V1 Stealth Install in 911
 

I leach a lot of knowledge from this board so I thought that I would give some back. I haven’t spent a ton of time ripping apart a working engine or doing significant mods, but I do like to drive fast :) and thus bought a radar detector. Since numerous folks said that V1 (Valentine One) is the best, and is supposedly shielded from VG2 (detector-detectors) that is what I bought. I also like the arrows and this stealth unit which is almost a requirement since the arrows are so big.

The V1 can be hardwired in a lot of other (modern) cars better because there are sources of power to run sunroofs, map lights, etc., but I was able to make do with the vintage technology. Of big concern to me was how well it could be hidden since I have a Targa, I have since decided that it’s pretty well out of sight unless you are looking for it (see photos below) so here is what I did.

First, I wired the hardwire module under the dash, so it comes on with the radio. I bought a phone wire crimper from Radio Shack for about $10 and some new ends and cut the phone wire running to the remote to a decent length. (Keep in mind when you are attaching the jack ends: if the yellow wire is on the left on one end, it needs to be on the right on the other end.)


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089475562.jpg



Radar detectors are technically illegal in VA (so is speeding!) so I wanted to be as stealthy as possible should I get pulled over. I wanted to mount the remote in the ashtray, rather than behind the wheel on the column, and still be able to close it. So I found another ash tray and cut out the “butt-stubber” and some of the tongue that lets you take it out. My interior is brown and tan, and the ash tray I got was black – the pad comes off with a hex socket. The remote is attached to the top of the dash with the “dual-lock” that comes with the unit. I think dual-lock sucks and will probably get some strong Velcro from Radio Shack one day.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089475602.jpg


To run the wire to the main unit, I went up around the edge of the dash and up the A-pillar on the passenger side. I then ran the wire across the sunvisor where it is held on with some zip ties. This was supposed to be temporary, but I have yet to work up a better solution. When the main unit is out of the car, I fold the wire back up over the visor and tuck it into itself.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089475769.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089475791.jpg


I took a bunch of photos so you can get an idea of what it looks like from outside and inside the car.




http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089475824.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089475837.jpg


I will probably want to move this to the right when I install the Velcro. I mostly rely on the sound, but then can look over my right wrist to see the arrows. It was tough to get an exact eye-view but this is close.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089475929.jpg

More photos from the outside..
 

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089476002.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089476010.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089476068.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089476214.jpg


This is a phot from my PSV (Porsche support vehicle) as to what another driver might see.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089476242.jpg

You might consider making a little "flyout" module for the display, as we've done with this BMW Z8. That way it will keep the display eye level, but still virtually impossible to see by those pesky state troopers.

http://kustomkaraudio.com/images/gal...e/DSC00111.jpg

Well now you have given me something to aspire to!

It would be be best if someone would manufacture a black box or "pod" that extends forward from the interior rear view mirror. Th main V1 unit could be mounted inside that and never be seen. It could extend to the side of the mirror a bit or above the mirror to give the V1 the look backwards capability it needs.

Randy, so the display would be in the mirror itself?

Ever seen one of these? http://www.m3motorwerks.com/products/description.php/II=70/PA=0

Leave it to the guy from Virginia to know about the super-stealthy installs. ;)

This is cool...the only issue is that I would worry it would be seen from behind the car, from the outside. But, if it were dim enough, it wouldn't be easily noticable.

Here are some installs with the InV1si.

http://www.apexcone.com/JimPowellHomepage/Radar/RadarLove.html

http://www.vb.quik.com/jmciver/pages/v1.html

This is awesome!

Too bad it's only for BMW's with Instrument Cluster LCD Display (5 or 7 Series and X5 Only), MID/OBC (5 or 7 Series and X5 Only) , Radio (3 Series or Z4), or the Navigation Screen.

http://www.umnitza.com/product_info.php?products_id=225

"so the display would be in the mirror itself?"

- No, the pod would conceal the sensing and analysis unit. No matter how cute, those thru the mirror displays light at night or on cloudy days and are not stealthy.

I'd use the remote unit for a display and put it in the dash. I prefer hogging out the seatbelt lamp hole for mounting, but I don't live in VA.

It was tossed around that you might be able to mount it in the high center mount brake light on later cars, but I haven't taken the time to see how feasible this actually is.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089498427.jpg
http://p-car.com/diy/v1/remote/index.html

As you will notice, I like checking out V-1 (and some other detector)installs, but it may give people ideas, so sorry for the long post.

