996 Headunit Questions

[scottos]

Afternoon All,

I've had a good search around on and off since i got my car, thinking initially that fitting a new, modern headunit would be a simple thing to do.

The knock off PCCM piqued my interest until i saw how complex it seemed to be to get it fitted and working correctly.

Typically i'd just like a double din headunit with android auto, for streaming spotify/ showing google maps on the screen.

My car is a '53' plate with what i believe to be the PCM 2.0 double din headunit, it doesnt have Bose but its got some sort of amp in the frunk still and im sure it was listed as some sort of upgraded speaker system over the standard one? Is it likely i'll need the 'most' adapter to retain the factory amp/ speakers? I'm also aware ill need a facia adapter but struggling to identify a gen 2 one that works with the drinks holder above, id certainly like to retain this.

I've even messaged a couple of audio companies to see if they can just supply and fit and had 0 response from multiple now.

Any help/ pointers appreciated.

Cheers,

Scott

 

[Alex]

What headunit have you currently got in? I'm asking as that'll help know what your amp in the front is.

 

[WilmslowSi]

Hi,

I have a 996.2 2003 and fitted a Sadocom PCM copy a couple of weeks ago, I really wanted the OE look and physical volume control, I did lots of reading up and was prepared for a battle, but it really wasn't complicated. I have the BOSE system with MOST fibre connectors so needed the additional adapter.

Prising the horseshoe trim off, pulling the connectors from the rear of the switchgear and removing the centre air vents is easy, just careful and gentle prising with plastic tools (flat screwdriver for the air vent clips) and it will all come apart and set aside. The PCM unit has four locks on the sides, 90deg twist ant-clockwise on each with an allen key and they release the PCM unit so you can get to all the plugs at the back. I also unscrewed the 4 torx to remove the frame around the PCM2, much better access and can fit replacement unit to frame out of the car, and then frame & unit back in as one.

If you have a pair of orange fibre cables, it is MOST, if not then you probably have ISO connectors into the PCM2 for direct speakers or amp line out & remote.

The 2 looms that come with the Sadocom unit are quite versatile and have sockets on them which accept the car-side connectors for either direct speaker (no amp) or line outs and remote for the amp power. If you do have MOST amp on fibre, but it is not BOSE I'd check with Sadocom via Ali Express message if the fibre adapter will still work with 'MOST but not BOSE amp' to confirm (should do). They are very good at responding and providing advice.

For me it was plug & play, with the long red wire on the Sadocom loom run to the fuse box using a fuse thief connector to get ignition on feed - I think this is where many have problems as there is no ignition feed behind the dash and the unit wont come on without it so this one wire solves 99% of issues people have.

Extra recommendations;
Get some T piece wire taps, they are very useful; I used these; https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08YNMG3F7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
Wire tap the thin wire on the cigarette lighter connector for the Head unit illumination wire - works perfectly for dimming.
Converter cable allows you to connect to the original Porsche GPS antenna; https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08YN1SCC3?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
This diversity aerial converter and signal amp allows both Porsche original diversity and antenna connectors to convert to aerial in on the HU AND amplifies the signal quite well! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZH3PTM5?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Notes
Physically mounting the unit needs a bit of creativity, in the end I just drilled into the metal case of the Head Unit and put tapping screws though the side of the plastic cage into the unit, then remounted the cage into the car.
Mine is BOSE so used the fibre adapter, it was okay using the line outs from the head unit but quiet, so assume the HU has low voltage pre-outs. So I got a Kicker line converter to make my own line out from the HU speaker output - much louder, punchy and good quality until 70% volume then not as good.
(I assume this is just HU distortion through the speaker lines, so ordered a proper high end RCA line driver to try and boost clean original pre-out voltage into the fibre converter - will post results). I know what the original BOSE sounds like with PCM2 running Audio Pilot and CD source, so am aiming to match that if I can).


