Oem radio / usb input
- oddomatik
- Posts: 172
- Joined: Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:57 pm
- Location: NorCal
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Re: Oem radio / usb input
Modern iPhones and Android can do Bluetooth, and if you're using the stock radio you won't care about Apple CarPlay anyways.
I would go the route of a readily available mass-produced small inline bluetooth headless amp as opposed to the kitchy custom solutions marketed toward old dude's "use your classic car radio!" proposed so far. This is what I did on my NSX and skipped a radio altogether. The old NSX dudes think the Grom is the shit, but only because they don't know what else is possible due to a lack of marketing directed at them.
I use the Kenwood KAC-M1824BT but you can't get those new anymore. Lots of very cheap clones on Amazon though, or new/used on eBay if you're willing to shell out.
Make sure it has speaker level inputs so you can tap into the speaker output wires from your stock stereo.
It does have a powered USB port for charging your phone only, if you wanted to mount that somewhere in your dash. The only drawback to this particular model in my book is that it's got a wired remote with bright red/blue LEDs for switching source and volume. That's annoying to me.
I would go the route of a readily available mass-produced small inline bluetooth headless amp as opposed to the kitchy custom solutions marketed toward old dude's "use your classic car radio!" proposed so far. This is what I did on my NSX and skipped a radio altogether. The old NSX dudes think the Grom is the shit, but only because they don't know what else is possible due to a lack of marketing directed at them.
I use the Kenwood KAC-M1824BT but you can't get those new anymore. Lots of very cheap clones on Amazon though, or new/used on eBay if you're willing to shell out.
Make sure it has speaker level inputs so you can tap into the speaker output wires from your stock stereo.
It does have a powered USB port for charging your phone only, if you wanted to mount that somewhere in your dash. The only drawback to this particular model in my book is that it's got a wired remote with bright red/blue LEDs for switching source and volume. That's annoying to me.
ITR (98-0542) | NA1 NSX | RT4WD | EK Hatch
240z | 190E 2.3-16V | SpecE30 | RAM 3500 | CB550
240z | 190E 2.3-16V | SpecE30 | RAM 3500 | CB550
Re: Oem radio / usb input
I got the Grom for xmas so will report back.
Still awaiting a slot from a competent shop in bay area to do my bushings / shocks / wheel bearings - on month 4 of car sitting in my warehouse missing me
Still awaiting a slot from a competent shop in bay area to do my bushings / shocks / wheel bearings - on month 4 of car sitting in my warehouse missing me
- oddomatik
- Posts: 172
- Joined: Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:57 pm
- Location: NorCal
- Badge Number: 98-0542
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Re: Oem radio / usb input
I just refreshed my memory on the Grom units. They basically are more plug and play (no wiring harness modifications) and have optional bluetooth and USB. They are cheaper and they take the time to integrate into existing stereos wherever possible. I retract my previous assessment of them and I am reminded why the NSX guys like them. For some reason I had it in my mind that they had poor integration and lots of external controls. I think I was turned away from them not for the reason I thought, but because they were marketed toward OEM stereos, which I do not have. It looks like a nice piece of kit honestly.
I might know a guy that's about 2.5 hours East of the Bay area if you're interested. They get a lot of Euro customers driving up from down there for service but one of their techs is a Honda guy from the B series era and would probably take on some after hours work. I could even pitch in and help him. Just DM me if interested.
ITR (98-0542) | NA1 NSX | RT4WD | EK Hatch
240z | 190E 2.3-16V | SpecE30 | RAM 3500 | CB550
240z | 190E 2.3-16V | SpecE30 | RAM 3500 | CB550
Re: Oem radio / usb input
This is interesting. Thank you for the feedback. That would be nice to have the radio lit up also. He should make a few extra harnesses. I’d be interested in one.
Re: Oem radio / usb input
Looking forward to the feedback. I’m holding out to see what you or anyone else has to say and compare to ghost box.
Re: Oem radio / usb input
The Grom kit looks like an evolution of those Blitz integration kits. Curious to see the feedback on it. I've been happy with my Blitz to RCA input kit, but I don't really hook up my phone to my car and like a luddite still use an old mp3 player for my music
-Andrew Wong
Re: Oem radio / usb input
Ok, I ordered and installed the ghost box today. Super happy with it. I also have it set up to light up the OEM radio.
I ordered the universal harness from JDI. My OEM harness was already a bit hacked up from a previous aftermarket unit that was installed prior to my ownership. This gave me a chance to fix the mess that was old electrical tape and twisted wires.
What you do is, run all speaker wires to the ghost box, take the power, ground, and split power and ground to the plug for the OEM radio. I chose not to split the speaker wires to the OEM unit. You could in theory do this as well and still have radio and CD function when not using the ghost box. I didn't want to mess with that.
I've attached some photos below of the split harness. Now everything looks like its OEM, lights and all, but my phone connects to the ghost box and plays music that way. Very happy with it. Now to pick out an amp and sub to add.
I ordered the universal harness from JDI. My OEM harness was already a bit hacked up from a previous aftermarket unit that was installed prior to my ownership. This gave me a chance to fix the mess that was old electrical tape and twisted wires.
What you do is, run all speaker wires to the ghost box, take the power, ground, and split power and ground to the plug for the OEM radio. I chose not to split the speaker wires to the OEM unit. You could in theory do this as well and still have radio and CD function when not using the ghost box. I didn't want to mess with that.
I've attached some photos below of the split harness. Now everything looks like its OEM, lights and all, but my phone connects to the ghost box and plays music that way. Very happy with it. Now to pick out an amp and sub to add.
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- DSC00377.jpg (561.89 KiB) Viewed 2006 times
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- DSC00378.jpg (546.92 KiB) Viewed 2006 times
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- DSC00379.jpg (516.85 KiB) Viewed 2006 times
- g3teg97
- Posts: 407
- Joined: Sun Aug 13, 2017 6:24 pm
- Location: Florida
- Badge Number: 98-0379
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Re: Oem radio / usb input
Let me know how it works for lighting up the OEM radio. We attempted to add another harness to get functionality of the factory radio, but it blew a fuse. I'd like to use my ghostbox for Bluetooth, but still somehow use the radio if I want.
Re: Oem radio / usb input
Works perfect. I just have the power, ground, wiring responsible for the dimmer connected. No speaker wires or anything. Ghost box works perfect and the amber OEM radio lights up perfect when the headlights are on.
Re: Oem radio / usb input
Update with the lights on for the radio.
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