03 TL Type S here...

I've read briefly somewhere, with the stock headunit, you can still install aftermarket amp/speakers by splicing the audio wires going to the factory Amp... just run your power wire and its kind of plug and play... This is my first foray into car audio, i was given 2 10s and a 800 watt pioneer amp, would like to hook it up this weekend...

Does anyone have that write up?

I havent been able to find it in detail just the mention of it.

 

Have you considered going with an aftermarket headunit? That way you’ll get the preouts along with other goodies like CarPlay.

 

^^^ No much idea about audios custom. Here is my experience https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...-950862/page2/ . I do not research audio much as it is solved at my cars.
That said you will not do easy wiring of 800W (???) amp. You would need bigger alternator from my limited knowledge.

 

As someone who kept their stock HU for a long time after installing aftermarket amps, subs, and speakers, let me tell you this - don't waste your time. Just go ahead and get a head unit too. It'll solve so many headaches to have convenient pre-amp plugs on the back of your HU, along with proper controls to then help tune the whole thing up.

If you want to really modernize the interior and have (or can get) a NAVI model dashboard for your car and access to a 3d printer, check out the thread linked here. That's gonna be more than a weekend job, but I feel you shouldn't rush something like audio work - it's such a PITA to get all those panels off for cable routing, that you may as well go slow and be sure you only need to do it once

 

^^^ We go all that route. First fight with original HU for months and after buying new one ask itself why I spend energy at old one.

 

So against all advice, I went ahead and did the install.. kept the stock HU, got the amp and sub in.. had a damn great time ripping out my backseat and managed to do the firewall bypass rather easily, and for bonus points I just ran the live wire straight through the middle of the car (its hidden on the driver side... have fun in the backseat > ) all of it was rather low effort just confidence issues and knowing people have done this a million times, and I started up the TL and everything worked first try no issue

I do have a question though: Whats a recommended high output amp now that I have a system in my car?? I also do notice light dimming when bass hit?

I dont mind tearing apart the acura 3-4 more times, I need the experience on one hand I intend to self service the vehicle as much as I can... I have a pretty solid shade tree mechanic next door who dont mind lending me a tip or a trick for a buck or two as well, and has extensions and other odds n ends i dont have myself..

 

I told you that will need bigger alternator. You have 4 times more power requirement than original system.

 

Hehee yes you did, I have learned daddy dont worry. What do you recommend for a high output alternator with that being said?

 

Nice! glad you got it working. Are you just feeding audio into your stock headunit via a tapedeck adapter then? Or are you part of the dying breed of people who still use CD's? haha

For what it's worth, I'm running the stock alternator (probably 21 years old at this point) with my audio system and I don't have too many issues. But also I've got my system running at maybe 30% of what it could be .

 

Yep the tapedeck adapter.. I dont know much about how much my system is using or even how to adjust that and tune that lol i just kinda plugged it in and rolled with it my neighbor messed with it a bit hes a tad more knowledgeable , its a Pioneer gm-5400t 760W amp.. 40$ steal IMO apparently its a bit dated? but it still makes the 10s hit just fine w/ my limited audio experience.. this being my first install ever... https://www.woofersetc.com/p-7493-gm...amplifier.html