[thewestwon]

Ok, so a few questions @ OP...

1. How do I know which head unit I have? It looks like yours, but I don't have the BOSE stereo. It's just a single CD player.
2. Can you post a pic of where exactly your mic is?
3. I'd love to replace my head unit with a double din touch screen. Probably a Pioneer 4100 NEX. But...
   • What happens with the radio display LCD screen that's integrated with the tach if you go with an aftermarket unit?
   • Can I use the factory amp and speakers? I assume mine are the base model (it's a silver amp)
   • Which install kits are best?

1. It's probably still the CDR24...it should say on the face of the radio. Like right beside the porsche logo, mine said CDR24. Assuming you have a 987.1, I'm under the impression that there were only two options: CDR-24 and the PCM navigation unit. I could be wrong, though.
2. That picture is in post #3. It's in the storage hole behind the shifter. Works great sitting still, but on the highway, road noise has been an issue with this location.
3. I'm not 100% sure what you're referring to regarding the LCD screen integrated with the tach. What functionality are you getting that you're afraid you'll lose with an aftermarket unit? I assume you should be able to use the factory amp...I'd say the wiring/install kit would give you a plug and play solution here. The internal amp on the 4100 NEX would be adequate to power base level speakers assuming the impedances were in line if you bypassed the stock amp. I cant speak for any other install kits other than the one sold by suncoast, but it worked as advertised.

If you want to post some more detailed info on the factory amp and speakers you have, I can take a stab at giving you some recommendations on how to wire things up if you were looking to do the project yourself.

 

[MRCW]

Food for thought -- thanks. What amp did you use that worked with the Bose impedance levels?

Power Acoustik RZ5-2500D - 2500 Watt 5-Channel Car Audio Amplifier Its under $150 on Amazon...Pretty cheap and sounds good. Didn't want to invest a lot in a car that isn't worth a lot either..Will drive 2 ohm speakers with no problem

 

[Dobbler]

Power Acoustik RZ5-2500D - 2500 Watt 5-Channel Car Audio Amplifier Its under $150 on Amazon...Pretty cheap and sounds good. Didn't want to invest a lot in a car that isn't worth a lot either..Will drive 2 ohm speakers with no problem

You kept the Bose sub?

 

[MRCW]

You kept the Bose sub?

I still have the original CDR 24 and the original Bose Amp. Replaced Bose Amp but the Sub in the Boxster is powered and I just send line signal to that

 

[Dobbler]

I still have the original CDR 24 and the original Bose Amp. Replaced Bose Amp but the Sub in the Boxster is powered and I just send line signal to that

Ah, I didn't realize my sub enclosure contains the sub amp.

 

[Brian C in Az]

Lots of challenges....

I replaced my CDR 24 with a double din touch screen GPS and replaced the Bose Amp, kept the speakers... All in for $750 in parts, including back up camera... Everything works great and very good sound... after all it is a convertible...I have the speakers all working and the powered sub on a separate volume control...

Good Luck with your install

How did you get the sub woofer/amp on a separate volume control? It that a feature of your head unit? Or did you hardwire a separate knob (as some of the aftermarket powered sub woofers offer)?

When you removed the head unit, was the speaker amp right there or is it in a different location?

I've been looking to upgrade my stereo, but the factory installation of the Bose speakers makes changing the speakers a challenge. JL has some really nice sounding speakers, but I am concerned about fitment. The better speakers that I've looked at are deeper and require spacers, the spacer would require cutting the metal speaker mesh which will look bad. I'm trying to sort through all these issues before spending a couple thousand and then regretting it.

Maybe, the better head unit and better amp will be enough, but usually, the speaker has the greatest effect on sound quality. Great amp with lousy speakers = lousy sound.

 

[circuiticon]

1. It's probably still the CDR24...it should say on the face of the radio. Like right beside the porsche logo, mine said CDR24. Assuming you have a 987.1, I'm under the impression that there were only two options: CDR-24 and the PCM navigation unit. I could be wrong, though.

You're right, I have a CDR24.

2. That picture is in post #3. It's in the storage hole behind the shifter. Works great sitting still, but on the highway, road noise has been an issue with this location.

