New Q Owner - Phone question, and stereo install too

[nchopp]

Hello all. Just picked up a '93 Q45 a few weeks ago, and I'm finally getting some time to work on it. My previous car was a '78 Olds Cutlass Supreme - the head gasket finally went, and it was the excuse I've been waiting for to get a Q. So far I am EXTREMELY happy with the car. I got all the easy stuff down (i.e. washed and the Meguiars Deep Crystal was system), and now I'm starting on some of the trickier stuff.

I've searched all over the Net for info on the car phone hook-up, and I can't find anything anywhere. Is there an adapter anywhere that lets you connect it to a modern cell phone? Having that mic and speaker setup would be pretty sweet.

Second, I'm going to be starting the stereo install this week. I've read over the guides around, but I'm just wondering if anyone else has any tips. It has the Bose system, and I've got the Scosche adapter, wiring harness, and antenna adapter on the way. The head unit's a Kenwood KDC-X789 MP3 CD deck, amp is an AmericanLegacy 1000 watt, and the subs are two Infinity 1210s. Except for the head unit it's the same system I'd put in my Cutty, which was a piece of cake - this car's looking a little more tricky. Any advice or tips?

I've really learned a lot from this forum already, and I'm looking forward to sticking around.

Nicholas M. Chopp

[maxnix]

Welcome to the board.

Read the article on timing chain guides as some 1993 seem to have the new ones, but most don't.

The phone was an analog AMPS set-up that probably won't interface with any of the new digital units. No one I know here is running the old interface system.

You will have to run new speaker wires as the Bose did not carry much current as the amps were in the speakers. IF it is 1kilowatt RMS, I wonder if the already stressed alternator will supply the current required. Be very careful.

[nchopp]

Yes, I'm currently in the process of running the amp cable. Is there a history of Qs having weak alternators?

[maxnix]

No the alternator is relatively strong and designed to survive high rpms, but are sized just large enough to run all accesories at cruise rpm. Same with most cars.

Check in on the Stereo/Alarm forum for the knowledgeable folks there before you get too far committed.

[szh]

Welcome to the board.

Yes!

The phone was an analog AMPS set-up that probably won't interface with any of the new digital units. No one I know here is running the old interface system.

Yes, agreed!

But, the microphone and speaker might be usable, but more pain than is worth perhaps. If you are interested in doing it, then do get hold of the service manuals and see if the impedances and mic gain, etc., are compatible with the small mic/speaker combo jack on modern cell phone.

Certainly, the old phone itself (located in the trunk) is entirely unusable with digital. Also, the antenna may be tuned for 850 MHz operation, and most modern digital phones also need 1900 MHz capability. So, that makes the antenna mostly unusable too.

Z

[Jeff Williams]

Welcome to NICO!

The Q's dash and radio swap will be a cake walk compared to the Olds. Be slow, deliberate, and careful in removing the console pieces and dash pieces. The plastic is very brittle, and you will break at least one clip in the process. While you ahve it apart, go ahead and clean the 12 years of dust.

Harness adapters make it easy.

The rear deck is fairly easy to remove. The trick is to push the plastic "plugs" up from the bottom wiht a pair of pliers, rather than trying to pull them from the top. The cardboard is easily broken.

The door control panels are easily broken, as well, so be extra careful there.

There has been several write-ups on door removal, window regulator replacement, and stereo installs. Spend a couple hours searching the forum, before tackling the job. You will save hundreds of dollars in broken trim pieces, and bandaids.

[DominickJ30]

Here you go.

http://www.carstereohelp.com/s...o.htm

[nchopp]

Hmm... Might be an interesting weekend project, trying to get that old car-phone setup working with a modern cell phone. Time to try to make sense of those ridiculously small wiring diagrams in the service manuals. From an A\V production professional's standpoint, the lav mic looks pretty damn decent. Not so sure about those speakers, though...

Thanks for all the replies - it's good to be here. :-)

I loved my Cutty, but this car is by far a much happier beast. And I smoked a Porsche Boxster from a rolling start last night, which was a pleasant surprise. And hooray for fuel injection... (Nothing like trying to start that '78 in a -20 degree winter)

All the parts for the stereo install got here yesterday, gonna be puttin' it in this weekend. Not so happy about having to remove a wheel to run my amp cable, though. Kind of a hassle...