Center console project completed

[Ponyboy]

Well, as most know if you want to go with a new stereo head unit it'll come with a sacrifice. And the sacrifice is that most of the time the finished job ends up looking pretty ugly. I feel into the category of buying my NSX with the aftermarket stereo and then trying to make it look decent.

The only way to really do it is to take out the center console and replace it with a blank one that you can customize. I got a blank one from Chris at SOS, took it to a stereo shop for dremel cutting (I didn't trust myself), then to an interior shop that dyed and installed it. And here's the end result. . .

The pics don't do it justice. It looks about as OEM as well, OEM. Just wanted some of you guys that want an aftermarket system to know that there is hope. All in all, I put about $500 into it.

 

[nsxtasy]

A really terrific custom installation is one that doesn't look custom at all, but rather, looks like it was designed that way and built in at the factory. Yours looks really great, Ponyboy.

It's also consistent with the philosophy of "If you're going to do it, do it right."

Originally posted by Ponyboy:
pretty ugly

Isn't that an oxymoron? You know, like "jumbo shrimp"?

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
Isn't that an oxymoron?

I just found this list of the top 50 oxymorons, and it's right there at number 8.

 

[Soulstice]

Originally posted by Ponyboy:
Just wanted some of you guys that want an aftermarket system to know that there is hope. All in all, I put about $500 into it.

Ponyboy -> what's up man! (We met at NSXpo 2002)

That install looks GREAT! Details man...we need details. What head unit is that? Any idea on the color the interior shop dyed it? (The match on yours looks perfect). I'm pretty new and ignorant about this custom stuff, but what exactly is an "interior shop"?

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'96 Black/Tan NSX-T
Short gears, Dali swaybars, Ferodo/Axxis Ultimate brake pads, Bridgestone S-03s

 

[ScienceofSpeed]

Aftermarket stereo? What aftermarket stereo?

Looks great Shawn.

-- Chris

 

[Joel]

Ponyboy,

Looks good enough to me.
But if you were to "fill in" the spaces around it, an equalizer would have been a good choice for a filler.
Just a suggestion.

 

[Ponyboy]

Awww, thanks guys.

For details, besides the dye model #, what would you like to know? I can get the exact dye code tonight and post it. The interior shop is just a specialty shop that works primarily on the interior of cars and stuff. The guy I took it to has done a couple of local NSX's. I'll have to get back with ya on the specific head unit. I, frankly, haven't turned it on since I got the exhaust and headers installed. The match is indeed pretty good (as opposed to pretty bad, which as Ken notes, is an oxymoron

) but not perfect in and of itself. I had the interior guy do the side door inserts to complete the whole look and make it look perfect.

I concur, a equalizer would nicely fill out the center console and I thought about that a little. But since this is my track car and I took out the big 'ole amp and w/o a subwoofer an equalizer just wasn't in my goals. But it definitely would be if my car wasn't just a track witch.

 

[NSX2398]

I too am curious about the dye as I thought that the center and door pieces were made of plastic and needed to be painted. I wouldn't have thought that plastic would even have absorbed dye but if it does, it may be less resistant to scratches than paint

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- Ian
91 Blk/Blk daily driver; 100K+ miles & still going strong

 

[Zishan]

Looks great!! How did they get it to sit so flush? I'm about to start installing my stereo equipment after I purchase a subwoofer and box.
Regards
Z

 

[musclesmarinara2]

Originally posted by NSX2398:
I too am curious about the dye as I thought that the center and door pieces were made of plastic and needed to be painted. I wouldn't have thought that plastic would even have absorbed dye but if it does, it may be less resistant to scratches than paint

I had mine painted.They use the paint code in the door jam to match the color.Pics here. http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/musclesmarinara2/lst?.dir=/radio+pics&.view=t

 

[Ponyboy]

The product used for the color is:

SEM Color Coat
Elastomeric Coating
Titanium Metallic

Here's their web site:

SEM

Hope it helps!

 

[Ponyboy]

Oh and the Eclipse head unit model is 5331.

Take care Deep!

 

[4AU4LIFE]

One of the better looking aftermarket radio installs that I have seen.

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ALL NSX
92 RED/BLACK 5-SPEED

 

[Lud]

Very nice install!

