Car Audio Questions
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My speaker install was rain delayed (stupid crowded garage)--if hubby and I have time this weekend to work on it, expect a call from me. 
Are there any 350z wiring diagrams?
I'm going to install a new HU, speakers, and multi-ch amp behind the drivers seat.
I'd like to understand the wiring since I haven't done this before.
Here are my initial thoughts:
- 3 RCAs from the HU to the amp (3 for upgrade, only use 2 for now). Runs through the center hump.
- Speaker wire from amp to fronts. Run through center to dash and across to each door???
- Speaker wire from amp to rears. Run through rear area. I assume this is obvious.
- Amp power. Run to battery via right side under carpet on floor. Inline fuse soon after battery.
- Amp ground to chassis in compartment.
- HU RCA input - Probably will run to the back just in case. Might want to find a Sony Bus control cable to control changer if desired in future.
- HU hardness via adapter to factory harness. I ordered one of these from Crutchfield but not sure I need it. HU has:
1. Ground (duh)
2. Antenna Remote (Power antenna control lead or booster amp) NC right?
3. Amp Remote In. This goes to Amp turn on??
5. Illumination. Dunno where this goes??
6. +12V (ignition on). Connect to Cig lighter? or fuse box (which?)
7. +12V (battery).
8. Car antenna.
OK, am I missing something?
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I'm going to install a new HU, speakers, and multi-ch amp behind the drivers seat.
I'd like to understand the wiring since I haven't done this before.
Here are my initial thoughts:
- 3 RCAs from the HU to the amp (3 for upgrade, only use 2 for now). Runs through the center hump.
- Speaker wire from amp to fronts. Run through center to dash and across to each door???
- Speaker wire from amp to rears. Run through rear area. I assume this is obvious.
- Amp power. Run to battery via right side under carpet on floor. Inline fuse soon after battery.
- Amp ground to chassis in compartment.
- HU RCA input - Probably will run to the back just in case. Might want to find a Sony Bus control cable to control changer if desired in future.
- HU hardness via adapter to factory harness. I ordered one of these from Crutchfield but not sure I need it. HU has:
1. Ground (duh)
2. Antenna Remote (Power antenna control lead or booster amp) NC right?
3. Amp Remote In. This goes to Amp turn on??
5. Illumination. Dunno where this goes??
6. +12V (ignition on). Connect to Cig lighter? or fuse box (which?)
7. +12V (battery).
8. Car antenna.
OK, am I missing something?
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8 Posts
I'm going to upgrade my stock system, with speakers and an amp. Thinking of the US Acoustics 4065 amp, Peerless CSC-X woofs and DEI Viper 650.2 components with crossovers.
Reason for these are quality and price.
Do you have other ideas or opinions?
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16,162 Posts
here is my second try at answering your questions:
Here are my initial thoughts:
- 3 RCAs from the HU to the amp (3 for upgrade, only use 2 for now). Runs through the center hump.
why 3 RCAs ? I would recommend only running front speakers and a subwoofer. rear speakers only cause interference and do not significantly add to the volume. You would be better off with 1 set of really good front speakers than 2 sets. I will explain more on this if you need me to.
- Speaker wire from amp to fronts. Run through center to dash and across to each door???
It is very difficult to run the wires into the doors of the Z. Unless you are running extrememly high power, this is unnecessary. I am running some fairly strong amps and 150watt rms components with no problems in the factory wiring.
- Speaker wire from amp to rears. Run through rear area. I assume this is obvious.
Again, I would advise against rear speakers.
- Amp power. Run to battery via right side under carpet on floor. Inline fuse soon after battery.
Correct.
- Amp ground to chassis in compartment.
Correct. Make sure the ground is very good. A bolt through the metal is a good idea.
- HU RCA input - Probably will run to the back just in case. Might want to find a Sony Bus control cable to control changer if desired in future.
Good idea if you know what you will be adding later.
- HU hardness via adapter to factory harness. I ordered one of these from Crutchfield but not sure I need it. HU has:
1. Ground (duh)
duh
2. Antenna Remote (Power antenna control lead or booster amp) NC right?
not needed in the z.. no power antenna right ?
