[richdash]

Well, I figured I should provide the info I said I would in a previous post. I ranted about the stock navigation unit sucking and hating it so badly. I decided to pick up the Stock head unit out of a base CTS that has an external DIC (driver information center). Everything I have read so far says that when base CTS’s add a navigation unit to their car they get use of the DIC without any major issues so I figured I would test the compatibility going there way as well. For the disassembly I will follow the write up that was done in the FAQ. Without reading that for hours on end I would not have attempted this. I thank the person who wrote it. In this thread I will keep everyone updated on the progress of my build and detailed info on the system. If anyone has questions feel free to ask.

Equipment:

Head unit:
Kenwood DNX8120 + HD Radio

Front & Rear Stage:
Morel Tempo 6 Comps

Speaker Amp:
Kicker ZX850.4 175watts x4 @4 ohms

Subwoofer:
15” Stereo Integrity Mag v3

Box:
Self designed and built 3.7 Cubes Before displacement Slot port Tuned to 30.09 Hz (may change)

Sub Amp:
Elemental Designs Nine.1

Sound deadener:
Fat mat (yeah I have used this stuff for 10 years if you don’t like my choice then waste your own money for me on another brand.)

Electrical:
Knu stuff, Ill update when I dig it all out of my garage and as the thread goes on. I will also demonstrate why I chose what I did.

Objective:
To eliminate the lame stock navigation and sound system and retain most of my DIC controls and features. Maintain as stock of an appearance as I can and an above average sound system that has decent output and quality to match.

Progress:
I am waiting on the Comps in the mail they should be there tomorrow and my Head unit as well. That should be here this week some time.

I have an appointment on Thursday morning to get the base head unit de theft locked at a local dealer. I have hooked it up and the display shows fine so far its just theft locked so I am un able to test the features of the DIC yet. I was able to go into sport mode and turn my traction and stab completely off as well so I am confident that wont be an issue although there wont be a visual notation of that as of right now any longer.

I am designing my box right now and before I start making the cuts on my wood I want to be sure about my design. I am currently questioning myself with port area as it will be a bit low for the space of the box. I am seriously considering a re design to adjust. I will have this figured out in the next couple days. I will be cutting my wood this week. I am using ¾” Birch ply to save weight over mdf. I have been using birch for many years now. It can be a pain to cut but I enjoy the weight savings. The box will be covered in carpet to match the stock stuff.

I will take lots of pics along the way and plan on this not being complete till about august. I am in no rush to get everything done. Sorry I just don’t have tons of spare time right now. I will do my best to keep this thread updated on a regular basis with any new progress.

 

[richdash]

Here are some teaser pics of equipment. More to come soon.

Mag:

Nine.1

ZX850.4

 

[BacDoc]

The Mayflower had better navigation than this car. And the XM quality brings about the richness of the stereo my old Metro had, really. I'll be following this, good luck and God Speed.

 

[SoJersey05V]

you know what has great audio?.... KOOKS and CORSA!!!!!!!!!!! fck all that boom-boom!

 

[atdeneve]

The Mayflower had better navigation than this car. And the XM quality brings about the richness of the stereo my old Metro had, really. I'll be following this, good luck and God Speed.

Haha!

 

[richdash]

The Mayflower had better navigation than this car. And the XM quality brings about the richness of the stereo my old Metro had, really. I'll be following this, good luck and God Speed.

lol I couldn't agree more.

 

[richdash]

you know what has great audio?.... KOOKS and CORSA!!!!!!!!!!! fck all that boom-boom!

I should mention this, for anyone that isnt aware or really into audio. The sub woofer chosen is one of the most well respected sound quality subs out there. It has the potential for great output as well but is first a foremost a SQ speaker hence the low tuned box and the comps that have such a great range of play. That being said i love the boom boom.

 

[lollygagger8]

Will you be able to access (turn on/off) T/C and Stabilitrak with that DIC?

 

[CadiBlk]

I have an appointment on Thursday morning to get the base head unit de theft locked at a local dealer. I have hooked it up and the display shows fine so far its just theft locked so I am un able to test the features of the DIC yet. I was able to go into sport mode and turn my traction and stab completely off as well so I am confident that wont be an issue although there wont be a visual notation of that as of right now any longer.

Will you be able to access (turn on/off) T/C and Stabilitrak with that DIC?

Reading fail. :thepan:

j/k lolly. Reads like he was able. :bouncy:

 

[richdash]

Yes, I was able to access those features just fine. I have no clue if there is any visual notification on the new DIC I will find out tomorrow when I get it un locked.

 

[lollygagger8]

Reading fail. :thepan:

j/k lolly. Reads like he was able. :bouncy:

Sorry....me likey to skim :hide:

 

[stinkpalm]

you know what has great audio?.... KOOKS and CORSA!!!!!!!!!!! fck all that boom-boom!

