Hello out there in cyber-space,

I'm a new RX-8 owner. We purchased our 2006 Velocity Red 6 speed RX-8 on Wednesday, September 27th. Thanks to this site, as well as the RX8WEB site, I decided to take the "plunge". The various postings helped me do my homework in regards to options, Mazda parts updates, locate a great aftermarket shifter, etc. I've been a Ford Mustang guy all of my life (all off my every day drivers have been Ford as well), so I was a little bit concerned that 80 cubes (1.3L) wouldn't cut it for me. I have a 1969 Boss 302 Mustang that pushes well over 300 HP for those of you that know what that vehicle is. It was never a question about the RX-8's styling, just the torque and horse power. However, once I took a test drive, I was hooked.

Our RX-8 has the grand touring package, rear wing spoiler, door guards, spare tire kit, and moonroof wind deflector. I had the dealer include the appearance package as well to add to the overall look of the car. I installed the RP short throw shifter (thanks for the great DIY), aluminum rotary tire value caps, aluminum rotary license plate bolts, clear side marker corner lights (thanks for the great DYI) with amber bulbs, chromed fender vents, and an aluminum rotary radio ****.

Arriving next week is a chrome gas door, aluminum door sills with black rotary accent, premimum carpets, pearl black aluminum license plate frame, and black rotary center caps.

I also purchased a 6 disc CD changer unit. It replaces the existing single disc CD unit that's contained in the radio / climate control package that reside in the center of the dash. I need to pull the unit, swap out the single disc for the 6 disc changer, and re-install the unit. Here lies my question. I was trying to remove the radio / climate control package from the center dash. I got everything out fine (even removed the hidden bolt) up to the point of disconnecting the antenna and the four plug connectors. I just couldn't seem to be able to pull the unit out far enough to effect the disconnections. I did not remove the vent grill that resides immediately above the radio unit. Rather than tempt fate and break something, I buttoned everything back up. Does anyone out there have a trick for disconnecting the plugs on the radio / climate control unit? Is there a certain sequence to tackle the plugs? Perhaps a certain access (driver side, passenger side, ??) that works best? I'm sure there must be something simple that I'm overlooking here. I hope someone can point me in the right direction.

 

I would ask around in here
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/

 

For someone who was nervous to take on a 1.3L engine you sure seem to be happy to buy any accesory boasting the rotary logo. I agree with you, it IS a great engine. Nothing like beating a mid 90s Camero and telling them you did it with a 1.3 Liter engine. Have fun with it. Sorry I can't help you, but enjoy the awesome new car.

 

i used a long screw driver to help depress the clips on the plugs, that and some man handleing

 

You man handler lol

 

wow... thats all i can say to that

 

From the drivers side do the first plug you see, then the next.

After that you can pull it out far enough to ge tthe big connector.

 

"Pull it out" lol "Big connector"

 

I just did this yesterday. Took a screw driver to release the clips from the climate controls.. then I could pull the radio out far enough to get to those plugs.. I was able to do them by hand.

BTW I _really_ like the 6-disc over the single disc.. worth the money!

 

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