996 Stereo Head Unit Replacement

[RennRob]

Hello All,

 

 

 

I have just replaced the stock head unit with a Kenwood KMM-BT302. This unit does not have a CD player, but does have Bluetooth, hands-free, etc.

 

 

 

I thought that I would share some of my learnings with you. Please forgive the lack of pictures, but I did not plan to create a post when I started.

 

 

 

Car: 2001 996 C2

 

System: CDR 220, CD changer in the front, with door speakers (speakers already upgraded to Alpine SPS-410 speakers that seem to be popular with other people).

 

 

 

What I have learnt:

 

A new head unit transforms the audio experience (plus all the other added functionality of Bluetooth, etc)!

 

Thanks goodness I don’t have a BOSE MOST system- that sounds v.tricky to upgrade.

 

Get a set of audio trim tools and becker removal tools off ebay.

 

An email to a supplier with a question and photo is worth the effort/ time.

 

This is not as hard as I thought it would be!

 

 

 

KIT

 

If you want to upgrade speakers, these will save you from some fancy (and destructive alterations)

 

http://www.jmgshop.com/9xx---dashboard-speaker-fitting-kit-without-speakers-355-p.asp

 

 

 

There are a few different harness adaptors available 9again, will save you from chopping the original wiring). The one you choose will be based on the connectors (or lack of that your new head unit has). I would recommend contacting the harness supplier with a photo of the back of your new head unit (learnt this one the hard way).

 

 

 

http://www.metraonline.com/part/Volkswagen_Audi_wire+harness_70-1787 is the one I used, but I originally ordered this one (in error as I have female plug receivers in my new head unit for the speaker inputs)

 

https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/connects2-ct53-po01-porsche-911-boxster-active-system-amplifier-adaptor.html

 

 

 

 

 

INSTILLATION

 

 

 

Disconnect the battery.

 

 

 

To remove the A pillar trim (if you want to install a mic there). Note that the coat hook needs to be prised off first.

 

http://bethnrayndogs.com/car_docs/Porsche/porsche/Porsche_Tech/Porsche_TECHNICAL_BOOKS/Tech_Bulletins/Grp7_2-00-2.pdf

 

 

 

After running the speaker wire from the A pillar down under the foot well, just cable tie the wire to the black hvac tubing above the pedals.

 

 

 

Connecting the Metra harness to the new head unit harness was surprisingly easy. Basically, just connect like to like colour. I used crimp caps rather than muck around with soldering (I’m a little OCD, but don’t really care what it looks like behind the unit……).

 

 

 

You will need to isolate the alarm wire:

 

https://cai-store.com/pages/996-and-boxster-single-din-radio-instructions

 

 

 

When installing the new head unit sleeve, I had to dremel away about 1mm either side of the enclosure.

 

 

 

Test the unit before you slide it home.

 

 

 

Here are some phots, hope this helps someone!

 

Photo Notes

Original harness- Blue and green plugs are redundant- new head units won't support front CD changer or factory phone.

Harness phot- i removed the loose wires from the black plug and taped the unused wires from the factory harness.

Finished phot- colours do match better in real life. Deleted the CD storage and replaced with new storage compartment http://www.5150motorsport.com/console-storage-shelf-upper.html