3. Amp Remote In. This goes to Amp turn on??
yes, this turns your amps on when the HU is turned on. Be careful, the Power antenna and amp remote turn on are similar in color. One is blue, while the other is blue with a white stripe. I cannot remember which is which. But if you use the wrong wire for the amps, they will shut off when you play a cd (or anything other than the radio)
5. Illumination. Dunno where this goes??
This adjust the illumination on the headunit using your factory dash illumination
6. +12V (ignition on). Connect to Cig lighter? or fuse box (which?)
this is located in the car harness, no need to go to fuse box or cig lighter
7. +12V (battery).
this is located in the car harness, no need to go to the battery
8. Car antenna.
just plug that sucker in
Sorry that took so long. my work computer frozen when i pushed submit the first time around.. then i just got caught up on other things.
Here are my initial thoughts:
- 3 RCAs from the HU to the amp (3 for upgrade, only use 2 for now). Runs through the center hump.
why 3 RCAs ? I would recommend only running front speakers and a subwoofer. rear speakers only cause interference and do not significantly add to the volume. You would be better off with 1 set of really good front speakers than 2 sets. I will explain more on this if you need me to.
- Speaker wire from amp to fronts. Run through center to dash and across to each door???
It is very difficult to run the wires into the doors of the Z. Unless you are running extrememly high power, this is unnecessary. I am running some fairly strong amps and 150watt rms components with no problems in the factory wiring.
- Speaker wire from amp to rears. Run through rear area. I assume this is obvious.
Again, I would advise against rear speakers.
- Amp power. Run to battery via right side under carpet on floor. Inline fuse soon after battery.
Correct.
- Amp ground to chassis in compartment.
Correct. Make sure the ground is very good. A bolt through the metal is a good idea.
- HU RCA input - Probably will run to the back just in case. Might want to find a Sony Bus control cable to control changer if desired in future.
Good idea if you know what you will be adding later.
- HU hardness via adapter to factory harness. I ordered one of these from Crutchfield but not sure I need it. HU has:
1. Ground (duh)
duh
2. Antenna Remote (Power antenna control lead or booster amp) NC right?
not needed in the z.. no power antenna right ?
3. Amp Remote In. This goes to Amp turn on??
yes, this turns your amps on when the HU is turned on. Be careful, the Power antenna and amp remote turn on are similar in color. One is blue, while the other is blue with a white stripe. I cannot remember which is which. But if you use the wrong wire for the amps, they will shut off when you play a cd (or anything other than the radio)
5. Illumination. Dunno where this goes??
This adjust the illumination on the headunit using your factory dash illumination
6. +12V (ignition on). Connect to Cig lighter? or fuse box (which?)
this is located in the car harness, no need to go to fuse box or cig lighter
7. +12V (battery).
this is located in the car harness, no need to go to the battery
8. Car antenna.
just plug that sucker in
Sorry that took so long. my work computer frozen when i pushed submit the first time around.. then i just got caught up on other things.
Joined
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16,162 Posts
No, you would save no time by installing a car alarm while doing an audio installation.
The only thing i could see saving time would be if you decide to run the lock wires into the doors (which I plan on avoiding).
But this would only save you about 10-15 minutes as the doors are easily removed
The only thing i could see saving time would be if you decide to run the lock wires into the doors (which I plan on avoiding).
But this would only save you about 10-15 minutes as the doors are easily removed
Thanks a bunch. It all makes sense.
I tried listening with the fade set to the front but didn't like it as much as with front+rear.
For the 3 RCAs, it would be for (Front, Rear, Sub - if desired in future).
Do you know the wire guage for the stock speaker wire? I don't have the Bose so it may stink.
I tried listening with the fade set to the front but didn't like it as much as with front+rear.
For the 3 RCAs, it would be for (Front, Rear, Sub - if desired in future).
Do you know the wire guage for the stock speaker wire? I don't have the Bose so it may stink.
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4,242 Posts
i am just considering upgrading the head unit for now. i do not have the bose system but it sucks just the same. i was thinking on getting a pioneer DEH-P8500MP. later on i may consider doing the speakers and/or adding an amp. i am also considering putting in the XM box since the headunit i plan to get is XM ready. any thoughts??
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16,162 Posts
that is the head unit i have!.. the silver matches the aluminum accents of the Z perfectly!.. my only gripe is the blue lights and display clashes with the amber interior of the Z.. but not alot you can do about that really.
Tons of features, and tuning capability on that head unit.
But you really should atleast swap out the front door speakers.. a good set of infinities will really change the sound of the stereo.
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