Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Nakamichi CD-40z???

Couldn't find this anywhere on www.soundcity.com, also, does it fit in the spot where the factory hu sits? Additionally, is this HU gonna make me want speakers, if so what will fit in factory spots?

p.s. cost is not an issue unless my fiance finds out...so say mid range in price...

The CD45Z is the current model. It will fit nicely as will an standard DIN sized radio.

I just happen to be the proud owner of a Nakamichi CD-40z purchased exactly two years ago from Sound City.

Yes, it will fit perfectly in the factory dash with no modifications. And yes it will cause you to want to upgrade your entire system, including speakers.
Fortunately for me I chose to build my entire system all at one time so compatibility wasn't an issue.
If you care to check out my system, please go to this link:

http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/vi...=Ford%20Contour


To be perfectly honest, I originally wanted the CD-45z but Sound City was out of stock & I was too impatient to wait so settled on the 40z. If you want my advice, go with the 45z as you gain 20-bit DAC converters compared to 1-bit for a modest price difference.
I can't explain why Sound City doesn't have the 40z listed on their website as they seem to periodically add/delete items.
I'd suggest you call them directly via their toll free number as I did & ask for Stuart who is from whom I ordered my equipment. He identified himself as their car audio sales manager.
It has been my experience that websites are not as up to date as talking to an actual person.

SVT Contour, the way your amp is setup is how I want to do mine, but with the addition of another amp, dist blocks, etc. How hard was it for you to do that? Did you need to take off the rear shelf?

It was not difficult at all.

Since I did not perform the actual installation myself I can't give you precise details, but can tell you how the channels were bridged & the amp mounted.

Originally I had the amp mounted upside down & bolted directly to the rear package shelf sheet metal. Then I realized that with the heat sinks facing downward, the heat generated by the amp would not dissipate properly & saturate the chassis. Not a good idea. So I took it back to the installing dealer & had them mount the amp right side up & attached to the carpeted MDF board & suspended by the plumbing strapping from the original package shelf sheet metal location.

As for channel distribution, I had channels 1 through 4 bridged to power the two front main speakers, channels 5 & 6 for each of the rear fill speakers & bridged channels 7 & 8 to power the sub.
No capacitors, distribution blocks or other external components were utilized.

Though the installation itself isn't exactly competition quality & is relatively basic,
I can honestly say the sound is incredible & the bass is more than adequate for my listening tastes.

Any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Well I think that my plan is to buy a piece of MDF that is the same size as the package shelf.
I will carpet that, mount my amps to it and the dist. block (two amps).
Use the brackets that you used to bolt it to the shelf.

My only question, maybe someone can help, is how do I need to exactly attach those brackets to the shelf so it holds the weight of the amps.

Sharp looking, what % tint do you have?
I'm not sure what is legal in ohio.

Obviously my installer used plumbing strapping, but any sort of pre-formed 'S' or 'C' brackets would also work. These are readily available at places like Home Depot or Builders Square. I believe they can be attached with sheet metal screws. Or you can use nuts & bolts if you want to first remove the package shelf upholstery from inside the interior.
As long as you use common sense & install enough brackets, they should easily support the weight of your MDF shelf & components.

My window tint is one step darker than the legal limit allowed in Kansas where I had it installed. I believe the limit is either 30% or 35% (I can't remember) & I had to specifically request it as some tint shops refused to even consider installing anything darker than legal.
Now that I'm back home in California, I don't know what is the legal limit. But to be honest, I really don't care. Tint laws, IMHO, are Big Brotherish intrusive & have no business being implemented, let alone enforceable.
I'll willingly take my chances.

Take a look on this thread http://www.contour.org/cgi-ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=001651

I got mine CD45z for 306$, it fits almost fine - you just need to use a file to get some extra plastic from conners of standart slot - nothing hard - you can do it yourself.

Regards,
Kirill

I have the Nak CD40z and it fits perfectly in the factory location with just a bit of filing on the left and right hole opening.

My amp is bolted (using T-Nuts) to a piece of Melamine covered MDF shelving that I bought from Home Depot. The Melamine adds strength and moisture protection to the MDF. It hangs in the trunk under the rear package shelf on 1/8" thick x 3/4" wide (don't remember the length) aluminum brackets (2) that I made. I used bolts and T-Nuts to fasten the brackets to the MDF shelf. The brackets are held to the underside of the package shelf with #10 sheet metal screws. The ground wire for the amp is attached to one of these sheet metal screws. Nothing has ever come loose so far.
I have never had any overheating problems, but it may be because my amp is rated at only 200 watts RMS.

-Wes
98 SE Sport