the cabin. There is no trunk rattling or body rattling. The chasis doesn't shake. Until you crack a window it is hard to tell that there is even an aftermarket setup installed from the outside. Inside everything sounds pretty damn good. I was floored how this must be how a proper stereo must sound as opposed to every other stereo I have ever heard (not many).
Sorting out some issues: One of my stock premium rear speakers is producing only the slightest amount of audio. I have a replacement on the way. For some reason when using the iPod hookup either with the Apple style connector or 3.5mm wire, there is very little bass. I will never use such heavy gauge speaker wire again. As mentioned, will be working with Luke to figure out a solution on the amp rack. Other than that, this was a fun little project and will be fun to play with.
If anyone in the York,Harrisburg,Baltimore area would like to hear the stereo you would be more than willing to do so.
I will work on capturing some final images of the install when I have some free time.
C43 Business tape player
AudioControl LC8i
iPod/iPhone charger unit and RCA kit from Amazon
Jensen 5500
Obcon SVC 10"
Zapco i5.2 components
Stock rear premium speakers
New Hirschmann antenna from BMA
I started off by modifying the C43 to sit flush in the E30 HVAC panel. The DIY thread on how I modified the headunit, NOT the panel, can be found here:
Wiring was per Luke's writeup:
Aftermarket Dash colors Amp colors
RF+ Grey--------------Blue/Red-------------Grey/White
RF- Grey/Black--------Brown/Orange--------Grey/Brown
LF+ White------------Yellow/Red------------Grey/Red
LF- White/Black-------Brown/Orange--------Grey/Violet
RR+ Violet------------Blue/Black------------Black/White
RR- Violet/Black-------Brown/Orange--------Black/Brown
LR+ Green------------Yellow/Black----------Black/Red
LR- Green/Black-------Brown/Orange--------Black/Violet
(+12V Unswitched) Yellow----Red/Green (Changes to Yellow at C302)
(+12V ACC) Red-------------Violet/White (Changes to Voilet/Grey at C302)
(Ground) Black---------------Brown (may also be Brown/Black)
(ILL) Orange-----------------Grey/Red (Changes to White at C302)
(P ANT) Blue-----------------White (this is one of 2 white wires)
(AMP REM) Blue/White--------White (this is the one in the same harness as the speakers)
I had the stock premium stereo with no external fader. The only difference in wiring was that the negative channels were NOT brown/orange. They were all wrapped in pairs and had a brown stripe. Pretty self explanatory once you are looking at the wiring.
The stock antenna had failed and next up was the Hirschmann replacement from BMA. This antenna is plug and play with the stock antenna and mounts exactly as the stock unit. Good stuff although a bit pricey at $120.
Next, I installed the Zapco's in the front kick panels. Install was simply bolting them up and running the wires to the crossover. I also ran the input wiring to the crossovers at this time as well.
The tweeter pods were modified as such. The speaker glue can be dislodged using a screwdriver. An air grinder was used to open the plastic covering in order to flush mount the tweeter. I opened the hole just enough for the tweeter to press in tightly. The stock wiring to the speakers was used and extended at the footwell to the crossover. Both crossovers were mounted under the dash on each respective side.
The next step was to wire up the LC8i. I used KnuConceptz 12gauge wiring to extend the stock inputs at the amp. Do not use this size wiring. It is completely unnecessary and overly bulky. Seriously. Power was provided from a fused lead from the stock amp and the white wire was used as the remote turn on.
The LC8i remote was mounted in the dash in a blank plate above the radio. Drill, bolt, done.
I routed the front inputs to input #3 on the LC8i as I have heard that the fronts typically have a broader range than the rears. Per the LC8i, this bridges over to channel 4 for the subwoofer outputs. The stock jumper in the AC unit was moved to accept the remote line as opposed to a signal line from the inputs.
I also purchased an install harness for an iPod/iPhone from Amazon. 12V power and ground were tapped directly into the stock radio harness when installing. RCA cables run down the left of the transmission tunnel to the trunk.
The return lines were then wired and hooked up to the amplifier. 12V fused power line was run to the positive battery terminal, and I used the stock grounding location in the fender where the battery grounds to.
The subwoofer was bolted to the box and the box was bolted to the rear panel per Luke's instructions. Easy enough. Box construction was above expectations and fit was perfect. Literally, perfect. The whole setup takes up VERY little room in the trunk. Impressed was an understatement. Top notch.
Time to test everything out!
I should mention at this point that I have never had a professionally installed stereo and typically rarely even listen to the radio aside from talk radio. The whole idea of putting this in the E30 was more of a novelty thing than a necessity. The install was straight forward and quite smooth and didn't take all that much time.
I had one small problem with the amp covering rack. This was a communication error and we are going to have to work out some sort of solution. I ordered the cover with no lexan window and light and literally received a cover with no lexan window or light; however, I was looking for a cover with no cutout out at all. Will be working with Luke to get this glitch corrected.
Everything was powered up and it was time to here what everyone has been raving about for the past few years... Well, I was VERY impressed. Wow.
The most impressive aspect is the lack of noise on the outside and the large amount on the inside of the cabin. There is no trunk rattling or body rattling. The chasis doesn't shake. Until you crack a window it is hard to tell that there is even an aftermarket setup installed from the outside. Inside everything sounds pretty damn good. I was floored how this must be how a proper stereo must sound as opposed to every other stereo I have ever heard (not many).
Sorting out some issues: One of my stock premium rear speakers is producing only the slightest amount of audio. I have a replacement on the way. For some reason when using the iPod hookup either with the Apple style connector or 3.5mm wire, there is very little bass. I will never use such heavy gauge speaker wire again. As mentioned, will be working with Luke to figure out a solution on the amp rack. Other than that, this was a fun little project and will be fun to play with.
If anyone in the York,Harrisburg,Baltimore area would like to hear the stereo you would be more than willing to do so.
I will work on capturing some final images of the install when I have some free time.
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