V1 Stealth Install in 911

[VaSteve]

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.)






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.




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.







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







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.

[VaSteve]

This is a phot from my PSV (Porsche support vehicle) as to what another driver might see.

[rennch]

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.

[VaSteve]

Well now you have given me something to aspire to!

[Randy Webb]

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.

[rennch]

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

[david914]

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

[rennch]

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.

[project911]

Here are some installs with the InV1si.

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

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

[project911]

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

[Randy Webb]

"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.

[Jgordon]

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.

[Yellowbird RS]

http://p-car.com/diy/v1/remote/index.html

[PDACPA]

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.

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.



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



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.



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

[PDACPA]

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).


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.



Found another 911 install in an ashtray.



Here is a slick Passport install in an E36.



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.




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

[PDACPA]

Ooops, forgot pics of my cars.

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





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.


I will do the BMW install in the next post.

[VaSteve]

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!!

[osidak]

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.

[PDACPA]

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

[PDACPA]

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.



It ends up in this: