A local high-end stereo installer told me that if I wanted to change to an aftermarket head unit (such as the Avic D3) that it would not be an easy switch. He told me that he would have to re-wire all the speakers because the Porsche is 3ohm and the Pioneer or Alpine is 4ohm.

Does this make any sense?
(btw, I have '01 with the upgraded factory stereo)

Thanks in advance

 

NO.....he is wrong...plus he didnt mention to you that you can use the ORIGINAL AMP which drives the speakers in the same manner they are driven now? OR, you can simply upgrade your speakers (which you will probably do anyway as the factory speakers are junk)....Find another shop....one that deals with Porsche...

look at some options at

www.caraudioinnovations.com

Rod the owner SPECIALIZES in Porsches....

 

Note that Porsche changed to an optical system (MOST) in 03, which would add complications, but as Newport says, your installer is talking rubbish

 

That installer is full of crapola- he's probably trying to 'upsell' you into a full-on system swap... more $$ for him.

It's a shame when shops see you rolling up in an expensive car, they think they can take advantage of your lack of knowledge. This sort of peeves me a bit since I used to own an installation shop.


All you have to do is wire up the Avic or any other unit to the factory amplifier inputs. On my pcar (02 w/ Bose), I hooked up the hi-level speaker leads from my Kenwood DNX7100 to the Bose amp's inputs. Super simple.

On your car, not sure of '01 models- You may need to wire low-level RCA outputs to your factory amp. Not hard either-
So no matter which way you need to hook it up (hi level or low level) to the amp, it is no more difficult than any other car- and as a matter of fact, it is one of the easier ones. Were talking 20 minutes worth of wire connections here.
The time-consuming and added-cost part would be making a nice looking trim plate to surround your new unit (assuming you are going double-din).

Interview a few shops- Don't take any bull

If you want to see what some of the install process looks like go here: https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ht=kenwood+nav

 

Thank you so much for your input. I feel like confronting the guy who told me all that b.s. armed with this new knowledge

 

The installer is not 100% BS. He is correct that the Porsche speakers are in fact 3 ohm while the rest of the world pretty much uses 4ohm.

But...yeah he does not need to "re-wire" the whole system as he states. I know this because I was going to throw some Boston Acoustics pro separates in a pod in my stock doors...we threw em in..and they sounded CRAPPY! Like really bad. So...my buddy was trying to figure out why it sounded so bad...well we found out that in my car..a 2001 C2 the door speakers are in fact 3 ohm BASS speakers...so hooking up the new speakers..the bass was no longer hitting as they should because of the ohms. Sooo...we put back in the stocks...and went looking for a 3 ohm 5" sub instead.

so he aint completely full of crap...just 95%! Good luck!

 

I just called Crutchfield who actually told me the same thing my local installer did. Now I'm really confused

 

WHY NOT CALL THE GUY I POSTED.....he is a PORSCHE CAR AUDIO SPECIALIST not some $8/hr guy that answers phones for crutchfield.....If you went to the site I posted he has PLENTY of cars he has done what he has done with pics and descriptions....I dont know what else to tell you....You have a Porsche, your FIRST call should be someone familiar with them, not some general audio guy.....If you are having heart pains, you gonna call a foot doctor?

 

OK, Ok!! I'll call your guy tomorrow.
thanks

 

Good luck I'm installing the Pioneer Z2 and i'm using the OEM amp that came with the hi fi system to drive my speakers.

 

Crutchfield is not an authoritative source of installation information. They wouldn't know a Porsche from a Buick as far as installing an aftermarket stereo goes.
All they can tell you is hard data facts, like..."um yeah the speakers are 3 ohms and your deck is 4 ohms".
But they cannot tell you the right and easy way to hook up your new head unit, avoiding a costly re-wire and/or speaker replacement.

Please take the advice of others here and call the place Newport recommended! This is a relatively easy install.

 

If all you are doing is the stereo swap. then you can retain the HIFI system with a simple SVEN4 from peripheral or a OEM4a from soundgate.

 

PM me if you have any questions

 

Are you guys generally installing the double-din HU in the console tray below or relocating the AC controls?

I just got a 02 C2 yesterday and pulled my Kenwood 7100 out of my S4 before trading it in.

I've seen them go in both ways but wanted to know what the gemeral consensus was?

Thanks, oh I love my p-car!

Oh, do 6 1/2 inch components fit into the stock speaker placements? I have some nice Alpine type X 2-way that I would love to use as well.

 

I think most relocate the a/c to the lower portion and put the head unit above so it's easier to access and read.
You will need to buy from Porsche the trim piece around the a/c designed for the lower location. I believe it's around $20.