VASteve - Thanks for the pics. Not sure if tint is illegal in VA, but you might want to get a tint strip across the windshield that darkens the already factory tint strip. That would at least hide the detector from front view.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089640461.jpg

That is the one in my 330Ci. I know Mike Valentine says that the tint could hinder the V-1, but I have not experienced any loss of range. I actually set it so that just the V-1 sensor area is just below the tint line, but I have used it both ways and it works fine. My rear window is tinted and the rear sensor works fine.

Not sure about a Targa, but I am sure I can hide the black phone cord up in the headliner somewhere to make it virtually invisible. Passenger side wiring so no cop would notice it.

A BMW guy with an E36 M3 Cab made this rear mount for the main unit of the V-1 to hide it and this way you do not have to chance a cop seeing the main unit.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089640840.jpg

Here is another way someone mounted it up in the mirror area.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089640903.jpg

This is what I plan to do in my 330Ci (the cover is an OEM part for the motion sensor inside the car, but it gives another idea for mounting on the rear deck and as someone suggested in the third brake light. The people that have created these rear deck mounts have not noticed any reduction in sensing. I think you just need to relocate the sound towards the driver along with the mute and off buttons.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089641051.jpg

This is a very clean OEM looking install in an Audi but no idea where the main unit is mounted.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089641166.jpg

Here is a nice integrated view in a BMW (you have to have a manual as the Steptronic displays Gear and Modes in this block).
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089641279.jpg

Here is a mirror display, but I am not sure it would work well in a Targa as the sun might hinder viewing the red lights. The mirror is a nice concealed display though expensive.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089641353.jpg

Found another 911 install in an ashtray.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089641522.jpg

Here is a slick Passport install in an E36.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089641563.jpg

This is the front of a BMW with the bumper removed and they are installing the Passport Shifter (basically confuses laser signals when they first hit (sends and error back) giving you a signal so you slow down as the second or third shot from the laser gun will not be affected by the shifter). The next picture is where they installed the main unit in the BMW. It is the sunglass case that has a door that can be closed in the event you got pulled over.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089641713.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089641822.jpg

Thats all I found in my V-1 folder other than various stages of install. Guess this will become the new Radar Detector thread.

Ooops, forgot pics of my cars.

Here is my 911 with the K40 installed. Sorry for the bad pics its an old digi.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089642152.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089642371.jpg

I replaced the rubber ring around the tach. That is the old one in the pic.

Here is the on/off switch which lights up green when on.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089642572.jpg

I will do the BMW install in the next post.

I gave a lot of thought to all of these installs and a couple of major themes bore out:
1. My (lack of) exprience fabbing parts. I will probably spend some time in the future perfecting the way the wire runs across the top of the sunvisor to place it in a less consicous place.
2. I wanted to be able to remove the $400 unit and use it in my other cars. 911 is not a daily driver.
3. I figured that if I got pulled over, I would just detach it from the windshield and assuming the top was off (it usually is) I would just tuck up the wire and hope I wasn't asked about. I figure at that point it has failed me anyhow. :)
4. My current install relies on the fact that if I'm passing a fixed point at speed limit (or more, hence the point of the post) a person would have to be looking for it, which is a crapshoot since it's not supposed to be there anyway.

I have given hours of thought to tints, concealment cases and the like, but it never passes requirement 1 & 2. But I am looking for black suction cups!!

Concealment is nice but you have to remember not to nail the brake if and when you get a direct hit or when the cop can see you.

Nothing is more noticeable than the front of a car diving. When in Va and running radar I always make sure I use the hand brake to start bleeding speed so the front of the car doesn't dive.

I may still get the ticket (haven't yet thankfully) but I won't loose my V1 as well as get the ticket.

Here is my BMW V-1 install (still a work in process).

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089643006.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089643426.jpg

VA Steve - Back in 89 with an old Cobra radar detector and a Fiero with T-Tops (they didnt make many, but it was a fun car) I got pulled over on the highway on my way back to FL. My wife reached up and yanked the detector off the visor and stuck it under the seat. The first thing the cop said was hand over the detector. He saw from behind us that she had pulled it down. Even with a tinted rear window (which I had), I think the T Tops let in enough light (forget if they were on or off at the time) to see in from behind during the day. At night they would not be able to see in probably. The cop came back with the ticket and I said hey what about my detector. He went back and got it. I wonder if the law back then allowed him to keep it if I did not ask for it. He brought it back and I needed it as I was still far from FL!

I know what you mean about "fabricating" someting. I keep looking for some good step by step for a rookie as I would love to fabricate some sort of OEM looking piece to mount say on the dash center of the 911 for the main unit. I know its best up high, but you have to be concerned with the fact that its illegal.

