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Hey all - new here, just bought at 2001 Z06 and absolutely love it. Unsurprisingly, the head unit was pretty busted when I got it and one of the first things I wanted to do was to get a new head unit in with some modern features. I crawled around on here and found a bunch of double DIN options with varying degrees of headache to get them in, plus some single DIN options that look....not great.
I stumbled into this 1.5 DIN kit (https://reversionraceworks.com/97-04...81W1baJZLLV1q7) from Reversion Raceworks with practically no reviews and couldn't find much on it here, so I'm jumping into the mix to write up some thoughts on it now that I've got it properly installed.
- There are a range of options based on your application - my Z has the Bose system and they'll package in a harness to allow use of this. You'll need to solder/splice these into the provided plug.
- This kit comes with a 3d printed custom cradle that slots perfectly into the old mounting points, reuses the screws, and fits perfectly flush with the provided head unit.
- The head unit is a relatively cheap Android based option built in China, however it does get the job done. It runs Apple CarPlay wirelessly shockingly well and will boot straight into CarPlay, connecting within 15 seconds or so after starting the car. If I wasn't running one of these mirroring options I'd be skeptical about buying this. There are also options to run a USB, which are provided in the box, and you can run CarPlay/Android Auto this way as well.
- There are practically no instructions for installation or stereo operation. At all. However once you troubleshoot your way through it works remarkably well and looks clean. I'll get some photos up when I get it out in the sun. It fits flush behind the stock bezel.
Some tips that hung me up on the install:
- There are metal tabs in the shape of triangles on the top and bottom of the head unit - you fold these up after fitting it into the 3d printed cradle to keep things in tight. No adhesive needed.
- To connect to CarPlay or Android Auto, you need to connect to Bluetooth (which I struggled with, had to turn things on/off once to get it to work) under the "Bluetooth" app, then open the "Car Link 2.0" app. This is annoying, but I've found once it's set up things work seamlessly.
Overall, at a price <$400 for the 3d printed hanger, Bose adapter, and head unit I'm really pleased. It's definitely cheaper than buying a quality double DIN dash + head unit and FAR easier than breaking out the Dremel to start making cuts.
Hopefully this helps out someone else thinking about taking the dive in to update the stereo. Not enough info out there on these units from Reversion.
It would be interesting to find out how this unit compares with the Joying 1.5 DIN product that a number of us have installed.
The Joying unit works well and looks great installed, but is kind of a force fit. It requires re-rooting to get the whole screen to show from behind the bezel, and does not come with easy to use volume control. I'm not sure about the current model, but my nearly 5 year old unit does not support wireless Android Auto.
Did you take any photos during installation that you can share? (There's nothing on the product web page that shows the connections in back.) What are your impressions on operability or quality of sound, etc.? Have you used GPS yet? Does it have an embedded app with its own maps, or did you need to download? Does your unit accept two camera inputs, or do you need to adapt for it? I could go on.
I got some fair shots of the final install, it’s been hailing here and a bit tough to get it in good light.
The install is much smoother than described for the Joying unit from what I’ve read - it’s a direct fit without any sanding, cutting, drilling, etc. They have a 3d printed bracket that fits directly in and the head unit mounts to that bracket without tools. Pretty remarkable.
I reached out to Reversion and they said they ship the unit with the Metra wiring harness if you’re doing it without the Bose system. Same process - wire that harness up to the supplied harness that connects directly to this head unit. Easy, about 16 wires to splice. There are also included wires/plugs directly to the head unit for forward and rear facing cameras, GPS antenna, USB, etc. For a bit extra you can get a radio antenna adapter as well.
As far as sound quality - quite good, for a 2001 system! I was able to mess with the EQ settings (which give a lot of flexibility) and get it to a point that I’m quite happy with it. Never going to overcome the old speakers/small speakers/lack of tweeters mounted high on the stock system but it’s perfectly serviceable for me, and I care about sound quality. Can’t speak for the non-Bose system, but at 25W RMS x4, should be pretty good to drive it.
Hope that helps! If there’s confusion in installation I can take my dash apart again to show folks how it’s done, but it’s pretty straightforward. I forgot to get photos during install, oops.
Does it play music files directly from a flash drive or do you use your phones player. Are you connected to your phone thru usb or bluetooth? Any idea what bluetooth version or audio codecs it uses? Were you able to see who makes the head unit and maybe a model number? Thanks.
Does it play music files directly from a flash drive or do you use your phones player. Are you connected to your phone thru usb or bluetooth? Any idea what bluetooth version or audio codecs it uses? Thanks.
It can play files directly from USB, and actually appears to have 64gb internal storage if you wanted to shift things that way.
In the photo here it’s running Apple CarPlay wirelessly. I haven’t tried wired, I didn’t run the USB myself.
Not sure about the codec, it’s tough to find info on these Chinese head units.
Okay so after a bit of searching this seems to be the unit, but whatever software it’s running looks to be a little bit different. All android though so not sure what’s going on there.
Okay so after a bit of searching this seems to be the unit, but whatever software it’s running looks to be a little bit different. All android though so not sure what’s going on there.
I just installed mine and really dig it. The only thing that really bothers me is that I haven’t found out how to make the physical touch buttons illuminate. Without them lit up it’s a bit of a fumble finding volume up/down at night. Anyone else have this issue?
I installed the same setup a couple of weeks ago and I am happy with it. You can illuminate the buttons by going to settings and enabling "lantern settings". It even gives you options for the color of lighting.
Very nice. This seems like a great option for those that want to keep the stock bezel. I was hoping to go the Joying route but it seems they no longer make the one that fits these C5s.
I spent a weekend wrestling with the install, which on the face of it shouldn’t have been too bad….the adapter is perfect, the unit ,very responsive with a ton of options….but the instructions were vague at best.I could never get the right combination to not be powered with the key off..after burning a whole weekend and I mean a whole weekend trying to decipher the wiring and running a battery DEAD..I went back to the stock CD player…oh well,what’s 450$ in the scheme of things.the adapter is perfect,install directions (wiring) not so much,I really suspect the Metra harness has a glitch.
Reversion Raceworks CarPlay/Android Auto Stereo
