93rdcurrent

Some decks are two tiered so they take up twice the space as a single deck. Kind of like you would see in some Honda's back in the 90's. Also yoiu could use that space to install a satellite control unit for XM or Sirius radio or you could use it for a permenant install on a laser/radar detector like the Escort SRX. I had planned on going with a single DIN application as well. But that is a good question don't worry about getting flamed.

Xero,

Are you planning on painting these through an autobody shop? Another obstacle I was trying to figure out was a scratch resistant surface. Let me know how you plan on accomplishing this. I am going to open a performance supply store and I would be happy to offer these for you through my website if you are interested. P/M me and we can talk price.

XeRo

I'm not going to paint the Carbon Fiber...it's black/ dark grey so it matches with the interior very well. I'm using System 2000 Epoxy Resin from one of my old suppliers and 3K, 2x2 Twill Weave Graphite Fabric...it will be fairly scratch resistant...although if you knife it up with some sharp metal you'll be able to see it...I was up late last night playing around with the designs and if people want to keep the circular design currently present it's going to look funny with the DIN opening kinda in the middle...i'm still trying to figure out how to mount it using the factory locations...i think i'm going to have to take my car apart again...

Japan8

Damn.... well sorry to say if it's 1DIN then I'm out. Got a 2DIN nav/stereo/PC that has to go in that space. So it's gotta be 2Din for me... sorry... but I'm not getting an 8 for another 6-8 months or so... so does it really matter?

XeRo

Japan8....i shouldn't say I won't do it...but the playdough model I had...looked pretty funny 2DIN...I will have to add some texture into the mold to change the appearance a little...i'm not saying it won't/can't be done...i'm just going to focus on single DIN first...

93rdcurrent

I understood that you probably wouldn't paint the carbon fiber version I was asking about the fiberglass. Never got the P/M... Are you interested in wholesale?

Japan8

XeRo... I see. No problem at all then.. since I won't be ready for one for awhile still.

Looking forward to seeing how it comes out initially...

Oh.. what are you going to do about the clock buttons? Mount new ones in position near stock???

Trmaple

I would be all over a quality dash kit, $200-$300 is well worth it.

My biggest problem with this car is you can spend all the money you want on speakers, and amps, but without a decent head unit your not getting anywhere.

AutoBahnRX8

Yep, as long as you have to use line-level converters it's gonna suck. Granted Mine sounds MUCH better than stock, but still Sure will be nice to have a high-end head unit with 2 pairs of RCA outs.

Just for info, I'm running a HiFonics 440 to run Focal Poly-Kevlar components in the front, Infinity kappa 6X9s in the back and an Eclipse 200 pushing a single Diamond 10" sub in the trunk.

No flames on the HiFonics please, it was free :D

XeRo

hehe..not flaming but kinda reminds me of the days when people would come to my shop with Majestic amps all excited about the amount of "BOOM" they're going to have...LOL....OK!...

that's cool you got a free amp...i mean it'll do and hey..it was FREE!

rotarygod

This is one of those things that is on my "planning to" list.

webba_az

Bump

..Any news on this project or similar ones? Money's burning a hole in my pocket

MugenR

any news on the project? anything is ready?

XeRo

i'm trying...i'm trying...it's taking forever because I don't own a shop and do this full time anymore..my shop is now my workshop (which I am now adding another garage onto..again) and I am slammed at my REAL job...i haven't been getting home before 19:00 est the past 2 weeks...and I have an 8 month old and a wife that needs q-time also...sorry it's taking forever...i am looking at integrating the center "fill-in" speaker into the design now but making it a full 5.1 system...but this will be after I get the initial build done...i have to take my car apart again because I need to find a way to "mount" the mold, since it's NOT going to be a cover up..it's the REAL DEAL...i think i will have to make a plug using the back of the stock faceplate but haven't come up with an ingenious way yet...when my light bulb goes off which it is constantly illuminating with ideas i will provide more info on it....RotaryGod...stand by I may call you for an opinion or two...

KBert

Hey I'm interested in the kit, let me know when you guys finish it, I'm available via email at kbert@optonline.net.

CW2

Carefull with the ckt board behind the faceplate of the factory HU (part # FE01-66-9H0) it breaks from just looking at it and it cost $450.00 (see "custom instal with head unit!!" by kidcas). Another member and I have problems with that ckt board. The AC controls, clock setting, led display, etc. pass through this ckt board. If you go ahead with the mod for 1 or 2 din's, you will have to keep this ckt car and relocate it elsewere or find a way to replicate its functions. All the HU setting buttons (e.g. radio pre-set station buttons colck setting, etc.) are built into the ckt board. I called "Metra" and they are working on the din for the Mazda 6. I told them that the ckt card on the RX8 is no different than the 6 as far as the multi-funtions they control. They said that if so, the can accelerate the development/production for an RX8 din (6-8 months). If we can flod them with calls they may realize that there is a big demand for an aftermarket din that would keep the AC andled functions operational.

