996 stereo for 997?

Konkor · Jul 6, 2014

Evening all,

Is it possible to replace a 996 headunit with a 997 headunit?

Cheers

Colin.

Richard_Hamilton · Jul 6, 2014

Colin!

The answer is probably 'no' unless you want a huge amount of work. The first generation 997 uses a CDR-24 radio or PCM2.1, dependant on spec, and neither would be a simple swap. Fitting alternative head units also depends a lot on the model year of your car, and the existing setup.

AshR · Jul 6, 2014

I've been thinking about stereo changes recently. My 98 996 has a Becker 2580 fitted which has built in sat nav etc. Problem is the shuttle wheel is broken and needs replacing thus halting use of most of the PCM functionality. Seems to be £250 as the cheapest I can get a replacement head unit from a breaker that will need decoding. I tried a few repair places but none of them really want to touch it...

Seems I can get a loom made up to not damage any of the existing connections and there are double din facia kits out there to upgrade to a new head unit hopefully with bluetooth, iPhone support, USB etc for a lot less than a Porsche original solution. I would lose the trip computer and other bits from the head unit display but the AC has it's own unit so no real issue there.

Technically going for a newer head unit in my eyes can give a lot more functionality. I would just be very careful on how it is done so you can restore back to factory spec at sale time if you needed to. For me, in car CD and multi-changers are useless as I listen to Podcasts or other digital files on USB etc. DAB radio would be a nice touch too.

Many members on here upgraded their audio at all?

I've got the wiring diagrams for the 996 audio from head through amp to all speakers using both options of PCM and single head unit. If you want them send a PM and i'll email them across.

Richard_Hamilton · Jul 6, 2014

ORIGINAL: AshR
......Technically going for a newer head unit in my eyes can give a lot more functionality. I would just be very careful on how it is done so you can restore back to factory spec at sale time if you needed to.......

Many members on here upgraded their audio at all?

I think I would tend to disagree with that on a 996. I fitted double-DIN Pioneer SatNav systems to both of my 996's, and the new owners saw them as a bonus, rather than a detraction from originality.

chriscoates81 · Jul 6, 2014

ORIGINAL: AshR

I've been thinking about stereo changes recently. My 98 996 has a Becker 2580 fitted which has built in sat nav etc. Problem is the shuttle wheel is broken and needs replacing thus halting use of most of the PCM functionality. Seems to be £250 as the cheapest I can get a replacement head unit from a breaker that will need decoding. I tried a few repair places but none of them really want to touch it...

Seems I can get a loom made up to not damage any of the existing connections and there are double din facia kits out there to upgrade to a new head unit hopefully with bluetooth, iPhone support, USB etc for a lot less than a Porsche original solution. I would lose the trip computer and other bits from the head unit display but the AC has it's own unit so no real issue there.

Technically going for a newer head unit in my eyes can give a lot more functionality. I would just be very careful on how it is done so you can restore back to factory spec at sale time if you needed to. For me, in car CD and multi-changers are useless as I listen to Podcasts or other digital files on USB etc. DAB radio would be a nice touch too.

Many members on here upgraded their audio at all?

I've got the wiring diagrams for the 996 audio from head through amp to all speakers using both options of PCM and single head unit. If you want them send a PM and i'll email them across.

Could you explain that for me? Why do you loose OBC i thought it was an option even if you didnt have PCM?

AshR · Jul 6, 2014

Richard; that is good news to hear following your previous car sales as one of my next posts was going to ask people's opinions on what upgrading the head unit/audio on the whole would do to resale value? I personally see it as a plus but wasn't sure if some buyers might see it as an issue if they were looking for a factory spec car. Of course anything like this is all based on quality fitting also.

Chris; I assumed in removing the Becker PCM that I lose the trip computer style display on a head unit in terms of fuel range, mileage etc when toggling between the screens. I'm sure the data is still all there, just wasn't sure if a 3rd party head unit would potentially display it all in the same way which is why I mentioned losing it from the display.

To be honest I've only owned my Porsche for 2 months and admittedly am no expert by any means at all so am grateful to hear of any advise in terms of audio upgrades. I have a quote from a company near to me in Bedford for replacing the speakers with Focal units in the original housings and replacing the head unit with a double din. They claim to have installed into lots of 911's but any 'Real world' experience of going through this process would be much appreciated.

thirteeneast · Jul 6, 2014

I fitted one of these behind my dash to bring the Becker in to this century.

Switch head unit too Aux in and stream Music from your Smartphone.

No cables hanging out Head unit looks original.

I bought one like this for a Fiver http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5mm-AUX-Bluetooth-Wireless-Stereo-Audio-Adapter-Receiver-Music-for-iPhone-iPod-/251484977386?pt=UK_Computing_USB_Bluetooth_Adapters_Dongles&hash=item3a8dac38ea

AshR · Jul 7, 2014

Nice one! I'll check it out!

Thank you..

chriscoates81 · Jul 7, 2014

ORIGINAL: AshR

Richard; that is good news to hear following your previous car sales as one of my next posts was going to ask people's opinions on what upgrading the head unit/audio on the whole would do to resale value? I personally see it as a plus but wasn't sure if some buyers might see it as an issue if they were looking for a factory spec car. Of course anything like this is all based on quality fitting also.

Chris; I assumed in removing the Becker PCM that I lose the trip computer style display on a head unit in terms of fuel range, mileage etc when toggling between the screens. I'm sure the data is still all there, just wasn't sure if a 3rd party head unit would potentially display it all in the same way which is why I mentioned losing it from the display.

To be honest I've only owned my Porsche for 2 months and admittedly am no expert by any means at all so am grateful to hear of any advise in terms of audio upgrades. I have a quote from a company near to me in Bedford for replacing the speakers with Focal units in the original housings and replacing the head unit with a double din. They claim to have installed into lots of 911's but any 'Real world' experience of going through this process would be much appreciated.

Oh, do you so you cant view it on the pcm unit but it would still be viewable on the instrument cluster? If so that could be why ive got confused, a little bit of wires crossed.

Konkor · Jul 8, 2014

Many thanks for the helpful advice and hello to all. I have had my 996 C4S for just over a year and love it. Entered Region 1's concurs event and managed to get second place for 996 / 997 class and first place for daily driver. Chuffed to bit as this is my only car and take a fair amount of hard work keeping her looking good..