I too move the unit around (taking it on vacation for use in the rental car is a common use and swapping between the Bimmer and 911 and my wifes SUV). Check out this picture of a rear deck mount holder and the unit is easily removed. I think the MDF might be a bad choice, rather do something with OEM looking plastic and foam cut out inside like the V-1 ships in. Let me know if you figure out any fabricating. I am sure the Stereo guys know how.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089644288.jpg

It ends up in this:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089644309.jpg

When I was on the innaugural V1 test drive I came around a 2 lane ramp I alway use and there was a cop there blasting Ka (first time I'd ever seen him there). I slowed down and this big Mecedes sedan blasted by. I watched the mirrors and had plenty time to pull it down and shove it under the seat before the officer got up to speed and thankfully passed me for the sedan.

I'm sure if stopped I'm dead meat, but if rolling I might be able to avoid further trouble. I'd have to disconnect the wiring anyway of pulled over, the VA State Police leave their guns on when ticket writing.

I've had a power wire tucked into the outer edge of the window gasket for 20 years, invisible and stays put with no problems.

Hiding the remote display is so 90's. :) Check this out for the BMW crowd.

http://www.jaricdesign.com/products.htm

Ha! My car is so 70's. :cool:

Usurpah - I looked at that one, but I wanted it to display in my instrument cluster under the Tach and Speedo in my 330Ci. However, only 5 and 7 series clusters have the ability to do that. In 3 series you have to have it do that on the Radio. To me it seemed confusing to be on the radio and I would have the same look over. I like the BIG RED ARROWS myself. I agree with car and driver, once you have them you cannot live without them.

Just a note to you guys who move your V-1 around, the V-1 travel case ($29 from Valentine) is very nice! I am always worried about it in my bag bouncing around. This has cool slots for all the components with a nice hard outer shell.

Why on earth would you plug your radar detector into your cars computer brain? So you can have a permanent retreavable record of every event?

These cars already have the "black box" download capability for the courts to use against you. Now with GPS they can track every illegal speed move you make as you alert them to it with your radar detector now "on line".

RarlyL8-I know what you mean about the black box technology it(its not in my 911 and I am not sure its in my year BMW, but it is not something I want), but if it is, what difference does having a radar detector hardwired to the radio or information computer in the car going to have?

The black box info is most likely going to be used in an accident case to determine if the car was speeding. If you have a radar detector wired in, then they might use that in their case against you saying why do you need a radar detector if you do not speed. Hardwired to the radio or suction cupped to the windshield or remote display mounted is all the same. You own a radar detector. If serious, they could subpoena your credit card records and look for the purchase of one.

On a side note, I am sure auto modifiers will figure out ways around the "black boxes." To me GPS and OnStar and all those things are unnecessary when you have a cell phone. I suppose there are areas that have no cell service so maybe they work for those areas, but I have no use for them.

Until the day the cops plug into our cars computer brain on traffic stops to determine speed and direction of the car to support their traffic stop and ticket, I would not be worried about black boxes or hardwiring to the radio.

The point of this thread was in finding different ways to install your V-1 so that the notification could be located in a steath and probably place in which it could be concealed to prevent other drivers and the police from just knowing you have it. This is very important to those guys in states where radar detectors are not legal. We also threw out some options as to where to locate the main unit too.

I suspect you must use a detector yourself RarlyL8 (translated Rarely Late) based on your nickname!

:D

Actually I don't use detectors. Never have. When driving in a spirited fashion I am total "on". All senses at 10 and eyeballs everywhere. A detector might help me out on occasion, but they need to build one that sees around blind mountain corners to do me the most good.

But, back to the topic, stealth mode is all good. A buddy of mine is all about speeding and has had his cars (for the past 30+ years) outfitted with radar, CB radios, scanners, you name it. His lates gadget was a 4-corner detector built into the bumpers with a readout in the instrument pannel. He's good at this stuff. I can't remember him ever getting a ticket.

So let's think like he would. One of the dash gages would be modified for this use. Probably the oil temp/level. You don't need the level and the temp can be moved down to the console using a round analog unit like any hot rodder would have. Now you mount your V1 remote in that gage.
The main unit is more dificult. He used to put one in a hollow tissue box mounted on the dash with velcro. No good for a 911. How about a rear view mirror mount CD holder modified to accept the detector? Or one of those cheesy JC Whitney overhead garage door opener consoles?

