So my Lotus has the original head unit and speakers but sounds terrible, which is probably old knackered speakers/wires or the in built amp is shot.
The speakers are concealed behind the door cards are pretty standard 6 x 4 speakers which I'll replace like for like.
I want to keep the head unit in place for originality and bypass it so that I can have a discreet lead to connect my iphone to and play music through that.
I'm assuming some kind of small amp? Or is there a better way?
To be clear, I'm not looking for top spec ICE and I have no intention of modifying anything as the car is totally original inside.......
Iv'e got a XCarLink, it's a great little box and is accessible as a CD changer. Work's very well, plays from iPhone charging socket (and charges phone), but you can also put an SD card into the device so you can play music without your phone.
Obviously Lotus isn't listed, but if you know who makes your OEM head unit, they might do a addon.
http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/home.php
Oh and also gives you handfree with a mic.... Also the phone audio (inc satnav) comes through the car speakers.
I think you can buy iPod input boxes that will fit pretty much anything. Might even get one that charges it too.
Quote from: dannyboy on August 01, 2014, 12:41:37 PM
Obviously Lotus isn't listed, but if you know who makes your OEM head unit, they might do a addon.
1979 Clarion?
Is it 8-trak?
hit me up ol' boy.. i've done a fair bit of in car stuffs.. even reggie approved..
Quote from: m6rk on August 01, 2014, 06:15:51 PM
hit me up ol' boy.. i've done a fair bit of in car stuffs.. even reggie approved..
I basically want to bypass the old Clarion head unit, leave it in place looking awesome and have a discreet lead to plug my piephone in and play the moozic through the speakers.
Savvy?
you want to control the volume using the clarion too? or just have it there for show?
Quote from: m6rk on August 01, 2014, 06:25:15 PM
you want to control the volume using the clarion too? or just have it there for show?
that would be nice but the volume button on the clarion is very crackly.
I suppose I could send it off for repair?
Replacement head unit (of the correct vintage) might be plausible..?
Nah Bri Bri..... it's got to be this unit, it's what came with the car
Could you not fit something newer in a centre console or glove box?
Quote from: Lord Danoir the first on August 01, 2014, 07:34:42 PM
Nah Bri Bri..... it's got to be this unit, it's what came with the car
has it got the original tyres? nooooo then stop being a dam woman and modernize
or search ebay for an identical unit or just have your repaired
Quote from: Carbon_ZX6R on August 01, 2014, 07:58:31 PM
has it got the original tyres? nooooo then stop being a dam woman and modernize
you're not in to classic cars are you love?
I like a couple but there are companys out there that could make a front for a modern unit so it looks identical but , if you really don't want to modernise it just buy a Bluetooth speaker and be done with it
Quote from: Carbon_ZX6R on August 01, 2014, 08:11:12 PM
I like a couple but there are companys out there that could make a front for a modern unit so it looks identical
(http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dr-evil-right.gif)
(http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/really-tell-me-more.gif)
(http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/spkyrll.gif)
its easy enough as ash has said to by pass the unit and hide another one somewhere else
Quote from: Carbon_ZX6R on August 01, 2014, 08:24:39 PM
its easy enough as ash has said to by pass the unit and hide another one somewhere else
(http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/srcstc.gif)
I'm going to answer all your posts with these
my point has been made!
THAT IS ALL!
Quote from: Carbon_ZX6R on August 01, 2014, 08:30:19 PM
my point has been made!
THAT IS ALL!
I'm only having a laugh sweet cheeks....... it's your seemingly relentless desire to offer advice even on things you, by your own admission, have little interest in; which amuses me.
oops almost forgot:
(https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1380222758/634507.gif)
the car sounds good and I know its old about all I know about the lotus in question....
Quote from: Carbon_ZX6R on August 01, 2014, 08:38:31 PM
the car sounds good and I know its old about all I know about the lotus in question....
well.... for those sad enough to like these old cars, originality is key...... you see, I scoured the earth for an original lemon yellow Esprit, with a specific marcasite interior..... not only that, but the full spec had to be as it came out of the factory.
I've now got what I wanted, it cost me a lot of money and I'm not about to sling in some chav inspired flip front stereo.
Savvy?
Sounds like it may well be terminally corrupted by the modernity of an iPod.
Does it fail to start if the driver isn't wearing beige farahs and a sports jacket?
Quote from: David W on August 01, 2014, 08:58:05 PM
Sounds like it may well be terminally corrupted by the modernity of an iPod.
Does it fail to start if the driver isn't wearing beige farahs and a sports jacket?
nearly wet my self haha
0
bet you need a tash as well ;)
Sensible answer time:
In order to keep everything looking as original as possible:
--
See if the clarion has any line level outputs (red and white sockets on the back)
If it does then connect the line level outputs to a seperate amplifier hidden away somewhere and upgrade the speakers in the doors, also add a small subwoofer if you would like some more bass
If the clarion doesn't have any line level outputs then you'd lose a bit of quality but you can connect the speaker outputs from the clarion to the amp instead.
--
So thats the output side sorted.
The easiest way to get ipod connectivity would be to use a bluetooth to fm bridge. This means you can such connect your iphone via bluetooth like you can on a modern car and then broadcast the signal wirelessly via an fm frequency to your clarion to control.
http://www.newpotatotech.com/TUNELINK_AUTO/tunelink_auto.html
Perfect, cheers love.
Dave W - I do actually try to wear brown clothing when driving the car, and I bought a pair of brown tint Ray Ban Aviators which stay in the car at all times........ true story.
How about leaving the old headunit in just for show...
And then upgrade the hidden speakers and use something like this (play music either from phone, memory card or FM radio)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/500W-Car-Motorcycle-Motorbike-2CH-2-Channel-Audio-AMP-Amplifier-USB-MP3-FM/261537150824?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D8747015216235644505%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D20140122125356%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D181081639573&rt=nc
That looks good!!