Upgrading the stereo

[zx10ben]

Folks I still have the original Pioneer head unit in my Mk1 and slowly but surely its giving up the will to live, to the extent it will get radio if I park next to a transmitter (slight exaggeration!) The backlight on the screen is now so dim, I struggle to read it in all but pitch black.

So I'm after something to replace it, ideally that I can still use the multichanger with, but not essential. I'm tempted to go for some form of Nav system with a folding screen as I'm fed up with sticking the Tomtom to the screen. Whatever I have must have Bluetooth capabilities for using the handsfree and I'd quite like DAB, but once again, not essential.

Any reccomendations from anyone?

Oh and lastly, I am forever leaving the sidelights on. Has anyone fitted a buzzer/chime to the feed for the lights so it goes off when the doors are opened?

[Andy Pandie]

Hi Benn,

I have a Kenwood KVT-522DVD system in my T2, complete with 7" foldout touchscreen, optional i-pod hook up, Garmin SatNav, and bluetooth units, which TBH is useless once the roof is off It doesn't incorporate DAB but having had mine 6years now, would imagine there is a newer model on the market?

Shame I didn't know yesterday, you could of had a nosey, but next time you're in Hants give me a shout.

Cheers

Andy 'P'

[Whitey]

I can tell you what not to buy!! Don't buy the pioneer 8200. I changed my 10 year old original head unit to that last year. It sounds good but way too fiddly to operate in particular in a tvr. If I actually drove my car more these days I would have changed it for something else by now.

[spartridge]

Hi - I went for the Alpine kit with bluetooth and satnav units (installed by Carl Baker) - see my profile for details. Works well for me and the satnav is better than my previous tomtom although I miss the ability to easily set-up and upload an itinery. Bluetooth car kit works OK with the roof off at non-motorway speeds.

You can also get a USB controller box for it so I'm currently trying to work out how to use this to hook up to one of those in-car cameras e.g go-pro so I can select and play back footage from the touchscreen. Would also like to find a box of tricks to hook up to the ECU OBD port so I can get telemetry onto the screen. Not holding out much hope for either though!!

[Robertjp]

I went down the route of using my ipod...bit simpler and neat.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

since this work i have relocated the tweeters and upgraded the rear speakers to twin 6.5" subs which has made a huge difference, i also sealed the rear enclosure which helped tremendously.

My head unit has bluetooth compatibility and DAB through an iphone if you want it....

[m3jappa]

Robertjp said:

I went down the route of using my ipod...bit simpler and neat.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

since this work i have relocated the tweeters and upgraded the rear speakers to twin 6.5" subs which has made a huge difference, i also sealed the rear enclosure which helped tremendously.

My head unit has bluetooth compatibility and DAB through an iphone if you want it....

I like your install but i just cant work out how you have fitted the mdf panel to the rear. Have you just made a bracket then screwed it to the rear fibreglass panel? If so i assume you have screwed from the rear of the car?

Badly need to sort mine, i've got some decent audio to go in but just haven't got round to fitting it.

[Robertjp]

m3jappa said:

I like your install but i just cant work out how you have fitted the mdf panel to the rear. Have you just made a bracket then screwed it to the rear fibreglass panel? If so i assume you have screwed from the rear of the car?

Badly need to sort mine, i've got some decent audio to go in but just haven't got round to fitting it.

Actually there is a bit of a story there...Originally, yes, the panel was just screwed from behind the rear bulkhead – self tappers from the boot. However – after i replaced the rear speakers with the JL 6.5” subs – i found that they moved so much air and created such high pressures that the panel started to flex – this not only sounded crap as it vibrated, but it also released a load of air – which caused the sound quality to deteriorate – it made the subs sound like they were farting when playing at higher volumes

So, just recently i took the lot back out – put bracing along the back of the panel – and then fixed 6 x M8 X 120mm bolts from the back of the panel through the rear bulkhead. I sealed the rear bulkhead completely using sheet of ply and then bolted the panel in from the rear. (tricky bit was drilling the holes in the right place! Used blue tack to help me locate the bolt holes). It bolted from the rear of the panel. Filled with sound deadening while i was at it – to dampen down the boy racer impact to the outside world!!

Now its completely airtight and not a hint of vibration in the panel, with some considerable improvement in quality!!!

[m3jappa]

Thanks Robert, i think i'll have a look at what to make when i re do the carpets soon.

I have some really nice audio stuff to go in but i just haven't got round to it. I think removing all the carpet is the perfect excuse