I think that something nicer than a CD box that was cut up would be a small vac. formed production run of black plastic that was molded to fit the rear veiw mirror and extend in front of it. It could extend a bit above the mirror to give the V1 look-back capability.

Or somebody could do a unit complete with a mirror - they are just going to fall off our glass anyway.

I agree Rarlyl8 - the detector is one component in helping us enjoy some spirited driving without worrying about a ticket. You have to be paying attention all around and think like a cop as to where they might position themselves and use good judgement. I am sure there are plenty of people who buy a detector, and then just drive with wild abandon (probably yaking on the cellphone, eating, etc) and then when they get pulled over they call the detector useless.

Sounds like your buddy has some neat installs. Get some pics as new ideas are always helpful in coming up with ideas. I like the 993 install and I actually could eliminate the clock in my 89 911, it is redundant with the clock displayed on the radio and on my watch.

As for putting the unit in a cd case (a guy on the BMW boards did this and hung it off the passenger visor) or tissue box; I prefer the built in OEM look. Nowadays so many cars have fairly large headliner/mirror components that I am sure someone could forge something out of plastic to allow forward and rear sensors. One thing though, do not yank the V-1 brains out of its box as the box it is in is part of its stealthness; prevents the detector detectors!

Rarly, that's exactly the point of detectors -- they see around corners, over hills, beyond trees, etc. based on the reflected radar (and, we hope, laser) signals. If you see the cop, he sees you and it's too late. Valentine has proven very good at seeing around corners and beyond my line of sight, leaving me able to concentrate on what I CAN see -- the idiot drivers spilling latte on their cell phones. plus raccoons.

In FL, most of where I drive is flat and the V-1 gives alot of warning. So many cops just leave the radar on and do not use the trigger so you know they are around. The V-1 also picks up the cop targetting cars ahead of me so I know about it in advance. If there are very few cars, I do take extra caution as I know I am a sitting duck.

Dying to add the Passport Shifter for the Laser but its still too rich for me.

I have always envisioned installing a V1 or Passport main unit behind the fresh air intake grill. The display, of course, has many options. Is there room behind that grill for a radar?

I think the problem with that intake is its susceptibility to the environment. You'd have to fashion some sort of protection for the unit, even if it does fit. Maybe a plexiglass box or something of that nature.

If it fits behind there you still have 3 problems:

1. The weather.

2. Lose rear protection. I only worry about rear protection because I like to see when I'm past whatever trap there is.

3. I think the grill is metal. Even with the holes, I think the metal will mess up the receiving strength.

4. It's supposed to be high up (like the top of the windshild) so you may lose range.

And there lies the problem with hiding these units. You must mount them high on the windshield for optimum performance.

If the V1 can see around a mountain I'll buy one. Prove it to me.

PDACPA, I have my K40 installed exactly as you do. In my 993 the front sensor is mounted inside the front spoiler grill and the rear is clamped onto my Varioram intake and peeks out the rear decklid grill. I don't like it much, as it gives off too many false alarms to really tolerate. If Valentine made such a conceable set-up, I'd love to get one.

Richard - My K40 was installed by the previous owner and I called K40 to see about upgrading the unit. According to them, its just as current as the new model (not sure I believe it, but oh well). It does give off alot of X band and false alarms. That is why I got the V-1 to use in conjunction, but the cig adapter just will not work well and I need to created a good hardwire location.

I do not think Valentine will change its unit for remote installs as the case and front and rear sensors are all contained. I read somewhere about a guy who had the unit pulled apart and remotely mounted and someone else who put the display on a HID unit.

RarlyL8 - get a V-1 on the 30 day money back guarrantee and try it on your mountains. I will not say mine goes around mountains (not many of them in Tampa), but it does give off some great early warnings around curves and small hills in the highways.

Here is a thread of a guy who did some remote location installs on a M3.
http://www.talktax.com/lidatek-V1%20install/

Rarly, I offer you this: Radar waves are like light waves. If we're in a dark hallway, and I'm around the corner shining a flashlight toward that corner, you can see the beam reflected off the wall. If you're heading toward a blind corner on the road, and there's a cop around it with his radar on, and there's something to bounce off (cars in the opposite lane, trees, guardrail, mountain) those waves are reflected same as the flashlight beam. Only the V1 can see them the way you can the flashlight. It really works, and it relies on basic physics. The V1 just does it from farther away than most, and with little arrows. It's good stuff, and I can almost guarantee it'll enhance, not take away from, your driving experience.

Now go buy one. I'll wave my "prove it" fee this time.

OK, Sounds like this may be a worthy assistant to have on board. I'll check it out.