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C7 concealed K40 360i Radar detector and diffuser install. Done!
02-07-2014, 11:45 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
C7 concealed K40 360i Radar detector and diffuser install. Done!
I posted this in my car thread here but I figured this would be worthy of it's own thread since many of us have pondered what radar to install in our C7's and how to install it. I'm a big proponent of concealed radar detectors largely because I hate having those things hanging from my windshield or mirror. Also, concealed radars tend to offer more features like integrated laser diffusers and front and rear radar receivers.
I've used K40 concealed radar detectors for the last 20 or so years and they make one of the best stealth detectors (IMO) if you want something that cannot be seen and doesn't require little control interfaces or displays to be mounted anywhere like the Escort concealed radar. The K40 360i uses a wireless remote instead of a hardwired little interface and uses LED's to let you know where the radar or laser is coming from (front or rear). The K40 uses separate front and rear directional radar sensors so you know if you are picking up radar from in front of you or behind. This is especially useful if you are on the freeway and a LEO is behind you. It has a built in GPS so you can mark areas that have regular false alarms. It comes with lasers diffusers of which we added two in the front and one in the rear. It also has a voice alert feature that tells you what is going on when you get hit with radar or laser/lidar. You can enable or disable the voice alert feature. Personally, I like it as it was a feature that the I had in my C6 Z06 with my K40 Calibre.
I was really considering the Escort and probably would have gone that route if Dashtronix had their little device that sends the display info to the heads up display. They had it for the C6 for the life of me, I can't get them to respond from any means of contact. One of the other hangups was a lack of a rear sensor with the Escort which I have become quite fond of having used the K40's for so long. So it was back to the tried and true K40.
This last Monday, I brought it down to my local Stereo Shop that I've used since the early 90's. They (Sounds Good Stereo in Woodland Hills Calif) have been around a long time and have a reputation of being one of the best around near where I live. They also have a 2 post lift in their shop which is really unprecedented in the stereo business and is incredibly useful with a job like this. They have worked on many of my cars over the years including my 68 Camaro which was a feature car in the 1999 Car Audio Magazine Buyers Guide.
In conjunction with my radar install, my FAY carbon fiber dash was installed. I worked alongside their installer who I have worked with before and we kicked some butt. It took a total of 8 hours including time to pick up and eat a good lunch. I'm very pleased with the outcome.
Power was for the radar tied into the cigarette lighter socket circuit which is a switched 12V source with more than adequate current.
The install involved mounting the front and rear radar sensors up under the body work. The front radar sensor was mounted up under the air ducting at the very front of the car. This required removing the cover under the very front of the car. We also removed the front tire and pulled back the front wheel well liner behind the front wheel to access and route the wires into the cabin through a body grommet that can only be accessed through the wheel liner.
Here is the front radar sensor.
The rear radar sensor was mounted up close to the underside of the battery box. We made a bracket so that it attaches to the factory rear valance mounts.
We mounted two laser diffusers using thin heavy duty double sided tape in the front grill area. The rear laser diffuser is mounted in the rear license plate frame.
This is a shot of the front right laser diffuser/laser sensor. These need to be mounted as far forward on the car as possible. This was the best location. They can be seen if you are looking for them up close but not really visible from several feet back.
You can't really see the laser diffusers in this picture because they disappear in the picture but their location is marked with the arrows. They mounted at enough of an angle that they are facing straight ahead and level with the road.
For the rear laser diffuser, I decided to go with the license plate frame mount. We were toying with mounting it just above the exhaust pipes in the exhaust opening area but I was afraid the heat could become an issue. So this was the path of least resistance and one that offered the best use of the diffuser. I have another frame that I'm in the middle of painting carbon flash metallic to math the rear valance of the car and will swap frames later this weekend when I've got it polished.
The control boxes are mounted in the space below the steering column and the GPS antenna for the radar is mounted under the driver side dash speaker grill just to the outside of the speaker. There is a little alcove under the speaker cover the GPS antenna fit into perfectly. No photos of this.
The two LED's for the K40 are flush mounted in the underside the FAY dash in the gauge cluster opening. They are facing down so that the light up the gauge area yet remain invisible when not illuminated. We flush mounted the LED's so that they can't be seen with their tops are flush with the surface. The are bright enough (I can adjust their output via the K40) that they can be seen well when the light up but are otherwise invisible. The left LED is front radar and the right is rear. You are notified of the type of hit (K band, KA, Laser etc) by different audible chirps and or voice notification. It talks to you. If you're hit from the rear, the right LED lights up and if your hit from the front, the the left LED lights up and the voice tells you what kind of hit and tells you front or rear in addition to the LED's..
Here are the LED's mounted before we installed the new carbon fiber dash.
Here is a shot of the LED's lit up after the installation was complete. This is on their dimmest setting.
Here is a quick video I took of the LED's in action when we were testing the front and rear radar with a radar gun. Voice was turned off when we were testing.
The dash swap was a bit of chore. Not difficult, just tedious. Lots of screws and lots of clips. It took me about 2 hours total to remove the dash, swap all the controls and switches and buttons and then reinstall the dash. That doesn't include the other work that had to be done once like mounting the LED's and routing wires. The dash however came apart easily without any broker clips and went back together easier. I'm not worried at all about rattles. It's built not to rattle with all the fasteners and screws that hold that thing and the trim in place. It's insane how that thing comes apart and goes together! Nothing like the dash on the C6! I have to send thanks to member GatMix07C6 for his great instructions on that. If any of you are looking to do the FAY dash swap, the instructions are in the DIY sticky at the top of the C7 General discussion or you can find those instruction here.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-g...p-by-step.html
The gaping hole.. Not for the faint of heart!
Everything swapped into the new carbon fiber dash. A thing of beauty!
All done and buttoned up.
I've used K40 concealed radar detectors for the last 20 or so years and they make one of the best stealth detectors (IMO) if you want something that cannot be seen and doesn't require little control interfaces or displays to be mounted anywhere like the Escort concealed radar. The K40 360i uses a wireless remote instead of a hardwired little interface and uses LED's to let you know where the radar or laser is coming from (front or rear). The K40 uses separate front and rear directional radar sensors so you know if you are picking up radar from in front of you or behind. This is especially useful if you are on the freeway and a LEO is behind you. It has a built in GPS so you can mark areas that have regular false alarms. It comes with lasers diffusers of which we added two in the front and one in the rear. It also has a voice alert feature that tells you what is going on when you get hit with radar or laser/lidar. You can enable or disable the voice alert feature. Personally, I like it as it was a feature that the I had in my C6 Z06 with my K40 Calibre.
I was really considering the Escort and probably would have gone that route if Dashtronix had their little device that sends the display info to the heads up display. They had it for the C6 for the life of me, I can't get them to respond from any means of contact. One of the other hangups was a lack of a rear sensor with the Escort which I have become quite fond of having used the K40's for so long. So it was back to the tried and true K40.
This last Monday, I brought it down to my local Stereo Shop that I've used since the early 90's. They (Sounds Good Stereo in Woodland Hills Calif) have been around a long time and have a reputation of being one of the best around near where I live. They also have a 2 post lift in their shop which is really unprecedented in the stereo business and is incredibly useful with a job like this. They have worked on many of my cars over the years including my 68 Camaro which was a feature car in the 1999 Car Audio Magazine Buyers Guide.
In conjunction with my radar install, my FAY carbon fiber dash was installed. I worked alongside their installer who I have worked with before and we kicked some butt. It took a total of 8 hours including time to pick up and eat a good lunch. I'm very pleased with the outcome.
Power was for the radar tied into the cigarette lighter socket circuit which is a switched 12V source with more than adequate current.
The install involved mounting the front and rear radar sensors up under the body work. The front radar sensor was mounted up under the air ducting at the very front of the car. This required removing the cover under the very front of the car. We also removed the front tire and pulled back the front wheel well liner behind the front wheel to access and route the wires into the cabin through a body grommet that can only be accessed through the wheel liner.
Here is the front radar sensor.
The rear radar sensor was mounted up close to the underside of the battery box. We made a bracket so that it attaches to the factory rear valance mounts.
We mounted two laser diffusers using thin heavy duty double sided tape in the front grill area. The rear laser diffuser is mounted in the rear license plate frame.
This is a shot of the front right laser diffuser/laser sensor. These need to be mounted as far forward on the car as possible. This was the best location. They can be seen if you are looking for them up close but not really visible from several feet back.
You can't really see the laser diffusers in this picture because they disappear in the picture but their location is marked with the arrows. They mounted at enough of an angle that they are facing straight ahead and level with the road.
For the rear laser diffuser, I decided to go with the license plate frame mount. We were toying with mounting it just above the exhaust pipes in the exhaust opening area but I was afraid the heat could become an issue. So this was the path of least resistance and one that offered the best use of the diffuser. I have another frame that I'm in the middle of painting carbon flash metallic to math the rear valance of the car and will swap frames later this weekend when I've got it polished.
The control boxes are mounted in the space below the steering column and the GPS antenna for the radar is mounted under the driver side dash speaker grill just to the outside of the speaker. There is a little alcove under the speaker cover the GPS antenna fit into perfectly. No photos of this.
