Considering new HU

Nillaz · 09-28-2015, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chopin_guy88

Thanks -- appreciate the feedback. The more time I spend reading and everything, if I'm going to have the dash open in everything -- maybe it makes sense to at least add an amp to the system when doing all this work??

If I do ultimately decide to add an amp, it will still be *without* a sub. Just not going to give up what little cargo space our cars have.

That being said -- if I get a decent 2 channel or 4 channel amp (to run bridged) -- I will be able to get a lot more out of an after market set of components correct??

Chopin, if I may give a piece of advice....even if you are still undecided on whether or not to install an amp, while you have the dash apart for the HU install be proactive and run the RCA's/remote lead anyway. It's a tiny bit of extra work now to avoid a whole lot of hassle later. Plus, it will limit potential damage to your interior plastics. Our dash pieces were not meant to me ripped apart repeatedly and are prone to scratching/marring. Overall the fewer times you have to disassemble them the better off you will be.

At the end of the day it's your car and by all means you should do whatever you want with it, but you will never regret running those wires even if you ultimately don't use them. On the other hand, if you decide to run an amp at some point in the future you will be kicking yourself for not doing this the first time around.

TarheelGolfer · 09-29-2015, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nillaz

Chopin, if I may give a piece of advice....even if you are still undecided on whether or not to install an amp, while you have the dash apart for the HU install be proactive and run the RCA's/remote lead anyway. It's a tiny bit of extra work now to avoid a whole lot of hassle later. Plus, it will limit potential damage to your interior plastics. Our dash pieces were not meant to me ripped apart repeatedly and are prone to scratching/marring. Overall the fewer times you have to disassemble them the better off you will be.

At the end of the day it's your car and by all means you should do whatever you want with it, but you will never regret running those wires even if you ultimately don't use them. On the other hand, if you decide to run an amp at some point in the future you will be kicking yourself for not doing this the first time around.

Nillaz,

Which channel(s) did you run the RCAs off the head unit?

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Nillaz · 09-29-2015, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TarheelGolfer

Nillaz,

Which channel(s) did you run the RCAs off the head unit?

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I always run RCA's for all available outputs, so on my 8000NEX we're talking about 6 channels. In the Z I only use 4 of them...the front l/r and sub l/r. The rear channels are not currently in use, and while I don't anticipate that this will change it doesn't hurt to have options down the road. I put caps on unused connectors and tape them off to prevent shorts.

For this build I was installing my amp from the get go and thus ran my lines to my chosen location (the narrow space in the hatch directly behind the parcel shelf is excellent for amps with a smaller footprint). For those who are unsure if they even want to add an amp or undecided on where to ultimately locate the amp you can leave the connections under the parcel shelf to avoid unsightly wires. It's snug but I found in my first Z that you can tuck a surprising amount of cabling into this space. You can also gain access to this area by prying up the floors of the parcel shelf with a small flat head screwdriver. The floors are held in place with a couple clips that pop right out.

From there you can run the wires to either the hatch or under/behind the seat down the road. Getting the wires to this location from the HU is straightforward when you already have the dash apart the first time...there is ample room to run wires through the center console tunnel. If/when you decide to install an amp at a later date you don't need to rip your dash apart again...all you have to do is run your power cabling, and this can be accomplished without touching the dash.