Sirius Mod Install

[Bigtamw65]

A couple of questions, has any one done there own install on the factory sirius kit? Just purchased one on ebay for $150. Had Xm, but want a cleaner looking dash. Got a TOMTOM because it did not get the NAV package and according to the dealer, it's not something you can add on after the fact. So I don't want the TOMTOM and the XM unit stuck all over the place. If you did do the install, how did it turn out and do you have to have to have the additional install kit (the one that is about $20)?

Also, I have the XM on an FM modulator and the sound is pretty good, not as good as the CD's with the centerpoint, but its good. I have been reading that the sound quality with the factory sirius kit is not that good. Did I make a mistake? Thanks for any info and I appreciate any opinions.

 

[Int3grity]

Dude where did you happen to hear that sirius sound quality on our cars sounds like crap? I have it currently clear as whistle.
TOMTOM is what I currently use by the way TOMTOM uses both teleatlas and Navteq far more accurate and up to date than mazda oem gps
dont get me wrong mazda also uses navteq but they use older map versions.

XM/Siruis merger either way you will be listening to the same thing we all listen and to be honest I find XM programming to be better then sirius RAW dog is about the only good channel on this.

 

[Bigtamw65]

Dude where did you happen to hear that sirius sound quality on our cars sounds like crap? I have it currently clear as whistle.
TOMTOM is what I currently use by the way TOMTOM uses both teleatlas and Navteq far more accurate and up to date than mazda oem gps
dont get me wrong mazda also uses navteq but they use older map versions.

XM/Siruis merger either way you will be listening to the same thing we all listen and to be honest I find XM programming to be better then sirius RAW dog is about the only good channel on this.

There were a couple of other threads in the forum that didn't seem to think the sound quality was that good, that is why I asked.

Also found out for any one interested that you do not need the additional kit for the install, it has zip ties, foam pads, ect, nothing that is required for the actual installation. My dealer told me that if your arms are small enough, you don't even have to take the radio out, you can reach behind and plug it in. They mount it behind the console.

 

[Int3grity]

There were a couple of other threads in the forum that didn't seem to think the sound quality was that good, that is why I asked.

Also found out for any one interested that you do not need the additional kit for the install, it has zip ties, foam pads, ect, nothing that is required for the actual installation. My dealer told me that if your arms are small enough, you don't even have to take the radio out, you can reach behind and plug it in. They mount it behind the console.

all it is is a small box with a one way connector plus you have to run the antenna wire and hide it under the rubber gasket trim molding isuggest you place it just before the moonroof opposed to in the back near the existing am/fm antenna still dont know why they chose this location

 

[Bigtamw65]

There were a couple of other threads in the forum that didn't seem to think the sound quality was that good, that is why I asked.

Also found out for any one interested that you do not need the additional kit for the install, it has zip ties, foam pads, ect, nothing that is required for the actual installation. My dealer told me that if your arms are small enough, you don't even have to take the radio out, you can reach behind and plug it in. They mount it behind the console.

Correction to the placement of the Sirius unit, they mount it behind the glovebox/ Does anyone know if there is a post on how to remove the glovebox?

 

[GSXR1000]

Correction to the placement of the Sirius unit, they mount it behind the glovebox/ Does anyone know if there is a post on how to remove the glovebox?

The hardest part of removing the glove box is the plunger/shock on the right side. You have to pry it off of the post the sticks out from the side. First you need to squeeze the sides in to get the stoppers to allow the box to fall down, then pry off the shock (carefulluy, it will break) an then the box will fall the rest of the way down to allow you to remove it.

 

[azcat]

Correction to the placement of the Sirius unit, they mount it behind the glovebox/ Does anyone know if there is a post on how to remove the glovebox?

My factory-installed Sirius unit has a box mounted on the passenger side under the tail light. I found it when I was installing the trailer wiring harness. I don't know if there's another unit that goes behind the dash.

 

[Bigtamw65]

Got the sirius installed. Took all of about 30 minutes. It was very easy. Basically it involves taking out the radio to plug in the unit, taking out the glove box to mount the unit and running the wire for the antenna. I put mine on the dash. That was where my XM antenna was and so far so good. I placed the sirius box on the inside of the passenger side quarter panel. Don't know where the dealer put it if it was behind the glove box, not much room back there. It sounds GREAT and the best part is, when I called to activate it, I got a 6 month free subscription. So I saved $230 buying the sirius radio on EBAY(which comes with everything you need) and if I am not mistaken the dealership was going to charge about $150 to install, so a total of $380 in my pocket. The cost of the radio by itself.