Werd up! Well I still like the tight SQ boom-boom since Im a obsessive audiophile whom always, always, always put systems in my cars. Funny thing is I could honestly care less about a system in the V, b/c I never tire of the beautiful sounds of my B&B catback! When I get bored of that sound, I will add the headers :drool:

Your car is going to sound awesome! Nice choice in gear.

 

[BacDoc]

I like some boom boom too, it covers up the clunks and bangs.

 

[ssmith100]

I had the Morel Elate 6's in the front doors of my "V". I had purchased a set of the Morel Piccolos for the front pillars before my car was totaled. Never got to install them in the "V" but all my equipment is now in my Lexus coupe. Build thread for it is below to if your interested. I did basically the whole car (V) but contemplated doing what your talking about. The thread for my install is below. If your a member on the DIY mobile forum my build there has a ton more pics. Car is very easy to do.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...rum-2004/133152-stereo-complete-new-pics.html

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/diyma-build-logs/17514-2004-cady-cts-v-install.html

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/diyma-build-logs/49945-1992-lexus-sc-300-build-stealth.html


Shane

 

[richdash]

Well, I got my Morel comps and the Kenwood Nav unit in today. Upon inspection of the Morels I immediately suspected them of being counterfeits. I won’t mention the retailer that I got them from because they have always been good to me but I will keep the thread updated.

I also built the box today. It came out pretty nice. I have carpet coming in the mail to cover it with all I had around the garage was left over black and it didn’t match at all. The carpet will probably get here mid next week and I will update with pics on that when it’s completed. I did do a test fit to see if I would be able to get the box in since it’s fairly large. I won’t be able to get it in how I wanted it so I will have to settle with it sitting sub and port facing up. If the sound quality isn’t there then I will rebuild and go sealed.

A couple pics below...

 

[atdeneve]

Well, I got my Morel comps and the Kenwood Nav unit in today. Upon inspection of the Morels I immediately suspected them of being counterfeits. I won’t mention the retailer that I got them from because they have always been good to me but I will keep the thread updated.

I also built the box today. It came out pretty nice. I have carpet coming in the mail to cover it with all I had around the garage was left over black and it didn’t match at all. The carpet will probably get here mid next week and I will update with pics on that when it’s completed. I did do a test fit to see if I would be able to get the box in since it’s fairly large. I won’t be able to get it in how I wanted it so I will have to settle with it sitting sub and port facing up. If the sound quality isn’t there then I will rebuild and go sealed.

A couple pics below...

What made you suspect?

 

[richdash]

What made you suspect?

Several things.

A. They did not have the normal included decoder plastic to see a holograph on the back of the drivers
2. They did not have a holograph oh the back, I checked with another piece of plastic that does the same thing. I also checked with black light and there are no authentic markings on them.
C. The model number on the box and literature is not a model that morel makes (according to a morel rep).
4. There is literally no information anywhere on the model except from the vendor I purchased them from. I though there was a typo in their ad.
E. The manual looked to be cut with scissors
6. The tweeter and label matches no other tweeter I have ever seen a pic of or irl.

I am well aware that lots of people get scared about morels they think could be fake but there are several key things here that tossed up red flags. I will keep everyone updated.

 

[atdeneve]

That would do it.



You are a hybrid lister! You like to mix it up, ay?

 

[richdash]

Ok, I have several updates. All good news!!!

Morels - Authentic, confirmed but they are a new line called the Tempo 6X. They are a lower line but similar to the Normal Tempo 6. The biggest difference is some materials and the tweeter. The mid bass is the same driver. The vendor I purchased these from agreed to take them back and exchange them for the regular Tempo 6's. That situation is taken care of. Be careful if you buy these things in the future and make sure you look at the exact model number! (Lesson learned)

Now for the big news. As promised I said I would let everyone know as soon as I found out if the base DIC interfaces with the CTS-V. I am happy to say that it does in fact 100% interfaces perfectly with the V. As a matter of fact I am even happier to let everyone know that it even has a Visual Queue for when switching into Comp Mode and turning stability off. Pics are below for proof!!! I will now also say this. I like the DIC externally 100000000000000000000 times more then integrated into the nav. It is responsive and I couldn’t be happier about this so far.

Update on box - Last night I couldn’t find my circle cutting jib but I found it this afternoon and finished the box up. I still need to cover it but that will have to wait until the carpet gets here next week. The box will have to go in sub and port up on its back. I would have liked to get it in sub and port back but that can’t be done. To get the box into the car it’s a big struggle and a puzzle. I had to remove all the trim of the trunk to squeeze it in.

 

[V-Love]

Props for getting in there and making it the way you want it.
Do mine next.