Got it. I see you still have audio issues on the highway with the mic. I have the same issue with that same mic in my truck. I wonder if there is a better mic we can replace that with.

3. I'm not 100% sure what you're referring to regarding the LCD screen integrated with the tach.

There is a small LCD display that is integrated with the bottom of the stock tachometer. It displays various bits of information, such as your fuel economy, seat belt status, etc. It will also show your radio station etc when you are using the radio. I'm assuming that an aftermarket head unit won't communicate with it. If that's the case, will it just not display your station, or will it show some kind of error?

I saw mention of a Denison unit, but I can't find much information about it. From what I gather, it seems like it somehow interfaces with the stock head unit and allows alternate inputs via USB, bluetooth, etc.

 

[thewestwon]

It wouldn't surprise me if there was a better mic. The mic in my c63 (factory) is pretty far away from my mouth and it works great.

Okay I'm with you on the LCD display now, but I can't offer much help. Mind ('07 Cayman Base) does not have any radio information displayed (and never did). It does, however, still work fine after the install. I didn't have any stock USB or bluetooth or anything. My CDR-24 was strictly CD and AM/FM.

 

[MRCW]

Re: Lots of challenges....

How did you get the sub woofer/amp on a separate volume control? It that a feature of your head unit? Or did you hardwire a separate knob (as some of the aftermarket powered sub woofers offer)?

When you removed the head unit, was the speaker amp right there or is it in a different location?

I've been looking to upgrade my stereo, but the factory installation of the Bose speakers makes changing the speakers a challenge. JL has some really nice sounding speakers, but I am concerned about fitment. The better speakers that I've looked at are deeper and require spacers, the spacer would require cutting the metal speaker mesh which will look bad. I'm trying to sort through all these issues before spending a couple thousand and then regretting it.

Maybe, the better head unit and better amp will be enough, but usually, the speaker has the greatest effect on sound quality. Great amp with lousy speakers = lousy sound.

The AMP came with a seperate volume control for the sub channel. In my Boxster, the Bose Sub is located behind the rear seats but the wiring harness for it is accessible in the frunk area where all the other wiring is located. You can get the wiring harness ion line to tie directly into the factory harness. At first the sub was a bit overpowering but then i installed the speaker control and was able to get it much better

 

[MRCW]

You're right, I have a CDR24.
[/COLOR]


Got it. I see you still have audio issues on the highway with the mic. I have the same issue with that same mic in my truck. I wonder if there is a better mic we can replace that with.



There is a small LCD display that is integrated with the bottom of the stock tachometer. It displays various bits of information, such as your fuel economy, seat belt status, etc. It will also show your radio station etc when you are using the radio. I'm assuming that an aftermarket head unit won't communicate with it. If that's the case, will it just not display your station, or will it show some kind of error?

I saw mention of a Denison unit, but I can't find much information about it. From what I gather, it seems like it somehow interfaces with the stock head unit and allows alternate inputs via USB, bluetooth, etc.

No error in dash display. It just is blank if you access that page Aftermarket HU does not access that

 

[circuiticon]

No error in dash display. It just is blank if you access that page Aftermarket HU does not access that

Excellent, this is all I needed to know.

So basically in my case, I won't lose any functionality or have any potential issues other than not having my radio info displayed on that LCD screen, correct?


@thewestwon - sounds like you have the same factory stereo that I do. Chances are it did display things there, you just didn't notice it.

 

[thewestwon]

Excellent, this is all I needed to know.

So basically in my case, I won't lose any functionality or have any potential issues other than not having my radio info displayed on that LCD screen, correct?


@thewestwon - sounds like you have the same factory stereo that I do. Chances are it did display things there, you just didn't notice it.

Hm. I don't have any blank areas on my display where it would have been, and would be surprised if I totally missed that. Is yours an '07 as well? If it's newer that could be the answer.

 

[leholtet]

Got the wiring diagram for the non-bose sound package plus?

 

[RSchwerer]

I'm not exactly sure what specific wiring diagram you're asking for. Here's a folder with a full 987.1 wiring diagram (the whole car). I think near the end you'll find various audio/radio/nav options with and without Bose. There's also a pdf with the CDR24 harness pin-out. Hope that helps.
Wiring docs

Also there's lots of wiring info in P-9 documents

 

[leholtet]

Like this one, just for non-bose (sound package plus ask amplifier) Perhaps the wires are the same?

