keitan

Hi Everyone,
I wanted to share my experience in upgrading my stock 2004 RX-8 (Bose) stereo to a double din touchscreen system.
I had it professionally installed, since I simply don't have experience with these things, and I like to support local shops. Sun Valley Stereo in Phoenix did the installation, and did quite a good one at that.
One thing they had to re-do was the RCA tips. They needed to be the higher quality versions for the Pioneer system.
The Metra kit is stable for now. A few days after the installation, the outside ambient temperature reading got stuck, but it seemed to correct itself after a reset and a few days. But I was able to customize the message in the red display. Pretty cool.
Please let me know if you have any questions about it.
Before pic: inside my garage
After pic: outside, so colors look different.
Thanks,
Keitan

FrankieAvocado

That looks really good! How much was the actual kit itself, if you don't mind me asking. I ended up just installing an amp in the trunk, hooking it up to a toggle switch and manually running an aux cable to the trunk. The amount of effort in replacing that damned center console was too much for my taste.

Sinister1

Looks good! How do you customize the display?

keitan

The kit itself costs $250 retail, but the installer gave me a break on it for $200. I saw the same kit on Amazon for even less:
Metra 95-7510HG Double DIN Installation Dash Kit for $154

Once the Metra kit is installed and plugged in, the red letter display is controlled by using the climate control buttons. Here's the PDF online. The instructions are on the last page:
http://www.carid.com/images/metra/st...structions.pdf

Also here:
Press and hold the A/C Mode button to scroll through the various kit options (AMB
TEMP ON or OFF, AMB TEMP C or F, SET TIME 12/24H, and SET TEXT).
1
When you see the option you want just let the button go and the action on the
screen will be performed. (ie: To turn the ambient temperature on you would scroll
through until the display says “AMB TEMP ON” and let the button go.)
2
To set the time hold down the A/C Mode button until the display says “SET TIME
12/24H” then let the button go.
3
To switch between 12H and 24H press the front defrost button to the left of the
A/C Mode button.
4
To change the Hour press the rear defrost button to the right of the A/C Mode
button.
5
6 To change the minute press the A/C button at the top of the A/C Mode button.
At any time if you do not press any buttons for 5 seconds the display will save and
return to the default screen and the climate control buttons will return to their
normal configuration.
7
If you hold the A/C Mode button down long enough the display will say “SET
TEXT”. This will allow you customize the default text on the display.
8
Once the display says “SET TEXT” let go and the first letter of the display will begin
blinking.
9
Press the front defrost button to move the cursor left and the rear defrost button
to move the cursor to the right.
10
You can scroll up with the A/C button and down with the Recirc/Fresh button
through the various alpha, numeric, and symbol characters.
11
When you are finished entering your text if you do not press any buttons for 5 seconds
the display will save and return to the default screen and the climate control
buttons will return to their normal configuration.

carid

Hello, Keitan and thanks for sharing your experience with us! You did a great job, the kit with the stereo looks awesome! What other mods are you planning to do?

keitan

Since the engine under the hood has only 25k miles on it (factory replaced at 31k miles by first owner due to carbon buildup and loss of compression), I plan to keep it stock. I know I can get more horsepower with some mods there, but I already have an issue keeping radar-happy police from pulling me over.

I did find a factory accessory brochure in the original paperwork, and found some that I think I may do:
Aluminum Accelerator Pedal F151-V8-221
Aluminum Brake Pedal F152-V8-222F
Aluminum Foot Rest FE01-V8-210
Polished Aluminum Fender Strakes F151-V4-300F

Here is the pic of the other accessory parts with their numbers for the 2004 RX-8:

keitan

The next 'big' purchase are the tires. I already secured the tires to replace my Bridgestone Potenza set that wore thin fairly quickly. I see excellent ratings for the MS932 Sport All Season Radials, so thought I would give them a try. I need a longer-wear tire that is better in the monsoon rains than cornering. Hopefully I got a nice set. They are in my garage and I plan to put them on in about a month. A local tire and brake shop that my work uses agreed to mount them for me.

LARotary

That looks great I get mine next week my shop recommended it but I have a question. The steering wheel volume, mode, and next previous buttons are they still functional with the Metra kit? I think I might do the flat black!

keitan

@LARotary - There is an extra adapter that needs to be purchased to make the steering wheel controls work. I looked at the receipt, but the installer didn't itemize it. It could very well be this item:
Metra Axxess ASWC-1 Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface (available on Amazon)
A couple of other tips from what I experienced:
- Ask the installer to use RCA jacks. Originally they wired from the touchscreen stereo directly to the speakers, and it made a hissing sound at all volume levels.
- Use only the BEST RCA tips. Originally the installer used standard RCA tips, and after one week I was getting the alternator whine noise, and some nasty popping sounds. He changed those out to very high end tips and that was all fixed, and the clarity of the sound was MUCH better.

Good luck! Send pics when done. :-)

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

Looks great, Keitan! I think I know what Im doing with my tax refund check.

Zipperelli

Looks awesome! Question: Does it support Bluetooth? That would be the make or break for me.