I bet it would be worth someone's effort to set up a turnkey program to deliver the new trim piece cut and dyed like that. I've talked to several people who want to do something like that but don't want to have to buy the parts and hope someone local to them can do it right.

 

[nsx_parts]

Lud:

This type of install would be tough to mass produce as it is "Iso-Mounted"; Meaning the deck is flush mounted behind the console. Most of the aftermarket consoles I have seen have a standard din size opening good for a surface mount, not near as clean. The challenge is that not all decks have the same radius arount the front edges of the deck.

Excellent install.

 

[Markbert]

That is gorgeous! I've never considered aftermarket because of the degredation to the fit and finish of the interior, but I would do it if I could get results like that!
Is there a way to use your suppliers? Perhaps they could match the flush mounting if we sent the head unit along with it, or told them what model number it was?

Just a thought. I would like to see this go somewhere.

 

[Soulstice]

Originally posted by Markbert:
That is gorgeous! I've never considered aftermarket because of the degredation to the fit and finish of the interior, but I would do it if I could get results like that!
Is there a way to use your suppliers? Perhaps they could match the flush mounting if we sent the head unit along with it, or told them what model number it was?

Just a thought. I would like to see this go somewhere.

Ditto what Markbert and Lud said. I would love an aftermarket setup, but don't have the connections or know-how to be comfortable doing it.


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'96 Black/Tan NSX-T
Short gears, Dali swaybars, Ferodo/Axxis Ultimate brake pads, Bridgestone S-03s

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by nsxparts.com:
This type of install would be tough to mass produce as it is "Iso-Mounted"; Meaning the deck is flush mounted behind the console. Most of the aftermarket consoles I have seen have a standard din size opening good for a surface mount, not near as clean. The challenge is that not all decks have the same radius arount the front edges of the deck.

Excellent install.

I agree that this is an excellent install.

However, it does have one disadvantage. If and when you decide to replace the deck, the new one won't necessarily fit, because the dremeling that was used to make this deck fit flush was specific to Ponyboy's deck, as nsxparts.com is pointing out.

IOW, you are getting around the disadvantage of the stock NSX console - the fact that (unlike most cars) it doesn't have a standard DIN opening to fit all decks - by replacing it with a custom NSX console that also doesn't have a standard DIN opening to fit all decks.

It's a minor disadvantage, to be sure; it's just one more thing to keep in mind. It still looks great.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by Soulstice:
I would love an aftermarket setup, but don't have the connections or know-how to be comfortable doing it.

I would think that in most major metropolitan areas, you could find a custom stereo installation shop that could do a nice job. I wouldn't take it to a chain or any place, but would ask around, maybe see if there's a local place whose work is used in cars that win at import car shows. You shouldn't need connections, just money.

 

[Ponyboy]

Kenny's correct. I took the unfinished console to the best car stereo place I could find, told them my dilemma, and they said they could handle it easily. I'm really glad I had them do it b/c I would've went thru 2 or 3 consoles trying to get it right. If I remember correctly, it took about 3 hours of labor total.

Deep or anyone else, if you'd like I can forward you the contact info of the stereo shop that did it. Just private me.

As another option, Chris Wilson is now offering a precut center console. That could be a good way to go too.

 

[ScienceofSpeed]

You can buy the console pre-cut now:
http://www.scienceofspeed.com/products/interior_performance_products/NSX/center_console/

We leave the stereo opening uncut as the dimension varies quite a bit.

Any decent body shop can color match the interior trim of the NSX.

Cheers,
-- Chris

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Revolutionize your NSX with ScienceofSpeed
www.ScienceofSpeed.com | [email protected] | 877-863-4520

 

[Acura NsX Pilot]

Originally posted by NSX FoYoAss:
Looks great!! How did they get it to sit so flush? I'm about to start installing my stereo equipment after I purchase a subwoofer and box.
Regards
Z

Having done a few installs in my time its not hard to get a flush fit ...all you have to do is mount the deck first and then cut ur opening on the dash to fit around the headunit.

 

[NSXaholic]

Ponyboy,

Echo everybody's thoughts here that it looks really nice!! Curious to know what head unit you are using, and are the perceived benefits that made you choose it over stock.

Regards.