NSX AUTHORITATIVE "Double DIN" everything you ever wanted to know thread build

NSX AUTHORITATIVE "Double DIN" everything you ever wanted to know thread build

We did our very first NSX double din install about 5 years ago on a 1991 NSX. Customer came to us with a bone stock interior 1991 NSX and wanted to install a "better" stereo. One thing lead to another and pretty soon we were fabricating a custom dash panel from his stock one. Of course the stock panel became the donor piece thus there is no way to ever go back to stock. Roughly 20 hours later we had this beautiful panel crafted to both reduce glare and at the same time consolidate his electronics into one neat piece.



The biggest problem with the NSX center dash piece is due to the angle - any DD dash or LCD screen for that matter mounted flush to the dash will create massive glare. Everyone is aware of this problem so we set about in our mission to create a solution that we think addresses most issues with any double din installation. In that particular installation we used a Kenwood DD deck which had "reverse" tilt" function. Most manufacturers offer tilt these days HOWEVER they till in the wrong direction for the NSX. Majority do positive tilt and the NSX requires REVERSE TILT, sadly not many companies offer this anymore so this is why we built the angled DD panel.

Some of the things we have learned after doing over 40 installs now are listed below:

Some of the biggest issues are:

1) You pay a stereo shop “X” amount of labor hours (typically $70-100 per) to modify your OEM dash panel plus costs to get it color matched
2) You LOSE your OEM dash panel and won’t be able to go back to stock (new replacements retail for $800+)
3) Car will be in the shop for at least 3-4 days for the work to be completed thus down time
4) Glare problem will be there from the LCD screen
5) Ashtray gets in the way or doesn’t work properly - many of you don’t even use the ashtray
6) It’s very hard to get an exact paint color code match since different model year NSX has different color finishes
7) Still NO carbon fiber finish all said and done!


Typical NSX owner’s wish list based on our experience modifying past NSX owner’s dash panels:

a) Reduce glare by angling the DD unit at an angle more upright from the dash panel
b) Create a pre-made OEM dash panel replacement that allows owners to have a replacement without sacrificing their OEM dash panel
c) Offer both a FRP (paintable) or CF finish dash panel based on customer needs
d) Minimize “down” time and create a product that ANY NSX owner can utilize instead of only being able to offer the service to local customers*
e) Relocate unsightly ashtray plug to somewhere more discrete (fingers hit the wires protruding out of cigarette lighter which gets in way of shifting)


As mentioned earlier in the thread, each double DIN panel back then had to be fabricated by hand. The good part is we can build each one suited to fit the exact radio the customer wanted so it guarantees a perfect fit. Bad news is there is considerable cost, time, labor invested not to mention down time to do this and naturally we can only do this for local customers. We have done a handful of custom dash panels with the customer shipping us their purchased radio and stock panel. We would do the custom build on one of our donor NSX cars here and then ship it all back to them. But the final installation and wiring still had to be done by customer on their end.

So with all this said, let's take a look at the stock NSX dash panel and dash opening:



here's a stock dash panel on right compared to your typical DD cut dash panel. You have very little material on the bottom left /right edges of the panel and it's prone to snapping in two pieces:



Our EuroBoutique reduced angle dash panel with ashtray "Delete" offers glare reduction and a cleaner look:



Radio mounted with custom brackets:



This Kenwood Radio has reverse tilt so combined with our reduced glare panel the radio is actually viewable in sunlight!



When no power is applied the radio goes back to original position:



We also mounted custom switches and a V1 display in this panel per customer request:



Cabin showing amp installation prior to re-assembly:






Stay tuned as we get more photos of the install!

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here's another customer who dropped by and wants to upgrade to our dash panel, note the angle of the deck in relation to the dash panel is reduced:









For those who wish to retain the OEM ashtray, we will offer a different DD panel that retains the ashtray, even this one has been specially reinforced and has a slight beveled edge to help reduce glare. This helps most DD units fit without hitting the ashtray door. This is a new production model that we are now almost finished and ready to release:









Our FRP dash panels can be painted to match OEM dash colors too:



Lastly a sneak peek at our NSX-R "delete" radio panel for those who do not want a radio. This takes the ultimate in terms of weight savings with no radio system but still giving the dash a unique look. Instead of a boring blank panel, our recessed "delete" panel gives your car a true race car look and looks AMAZING!




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thanks and stay tuned for more photos!

Entire dash taken apart ready to do install - removing the steering wheel makes dash access much easier

(*only reason we removed the wheel is to install our carbon fiber steering wheel for this client. No need to remove it if you are just doing the stereo install)








Here's our EuroBoutique CF angled dash panel (to reduce glare) next to the customer's stock panel that was cut by previous stereo shop: (ideally if you can keep your stock dash panel un-touched this is ideal)

Here's a full double DIN install for a Pioneer App Radio (SPH-DA120) into the NSX using our FRP (ready to paint dash panel).

This allows the customer to retain their OEM dash panel should they ever want to go back to stock finish.


This is how we started:



Remove the center vent / clock assembly first to gain access to 1 of 3 screws holding the dash panel in place:



This is what the back of the ashtray looks like, 2 plugs need to be removed:



Here's a list of parts you should have removed, now you should be ready to start doing the wiring:



Note where the stock radio tabs are on this car since it's on the top and bottom, not the SIDES like most double din installs, we will utilize the stock points to mount the new radio:

Once the ashtray is unplugged and removed you are left with this big open cavity, please take time to note where the brackets are going to be placed and the relation of the radio angle that needs to be adjusted to fit the dash panel. Our angled DD panel moves the radio down slightly into the area where the ashtray used to exist. This helps decrease glare and also gives the radio a better viewable angle from reflections:



Parts to be installed include the JDM NAV Pod which will get a monitor installed for the front camera, EuroBoutique angled DD FRP Dash panel (this will be painted once the fitment is done, Pioneer APP radio, switches for the iLIFT system, BOYO front and rear cameras)



Test fitment of Pioneer APP radio prior to fitting dash panel is important to determine angle of radio and how it will be mounted:



App radio test fitment into dash panel to ensure all clearances and proper mounting position. Even in this position out of the car you can see how bad the glare will be if it was mounted flush to the dash panel.







Look for more updates as we get the radio wired up.....

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In part II of the installation we are now going to install a SOS LCD screen setup into a JDM NAV POD.

The monitor will have the input of a front license plate mounted camera so owner can see what is in front of the car.


here are the components ready to be installed:



we want to carefully mount the IR eye so we can use the included remote control:



there are small plastic tabs that need to be trimmed by a Dremel or hobby knife prior to installation - here we are doing a test fit before the glue takes place:



Monitor is mounted and ready to be installed:

A few more shots from one of our customer installations:







Backup Camera with LED's:

here's another Pioneer APP Radio installation with our CF dash panel. It's best to protect the radio during the test fitment phase to avoid any damage as shown here with the tape: