Is there a way to get carplay on a 2013 C6 without having to buy a new radio. I'm fine with the current radio which is the touch screen and factory GPS, just want to be able to use carplay and google maps for GPS rather than the factory GPS.

 

no, you will need a new radio. New radio will have HD screen and better sound going into the factory amp.

 

Thanks. With the aftermarket radios is it possible to maintain 100% of the steering wheel and other functions that are currently integrated into the factory radio? For example I read on one page that the door chime feature is disabled with some radio units?

 

It is not in the radio, rather the adapter. The pac rp5 gm11 will retain all that.

 

Here's what he's referring to, it interfaces the stereo wiring of the car, to the wiring of the new head unit. It requires that the interfaces wiring harness be connected to the harness that comes with the particular head unit you choose to run, Crutchfield will do this for you (for a small fee I believe) so it pretty much makes installation plug and play. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-X5TeQM...Interface.html And like Vince mentioned, this allows you to retain the OnStar, chimes, steering wheel controls, and factory amp. You'll also need one of these for installation. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120953...-Dash-Kit.html

This'll kinda give you an idea of what's all involved with installing a new aftermarket nav system. https://www.corvetteforum.com/how-to...igation-368176 You'll loose the use of the stock XM tuner, so if you also want XM radio in your new system, you'll also need to get one of these that plugs into your new head unit https://www.crutchfield.com/p_220SXV...0V1-Tuner.html The new XM tuner comes with its own antenna, but there's a way you can use the stock XM antennas in your car which saves you from having to run the new one which makes for a little cleaner install, you can read about how to do it here (sorry, it's kinda a long thread). https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-xm-tuner.html You can also use your existing stock GPS antenna, and it may plug right in to the new head unit depending on which one you get, for example the stock GPS connector plugs right into the Kenwoods, the Pioneers require the use of an adapter.

Believe me, you'll be much happier with a new after market system with the looks, sound quality, and functionality compared to the stock system. So, all this info should give you a good idea of what's all involved with going with an after market system, if not, there's a bunch of very knowledgeable, friendly people on this forum that are more than happy and willing to help with any questions you may have.

 

Too bad that someone doesn’t make some kink of a dingle that would allow your phone’s screen to be viewed on the cars screen.

 

Well, if you're running an Android phone Pioneer has something called Miracast on some of their systems that allow you to do just that as shown here.

Wireless screen-mirroring
If you have an Android device and don't want to use Android Auto, you can still benefit from Wi-Fi Certified Miracast™, which lets you mirror your phone's screen on the AVIC-W8600NEX's display without a wired connection. It's not universal but should work with most Android phones.

 

Thanks for the input this certainly is a helpful group. Really appreciated. A local radio shop quoted me 3 hours to install and had a significantly higher price on GM interface components than Crutchfield. Crutchfield rates it a 3 out of 5 implement difficulty- any idea how long it would take a first time installer that is reasonably capable mechanically?

 

If you buy the head unit and harness from Crutchfield, for a few dollars more, they will pre-wire it for you so it's plug-and-play when it gets to you.

 

For a first time, probably like 4 to 5 hours. Add more if you expect the steering controls. To work, add in sat radio, add a backup camera, etc.

The real bummer is you can't ever retain the GPS directions in the HUD. It's a minor feature, but a cool one nonetheless
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Yeah, some install shops are like auto repair shops, if they supply the parts, they do a mark up on the price of them to make more money off you. So the three hours they quoted you, what all did that include ? Time of install would depend on how extensive you get with the install, and if the interface and radio harnesses are all connected together and ready to go, and if it's just the head unit with no extra add ons (i.e. XM tuner, backup camera, front camera) and depending on your experience, I'd say you could probably have it done in two to three hours. If you add cameras into the mix (which I'd highly recommend doing by the way, at least a backup camera) it would add a fair more amount of time, and since you have everything opened up to run the camera wiring, adding and running the wiring for the XM tuner antenna (like mentioned in the link in my previous post) would be much more simpler since you're back there anyway doing the camera, and if you decide to also add a front camera, there again, more time. There's a another thing worth considering adding also which is a USB port in the center console that's connected to the new head units USB input, which there again since you have everything pulled apart, you might as well do. So, it just depends. What I did when I first got my Vette seeing as how this was my first install in a Vette, is read as many threads as I could find that are out there on installations, which made things easier, but I also personally have a fair amount of experience with installs I've done in my other vehicles over the years, so I'm sure it took me less time than you, so I'm just trying to base my estimate someplace in the middle. If you do decide to do this, let us know and we'll give you some other tips and tricks and things to watch out for.

 

I did the head unit and backup camera on my 2012 GS about 2 weeks ago. It's not terrible. I watched a few youtube videos so I knew what to look for and that made me comfortable that I could pull it off. Check this one out:
If you do the backup camera, this approach is probably the easiest for splicing the wire: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-drilling.html

Like others said, you might as well do the camera while you have the dash apart. It's $30 and not too difficult.

I just did exactly that. Did not come pre-wired...pain in the butt.

 

You are correct regarding GM interface parts. They marked that up $125 (over Crutchfield) and quoted $300 for just the head unit and GM interfaces installation so current functionality would continue working so in my book basically $425 for the install without backup camera. Quoted an additional 4 hours for backup and front camera and $200 for a high def backup camera. I'm really leaning toward buying from Crutchfield and installing.

You mentioned USB port. I already have one in the center console that I can play music from my iPhone. Does that require some additional wiring beyond what Crutchfield supplies in the full GM kit?

What are the best installation sites/you tube that show detailed photo's on what and how?

Again, thanks this really is a helpful group of people.

 

Excellent video, that settles it. I'm going to buy from Crutchfield and get the prewired unit and install the backup camera. The backup camera in this video for $30 seems really cheap, it really makes the backup camera that I got quoted from $200 look really expensive. FYI, the total drive out price quote for the top of the line Kenwood with 2 cameras was $2400. Looks like I can get the parts for around $900 so if it takes 5 hours, I'm making $300 and hour for installing myself. Done deal.

 

When you add the equipment to your cart, look out for this offer and make sure you add this also.

 

Yes, the current configuration of the USB port won't work with your new head unit, but there's an easy way around it. What you'll need to do is get a good quality mini usb B to usb A cable that's long enough to go from the stock USB connection, to the back of your new head unit. You unplug the stock cord from the stock USB connection, plug in the new cord, and run it up to the new head unit then plug it into the USB connection on the head unit. See posts 24 & 25 from this thread. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1601809052

 

OH! Yes, you're right. I did see that and didn't fully comprehend what they were offering. That would have saved me an hour. However, you still need to take a couple apart if you want to ground the brake wire and wire in the backup camera trigger.

 

Thanks I did that. Seems like potentially a big time saver for on $25.
The Crutchfield rep said he believed the wiring harness would be full plug and play with the possible exception of some speed sensor for some versions on the stock radio. I hope he's right.

 

Compared to the time to power, install, and run wiring for the cameras, it won't save any time at all.