Well, I am a little disappointed that the premium sound option didn't have a head unit that can play MP3's so, I am looking at replacing it. Has anyone else replaced their head units in their Evo's that had the Sun and Sound package option?

My primary concern is the factory amp. I'd like to do a little rigging as possible to put in a head unit to interface with the existing system. I had helped my brother install a stereo in his M3 and due to the factory amp, it was a pain (double amping issues etc.). I'd like to avoid all that if possible.

So, my question boils down to this. If anyone has replaced the head unit on the sun&sound package, were you able to "plug and play" with your replacement, or did you end up putting in signal converters etc. I am kind of partial to the Alpine units but I'd like to know what units you guys used if they went in easy. I really do not have a whole lot of time that I can spend on an installation and I do not trust most installation shops around where I live.

Thanks in advance.

All you need to do is get a harness. I picked mine up at the local Circuit City and it was a 2 second job...plug and play baby...

Is this true that there is a harness that works with the SSl package?

I actually have this same question--- I dont think you can just buy a harness thats plug and play-- The crutchfield website says that for the 6 speaker lancers you can just plug but the 7 speaker setup you have to run new speaker wires and the factory sub wont work. I wish the sound package wasnt in with the SSL package. All I want is an aux input on the front for my ipod. Anybody done this and have maybe help b/c I also dont want to be re-running wires all over the place. Thanks

there is a harnes to keep the factory amp search and you will find the link to buy the harness.

Did anyone find that link?

the harness from circuit city works..the thing is...your sub won't sound as loud... i immediately noticed louder bass from the sub once i switched back to stock setup

I need to bump this thread.
I just bought an VIII with the sun/sound option and now I'm preparing to get an ipod-ready HU. The sony/crutchfield website states that replacing the unit on a 7-speaker setup will disable the sub..and that the speakers have to be rewired.
i'm ok at doing installs, but would rather not...but i would like to know more info on this topic...
what are my options? i guess i would like to keep the factory amp and wiring...

thanks!

the copmany that makes the interface is called soundgate I believe and it goes into preout and connects to the factory amp w/o any problems. hope that helps

soundgate does make an interface its like 25 bucks. the shop i went to just ended up cutting the harness and wiring it without having to get the adapter. i wanted to get the adapter but they insisted it wasnt worth it and cutting the wires would work just as well, and it sounds pretty good, better than the stock headunit

thx for the info mass...found this thread on it as well, after reading your post:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...27#post2159627

so jjm, your unit is still going through the amp? does the sub still work?
i think i might just go with the adapter to keep it "clean"...
also, has anyone else installed this adapter from soundgate?...and what kind of quality have you noticed? diminished? same? better?

i have a Lancer Ralliart with S&S package and have replaced the stock HU. The adapter that I used is made my metra their site is metraonline.com the part # is 70-7003. The best is to call them and find out if there are any dealers in your area that carry that part. This I think is the way to go if you wanna keep your stock amp/speakers/sub. Plus I've noticed that it sounds much clearer with the aftermarket HU.

sweet, thanks a lot guys.

The sound was crampy at first but I changed to a deck with high preamp outputs 4-5v and made a huge difference in sound quality. I used the soundgate and the wire harness with great results and the factory sub does work..

you can just use the general mitsu harnes wire it up and go from there, but you will loose quality. its obviously going to be a lot better if you rewire and replace everything else. but your factory stuff is set up so that its perfect for each other. your call from there if you want mp3s