Maserati Forum banner

Audio system upgrade for GTS

56K views 85 replies 31 participants last post by  Math 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I own a 2014 Gran Turismo Sport. I love the care but I'm tired of the poor microphone and having to use Bovee for Bluetooth. I'm going to replace the entire system with something more state-of-the-art.

Does anyone have advice on the best system to use which fits in the space? I'm in Westlake Village, CA. Any vendor recommendations would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Robert
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
Radio upgrade

As my GT in sleeping through the winter. I am in the process of making my own radio upgrade. I am installing a 9" android touchscreen system to replace both the radio and the original display.
I have been looking for upgrades on the net and youtube but have not found any really good installs. all have been cut or modified or using the original display. But the quality of the displays today is much better than the original so I am getting the center panel redesigned to fit the 9" display.

My plan is to make a kit that everybody can order. I will move the original radio system to the trunk in order not to get error codes and alarms in your dash display. The radio will be positioned in the battery compartment and the display in the right wheel cover under the lid.

Everything will come as a plug-and-play without having to cut or solder any wires. ( have access to all the tools to make the connectors at work)

So far I have been sourcing all the correct connectors to make custom harnesses.

I have 3D scanned the original panel and am designing a new panel that can be 3D printed.

I am also investigating the CAN controls regarding the Steering wheel controls in order to get them working.

I will keep you posted on the progress:)
Wire Cable Technology Electronic device Electronics
 
#4 ·
As my GT in sleeping through the winter. I am in the process of making my own radio upgrade. I am installing a 9" android touch screen system to replace both the radio and original display.
I have been looking for upgrades in the net and you tube but not found any real good installs. all have cutting or modifying or used the original display. But the quality of the displays today are much better than the original so I am getting the center panel redesigned to fit the 9" display.
My plan is to make a kit that everybody can order. I will move the original radio system to the trunk in order not to get error codes and alarms in your dash display. The radio will be positioned in the battery compartment and the display in the right wheel cover under the lid.
Everything will come as a plug and play without having to cut or solder any wires. ( have access to all the tools to make the connectors at work)
So far I have been sourcing all the correct connectors to make custom harness.
I have 3D scanned the original panel and is designing a new panel that can be 3D printed.
I am also investigating the CAN controls regarding the Steering wheel controls in order to get them working.

keep you posted on the progress:smile2:
Wow...that sounds like an ambitious plan! Keep us posted on your progress!!
 
#3 ·
Franz,

I am planning on tackling the Android headunit and audio upgrade once things warm up a little bit here in VA. I read an entire thread on here from a guy that did it and it was fantastic work and made a WORLD of difference to achieving a more contemporary aesthetic for our car. I have my shopping list all ready to go and am excited to get started. I have some decent experience with system installs from my younger years so I am really hoping some of the old knowledge is still in my head somewhere. I think, wiring drama aside, fabricating the double din surround piece and making it look factory will be the most challenging part.

Any wiring harness design that will make the NIT relocation and new Android unit easier to install to a PROPER amp in place of the bose would be truly wonderful. And of course, a clean looking Double Din faceplate.....My credit card is ready when you are, brother!

Keep us posted on your progress and lots of pics (ESPECIALLY THE DASH!!)

~Chaz
 
#7 ·
If my understanding is correct, the Naviplus install uses the OEM screen for display so it would be limited by the size and resolution of the stock screen. In other words, 7" of usable screen and resolution is not HD. I can't imagine putting that much time and money into an upgrade and still ending up with a small, non-HD screen.

Anyways, despite the invasive install, I would be okay leaving the OEM screen as is because: 1) avoid having to relocate it somewhere else and 2) keep the car from freaking out. From the look of the Alpine install, I doubt the factory screen would be very visible once the aftermarket screen is installed. The Alpine unit can be adjusted for height/angle so good chance you can get it close enough to cover up the original screen. This method would keep involved wiring to a minimum and I assume a simple harness would be enough to allow the Alpine to tap into the speakers/amp/antenna/etc.

All of the above are assumptions on my end obviously but I don't see why it would not be possible.
 
