Base stereo upgrade

C Haller · 04-22-2013, 08:39 AM

Hello everyone! I just bought a 2013 Nismo 370z (my third 370, one was totaled in a wreck and the other I traded in for the Nismo) and of course I want to upgrade the stereo system. I’m not looking for a world class sound system, just something that will sound as good (and maybe a little better) than the Bose I had in my last Touring 370. Also, I am not trying to be cheap but would like to keep the costs down. I don't plan on adding a sub or amp to keep the install cost/time down. I plan to do the install myself with the help of a friend and I just needed some help picking out all the hardware I need. Here is what I have so far:

Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS
Axxess Metra ASWC-1 Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface with New Micro B Connector
Parking Brake Override Bypass
Polk Audio DB6501 6.5-Inch 2-Way Component System (Pair, Silver)
iSimple IS335 Dash Mountable Auxiliary Input Adapter
PAC 6' USB Cable with Mounting Bracket USBCBL

I got the AUX and USB jacks to mount in the center console or where the heated seat controls would be. The few questions I have are:

1. Should I upgrade the dash speakers too? If so, what would people recommend?
2. Am I missing anything to complete the install?
3. Do I need a special tool to remove the stock head unit?
4. Will I be alright without an amplifier? (Again, I'm not looking for a world class system here)

Thanks in advance.

bigaudiofanat · 04-22-2013, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Haller

Hello everyone! I just bought a 2013 Nismo 370z (my third 370, one was totaled in a wreck and the other I traded in for the Nismo) and of course I want to upgrade the stereo system. I’m not looking for a world class sound system, just something that will sound as good (and maybe a little better) than the Bose I had in my last Touring 370. Also, I am not trying to be cheap but would like to keep the costs down. I don't plan on adding a sub or amp to keep the install cost/time down. I plan to do the install myself with the help of a friend and I just needed some help picking out all the hardware I need. Here is what I have so far:

Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS
Axxess Metra ASWC-1 Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface with New Micro B Connector
Parking Brake Override Bypass
Polk Audio DB6501 6.5-Inch 2-Way Component System (Pair, Silver)
iSimple IS335 Dash Mountable Auxiliary Input Adapter
PAC 6' USB Cable with Mounting Bracket USBCBL

I got the AUX and USB jacks to mount in the center console or where the heated seat controls would be. The few questions I have are:

1. Should I upgrade the dash speakers too? If so, what would people recommend?
2. Am I missing anything to complete the install?
3. Do I need a special tool to remove the stock head unit?
4. Will I be alright without an amplifier? (Again, I'm not looking for a world class system here)

Thanks in advance.

Looks like a good setup, I am just partial for kenwood over pioneer.

1. by saying dash speakers you really mean door and dash speakers are they are a component set. Yes if you want to, you will get better sound quality this way. A lot of people use polk db's another good option is alpine type r's.

2. If you do speakers you will want/need to run new speaker wire.

3. No just a Philips

4. If your running factory speakers yes, if you were going with a high end set of speakers than you would want an amp. From the ones I recommended you will be fine.

kenchan · 04-22-2013, 09:58 AM

i read people having issues with ASWC on this car. i suggest getting the PAC if you're going to run pioneer on the base Z, unless ofcourse, bigaudiofanat can explain what people need to do to make the ASWC work on this car.

i had on issue running pioneer HU with ASWC on my honda though.

it was literally tap remote wire, plug it in, and walla.

been running PAC on my pioneers on my Z for 4yrs. no issue.

speedracer007 · 04-22-2013, 12:25 PM

Just a suggestion -- I got an extention cable for the USB with a mounting bracket. I installed it in the center armrest storage area next to the power outlet. Looks clean and OEM.

If you are using a normal flash drive in the heated seat location, you may have to worry about hitting it while shifting.

kenchan · 04-22-2013, 01:07 PM

^^ that's pretty cool about the usb.

http://www.amazon.com/PAC-Cable-Moun...+with+mounting

mine, since i already have a hole at the base of my center console to power my gopro, i just routed the usb cord through there and it's loosely inside. no rattles or anything though.

bigaudiofanat · 04-22-2013, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

i read people having issues with ASWC on this car. i suggest getting the PAC if you're going to run pioneer on the base Z, unless ofcourse, bigaudiofanat can explain what people need to do to make the ASWC work on this car.

i had on issue running pioneer HU with ASWC on my honda though.

it was literally tap remote wire, plug it in, and walla.

been running PAC on my pioneers on my Z for 4yrs. no issue.

People's problem with the ASWC was you had to do a manual program, however the upside is much quicker responses to button presses than the PAC. Another drawback to the PAC is the pain in the but resistors you must install between all the wires. The newer ASWC is even better where from what I read they fixed the problem with having to do a manual program for the 370z.

kenchan · 04-22-2013, 01:22 PM

^^ was there any wiring changes from the owner's manual at all for the aswc for 370Z? seems like there was something they had to do with the wiring to make it work as well.

i think there was only like one or two resistors that i had to wire on the pac's leads...which to me was not a big deal since my soldering iron was out already to do the wireharness..?

MarkGideon · 04-22-2013, 01:48 PM

I installed the ASWC earlier this year, and once I got it in my head what wires I needed to tap, it was easy after that. No manual programming and haven't had any problems since the install.

For my USB thumb drive, I just routed the cable from the rear of the HU into the glove box. Sure, a micro thumb drive just about fills it up, but it was easy access to get the wire into it.

bigaudiofanat · 04-22-2013, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

^^ was there any wiring changes from the owner's manual at all for the aswc for 370Z? seems like there was something they had to do with the wiring to make it work as well.

i think there was only like one or two resistors that i had to wire on the pac's leads...which to me was not a big deal since my soldering iron was out already to do the wireharness..?

