Adding Subwoofer to stock HU
 

Has anyone pulled their Aus 86 HU out to see if there's spots in the back to add an aftermarket subwoofer??

I've seen a couple of the guys in the states have done it... but we get a different head unit to the FR-S.

And dont just say replace the head unit, i'd prefer to keep it simple and stock looking just with some extra kick in the back.

Cheers!

I'm pretty sure they have the RCA outs for the sub,

I'm thinking something similar but I'll probably replace the speakers in the front with something better and just leave the standard rears for fill.

having said that I'll likely have the car stripped out and be installing a complete system within a week of owning the car:bonk:

but I have little to no self control:party0030:

Being that it is an Eclipce unit, it may have RCA's,
you can also buy hi-level converters, they take the speaker wire's and use them for the imputs, not as good audio quality.. unless you get a decent processor to go with it, but depends on how fanatical you are..
oh, you will also have to sacrifice some speakers.. (as in, use the wires from the rear speakers to drive it)

I was going to use the Arc Audio PS8 and use the stock HU, but now i am thinking of ditching it and replacing it all..

I'm listening, as improving sound quality is first on my upgrade list. I was thinking of heading over to FHRX Studios after I get back from some travel in early August to see what solutions they recommend for a spectrum of price points. I've never needed to pimp my car's audio before but FHRX seem to have a good rep.

Regarding the head unit/deck, I feel like it can't be long before BYOD options become available where we just plug our smartphone or tablet in, rather than have yet another unit we have to pay for that's inferior in most ways, anyway. That, or up the game like mentioned here.

So I'll probably look at amps/speakers first in the hope that it suffices until less anachronistic deck options become available.

My intentions were to upgrade mine very quickly and stuff kept coming up on the weekend , my schedule during the week prevents much to be done except for weekends . My work is off tomorrow so I'm going speaker shopping :)

Marty at FHRX is probably one of the best installers in NSW!

If i do change out the HU in my car, it will be for my trusty, 10 odd year old Alpine 7998r phantom face.
No internal amplification, no iPod interface etc..
pure SQ ;)

for the rest of it, i have some CDT splits, RE slimline 10in, soundstream amp (or one of my many stockpiled classic amps haha)

Then just a phone mount and use the GPS on the mobi.

oh your so digital maaaaan, im gonna mount a grama phone because it's pure analogue warmth duuuuuuuuuude,


lol I'm just taking the piss but seriously amps aren't the same as they used to be, all my best are like 10+ years old

hahaha all good :)

all my amps are 10+ years old, Soundstream Reference, PPI PC, RF punch 25.. all from the good ol' days of car audio :)

I won the aust SQ championship using the SS Ref which is around 20 years old now.. still one of the best amps i have used.

back of stereo
 

this is the back of a stereo from a 2012 Toyota something...
they are all pretty much the same. I'm not a stereo guy but figured this picutre might help you out.

It's not out of the actual 86, but I'm certain it would be the same.

You wouldn't happen to have a copy of the installation manual that goes with this?

im no audio guru.. but nowhere on there does it suggest to me that you could RCA leads in.

On a side note.. does anyone know of a sub that will still retain space while providing the deep kick.. or will i just have to suck it and get a full sized enclosure?

Well it's pretty subjective buy the JL Audio Stealth series are quite good although there's not an 86 version yet they may be designing one,

Personally i'm gonna remove the full size spare and see what can be rigged up there

I am taking a look at the wiring diagrams and it looks like it may be possible to take out the factory amp in the trunk and use that wiring for an aftermarket amp. I may try to put in my 4channel amp and sub tomorrow. 2 channels will be for the front speakers (same as factory setup) and 2 bridged for the sub. I am hoping to use the speaker level inputs which are also there in the trunk. Ideally it will be possible to do this without running any new wires.

I have one of the old kicker square subs. With a sealed enclosure they provide good bass for minimum size.