04RX8DRIVER

Keep us posted on your progress

XeRo

I have talked to Metra concerning this multiple times and their product development team is NOT making any plans at this time or any coordinated effort to come up with a solution for our issue at hand.

That is why I have tried to focus more time on getting this done. My problem is associated costs with test fitting and construction (and deconstruction) of molds and pieces are coming out of my own pocket...and the wife is cranking down on my spending...it's rough when teachers get out for summer cause then they get bored and come up with ways to spend all the money on more furniture and CRAP!!...so...as I stated in kidcas' thread CW2 pointed out up top..i am trying to find a "convenient" and unobscure way to mount the PCB without it being damaged and still giving enough room for a 1DIN and 2DIN configuration...

Also...final rendition will most likely be Carbon Fiber as i have stated earlier I just think for now I will be doing this in fiberglass for all the future testing and fitting since it's easier than wet lay..I don't have IPT's convenience of pre-preg and an autoclave...

Isamu

I went to a local hifi shop to see how much a custom install would cost, including creating a custom faceplate, wiring, and "interfacing into the bose system". They quoted me 900 bucks! For 900 bucks I can have a more than decent computer + touchscreen lcd hooked onto the side of the passenger side. But that's not very integrated... so, XeRo, any updates on your faceplate? =)

Do you think there's enough room for the top row of buttons (clock, etc..), a 2Din slot, and the AC controls on the bottom? (I haven't looked inside the dash at all).

I'm gonna go hunt around for other stores to get some more quotes, but since these guys don't know much about the 8, I'd prefer to get info from someone who actually owns the car...! Thanks for taking the time to check this out!

On a side note, I recently saw the kenwood 2Din video/audio receiver in a boxster... it's sick. I need one. =)

XeRo

There is plenty of room for a 2DIN opening...it's practically there just behind the pretty fascia...i have not done anything else on it...sorry...i have been pondering the whole carputer ordeal, so my designs for a faceplate for a typical stereo have been placed on backburner...i'm looking at what Rotarygod has done but something about mounting a unit in the space where the NAV goes just doesn't do anything for me...i just need time, which i don't have. My intent on doing it in CF has gone out the window...wet lay CF is a PAIN IN THE A$$...i have a contact in ATL that can get pre-preg CF and has all the equipment, i.e. vac bags and autoclaves...i just need to perfect the mold and get a fiberglass or plastic one made to do the test fitting....if you have time for sale i'll buy some......

Isamu

Hey guys, I found this place locally that can produce a faceplate for relatively cheap. I'm gonna try to get it done.. but first of all, what should I be aware of? I'm gonna try to get it done with carbon fibre if possible.

If this works out, I'll send out a pic and maybe I can get us some cheap copies of the mold he creates. It'll save us some time too! Just let me know what I should be aware of before I dive into this tho.. thanks!

sixspeed

You guys do know R-Magic do a faceplate that gives you a 1-din opening whre the sat-nav would normally be? (so ok for non sat-nav cars)....

Will try and dig out the details..


-andy-

Japan8

Yes we all know. I did a group buy for it that 3 people too me up on. The cost runs you at about $500-600 and dealing with RMagic is a PIA. They are presently out-of-stock and we are running into the Obon holiday season. New units won't be avaialble until the end of August.

Isamu

Know about the RMagic.. but don't quite like the fact that I'll get this huge bump on top of my dash. I wanted it to be as oem as possible; but more importantly, I wanted to stick a 2-din DVD monitor in it. =)

Japan8

Well the answer wasn't for you Isamu. Sixspeed was asking about it, and I was giving some info regarding the piece.

I personally would rather use the stock nav hood for a carputer or put it in place of the stock HU for the same reasons as yourself... it looks more factory.

Isamu

Right, I too was answering Sixspeed actually - basically it's because of the factory look. =) I actually thought about putting a carputer instead too, but I figure if I put in an actual receiver, I'll have better sound quality. Also, it doesn't prevent me from building a carputer since it will be able to take video in (won't be as high resolution as a VGA input though).

Sound quality vs carputer video resolution...

To summarize what has to be done though, can someone tell me if I'm missing anything before I dump the stock HU out?

- Clock and A/C PCB has to be relocated
- Make it fit nicely.
- Umm.. anything else?
- The guy mentioned something about a remote control to steering wheel control interface that I can get for 100 bucks at PAC (Pacific Accessories or something like that).