Audio System... Good Idea?
 

87 Porsche 944

I recently purchased the Haynes Manual which pretty much covers the 944 model(s), however it lacked advice for installing an upgraded audio system.

While the Haynes Manual offers 'precise' rates for torque on tire lug nuts, it doesnt offer any suggestions towards a 'safe' audio system upgrade.

I've read in an other forum that upgrading the stereo system in a 944 is risky business. I understand that an electrical system can easily be fried if a new audio system is hooked up incorrectly.

My question is: Would the electrical system of an 18 year old 944 be able to handle the 'burden' of a powerful audio system which was properly accessorized and professionally installed?

{Being a Hatchback with a big bubble window and leather interior, the 944 would be a great host for even a good system.}

RE: Audio System... Good Idea?
 

I recently upgraded my stock am/fm/cassette to a unit with a CD, and I thought it was very straight forward. I went to www.crutchfield.com, plugged in my '87 944, and see what fits. It gave me all kinds of decks that fits and the kits required to install. Assuming yours is still stock, I got a deck removal tool, porsche wiring harness, and a Blaupunkt Montreal deck. It comes with instruction to make the new deck just like stock wiring-wise using crimped-on connectors. After I did that, all I had to do was plug in the new deck and put it back in the cavity. I did not have to cut any wiring from the dashboard at all, although if you change the stock speakers, there might be some door panel hole modification. If you're not comfortable, I find the local audio specialists through some shopping very confident in upgrading the car, although they don't have the crutchfield wiring harness kit. They said that they have to hard wire which I did not like.

RE: Audio System... Good Idea?
 

In short yes, but you will need to take a few variables into consideration.
How powerful of a system? Even with the stock speekers after replacing the Blaupunkt tape deck in my '83 with a new Sony CD I was forced to purchase to install 1/4 farad Capacitor to prevent voltage loss to the new deck. Part of the issue at hand was in that I had to rewire around the stock amp directly into the speekers. Not a big job by any means. if you think you need more power than even that the battery tray's indention iunder the hood has enough room to acomidate for an aditional (latitudinally aligned) battery. But thats an excessive way to go if you are working with less than 500 Watts peak.

What size speekers are you considering? a couple of 12" subs is more than enough to rattle that hatch loose. I tell most Hatchback owners to invest in 2 10"s of superb quality. 300W speekers of decent quality is more than enough to deafen the average person. Also inspect your rear mid's, I'm not sure about later models but mine are 4x6 (judging by the ventilation, i have yet to open them up.) If this is the case for you as well, instead of ripping apart a perfectly good pannel, simply find a pair of great sounding 6x9" with a seperate Tweeter/midrange and a cheep little Carpeted box to set behind the rear seats (these boxes can be found anywhere for around $5.) A good 6x9 is in my opinion essential to truely great sound quality. And ALWAYS check your resistance. Resistance is always poswed on the back of the magnet and is noted by the Omega sign (rated as "Ohms". The lower this number the better, in fact if a subwoofer is more than 2 Ohms on my behalf, I don't even think about it. There are a few good 1/2 ohm subs out there (rated as "0.5 Ohms") and most sound increadible.

RE: Audio System... Good Idea?
 

And if you haven't done so, upgrade your ground cable from the battery to the chassis and get an aux ground cable to go from the engine to the chassis as well. It makes a bigger difference than you will think, and not just for the stereo.

Regards,