Overall
For the money - £300 vs £1500 PCCM+ It has the stock looks, physical volume and jog fwd/back knobs, It works well, clear, high-res & responsive screen, Carplay & Android Auto are wireless and fast, decent sound quality up to a certain volume level, allows other android apps and supports reverse camera.


If I can help let me know, lots of forums and people having issues but really was not bad for me, going from double DIN PCM2 I think makes it a lot easier than converting from single as the Chinese unit goes straight into the existing plastic cage, which screws back into the dash.

Cheers, Simon

 

[WilmslowSi]

Something I forgot to mention, since the pic was taken I have put this wireless charging pad in the cubby, still connected to the Head unit USB, its great, just get in chuck the phone in the cubby and it fires up wireless car play and the phone is charging. (is an SE, I always go for smaller phones).

 

[scottos]

What headunit have you currently got in? I'm asking as that'll help know what your amp in the front is.

PCM 2.0 I believe, or do I need to be more specific?

 

[scottos]

Something I forgot to mention, since the pic was taken I have put this wireless charging pad in the cubby, still connected to the Head unit USB, its great, just get in chuck the phone in the cubby and it fires up wireless car play and the phone is charging. (is an SE, I always go for smaller phones).

Wow, thank you for that comprehensive response, I'll do some reading up and research!

 

[WilmslowSi]

Wow, thank you for that comprehensive response, I'll do some reading up and research!

No worries I literally just did the job after researching several options (Kenwood etc) but took a punt on the OE look of the Chinese one despite all the forum challenges, so it's all very fresh in memory!

 

[scottos]

No worries I literally just did the job after researching several options (Kenwood etc) but took a punt on the OE look of the Chinese one despite all the forum challenges, so it's all very fresh in memory!

Thanks again, Simon! I think what I'm going to do is remove my headunit to start off and see if I can see what connections I have (Most or not) then go from there. Your post has put some confidence back into that android unit!

 

[RAH]

Thanks for a great write-up. I'm considering doing the same for my Gen1 996 with single Din but get a bit confused on the Ali website on which unit is the correct one.

 

[Damo996]

Any one know if there is a single din Pccb plus copy yet? I’m double din but would like to go single and do the centre console delete.

Would sell my pccm plus double din to fund it

 

[photek]

Any one know if there is a single din Pccb plus copy yet? I’m double din but would like to go single and do the centre console delete.

Would sell my pccm plus double din to fund it

Let me know if you find anything! I removed the PCCM plus double din from my car, to do the lower center console delete - on balance I'm happy with the decision....but sometimes I wouldn't mind a bit better connectivity ;-)

 

[scottos]

Since this post i've had a good couple of drives out and realised i dont really have music on at all and if i have maps on then my phone is stuck in a mount and i just use Google Maps on that. I think im just used to having android auto in the daily car and the van but perhaps i really dont need it in the 996.

If there was a way to add bluetooth into the PCM 2.0, then i'd likely be happy to just do that in all honesty and probably only use it on transitions during road trips, or the odd time ill take it into the office.

I'm sure i saw something regarding adding bluetooth onto PCM 2.0, so i'll do some searching on that as well. I currently have a Bluetooth/ FM transmitter and i loved it at first but you do get alternator feedback and now i just dont use it!

 

[photek]

If there was a way to add bluetooth into the PCM 2.0, then i'd likely be happy to just do that in all honesty and probably only use it on transitions during road trips, or the odd time ill take it into the office.

Makes sense, just google PCM 2.0 bluetooth adapter - there are a few available. Read the reviews, and good luck!

 

[scottos]

Makes sense, just google PCM 2.0 bluetooth adapter - there are a few available. Read the reviews, and good luck!

Thanks! I still need to remove my headunit to see if i've got the MOST connector. My car has the Harmann sound system, rather than the bose (it still has an amp in the frunk) It looks like adding bluetooth is relatively easy if it is MOST, if not then it looks a chew. Maybe thats why i started looking at android auto enabled headunits

 

[photek]

I think all PCM 2.0 and above have MOST?

This website has a compatibility photo for it's MOST PCM2x BT adapter :