Anyone fitted a DSP amp to a 166?

Greetings all

I managed to get my slimey paws on a DSP amp recently, along with the 2 rear shelf speakers and also the wiring loom for the whole caboodle. Now, from what I can see the ICS has a basic amp which supplies the 8 standard speakers, which is what I have. Has anyone tried fitting a DSP amp? I know it nestles on top of the nav and CD changer bracket, but is the wiring already there or will I have to plumb in the loom that I have been given, which looks like it will be a MAJOR job - all 4 door panels off, ICS out etc. Also, the normal 8 door speakers - are they the same for the 8 (standard) and 10 (DSP upgrade) systems or were the door speakers upgraded as well as adding the rear shelf ones for the 10 speaker DSP upgrade? And lastly - what sort of sound difference is there? Is it worth the hassle or should I give up now?

Anyone with any words of wisdom will be a lifesaver!

Cheers

D

give it a shot since you've got all the goodies...i'd love to hear how you get on as i've been wondering what kinda difference you get with the DSP.....

Hi,

I have the DSP option and it's great. You should definitely give it a try! The subwoofers make a huge difference, and you can use the DSP to modify the sound to your personal taste. You get several preset sound sets and you can create your own. I'd give it a shot if I were you! ;-) Good luck.

Sander

it is worth it, door speakers i would think should be the same! i shouldnt take that long. i may have a diagram i can send you tonight, ill have a look for it.

I have the DSP system as well, its bloody great!

Many thanks guys - looks like I will have to get the screwdrivers out at the weekend, I have Tues off too as well so there's no excuse! :-)
If I manage to get the job done I will post and let you know what's involved and what you will need to get it done!

remember the parcel shelf woofers go upside down....

How did this go is it worth it or has it been put off?

Originally Posted by a17esh

it is worth it, door speakers i would think should be the same! i shouldnt take that long. i may have a diagram i can send you tonight, ill have a look for it.

Hello! Could You also send me schema of DSP / Audio installation? My email is bt (at) e.krakow.pl

I have oportunity of buing amplifiler with some wiring but I don't know whot shoild be included in coplete set. Do You know?

Did You installed already DSP?

Have nice day!
Boguslaw Tabasz

hello
i have a rockford amplificater + subwoofer,can i connect the ampli on my 166 ?
i don't know anything in audio,but a friend ask me if there is ampli out in the 166's original radio .... if there is out i can connect my ampli easily

i hope you understand all i wrote because i'm french and sometime it's difficult to explain without the technical word,so i try with simple word(i learned in school....14 years ago LOL)

I am also interested in how to connect an aftermarket amp to the ics. I would be so thankful if someone had a picture or schematic of the rear of the unit.

earth calling doddy - how did the DSP install go? I'm looking for a winter project and i think retro fitting satnav and DSP should keep me busy for a few months.

I've managed to get my hands on all the wiring for the satnav (just need a drive now) and i'm thinking i might be as well to kill 2 birds with 1 stone and install any wiring needed for the DSP module but i've no idea what's involved or needed!

Hi Niall

Sorry about the delay getting back. The site's been giving me some jip and I have been a bit slack lately getting to look through the posts!

I'm afraid the DSP is an "on the shelf" project at the mo I've needed the car too much to do a stripdown. I'm hoping to get me a cheap and nasty little runaround soon so I don't keep racking up the miles on the 166 as she's a wee bit tired at the mo. Have quite a few niggles (sticking starter, dodgy LCD on speedy, rear door lock stuck, front suspension bushes shot, erratic tickover) but I dare say everyone else goes through these. I need to get some cash for the suspension bits, everything else I have parts for. Just need about a week of spare time to get it all sorted, and more importantly some dry weather as it's been foul in Northampton just lately (queue all the "isn't always foul there?" jokes )

On another note, Niall, I do have a spare satnav drive I bought off ebay, thinking it was one of the newer ones as it was from a 2001 car! However it is one of the pre (mid) 2001 ones, so only takes the Navteq discs from 99-01. I'm sure you've read all the posts about it and the switchover point for what types of disc work with what age ICS/nav drives. I did get a Navteq disc with 2005 maps as well, and I can confirm it won't work with the older ICS/drive combo's (my 166 is a 99). But if anyone's interested the disc and the drive are up for grabs, just make sure you realise what ICS you have, as this drive will not work with 2002 and onwards ICS units. If anyone's interested make me an offer!

Cheers

D

to fit an aftermarket amp youll ideally need pre-out, you can get this thing (cant remember what its called) to convert it so in a sense you have pre-out, although it will make it sound ok................issssssss****!

However maybe a car audio specialist will be able to make it sound awsome!

If you going to do it!

Kenwood 7x10 on the rear, and if you can, and if they fit on the front, i did this with the 164 and it sounded awsome...........and i mean awsome.......had to hacksaw the door tho so might not fit on the 166.

And buy a good quailty amp, not a cheap one, there not worth the money!

I had the DSP in my 166 it did make it sound deep and heavy, worth the time if you can fit it! - you might want to take it to a pro tho!!!!!

nah, i'm not into big expensive ICE installs anymore....getting past it now i'm nearly 30

Although maybe once (if?) i get the DSP installed i'll start to get a taste for better sound and start tinkering some more.....

right - i've been battling with the snakes nest of a loom for the satnav and DSP and think i've made a bit of a **** up....does the DSP/nav loom go down the centre of the car or does it get routed along the near side sill? I had assumed along the sill but halfway along i've got a mysterious plug that doesn't seem to be able to go anywhere and i'm beginning to suspect the loom should be routed down the middle.

I beginning to think this isn't going to be worth it as i've realised the satnav box i got from a 2002 car is still a G2 unit so probably won't work with my ICS

Yes the loom goes down the centre of the car from the front of the rear seats though, from there back it goes under the rear seat and out to the near side (passenger side) and then back towards the battery. I'm still trying to source the wiring for the dsp amp I have, but no luck on a comple one yet, a couple of chopped one have come up at breakers, where the plugs have been chopped off at both ends, why do they do that!

ah bugger....what a pain. Guess that means i put the sills back together then! It was pure luck i got the DSP wiring - only bought the satnav loom but it was complete with DSP and CD player as well.

The easiest way to remove and fit the loom is to remove the seats and lower centre console round the hand brake, doesn't take too long, the hardest point I found when I fitted the sat nav loom was getting the old loom out from behind the ICS opening, due to a ty-wrap being realy hard to reach holding the loom in place at the lower right area. Good luck and well worth it!

the thing i really struggled with at the weekend was getting the rear seat base out...couldn't for the life of me figure out how to release it from the front clips although i had it up enough to route the cables into the boot. Hopefully i'll get a chance to have a fiddle this weekend since the missus is getting her hair done

The rear seat base is held in by two clips near the front edge of the seat, facing upwards into the seat base, usualy very tight, so needs a good hard pull upwards or get a thick flat screw dirver to leaver each side up.

and when your putting the seat back in, ............push.......push.....a bit harder right back, then sit and bounce up and down untill it clicks back in!....your wife should be good at this!

ah right - so i just need to keep pulling....i'll give it a bash

I'll maybe take some piccies and try writing a wee retro fitting sat nav/DSP guide....