Rob in WA

My old 911 had an incredible system in it and it was the main thing that really bummed me out that I lost when I got the 996. I had put off doing an upgrade for a number of reasons. In my older age, I can't justfy spending thousands on a stereo in a less then ideal environment (rather spend it on a McIntosh amp for the home system). I also did not want to mess with the stock look at all (PCM), or drill any holes. I ran into Rod a 911 stereo specialist at www.caraudioinnovations.com and told him my goals. He was able to set me up with a speaker and amp upgrade for around $1500.00. The catch was, I had to install it myself. I've done systems in my high school/college days, but nothing for many years and was more then a bit nervous. Rod provided great instructions and walked me through several parts via phone and e-mail. It was great to have the digital camera to send off pics w/specific questions.

First was to clear out the trunk and locate the plugs in the "firewall" to run wires to the interior.



Then on to remove the PCM to access the outputs.



Using the stock speaker grills is about the hardest part. I used a dremel to cut away the mounting bracket from the stock speakers. It's a bit tricky to notch out and get an airtight fit with the grills.



Getting the speakers back in the holes in the car is very tight. This actually took a few days of tinkering to get a nice flush fit. Then to hook everyting up and test it out.



Keeping the power source away from the audio lines is crucial to eliminate engine whine. I mounted the sub woofer controller in the rear center console cubby.



I didn't want to lose any trunk space and was able to tuck the amp in the spot where the stock amp sat.



I mounted the polyglass crossovers where I could access them in case they needed to be adjusted later. I'm thinking when I put the hard top on.

The install took a week of working on it just about every night. Rod kept telling me to take my time which I really needed to hear. It turned out great. Driving with top down blasting Jack Johnson is pure bliss.

Part two is to install the subs, on back order, in the doors.

Riad

Very impressive install, looks quite professional...

Poursha

Wow--nice system. Looks like the Monster cable I used in my home theater system!!

wet996

Rob in WA - are you going with the Focal 5WS in the door pods? If yes - are you using the porsche vented pods (smaller volume) or the newer sealed (5.5 liter)? Are you adding another amp for the subs (I see your 4 ch - I assume thats driving your front/rear). Looks great

Rob in WA

wet - I'm using the amp for the subs and the head power for the rears. Yes it's the Focal 5 3/8' sub. I'm using the door pods that came w/my car (3.4l). Thanks

J.D. You should see the 6x40 amp that comes stock w/the hi-fi package . The speakers aren't great either. The stock system was passable w/the top up, but once it goes down and your all alone and want to crank it .

The sound quality is incredible. I hadn't done an aftermarket stereo for about ten years and the polyglass Focals sound equivalent a nice home system. The volume is good, but not obnoxious, the amp is 340 watts. I haven't replaced the subs yet, so I can't comment on the bass. Only to say that the stock subs sound much better w/sufficient power, but they do fart out when I really, really, crank it. I had an 8" in my old 911 and loved it, it's just I need the back seats for my boys and it's tight enough as it is. I thought about a removable sub, but decided against it (for now anyway).

wet996

I am just about ready to do a similar upgrade to my 99 cab. My question on the stock door enclosures was my car has the smaller vented models and I also bought the newer/larger enclosures (which are sealed) for this upgrade. Focal says they 5WS is better with smaller vented enclosures and was wondering if I should just stay with the orginal model. I understand that you can run drive a sealed enclosure sub harder then vented (ported). Maybe I should just use the doors as midbase and put 8" or 10" in the back seats (no kids and never use them). That will make the install a little more complex though.

Would like to know what you think after you get the 5" subs. thanks

ubergeek

Super Nice!
Maybe you can help me improve the sound in my P-car . It is so bad that I never turn it on. Absolutely, no bass at all. There are no spkears on the doors and not sure if I can buy the enclosure.

Kevin M.

Looks great Rob.. also looks very familiar ...

Wet996.. to answer your question about the focals in the enclosure.. I tried both.. the best bass comes from the large sealed enclosure, you need to silicone the speaker once its screwed in, its a bit larger then the stock speaker and will not fit flush. When you silicone it all the way around it seals it perfectly. If there is a small hold you will get a vibration in the speaker...

Pics
Focals




Full install seen here..Stereo Install

wet996

Kevin M - nice install too!

I have been planing my upgrade for a few weeks and changed course a few times. I have a set of Focal Polykevlar 3-ways (with Utopia x-overs) - but the 4" mids are too big for the dash and the 6.5" will take some work with the door enclosures (alternative is to go with the 3-way polyglass - still have to mod the door enclosures).

I am using a PG Ti 75wx4 amp - hows it sound? I am putting in a new HU (has no amp) so I may use the pre-outs into the 40wx6 amp for the rears. I guess I could make life simple and go the route your guys did and use the 100V2 up front and the 5WS in the doors!!

Hope mine turns out as good as yours did!

wet996

Kevin - I can't tell if you use the old speakers in mounting the Focals (like Rob did). How did you mount yours?

Kevin M.

That will sound very nice. The PG amp sounds great plenty of power.. Although I picked up a sub enclosure off of ebay for $150 several months ago, it is custom made out of fiberglass, and it goes over the back seats and the subs shoot out towards the fronts. You can stiil have the back seats in as well.. When I put this in Im going to need another amp. Yes I used the stock speaker grills to mount the focals too, they were a tuff fit but they did fit after some work.

Rob in WA

Nice Kevin I see from your renntech page that you spent $650.00 on the install, that makes me feel a little bit better. So the 5" Focals sound good? I'll have to ask Rod about the different enclosures.

uber: My brother is in Redmond too. He just had Stereotomy in Issaquah do his Turbo.



He was very happy with them. He did the whole DVD - PlayStation input thing. He spent almost 10x what I did and I don't think it sounds that much better. Plus he added a bunch of weight to even out our "spirited" jaunts.

Kevin M.

Rob, yes the 5" focals are quite amazing to say they least.. your bros install is very nice and clean too.. yea I helped the installer do a lot of the work, it took us both about a week to do. The $650 included a lot of cables and wires as well.

wet996

Kevin - my Q about the dash was how you mounted the focals to the grills. Rob cut up the orginal speakers and used as a mounting bracket (match orginal holes). Did you do the same or glue (other) method?

I would love to see some pics of your sub box and any info on where I can get it!!!

wet996

Rob - I see you used diff speaker cables to your front mids and tweets? The mids look like twisted pair (should help with noise). What brand were these? Also - whos RCAs did you use? thanks!