Stereo Replacement - Advice please

Merlin SSE · Jul 2, 2013

Good evening all

I've recently become the proud owner of a 1989 Targa SSE and whilst she is in lovely condition I would like to make a couple of sympathetic changes and would welcome your thoughts and advice on the points below:-

1. She has an old Panasonic tape deck stereo in and not the original Blaupunkt Toronto. Whilst I love the sound of the flat 6, I would like to listen to music and news in traffic occasionally so would like to change this and wondered what was generally considered an acceptable modern replacement?

2. The central locking, alarm and immobiliser all work perfectly but I have no remote fob for the system. From my research it seems that this may be correct and that in '89 the system was indeed key operated. Can anyone confirm that please? Secondly, has anyone added remote operation without removing or altering the original system?

As a newbie I'm sure I will have plenty more stupid questions but your advice will always be welcomed.

Many thanks.

Jason

PS. Here is a pic. 37,600 miles, limited slip diff and short shift box all factory options. Hope you like.

Richard_Hamilton · Jul 2, 2013

Welcome Jason!! Lovely looking car.

Panasonic was an option, so it might be the original. If so, hang on to it if you replace it, so it can be put back in if/when you sell it. If you look at this post, you can see the model number of the Panasonic in the price list: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=757781

I fitted a Blaupunkt Toronto 400BT to mine, which has Bluetooth and I can play music from USB sticks or stream from my iPhone. It doesn't look too out of place, unlike many of the modern head units. I don't think they make the 400BT any more, but you can pick them up reasonably easily and cheaply on eBay. Another option would be to look out for a used Becker Indianapolis, TrafficPro or Grand Prix, as they have similar features and look fairly neutral. Becker no longer make units for the retail market.

AFAIK They didn't have remote locking. At least, my '89 coupe didn't. The previous owner had a Porsche PA1000 system with remote fitted, which I suspect may have been for insurance purposes, as it is Thatcham Approved. Plenty of more modern options available though.

Greg James · Jul 3, 2013

Hello Jason. I've got pretty much the same car and I've not got a remote key fob just the key you put into the immobiliser before you can start the car. Was your car originally supplied by merlin Porsche? mine was in 88, are you going to silverstone? It would be good to get all sse together.

Merlin SSE · Jul 5, 2013

Gentlemen Good Afternoon

Firstly, many thanks for your replies and apologies for my late response. Work has a habit of getting in the way of pleasurable things such as enjoying cars. [

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Richard, I'll look up the suggestions you have made. With the phasing out of FM and the implementation of DAB only I'd ideally like to get a DAB version if possible but without ruining the look of the cockpit.

It seems from your comments that a remote control wasn't supplied with the car so at least I know and can work on a different solution. I have a plan for this but without messing around with the factory fitted alarm.

Greg, my SSE was originally supplied by Lancasters in Colchester. Yours looks a lovely example too and I'm keen to see other supersports so hope we can catch up at some time. With regard to Silverstone, are you referring to the 911x911 event on Sunday the 28th? If so then yes I am really keen to go but I haven't looked in to it yet and I know I'm free that day but I've no idea if it's a ticket only event or what the situation is. So if you know anything then please do let me know and maybe we can meet up enroute?!

Have a great weekend Guys and get out and enjoy your cars.

Regards

J

Greg James · Jul 5, 2013

Hello yes it is ticket only you have to just ring silverstone and book it was about £65 for me and my family. I'm in Oxford so if you want to meet up some time that would be great. I've had mine just over four years and had no problems just admireing looks. People like these cars. I'm the forth owner and its only done 18,000 miles. I would never sell it they are real classics for our generation. The view from the wing mirrors is the best looking at those big wings and the massive spoiler is ace. And the sound my wife knows when I'm coming home such a distinctive sound the air cooled engine. But I do find it hard work I've just got a 944 cab which I drive a lot more and it keeps the miles off the 911. But not many people like that model. Keep in touch about silverstone would be good to get a convoy of sse going. Greg.

