XK8 Install

Posted by: rob

XK8 Install - 28/02/2006 16:38

My new baby is getting the Cambridge Car Audio treatment next week. I'm going to try to talk them into taking some photos during the install.

Equipment List:

JL XR650 Components in the front
JL TR650 Co-axials in the back
JL 10W1v2 Sub in a custom stealth cabinet
Kicker 405D under false boot floor
ART Macromix mixer in arm rest
Traffic Master SmartNav
Nokia CK7W car kit in leather matched console
Steering remote to Sony adapter
Mk.2 empeg in the factory position

The install should be quite discrete. Almost no aftermarket equipment will be visible without lifting or opening something. The car kit is the exception but the matched console should help. We couldn't find a stealth box for the XK8 so CCA are going to make one.

We're running the empeg front channels, nav, phone and ext source jack through the mixer into the amp front and rear channels. The empeg rear will go to the sub channels. The nav and car kit have high level outputs so they run through a line level converter before the mixer. The ext source will be a 1/8" jack socket for connecting an MP3 player or somesuch.

Anyone see any gotchas with this setup? It's the first install I haven't done myself so I'm slightly nervous!

Rob
Posted by: robricc

Re: XK8 Install - 28/02/2006 16:55

Nice pic! Cool car.
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: XK8 Install - 28/02/2006 17:02

Is there a manual transmission available on the XK8 in the UK?
Posted by: tfabris

Re: XK8 Install - 28/02/2006 17:05

Wow, Rob. Nice ride. Finally, something that suits you.
Posted by: JBjorgen

Re: XK8 Install - 28/02/2006 18:17

Looks like a nice setup. Be sure to post some pics Can't wait to see the results.
Posted by: tanstaafl.

Re: XK8 Install - 28/02/2006 18:37

Anyone see any gotchas with this setup?

Kicker 405D under false boot floor

Is there enough room/airspace/circulation that overheating will not be a problem?

Your installation differs from mine in one major respect: my stereo system is worth more than my car is. That hardly seems the case with yours. Very sweet ride, Rob!

tanstaafl.
Posted by: matthew_k

Re: XK8 Install - 28/02/2006 20:58

Are you powering the mixer right off the switched power wire? If that works well I'll certainly be adding one to my car as it's a great solution for the nav/telephone.

Matthew
Posted by: rob

Re: XK8 Install - 28/02/2006 21:53

Quote:
Is there a manual transmission available on the XK8 in the UK?

No, 5 speed auto only - although I saw something about an after market manual box. Not sure of the details.

It's not a bad box - certainly very smart, listening on the CAN and SCP buses to react to prevailing conditions. The Supra had a quicker change though (albeit much less smooth).

Rob
Posted by: rob

Re: XK8 Install - 28/02/2006 21:56

Quote:
Is there enough room/airspace/circulation that overheating will not be a problem?

There's not a lot of vertical space - we're putting in a PC case fan one side of the amp and a vent the other side, but I recall the empeg demo system cutting out under heavy use sometimes with a similar setup. I guess it may need tweaking with more ventilation. Of course if the boot fills with hot air then that's not going to help much - ventilating from/to outside isn't something I want to think about right now!

Rob
Posted by: rob

Re: XK8 Install - 28/02/2006 21:57

Quote:
Are you powering the mixer right off the switched power wire? If that works well I'll certainly be adding one to my car as it's a great solution for the nav/telephone.

I plan to run it through a smoothing widget like the one in the empeg 12V power line and hope for the best. This is an area of the install which could go horribly wrong - I'll let you know!

Rob
Posted by: schofiel

Re: XK8 Install - 28/02/2006 21:58

So - given favourable circumstances, why not come to the Empeg Owner's Meet (coming SOON to a venue in Cambridge, UK) and see the install for yourself?
Posted by: FireFox31

Re: XK8 Install - 03/03/2006 01:12

Congratulations on the new car. You've obviously earned it. I must say, that is THE most beautiful car on the road today (which can reasonably be obtained; the Aston Martin DB9 edges it out slightly). At least you aren't stuck with the less-than-beautiful new XK like I'll be when I finally have money and success enough to afford one. I'll be taking copious notes on your install in the off chance a 2005 XK8 is still available in, say, 6 years.
Posted by: rob

Re: XK8 Install - 15/03/2006 12:37

So the mixer plan has been aborted. The ART mixer I bought turns out to be "dual mono" not stereo. This means it has stereo inputs which it combines, runs through a mono mixing path and outputs to two mono connectors wired together. I can't begin to imagine why.

I picked up another mixer from a nearby Maplins but it's physically large, and I think it may be mic level inputs (even though the spec sheet doesn't say as much). So, with my car sat around in pieces and installers looking irritated, I've abandoned this part of the install. The 3.5mm jack will connect to the empeg aux input, and the car kit and nav unit will have their own speakers behind the dash. Maybe I can do it properly another time.

Overall it's still going to rock though! Should be ready tomorrow

Rob
Posted by: JBjorgen

Re: XK8 Install - 15/03/2006 13:17

Now I'm sorry I linked it. The one you linked earlier (http://www.douglas.bc.ca/ceit/pdf/equipment/Rollsmx122man.pdf) would almost certainly have done the job.

Oh well. It'll be a nice birthday present to have it all done.