Picked up the kit from Khan Motorsport (20% discount to RX-8 club members = $150 Cnd + tax) I picked mine up at Dufferin Mazda.

The kit wasn't difficult to install once I figured out how to unhook the connectors when there wasn't enough cable to pull out the head unit.

I'll post some pictures of my dash all pulled apart.


edit:

Pictures added in a post below

 

Yes yes... PIcs and tell us how it is

 

Everyone's got an Ipod in their car nowadays....

 

For those of us who dont have Ipods in thier cars we would still like to see some pics, pls

 

Disconnect the battery and Remember your towel!

The white connector I just pulled off was the one that gave me the most pain. Notice how Mazda thoughtfully taped it down so it couldn't move. I got it from the glovebox side and I have the scrapes to prove it. With the head unit part way out I was able to remove the screws for the vents and pull off the top cover. This access let me provide light and a clear view of what I was doing.

The red circle in the picture is where I put the adapter box. I know that I should have taken pictures with it installed but.... Anyway, I ran the cables down the passenger side and tied them to solid bits with the adhesive foam tape and tie straps included with the kit. I also put foam anywhere I thought a rattle may develop. With the top panel off it was easy to secure everything.

You know that security bolt? The circle with my finger behind it is where the bolt goes. To get there you need to remove the drivers side knee panel and the steel panel behind it. Then get a bunch of extensions.

This view is from the location of the glovebox. This access is very usefull for removing connectors. Really it's the best access for securing all of the cables as well.


I ran the signal cable to the glove box but I'm sure it would have reached the centre console. I tied the cable to some structure just above the left side of the glove box. After battery connect and resetting the DSC I took it out for a drive and everything worked.
It took a minute to figure out how it indicates which menu you're in because it only displays it for a second on the time display but from there it was great.

Installation done!

 

Holy ****! Looks like you had to dismantle the whole center console!! lol
You truly are hardcore! I didn't think having an MP3 player would be so painful! lol

Great pics... At least some of the other RX-8 owners know what's involved now!

 

what fireware is your headunit?? and what is the requirements for the IPOD KIT???

 

hey dude thanks for the info, it looks hard so i might just leave it for the moment untill i get my head around pulling things apart

 

I checked my head unit and it's 9.55

I did a mental count and I only had to remove about a dozen screws plus that security bolt; Everything else uses clips.
I also had to remove six connectors I think and these are more difficult because of the short cables and the variety of ways the connectors are secured.

If I had to do it again it would take about 90 min. instead of three hours but not knowing the internals cost me extra time. I posted the pictures to help you guys do yours.

 

Questions:
Gotta love those white AC and FAN connectors.
How did you pull out the headunit?
Did you make an marks?
Did you snap any clips on the center console cover by the shift ****?
I take it the adapter doesn't show track info or anything right?
Why not just do the cd hack?
Seems like a waste of $150
Just my $0.02
Good pics though

 

Thanks for your thoughts.
I took a small flat screwdriver and wrapped the end in duct tape. This little tool was used to push on the connector release tabs and to gently pry out the head unit (after the security bolt and screws were removed). The head unit did not get any marks because I used tips from this site such as using the towel over the shifter and the previously mentioned tape on the screwdriver.
The centre console hidden clip was broken ages ago (not by me). I replaced it a while back with some velcro tape (I'll see if I can post pictures) after my AFE SS install.
The unit shows which menu and list you are on but it's all done numerically. Songs are just played in the order set up using ITunes. Text display would have been great.
Although I'm technical I had no interest in a hack job. I wanted a Plug 'n Play unit with all the features.


Edit: Added my menu operation details from another IPOD thread

If you want to select a menu you hold down the cd change button (up or down) for one second or more. The number scrolls but you ignore that. When you release the button the time counter shows the menu number for a second or so before the next song starts counting.
The cd change button also is used to change the list number within the menu you selected. The list is changed if you press the button for less than one second. The only issue here is if you hit the cd button twice in one second it will change the menu instead of the list so you have to change lists slowly.
The menu numbers are documented in the manual and the list in each menu is selected in the order programmed on your IPOD.

 

Cool! Thanks for the detail.

Added to my to do list...

 

Got a flyer from Mazda in the mail today about this. They charge 189.95 not including installation

Wonder how much they charge for the install on top of that!?!?!

Darkbrew how do you find it now that you've had it installed for a couple of weeks?

Any chance you could post a pic or two of the finished install with the ipod hooked up??

Also included in that flyer was a coupon for 15% off all mazda genuine accessories, so I guess that would apply to the ipod connector then?!?!?

 

Got that flyer too, At least we get free tire rotation with our oil change for 59 bucks, new wipers too, but ya Iam interested in that Ipod adapter too

 

So this is a Mazda kit? How does it differ/compare with the IceLink kit (which I had always heard was the best with full playlist support, etc.)

http://www.dension.com/icelinkplus.php

No flyer yet for me... Is the kit you purchased listed online anywhere with specs?

Thanks for your time! I've got a lame FM transmitter for my Ipod and I'm pretty much fed up with the terrible audio quality not to mention trying to use that infernal click wheel while driving is almost suicidal

Justarius

 

Dude. look at the first post in this thread... C$150 at Khan.

The unit works great with full menu and playlist support. Sounds great too.

I wish I'd thought of a picture of it installed...

 

I wish you had of too because all I see are pictures of the installation process but none of the actual ipod hooked up to the installed adapter.

 

Well I can't change the past.
All you can see of the installed adapter is about 8" of cable in the glovebox. My IPOD sits in the glovebox out of site.
Now you don't have to put it in the glovebox 'cus there's enough cable for other locations but that's where I wanted it.

Hey, Post #700

 

Thanks....exactly what I wanted to know.

 

Cool.

 

so the ipod shows the mazda icon the whole time? basically, while it's playing, there is no way to know the name of the song it's playing?

 

Yes, for a while it says Mazda but then the back light shuts off. At that point it gets locked in my glove box.

You can just listen to the song to figure out which one it is...

Still no text display.

 

ok.

it does charge the ipod though?

also, can you jump in the car, start the ipod on a certain playlist, then plug it in and have it keep playing that list? that would work for me 99% of the time.

 

Yes it charges.

Yes it keeps track of the last song you were playing and starts there when you get back in. (whether you disconnect or not)
If you play the IPOD in between drives it picks up in the same playlist but not always on the same song.

 

Sorry to repeat, but does anyone know how this compares to the IceLink kit (unless it IS the Icelink kit)?