Hey guys, I posted a while back, saying that I was going to have a Mark soon. Well, it wasn't soon, but I did finally get one. A '98 LSC, red/tan. It's in great shape except for a lousy repaint job on the hood, which I'll take care of in the summer. For now I'm interested in an audio upgrade. I did a search but didn't find what I was looking for.

First of all, I'd like to stick with the factory head unit for now and save my money for paint and headers. With that in mind, I have the following questions:

1. I want to use my iPod but not through the tape deck like I'm doing now. I found that I can buy a connector that turns my CD changer input into an auxillary input (with RCA jacks), which I could use for my iPod dock. However, is there any way to split this input so I can still use my CD changer?

2. I know that the head unit doesn't have a built in amp... are there preamp outputs for a sub on the unit? Also, how many watts per channel does the amp put out?

3. I also know that the Mark has 5.25" speakers all the way around. I have 6.5" and 6x9" Infinity Kappas from my previous car ('93 Buick Riviera). Is there enough room in the doors and rear deck to fit them? If so, is there a separate crossover or is it built into the amp? I realize that may be a dumb questions, but I'm not exactly a car audio expert. The reason I ask is, I don't want to use the factory tweeters, as the Infinitys have tweeters mounted on them already. Will I be able to just ignore the factory tweeter wires or will doing this cause me to lose my high-end sound output from the stereo?

I know that was long-winded; I really appreciate any of you reading it all and helping me out!

Thanks,
Jerry

*bump*

1. Can't you get an adapter for the iPod to run through RF sort of like some of the aftermarket changers, where you have to tune into a certain station on the head unit?

2. I'm not sure of what the wattage is but there is no pre-amp outputs on the back of the unit. The unit and amplifier are matched probably to keep people from just tapping off the head unit and replacing the amplifier. There have been people that were able to use the wires from the head unit to an aftermarket amplifier, not sure how well it works.

3.You can fit the speakers no problem, may need to open the holes a little more though. There are no speakers in the rear deck, they are in the rear quarters. The crossover is located in the amp. I have no idea how to use the existing amp and get the higher frequency in the speakers you want to use. I would recommend replacing the head unit just to make things easier and also because of the quality.

As far as the subs, just get a high to low level inverter and splice the speaker wires. That's how I have my subs hooked up ....for now.

I don't know who it is, but there's a guy on this forum that's got everything from a stereo to a Laptop wired on his Mark. Do a search and you might get lucky. He's even posted pics. It was a few months ago.

i use an adaptor from Best Buy for my ipod. plug it into your cig lighter and then put the stereo on 88.1 for example and then ur ipods ready!

Thanks for all the advice, guys. The fact is, though, that I'm too much of an audiophile to do this stuff. So I decided, screw it, I'm getting a new head unit. Anyone have experience with a Viper 5 channel amp?

i use an adaptor from Best Buy for my ipod. plug it into your cig lighter and then put the stereo on 88.1 for example and then ur ipods ready!

I have got that, the sound quality is crap. I dont know if the mark doesnt get very good radio reception or what, but it sounds horrible.

hey good luck on your mark 8...and welcome aboard my friend!
post some pic if you can ;)

I have got that, the sound quality is crap. I dont know if the mark doesnt get very good radio reception or what, but it sounds horrible.

mines alright, its not as loud tho as when u play the radio by itself or a CD.