Colors can change from year to year on the 370z, however the pin numbers have been the same.

True it's only two resistors but with the ASWC you just wire it directly to the harness not having to worry about another step or whether to cut or not cut the loop of the PAC, must faster and more simple.

C Haller · 04-22-2013, 02:06 PM

So I definitely am going with the Polk Audio 6.5" component speakers. Quick question tho: Why do I have to replace the factory speaker wire? The car only has 200 miles on. Or is it a quality issue?

kenchan · 04-22-2013, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Colors can change from year to year on the 370z, however the pin numbers have been the same.

hope those with aswc sees that.

Cbtech · 04-22-2013, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedracer007

Just a suggestion -- I got an extention cable for the USB with a mounting bracket. I installed it in the center armrest storage area next to the power outlet. Looks clean and OEM.

If you are using a normal flash drive in the heated seat location, you may have to worry about hitting it while shifting.

I just threw mine in the glove box. no crazy routing and its out of the way. You dont really touch the USB often enough to go through the process of mounting etc.

kenchan · 04-22-2013, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbtech

I just threw mine in the glove box. no crazy routing and its out of the way. You dont really touch the USB often enough to go through the process of mounting etc.

you are not an enthusiast.

nicmet1 · 04-22-2013, 06:31 PM

Here is an aux plug that has a USB and 3.5 Jack. I like it because it converts the 3.5 to rcas, so I can still use my iPod interface, which uses the only 3.5 input on my hu. I plug in the rcas to the aux input that is available

bigaudiofanat · 04-22-2013, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Haller

So I definitely am going with the Polk Audio 6.5" component speakers. Quick question tho: Why do I have to replace the factory speaker wire? The car only has 200 miles on. Or is it a quality issue?

It's part quality and part the stock speakers are wired in parallel where you new set of speakers goes through its own crossover block.

04-22-2013, 08:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
C Haller Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 9 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z PW Rep Power: 14	Base stereo upgrade Hello everyone! I just bought a 2013 Nismo 370z (my third 370, one was totaled in a wreck and the other I traded in for the Nismo) and of course I want to upgrade the stereo system. I’m not looking for a world class sound system, just something that will sound as good (and maybe a little better) than the Bose I had in my last Touring 370. Also, I am not trying to be cheap but would like to keep the costs down. I don't plan on adding a sub or amp to keep the install cost/time down. I plan to do the install myself with the help of a friend and I just needed some help picking out all the hardware I need. Here is what I have so far: Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS Axxess Metra ASWC-1 Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface with New Micro B Connector Parking Brake Override Bypass Polk Audio DB6501 6.5-Inch 2-Way Component System (Pair, Silver) iSimple IS335 Dash Mountable Auxiliary Input Adapter PAC 6' USB Cable with Mounting Bracket USBCBL I got the AUX and USB jacks to mount in the center console or where the heated seat controls would be. The few questions I have are: 1. Should I upgrade the dash speakers too? If so, what would people recommend? 2. Am I missing anything to complete the install? 3. Do I need a special tool to remove the stock head unit? 4. Will I be alright without an amplifier? (Again, I'm not looking for a world class system here) Thanks in advance.

04-22-2013, 09:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	i read people having issues with ASWC on this car. i suggest getting the PAC if you're going to run pioneer on the base Z, unless ofcourse, bigaudiofanat can explain what people need to do to make the ASWC work on this car. i had on issue running pioneer HU with ASWC on my honda though. it was literally tap remote wire, plug it in, and walla. been running PAC on my pioneers on my Z for 4yrs. no issue. C Haller likes this.

04-22-2013, 12:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
speedracer007 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 119 Drives: 2013 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 12	Just a suggestion -- I got an extention cable for the USB with a mounting bracket. I installed it in the center armrest storage area next to the power outlet. Looks clean and OEM. If you are using a normal flash drive in the heated seat location, you may have to worry about hitting it while shifting. C Haller likes this. Last edited by speedracer007; 04-22-2013 at 12:32 PM.

04-22-2013, 01:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
MarkGideon Base Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: USA, SC Posts: 213 Drives: 2012 370Z Base Rep Power: 13	I installed the ASWC earlier this year, and once I got it in my head what wires I needed to tap, it was easy after that. No manual programming and haven't had any problems since the install. For my USB thumb drive, I just routed the cable from the rear of the HU into the glove box. Sure, a micro thumb drive just about fills it up, but it was easy access to get the wire into it. __________________ 2012 370Z Base Gun Metallic--2015 Altima 2.5SV Gun Metallic--2020 Chevy Silverado RST--1965 Chevy C10 Stepside Shortbed

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04-22-2013, 01:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	^^ that's pretty cool about the usb. http://www.amazon.com/PAC-Cable-Moun...+with+mounting mine, since i already have a hole at the base of my center console to power my gopro, i just routed the usb cord through there and it's loosely inside. no rattles or anything though.

04-22-2013, 01:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	^^ was there any wiring changes from the owner's manual at all for the aswc for 370Z? seems like there was something they had to do with the wiring to make it work as well. i think there was only like one or two resistors that i had to wire on the pac's leads...which to me was not a big deal since my soldering iron was out already to do the wireharness..?

04-22-2013, 02:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
C Haller Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 9 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z PW Rep Power: 14	So I definitely am going with the Polk Audio 6.5" component speakers. Quick question tho: Why do I have to replace the factory speaker wire? The car only has 200 miles on. Or is it a quality issue?

04-22-2013, 06:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
nicmet1 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: jacksonville Posts: 2 Drives: 2010 370z sport Rep Power: 12	Here is an aux plug that has a USB and 3.5 Jack. I like it because it converts the 3.5 to rcas, so I can still use my iPod interface, which uses the only 3.5 input on my hu. I plug in the rcas to the aux input that is available