 

[spidajay]

Nice...can't wait to try that out.

 

[spidajay]

Got the sirius installed. Took all of about 30 minutes. It was very easy. Basically it involves taking out the radio to plug in the unit, taking out the glove box to mount the unit and running the wire for the antenna. I put mine on the dash. That was where my XM antenna was and so far so good. I placed the sirius box on the inside of the passenger side quarter panel. Don't know where the dealer put it if it was behind the glove box, not much room back there. It sounds GREAT and the best part is, when I called to activate it, I got a 6 month free subscription. So I saved $230 buying the sirius radio on EBAY(which comes with everything you need) and if I am not mistaken the dealership was going to charge about $150 to install, so a total of $380 in my pocket. The cost of the radio by itself.

By the way how do you get the free 6months?

 

[skeppley]

Hey bigtamw,
Any info on how to remove the head unit wtihout breaking anything?
I just ordered the USB audio link and was wondering how hard it is to pull out the stereo.
Thanks

 

[Bigtamw65]

By the way how do you get the free 6months?

When I called to activate it, they knew it was a Mazda radio (by the radio ID I am assuming). The customer service rep said it was a 6 month free activation and I could continue if I wanted to at the end of that time. I think that it is standard with a new car activation.

 

[Bigtamw65]

Hey bigtamw,
Any info on how to remove the head unit wtihout breaking anything?
I just ordered the USB audio link and was wondering how hard it is to pull out the stereo.
Thanks

Very easy, once you get the silver bezel popped off, its only 4 phillips screws holding it in.

 

[spidajay]

Thanks for the info...ill let you know how it turns out.

 

[skeppley]

Yeah, thanks for the info.
Does that bezel just po right off?

Thanks Again.

 

[Bigtamw65]

Yeah, thanks for the info.
Does that bezel just po right off?

Thanks Again.

Pretty much, there is a link somewhere in the CX-7 forum that also explains how to remove it, but once you get it started with the putty knife, you have to release two clips along each side of the lower end of the radio and the rest will pop with very little muscle.

Here is one helpful link:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123650177&highlight=remove+radio

 

[skeppley]

Great, I did some more searching last night and ran across that one too. Nice picture of the clips behind the bezel. I just didnt wanna go tearing into a brand new car and ruin,chip, or crack something. My girlfriend wouldn't put out for weeks if i wrecked her new dash

 

[Bigtamw65]

Great, I did some more searching last night and ran across that one too. Nice picture of the clips behind the bezel. I just didnt wanna go tearing into a brand new car and ruin,chip, or crack something. My girlfriend wouldn't put out for weeks if i wrecked her new dash

I understand, it is a bit nerve wrecking, but once you get it started, it should pull right out.

 

[spidajay]

Just finished up the install. Wasn't too bad like you said; got away clean with only a few scratches. Everything is up and running but im having no reception on the am/fm. Did you run into that problem? Also what did you do about the splitter that came with the packaging? Did you use it? Anyhow, thanks again for all the help.

 

[frasdl]

I installed an aftermarket sirius radio in my wife's cx-7 yesterday. It went pretty well overall. Removing the bezel around the radio and climate controls was really tough on mine. Had to muscle it more than I really wanted too. The bottom 3 clips weren't too bad but the remaining 7 on top just didn't want to let go.

I ended up using a windshield mount in the mid part of the windshield. The unit hangs just above the normal radio display area. I hardwired to the accessory power next to the shifter and ran the wires so they come out of the dash just where the silver bezel meets the upper part of the dash. That way the wires are only seen for about 4 inches until they meet the unit. Not as clean as I'd really like, but since I had the kenwood unit with a home dock already from our old maxima, I really didn't want to switch to the factory version yet. I used a pro-fit bracket on that car and it was much cleaner, but they don't have one for the cx7. Not sure how it would work if they even tried to make one as the dash creases are so tight.

I put the antenna just behind the factory antenna and reception seems fine. That way all the antenna stuff is together. I'll try to post some pics soon.

Finish line has some nice factory install directions posted that helped for knowing how bezels etc attach.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/instructions/cx7/Satellite_Radio_Installation_CX7.pdf

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/instructions/cx7/ipod.pdf