Richard_Hamilton · Jul 6, 2013

They have been talking about phasing out FM for years, but I can't see it happening any time soon. From what I have heard, DAB is great where there is good reception, but this can be patchy, and I doubt they will be able to switch completely without providing much better coverage. I think that is why aftermarket car stereo manufacturers don't seem to have embraced it the way you might expect. And think of the millions of cars with built-in AM/FM radios which will become useless.

We can get Digital TV where I live, but it really struggles with HD. Digital radio is a non-starter where I live, unless it is fed through the external aerial. Portable devices and car radio would be useless. Just my 2p's worth.

wiz · Jul 18, 2013

Hello Gentlemen,
My very first post so please pardon the ignorance.
I have a 1989 911 Targa which has a Becker Mexico installed which works fine as a cd player but has a very weak signal on the radio. I am very reluctant to throw the Becker away as it may be original? but would like advice on getting it working properly, is there a specialist in my part of the world (Notts.)
Also i have heard there is a signal booster somewhere under the dash which may be the culprit??
Any help would be appreciated
Keith

Richard_Hamilton · Jul 18, 2013

Keith!

There is an antenna booster underneath the top right hand corner of the dash. You need to pull the clock out to access it.

If I remember correctly it has a white wire, which is the 12v feed from the stereo, and a black wire which attaches to the windscreen. If the screen has been removed, it might have been disconnected, and/or not replaced properly. Also check that the amplifier is securely fitted, because I think it earths through its case.

wiz · Jul 19, 2013

Thanks Richard - great to get some practical advice.
Seems like its well worth replacing the signal booster first as i guess the Becker Mexico may well be obsolete and irreplaceable. and also i like to keep things pretty much as they came from the factory.[

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just a bit warm at the moment to be crawling around inside the dash!

zulu · Jul 19, 2013

Evening Gents,
Like Wiz, I'm a forum first timer, and it sounds like I have the same problem - the ancient aftermarket tape/cd/radio in my car ( '89 SSE cabrio ) is hopeless on radio but plays CDs OK - I don't bother switching it on much, preferring the sound of that flat 6 - but in anticipation of doing the Silverstone thing next weekend and thinking about traffic jams I had a Halfords modern Sony job fitted in a rush today ( looks OK ). But it's hopeless too !
I suspect the integral windscreen antenna and will try Richard's advice - ( how do you remove the clock, and where's the amplifier?!! ) thanks very much . Wiz, please let me know if you have any luck !
Meanwhile, hope to meet some of you guys up at S'stone or at the De Vere - or even on the parade lap - my docs arrived today and seem to cover it all.
Thanks, and best regards,
Geoff

Richard_Hamilton · Jul 19, 2013

All the instruments just push in to rubber grommets around the dash opening. Just carefully lever under the bezel of the clock (protecting the dash with some card or plastic) until it moves a bit, and then do the same on the opposite side. They tend to get firmly stuck after time, but once you get it started, it should come out easily. I wipe a smear of silicone grease on the grommet and instrument case before replacing, so that it comes out easily next time.

The aerial amp is easily visible once you get the clock out. It is (from memory) about 100mm long and 15mm square. Just look for the white and black wires.

Edit: Sorry -

Geoff!

wiz · Jul 20, 2013

Good morning gents.
I have manage to gently remove the clock and can see the antenna booster thingy slightly to one side. All connections appear sound so i will order a replacement. looks like it will need very agile fingers to get it out and replace so i will leave to my local garage to play with.
I will post the results in due course.
I won't be at Silverstone for the parade but hope to get to Oulton Park for the Gold Cup on Aug bank hol weekend. Have a great time[8D]

Richard_Hamilton · Jul 20, 2013

One way of checking it is working would be to disconnect the white wire from the antenna amp. If the reception gets even worse, you know it is working!