After reading as much as I can handle in the audio/nag threads I think I might have this figured out, and it is defiantly like nothing I've ever done.

I've got the HiFi 10 speaker system in the R55. I located the amp in the rear passenger side, haven't looked under the black box under the passenger seat. Ok so lets see if I have the following correct.

I plan to add a 10" sub, replace all the speakers, add a JL Audio XD700/5 Amp to run the system with the stock head unit. Will also add a OEM intergration system like audio controls LC6i or JLs CL441dsp

I can't just take out the factory amp, even if i choose to run all new wiring for all of the speakers (they are all going to be upgraded) or can I?

My orginal plan was to replace the stock amp with the after market and using the OEM power, ground, and remote sources, with the oem intragration , then just run all new wiring and be done, but something tells me it won't be this easy.

Second plan to tie in the OEM intragration system before the factory amp and then run to the after market amp, with all new wiring, and keep the factory amp hooked up minus the speaker connections, then essentinally that should be it right?

So if some one can let me know which course of action they think would be best I would be greatly appreciated. (Please make my day and tell me I can yank the factory amp, even if that means running now power, ground and remote).

Thanks again.

Mike

ok just got back from the audio shop and think i got it figured out, should go something like this

head unit wired to stock amp, then after the stock amp, add the LC6i by cutting speaker lines with enough room to run stock speakers into the LC6i, then run the rca's to the JL amp, then run speaker wiring from the JL amp and tap into the factory lines and all should be good

the shop also quoted me $225 to hook everything up if they used all my supplies(i've basically got all the wiring out of my old system, not the top of line wiring but pretty close). not sure if it would be worth it, but to be honest i might be nice to just drop it off pay the $225 and have it under warranty, and save myself the trouble and hassle of dealing with it

 

NO NO NO DO NOT DO THIS. The outputs of the Stock HiFi amp are filtered and will give you all kinds of problems in setting up your system.

There are the following outputs from the OEM amp

Front Right Woofer
Front Left Woofer
Front Right Mids and Tweets
Front Left Mids and Tweets
Rear Right Woofer
Rear Left Woofer
Rear Right Tweet
Rear Left Tweet

All of these are filtered signals so none of them are full range so they WILL NOT work for you.

your best bet is to tap at teh X9931 connector in the drivers foot well for you audio signal to run to your LC6i unit and then run that to the amp and all new wire to the speakers.

I understand the ease of dropping it off but if these guys say to use the output of the OEM amp then I would run as fast as i can away from them they have no idea what they are dealing with.

 

Your method is certainly the simplest approach, although I would recommend bypassing the main power line and running a heavier gauge wire directly to the battery with an appropriate fuse under the hood.
As for the messed up signal, I tend to agree with the above. At the very least you should plan on installing a Cleansweep or something similar to try to get something resembling a flat signal to your amp. Alpine makes a pretty nice little unit that uses a microphone to analyze the sound from multiple locations and correct it for the listening environment. Setup is a little tedious, but if you take your time with it, the results are supposed to be amazing. From everything I've read about Mini stereo systems, you definitely want some signal adjustment.

 

schatyx62 - so if i tie into the x9931 does that mean i would be by passing the stock amp all together, so something like this

x9931 goes to LC6i, then to JL amp, then run all new wiring and presto chango, so if this is the case i can just leave the stock amp alone, this would be a much better option

mid life crisis - i couldn't agree more i rather have the 4GA, but i was just thinking of simiplicity, but your probably right, i should just run the 4GA and be done with it

 

Yes that would be your best bet.

You need to leave the amp in place as it needs to be seen by a MINI Diagnostics Computer if you ever need any software upgrades. If it is not seen by the computer then they will not be able to update/upgrade/repair any computer glitches.

As for the signal you will need with the HiFi option the head unit puts our a fairly flat signal on all channels that can be picked up at the X9931.

I have to agree with mid life crisis that running a heavy gauge wire from the battery directly to the amp is the best way to go.

 

It'll be tempting to use the factory ground wire because it is there, but don't do it. A 4GA supply needs a 4GA drain. ...and don't forget the fuse, placed as close to the battery as you can manage (insert flogging dead horse image here). I know people who have forgotten that fuse and let the smoke out of their wires. Not fun.

 

the responses are greatly appreciated guys, looks like it might be a little easier than expected since i won't be messing with the stock amp at all, i was alittle worried about that

i guess now comes the construction phase

 

I would definately run new power wiring to the after market amp. I'm pretty sure the amp your running requires 4gauge power cable. I doubt the factory amp has a 4 ga running to it. you can probly use the same ground location but I always match my ground and power cable size. You can use the factory speaker wires to the speakers I only have the basic six speaker system well now its 5 6 inch componet set and 10" sub. What loc are you planning on using? I used the audio control LC6i I wish I got the newer one but the are capable of summing channels and can delete factory amps.