 

[RSchwerer]

Are you replacing the ASK amp? If not, all you need is the CDR24 harness pin-out to make an adapter for whatever head unit you are using. I highly suggest using the Euromotorsports 987 kit, which comes with a CDR24 compatible harness adapter and wiring documentation. No cutting of OEM wires. You'd still need to splice your new unit's harness to the adapter's wires.

You'll also need a new mounting cage and bezel. Again part of the EMS kit.

 

[leholtet]

No, only the head unit.. I would just need a scheme which identifies what the different wires go to..

 

[soccerbummer1104]

Thanks for this thread. I want to replace my CDR30 and having this info helps a lot.



Eddie

Good thing to note,

In my install guide for the euromotorspeed wiring harness, they had the front speaker channel colors labled backwards. (not positive and negative, but left and right)

They used the same color wires on the supplied harness as the ones for my pioneer pigtail , but had the front channeles swapped. I followed the instructions anyways and my front left was on when I had bal set to full right and fade set to full front, so I had to go in, cut, strip, flux, solder, and heat shrink wires while it was in the dash (and then re heat shrink of course) )

I called suncoast to let them know, but thought I should just post here as well.

Apparently, while it is not a 100% standard, MOST aftermarket car stereos and pigtails follow the following color scheme (which I should have followed over the euromotor speed instructions apparently...)

P o w e r
Memory (+12v Constant)	Yellow
Ignition (+12v Switched)	Red
Ground (-)	Black
Dimmer	Pink/White (Alpine only)
Power Antenna	Blue
Amplifier Turn-on	Blue/White
Phone Mute	Light Blue (Sony only)
S p e a k e r s
Right Front (+)	Gray
Right Front (-)	Gray/Black
Left Front (+)	White
Left Front (-)	White/Black
Right Rear (+)	Violet
Right Rear (-)	Violet/Black
Left Rear (+)	Green
Left Rear (-)	Green/Black

I.E. the euromotor speed kit I recieved had Gray labled for left, and white for right (but the rear channels were correct)


also, see my post in the illumination wire thread about a much easier location to grab and tap the illumination wire.

-Brad

 

[DvlsAdvc8]

Would anyone mind posting a link to the hardware they chose? I just picked up an app radio 4, and while I've seen plenty of $25-35 wiring harness kits that satisfy me. I'm not sure about the dash kits... there's so much range in price it's ridiculous. I see a reference in this thread to a suncoast kit for like $225? But there's a metra dash kit for $100. Metra 95 9602 Double DIN Gray Stereo Dash Kit | eBay

$125 price difference for what looks to be pretty much the same thing?

Then there's this one on crutchfield for like $40... American International POR911 Dash Kit (Painted Silver) Fits select 2005-12 Porsche vehicles — single- or double-DIN radios at Crutchfield.com


I have an 07 Cayman without Bose so all I need is the dash kit and wiring harness. Is any other framing or ring needed for the appradio 4? Advice appreciated.

 

[Tayls77]

Would anyone mind posting a link to the hardware they chose? I just picked up an app radio 4, and while I've seen plenty of $25-35 wiring harness kits that satisfy me. I'm not sure about the dash kits... there's so much range in price it's ridiculous. I see a reference in this thread to a suncoast kit for like $225? But there's a metra dash kit for $100. Metra 95 9602 Double DIN Gray Stereo Dash Kit | eBay

$125 price difference for what looks to be pretty much the same thing?

Then there's this one on crutchfield for like $40... American International POR911 Dash Kit (Painted Silver) Fits select 2005-12 Porsche vehicles — single- or double-DIN radios at Crutchfield.com


I have an 07 Cayman without Bose so all I need is the dash kit and wiring harness. Is any other framing or ring needed for the appradio 4? Advice appreciated.

Sorry but my car is put away for the season and the info is in the glove box, I had to order the Bose Fibre converter from the UK and brought my faceplate in from there at the same time.. I can tell you though that I bought the Crutchfield kit for my son's BMW and it looked really good and they were super easy to deal with.