ipod installation in early car

andrew15 · 06-30-2005, 06:09 PM

Ok - now that the 1970 911E is getting licensed and back on the road tomorrow, I've started to think about stereo options. Initially I was thinking of an original Frankfurt unit, but am now leaning towards maybe an ipod running to a small amp - more of a stealth / clean look.

Has anyone out there run an RCA adaptor from their ipod to an amp and then speakers? Is this even possible?

Thanks,
Andrew M

racerdoc911 · racerdoc911's Garage

You would probably be best off finding a head unit with an aux input , and plugging the iPod into that. I run my iPod through an adapter so I can control it from the head unit, and also recharge the iPod at the same time. Never have to touch the ipod itself, it sits in the glove box.

HardDrive · 06-30-2005, 06:58 PM

Get an Alpine head unit that suports their ipod interface. Total integration.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/products/leading_technology/leading_tech_kca-420i.htm

HardDrive · 06-30-2005, 07:01 PM

"Has anyone out there run an RCA adaptor from their ipod to an amp and then speakers? Is this even possible?"

To answer your question, no, I don't think this will work. The ipod does not have sufficient output. Its also a danger, because your only volume control would be the ipod itself. I could see easily blowing the speakers accidently pluging in the ipod with the volume cranked up.

racerdoc911 · racerdoc911's Garage

Kenwood also has an i pod interface for total integration

Nitrometano · Nitrometano's Garage

I think that will work.

bell · bell's Garage

pioneer also has an interface

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

1970 Vintage Porsche I think an eight track player would be more in keeping with the look of that period.

IPOD! what's an IPOD?

DaveE · 07-01-2005, 02:52 AM

Jeez. I drive 160 miles a day in my SC just listening to the engine........

MotoSook · 07-01-2005, 02:58 AM

I use to think "IPOD..I POOPED!"

Then Lady Heather got an IPOD Shuffle for the B-day from her dad, and she started to convert all my CD's into iTunes. So far there's 7.2 Gigs of music, and she still has another box of CD's to go! With my wireless speakers, I set the iTunes program to randomly pump music into the garage.....talk about nice. It's my personal Juke Box...and since I haven't had time to listen to my CD's since my single days...every song is a nice flashback....(don't tell Lady H that!)

So I just added another project to my list...a new head unit in the Fat Pig so I can connect an IPOD to it for long cruises in the country!

Doug&Julie · 07-01-2005, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bell
pioneer also has an interface

Julie has this in her Honda. I will probably put this in my early 911 when it becomes important. (..i.e. it's WAY down on the project list..) But this interface works really well (even charges your iPod while you're listening).

FYI Julie got hers (installed) at Best Buy for under $400. They will remove the new unit and reinstall the original for free if we decide to sell the car in a couple of years.

Although I have to admit, I'm not sure I'd trust the Best Buy kids to my early 911....

blucille · 07-01-2005, 04:48 AM

many period radios have an aux input.

consider the ealy 70's, you could get 8 tracks, cassettes, even vinyl, and folks like becker would make an am/fm for the car, and an underdash cassette player, 8 track, they even had a record player that would plug into the aux port. My becker mexico in my 1966 mercedes has a button on the faceplate to select the input. The becker europa in my '69 911S plays the source whenever it is plugged in....so in these cars, I plug the ipod in, and let it sit in the glove compartment, totally stealth.

-Lewis

oneblueyedog · oneblueyedog's Garage

This might be a hack-

I bought some Dell computer speakers. They run on a 12V powercube. Inside the volume controlled speaker there is a PCB with an amp. I'm thinking that the amp could be used to power the Ipod just like in my garage, except off the car's power.

I'm not sure about the dynamic range- that would be a factor of the speakers and the power output. The speakers I bought were only 9 bucks and they were fine for the garage.
My Ipod plays off of anything that has a headphone jack or anything you can install a headphone jack to. Mainly if it has an Aux port it is feasable.

I hacked my Pioneer from this site and it works great.
http://www.mp3car.com

trickie · 07-01-2005, 02:15 PM

Your original becker radio can be modified by becker to accept an auxiliary input via a miniplug if necessary.

SandyI · 07-01-2005, 02:52 PM

I have the Alpine unit in my dash with the iPod jack right under the dash. I had two 3" speakers put in the center dash speaker where the original 2 1'2 X 6" single mono speaker was. Sounds bright but I didn't want to cut into the doors or rear deck.

Jim Richards · 07-02-2005, 05:21 AM

Good thread, Andrew. I have a power amp in the front trunk (thanks bell!), and am thinking of ditching my '80's-something Pioneer stereo (that has no aux inputs). I was thinking radio-delete and just carry an IPod or similar. Loosing the radio has (minor) weight advantages which are always welcome for this street/track car. I think the worry about blowing up speakers is valid for those that might be less careful about their IPod volume setting. One could make it a practice to simply turn the volume control all the way down before plugging it in.

BTW, Andrew, I have RCA jacks (for input to the amp) available under my dash and I bought an adapter/cable at Radio Shack, allowing most personal audio devices to interface to the RCA jacks. My wife has used this setup to watch DVD's on her DVD player and listen to music on her walkman when we travel around in the 73E. I hope this helps.

adomakin · adomakin's Garage

buy one of these and just sling your ipod in the glove box. job done!

have some of this

Andy

tiorio · 07-02-2005, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by adomakin
buy one of these and just sling your ipod in the glove box. job done!

have some of this

Andy

Unless you're in a metro area like Los Angeles or travelling between metro areas where you can't get the same clear channel in both areas...

cali74 · 07-02-2005, 08:47 AM

I've done exactly what you're talking about in my Honda after the head unit was stolen. I plugged the ipod into an rca splitter into the amplifier that runs the speakers in the doors. The volume control is on the ipod, however all decent amps have gain control so if you set up the amp right and power the speakers properly you won't blow the speakers.

To turn on the amp I wired a switch to an ignition controlled power line and wired that to the remote turn-on of the amp.

After having this setup for a couple of months I deem it awesome as the car still looks ghetto with a stolen head unit opening, but I have awesome sound any time I want it!

dd74 · 07-02-2005, 09:23 AM

I just bought my wife an IPOD with a Bose base adaptor. It's very nice.

Nonetheless, I've wondered about installing a similar system in my car - not that the engine isn't entertainment enough. But just for reference, I was wondering what I'd need:

1) IPOD
2) One of the interfaces mentioned above.
3) Speakers? What kind do you guys recommend for a 911?

I'd want, of course, the lightest and smallest set up available, but with reasonable kick.

Thanks