UPDATE - Having Used the AVIC-Z1 for over a year, I really wish I had not purchased this unit. The key reason for this is the EXTREAMLY poor / slow iPod interface. It does not appear that any of the later releases remedy this (Z2 or Z3).

Thought I would share the final install picture with the group. I did the install myself and took a few pictures along the way in case others want to do this.

If you have a 1999 - 2002 Porsche 911 these pictures may help with your install.

I also used Ducatiboy's flasher circuit to enable more functionality while driving.

I think my install looks as close to factory as you can get with the AVIC-Z1.


keyword: mivey911

That looks incredible! I actually like the look of it more than PCM, and the functionality is far superior.

Nicely done!

That does look awesome! Guess I will have to go out and pick myself up one of those 911's. :) YAH RIGHT! That's been a pipe dream for a while. But the install looks really really good. I'll bet the rest of the car looks good too.

Hey, let's see a shot of the whole car!

ah yessss we want pics of the 911!!!

Thanks I really appreciate the comments. I had a great time doing the Z1 install. As requested, here is a picture of the whole car. After this picture was taken I changed the side marker lights (orange in the picture) to the European style (clear lenses) but have not taken a more recent picture.

I almost bought one of those. I was on the fence between a honda civic or that exact car. It was a tough desision till I woke up. :) I think there might be drool on my keyboard. :D Sweet car!

Ah, it's a Cab to boot! So did you have Bose from the factory?

Are those BumperPlugs I spy? ;)

Yep. Those are BumperPlugs you're spying. No Bose here. The factory stereo / CD player was a single DIN Becker (now owned by Harman Kardon) unit with the Hi-Fi option (amp and 6 total speakers). Porsche introduced the optional Bose system in 2003 along with a 'MOST' system that uses fiber optics. Many people dislike the Bose / MOST system because it makes upgrading your system difficult.

I really liked my factory unit and thought it produced great sound but it would not let me play MP3 disks and it did not support the iPod and bluetooth very well. This is what got me on the path to switch to the AVIC-Z1.

P/S If I had not read about Ducatiboy's flasher circuit on this forum, I would have never purchased the Z1.

UPDATE - Having Used the AVIC-Z1 for over a year, I really wish I had not purchased this unit. The key reason for this is the EXTREAMLY poor / slow iPod interface. It does not appear that any of the later releases remedy this (Z2 or Z3).

so did you have to fabricate the trim piece that surrounds the Z1 or is that part of the factory dash? If you made that piece the color match is perfect.

I had to fabricate the 'faceplate' (the entire trim piece that directly surrounds the Z1). After creating the trim, I sanded it and used Rust-Oleum Textured Paint for Plastic (Black) to get the color / texture to match.

Thanks for the kind words. I am really happy with the finished look.

do i connect to the speaker wires from the yellow plug or do i have to run it from the head unit thru the firewall and splice into the speaker wires coming out of the amp. . without the hifi option very straight forward. not sure what the yellow plug does.

If I remember correctly, the yellow plug on models with the hifi option is for the speakers and go to the stock amp (these are not the high output speaker outs that you use if your not using an Amp). I spliced into these wires with RCA plugs and pluged them inot the amp outs on the back of the Z1.

I would look at a non-MOST 996 to specifically stay away from MOST. It locks you into Porsche products...which are years behind aftermarket and other high-end automakers like BMW. Have you had RMS issues with your 996?

Hi, I'm hoping to do the same install this weekend (also a 2002 996 cab). Did you find any off the shelf connectors so that I can go a "nice" job of plugging the Z1 into the 996. I'd rather not cut the connectors off the Porsche wiring loom!

If you did find some, can you let me know as much as possible about which ones and where you got them from please?

Many Thanks,
Graham

Spoke with Mivey off the forum, who pointed me to rennlist.org. Mivey cut off his connectors and worked from the wires on his car harness. I eventually found http://www.nexxia.co.uk/index.html, who seem to have the basic connectors.

My issue is with the yellow plug. I have attached the rca's to the line out of the yellow plug. Question, do you use the ground lead that is on the yellow plug, or did you create a new ground or did you use the ground on the main black plug. Did you experience any engine whine or alternater whine when you put your lights on>>??

Mivey,

Quick question for you or anyone else. Where did you get the faceplate which you modified for your Z1. Thanks in advance. :lol:

Hi there - I have a 2002 996 and looking to put a Z3 in. Great job on the matte surround plate for the dash. I can't find one out there, only a glossy finish one on eBay will I don't like.

Could you fabricate a matte faceplate surround for the AVIC for my 996. If so, let me know what the cost would be. Thanks much.

Greetings,

I'm poised to install an AVIC-Z2 in a 2002 911 (like mivey's). I have a few questions:

1) Does anyone have a template for this installation? If not, is it a straight forward fabrication? (I found the paint)

2) I followed the link for the plug info. Can anyone confirm the plugs? I identified Metra Elec. Corp. #70-1784 & #70-1787 plugs. I have a Bose, without the MOST, and from what I understand & read, it should be 'plug & play' for the non-MOST Bose systems.

3) IS the an after market 'kit' to mount the Z2 into the dash or does the Pioneer 'cage' work?

Thanks

Joe
[email protected]

Joe:
I had this install done by local car audio installer. I supplied them with HD upgrade kit (Z1 to Z2) & bought the Porsche AVIC Double Din kit from: http://stores.ebay.com/Euromotorspeed. Came out fabulous. I had Porsche factory nav unit, which crapped out. The kit, while not inexpensive, basically had everything the installer needed to integrate with the Porsche. Fred