#8 ·
I bought a salvaged dash and I am going to fabricate a double din faceplate that looks like factory. Once I have everything out of the car I will see what room I have to play with. I have seen a few installs that looked REALLY good except for the orientation of the headunit(see below). Those sit low leaving this large space at the top which effects the stock look of the install. I think this is due to the CD player aspect of the hardware. The unit I will be using will be an Android unit with no CD and thus a much shallower hardware profile behind the dash which should allow me to place the unit in a more centered position.

I'm really excited to get into this project. As soon as the wife gives me the go ahead for the rest of the audio gear I'll post some progress shots
 

Attachments

#16 ·
Yeh, the Halo9 does not support wireless CarPlay or AndroidAuto. Outside of OEM integration, I think Kenwood and Pioneer may be the only ones that offer aftermarket head units with that feature. I would obviously prefer to have the wireless option to truly have a seamless experience worthy of the year 2019.

Also, the trip reset can still be done by holding the Mode button for 2seconds when viewing Trip A or Trip B. But on a deeper note, I didn't think removing the radio would remove any other functionality. I thought the single DIN radio was just that...a radio. My understanding was that removing the NIT is what would sacrifice some OEM functions so as long as the NIT stays, all is good.

If someone can shed light on this, would be much appreciated!
 
#15 ·
I have heard mixed reviews of the Navi and Carplay interfaces but aside from their benefits/shortcomings it still doesn't eliminate the biggest eyesore of the whole car, the f-ing horrible phone keypad. I will HAVE to retain that stupid phone NIT so I don't have interface issues with the trip meter/odometer/clock and all the other BS that Maserati has tied into that thing. I will just have it relocated and hidden in the trunk or something. Despite the difficulties, I am really looking forward to the chance to improve the one thing I HATE about the car. If I had the money to just buy the retrofit from Maserati I would, but I cant justify THAT much money.
 
#22 ·
Radio upgrade

Just to keep you all updated. (upgrading to a Android radio) I managed to read out all the can-signals and decode them so I can convert the Steering Wheel controls to radio input. plus the signal for the Acc, Reverse and Lights.
I have programmed a small unit to control any aftermarket radio, so you dont have to hard wire acc, reverse and lights signal.
Furthermore for those who have a 4.2L without valved exhaust it will also have an output when the car is in sportmode, to drive the exhaust valve. (no need for a remote control).
I can also programme it to open in other conditions.

I am still working on the center console frame. I´ve had the original frame 3D scanned and is now designing a new to fit a 8 or 9" display.
If it is the 9" display you need to move the 4 buttons on the side due to the width of the display. That means to the 4 buttons must be positioned below the display and the buttons have to be relabled when they are turned 90 degr. I know some who can laser engrave the new labels.

Futhermore I will have a look to see if I can cheat the ecu to believe that the original radio unit is still present. But I have all ready design a new bracket to fix the original radio in the trunk.
 
#23 ·
Wow Franz, sounds like great progress is being made! We’re all looking forward to your solution!

I’m sure others feel this way as well but if you have pictures of things you made it’d satisfy our thirst for the moment being ?
 
#25 ·
Yes unit is an small programmable unit that has can-bus and a no. of in and output. Barth elektronik.
My biggest issue is now that I can not get the information regarding the communication to the android radio. It seams to be a serial com. for the SWC. But I have not found any specs or protocol for it. Many offer Can-bus interfaces for many different vehicle but I havent found any for the maserati.
I have one interface (that is self learning, but I doubt that it cover the Maserati since they do not have any additoinal wirelooms of other devices for Maserati). Since it also have input for analog SWC buttons, I will try and see if this can control the android radio. If if can I many be able to read the communication sent to the radio and enter it in the programmable unit.

For now I have been working on a how to install manual, showing how to disassemble the the interior to install the upgrade.
 

Attachments

#31 ·
Yes unit is an small programmable unit that has can-bus and a no. of in and output. Barth elektronik.

just dug around a bit -- STG-800? how easy is the CANbus command parsing? I might pick one up and experiment a bit. where'd you get it?

there's a SmartTOP module that can do one-touch convertible operation, but they want $400 for it. I'm sure it's a trivial matter to listen for the command and then hold a line high for 25 seconds...

also, I want to make the car start up in sport mode so I don't have to keep wearing out my button [emoji12]
 
#26 ·
Oh that is very cool indeed. Personally I'd be interested in the valve control *especially* of we can come up with something that will emulate the gradual opening of the valves up to the 3k mark?

