I have the same question as stainged04. I took my Alpine CDA-9853 and my iPod adapter from my old car to install it in my 03' RSX Type S.
I called crutchfield and got all my install components from them. They said I would need the following:
Wiring Harness - (
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?search=120701721&i=120701721)
PAC OEM-2 - Used for lowering the output on the headunit so the amp doesn't get "fried" - (
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?search=127OEM2&i=127OEM2)
Mounting Kit - (
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?search=120997867&i=120997867)
After I got all the parts, I called and asked why the PAC OEM-2 is needed, and the tech support guy said they are required to advise me to buy it, because without the PAC OEM-2 I would fry the stock bose amp.
Well I had quite a few problems with the install (and this is far from my first stereo install).
First, after following the instructions (not the color codes on the wires), and connecting the Alpine harness to the PAC OEM-2 harness to the harness kit, the unit would power up, but not turn the stock bose amp on. I figured there was something that got screwed up, so I checked over all my wiring. Turns out that everything seemed fine. I called up crutchfield tech support, and after checking all my fuses, the guy said that even though I wired the power antenna lines correctly, I needed to follow the color code not the instructions, as the power antenna wire went from solid blue on the headunit, to blue/white on the PAC OEM-2, to blue on the harness that I got. He said "just follow the color code with the blue/white and see if that works". After I rewired everything it powered on the amp just fine.
Another one of the problems I was having was when I turned on the lights, I was getting a loud popping noise coming from the front left speaker (no other speakers). After talking with Crutchfield tech support, I was advised to disconnect ANY orange or orange/white cables. These wires are used for the dimmer and illumination, which I knew, but I didn't understand why I needed to disconnect them as I would like to use the auto dimming feature. I was told that the factory harness might need a positive voltage and the headunit is giving a negative voltage or vise versa, and that is why I was hearing the popping sound. I did as I was instructed, and the popping noise went away, and now my headunit doesn't dim when the lights are on.
Now I tuned the PAC OEM-2 outputs to my desired level, and attempted to put the headunit back into place, but before I did I tested the new system out to make sure nothing happened while pushing it into place. I turned the car on, and now I was hearing crackling when the car is first turned on. This problem seemed to go away, but it hasn't. I think the culprit is the PAC OEM-2 adapter. I have only noticed the problem when the stereo is being turned on, after its on you don't hear the noise anymore.
Finally, after I did snap the headunit into place I went for a quick rip in the car to test it out. Only to my surprise, I now have a high pitched tone coming from the speakers. The faster I went in the car, the louder the noise was. I figured this out doing like 85mph on a back road. I call crutchfield back, and I was informed this is most likely noise from my alternator, and I need to re-ground my headunit. The tech support rep also suggested I get my alternator checked out at "a local auto parts store".
I have not yet done this, but I was wondering if anyone would offer some advice as to using the PAC OEM-2, if they had troubles with it, or any other advice on my install. I would like to keep the stock amp and speakers for the time being, as I am pleased with them.
Thanks in advance,
Petch