Need help with replacement radio for F355?

I'm in need of help because the factory radio in my 1998 F355 just died. In the process in eat a cassett tape. Are there any after market radios that can be purchased that will install with the existing wiring connectors. I'm told that the radio was made by Sony but that Sony recently changed their wiring connectors. I also have a Lanzar Optidrive 2050 amp. Can anyone tell me where I can purchase a OEM radio and how much it might cost?

 

i don't believe there is anything special about he OEM radios. I have a 97 355 and just changed the crappy Alpine stereo and speakers with a Kenwood radio and JBL speakers. Sounds MUCH better. I think any stereo should fit

 

I just did mine with the new panasonic with built in 70watt amp - so I did not have to put an big amp in... Any 1 Din radio will fit - any stereo store will have 100's of choices. I have a 355 spider - and put in the new stereo and new speakers - at speed - unfortuantely - all I can here is the exhaust - so if you want to here it - and have a spider - you almost will have to put in an amp... However I would rather here the exhaust at speed - so I don't mind

If I am in 5th or 6th - and just cruising - I can hear it pretty well...

 

My kenwood was installed at :

Rodeo Mobile Sound & Communications Inc
21028 Ventura Blvd
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 888-5000

becker dealer for Auto Gallery

 

I've been PM'd several times for this information, and so think it's a good idea to post it so everyone can easily access it.

Here's what worked for me, going by pin assignment from the stock radio's connector:

PIN #: Function
1) violet: R. H. woofer, +
2) green: L. H. woofer, +
3) gray & red: hot 12 vdc (unswitched)
4) violet & blue: L. H. woofer, -
5) gray: R. H. woofer, -
6) black: chassis ground
7) red: pre-amplifier power output

Please confirm to me that the #7 lead is for the stock factory radio RF pre-amplifier power if you get a chance - the Factory schematics are vague, I had to guess, it seems to work.


fine points:

* I had to run a wire from the "accessory/on" position of the key switch (yellow-black wire) as source for the "turn-on" signal current for the radio.
* In order to have the radio display go to dim at night, I used a lead from the yellow-red wire on the turn signal's wiring loom.
* Disconnect the battery before making any changes.
* I installed a Pioneer DEH-P7600 with some Infinity 6002i Reference series 6.5" round speakers; this combo seems to favor the high frequencies which are usually lost in a car interior.

Good luck,
Al Chelini

 

Oem is available, at extremely high cost, of course My friend Ryan posted that he found the exact Sony radios for sale occaisionally on Ebay, for $35 or so. Simply reuse your original faceplace with the "ferrari" stenciling to maintain the factory look.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=137682447&postcount=13

 

BTW, if you don't care about originality, you can replace the radio and changer for less than $300 with better quality units from Sony, Kenwood, etc., by shopping on Ebay. I did exactly that about 2 years ago...cost me all of $275 back then, and install was not complicated and did it in about 1.5 to 2 hours, start to finish.

 

My understanding is that 1997 model year was the only year that did not come with a Ferrari supplied radio. It was pre-wired with speakers only. It was up to each dealer or owner to decide what was installed. My 1997 355 spider had a Blaupunkt am/fm cassette deck and 10 disc changer installed. My changer started acting up, and the old deck would not control the newer changers, so I had to swap out everything. But the benefit was much better sound, I was a bit surprised how much better and clearer it was.

 

+1---I changed my stock head unit and speakers with Alpine and JL Audio..

 

What is a 'cassette' ?

 

HAHAHAHAHAHA

 

They look like this...
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

8 track--I remember those!!!

 

Careful...you're dating yourself there Robbie!! (in whisper...I remember them too)

 

You can always get a 430 radio, or one from a 360 and it will still look OEM and plug right in.

 

interesting…….my car shows a delivery date of 05/13/97, and paperwork shows an Alpine radio installed by a nearby audio company on 05/09/97. So the cars came in to the US with no radio? and then up to the dealer or buyer to install? did 1998 cars have factory installed radios, and was that the first year of the Becker unit?

 

Not sure when they went with Becker...most of the 355s I have seen in the USA and Canada had Sony installed from the factory.

 

I called Becker and they were not certain, but thought they got involved with Ferrari in 1998 or 1999. can anyone with later model, newer cars chime in?

 

Kinda makes sense....Sony for early cars, a pause in 1997, then Becker for later cars?

 

I don't think they came with radios I think they were all dealer addins. This is what I understood at least.

Sent using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

See this https://www.ricambiamerica.com/car-diagrams/ferrari/v6-v8/355-group/f355-m5-2-1996/stereo-equipment.html

 

^^^^ good eyes....

 

Ahh good call I was looking at 95 seems 96 did have them, I would search high and low to find the OEM one.

 

So it might be 95 and 97 did not have a factory radio option? I was told by FoS back in 2004 when I bought my 97 that only 97 did not have a factory radio option.

 

lets look at the other end of the telescope: with the introduction of the 360, is Becker the standard radio fare?