Would be interesting if we could (semi) commercialise this.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

C
 
#27 ·
If it is needed to gradually open the valve I think we need a step motor or an electric motor with feed back signal to know the position. I dont now why you want to have this as the sound increases very much when the valve is not fully closed, and if the sound is loud you might as well have the valves fully open. BTW I am also building my own new mufflers with the valve integraded. The differents to the 4,7L valve muffler that has a 1,5" pipe trough the silencer and will bypass above 3000 rpm. My muffler has this pipe increased to 2" and the restriction pass trough the muffler is better. (I dont know the loudness of it yet but it is designed to be tune in by ajusting the exhaust tip pipe before it is fully welded.
 

Attachments

#28 ·
I cant even BEGIN to adequately convey my level of awe at all this. A lot of people talk about taking on this or that daunting task and thats the last we hear of them. Not you! I am waiting with bated breath to see the end result and how it simplifies the modification/install process for a contemporary Android style headunit. Just wow, keep at it brother!!
 
#29 ·
Hi Franz

The exhaust valve opening is actually modulated by modulating the voltage applied to the solenoid valve. Lower voltage equates to less valve opening.

This is how the system works on both the Ferrari cars and the Maseratis. It gives a bigger crescendo as opposed to (what mine does) sounding loud even when you are gently pulling away from the lights!

C
 
#30 ·
OK. good to know. But does it also do this in Sportmode.
In normal mode. Does it begin to open a 3000 rpm (or ?) and when is it fully open.
Are there a different in how i work on different version S versus MC
It is possible to program as a have a PWM output available that can drive the solenoid valve.
I can see you also an Alfisti. Thats just like me. But I have a alfa 75 in race trim with the wide body Imsa. Dogbox, 2.0TS turbo. So I am used to develop everything in house, see our ALFA 75 IMSA - Alfa 75 IMSA
 
#32 ·
My understanding:
Normal mode: Closed at all times
Sport mode: Slightly open, becoming fully open at 3k revs and above
Sport manual: Open all the time (although I am not at all convinced by this simply because my car sounds very different)

I don't know if there are differences between the S and MC. The operation above is only observational, and without reverse engineering or actually getting to see the code, I doubt anyone can ever be completely sure. (I guess you could connect a scope / data logger to the valve and go for a drive!)

That is a very nice Alfa. I've had many over the years, the last being a 3.2 GT and most 'interesting' was a V6 powered 116 Giulietta. The only one we have now is a 147 2l TS which my wife drives. My move to Maserati was significantly prompted by Alfa not having any engine I wanted :(

Given the experience you have, connecting a logger to the solenoid valve seems to be a distinct possibility? Or spin it up on a rolling road?

Cheers!

C
 
#33 ·
I dont think it is possible to activate the Sportmode via can bus, because the button for the sportmode er hardwired to the body computer. I could log the solenoid valve but there are not a soleniod on the 4.2 that I have. So to do that I have to get hold of a 4.7L. But I am not sure that it is slightly open below 3000 rpm. I think it the engine that adjust the valve timing to be more responsable. It does also change sound on mine without valves.
In the educations literature form Maserati it is explain that it is closed below 3000 rpm. (in normal mode)
 
#35 ·
Radio upgrade update.
I have been struggling to get the new radio to work without having the original radio installed, but I finally managed to get all the can signals right. So now the original radio does not have to be installed and I get no error readings in the dash display. I have also manage to send text to the display so when the new radio is turned on it writes "Android" as radio channel. It would be possible to write the Mhz or the specific fm channel but then you would need the radiounit to transmit the channel on an output. But it is not an issue.
Now I only need the finish the design of the bezel to fit the 9" display.

I will keep you updated when it is finished, so I can show you the result.
 
#41 ·
I am in LOOOOOOOOVE!!!


Seriously, if you can create that bezel and have it look the part you will be a absolute ROCKSTAR on this forum to all of us that want to update that crap audio system(which IS basically all of us LOL). Just make enough ahead of time because the demand will be there!


Hero status.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top