The two LED's for the K40 are flush mounted in the underside the FAY dash in the gauge cluster opening. They are facing down so that the light up the gauge area yet remain invisible when not illuminated. We flush mounted the LED's so that they can't be seen with their tops are flush with the surface. The are bright enough (I can adjust their output via the K40) that they can be seen well when the light up but are otherwise invisible. The left LED is front radar and the right is rear. You are notified of the type of hit (K band, KA, Laser etc) by different audible chirps and or voice notification. It talks to you. If you're hit from the rear, the right LED lights up and if your hit from the front, the the left LED lights up and the voice tells you what kind of hit and tells you front or rear in addition to the LED's..
Here are the LED's mounted before we installed the new carbon fiber dash.
Here is a shot of the LED's lit up after the installation was complete. This is on their dimmest setting.
Here is a quick video I took of the LED's in action when we were testing the front and rear radar with a radar gun. Voice was turned off when we were testing.
The dash swap was a bit of chore. Not difficult, just tedious. Lots of screws and lots of clips. It took me about 2 hours total to remove the dash, swap all the controls and switches and buttons and then reinstall the dash. That doesn't include the other work that had to be done once like mounting the LED's and routing wires. The dash however came apart easily without any broker clips and went back together easier. I'm not worried at all about rattles. It's built not to rattle with all the fasteners and screws that hold that thing and the trim in place. It's insane how that thing comes apart and goes together! Nothing like the dash on the C6! I have to send thanks to member GatMix07C6 for his great instructions on that. If any of you are looking to do the FAY dash swap, the instructions are in the DIY sticky at the top of the C7 General discussion or you can find those instruction here.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-g...p-by-step.html
The gaping hole.. Not for the faint of heart!
Everything swapped into the new carbon fiber dash. A thing of beauty!
All done and buttoned up.
Last edited by slief; 02-08-2014 at 12:11 AM.
The following users liked this post:
rlwagner1975 (04-12-2022)
02-08-2014, 02:59 AM
#4
Racer
Slief,
I guess we were doing the same thing, I hope I don't miss the directional alerts like on the K40 & V1. It's a shame with Dashtronix, I dunno how they went out of business or just walk away from customers? They sure had a good thing going there, for a little bit anyway.
That pop-up cig. adapter is what I pulled +12vdc & ground. It works like a champ!
Did you have to cut the plastic grill? I had to cut some the grill or else the sensors would make the car look like it has bucked teeth...
How does the K40 use the GPS? Can you mark alerts? Will it flag false alerts for you? I gotta say either way, this is a nice step coming from my V1....
I guess there's no need for a mirror display with the K40???
I guess we were doing the same thing, I hope I don't miss the directional alerts like on the K40 & V1. It's a shame with Dashtronix, I dunno how they went out of business or just walk away from customers? They sure had a good thing going there, for a little bit anyway.
That pop-up cig. adapter is what I pulled +12vdc & ground. It works like a champ!
Did you have to cut the plastic grill? I had to cut some the grill or else the sensors would make the car look like it has bucked teeth...
How does the K40 use the GPS? Can you mark alerts? Will it flag false alerts for you? I gotta say either way, this is a nice step coming from my V1....
I guess there's no need for a mirror display with the K40???
02-08-2014, 10:46 AM
#7
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Slief,
I guess we were doing the same thing, I hope I don't miss the directional alerts like on the K40 & V1. It's a shame with Dashtronix, I dunno how they went out of business or just walk away from customers? They sure had a good thing going there, for a little bit anyway.
That pop-up cig. adapter is what I pulled +12vdc & ground. It works like a champ!
Did you have to cut the plastic grill? I had to cut some the grill or else the sensors would make the car look like it has bucked teeth...
How does the K40 use the GPS? Can you mark alerts? Will it flag false alerts for you? I gotta say either way, this is a nice step coming from my V1....
I guess there's no need for a mirror display with the K40???
I guess we were doing the same thing, I hope I don't miss the directional alerts like on the K40 & V1. It's a shame with Dashtronix, I dunno how they went out of business or just walk away from customers? They sure had a good thing going there, for a little bit anyway.
That pop-up cig. adapter is what I pulled +12vdc & ground. It works like a champ!
Did you have to cut the plastic grill? I had to cut some the grill or else the sensors would make the car look like it has bucked teeth...
How does the K40 use the GPS? Can you mark alerts? Will it flag false alerts for you? I gotta say either way, this is a nice step coming from my V1....
I guess there's no need for a mirror display with the K40???
I opted not cut the grill. We had thought about it but the laser diffusers need to be pretty much flush with the front of the car at the furthest point forward to be optimal as police are trained to aim for the head lights. If they are set back much or obstructed, chances are the police will be able to get a read on the headlights. I noticed there is a removal panel in the grill on the passenger side which is probably for a tow hook. When I spotted that, I thought to myself... Bingo!! Then I realized the removable panel only existed on the one side. At that point I really did not want to hack the grill for the same reason noted above with the LED's. I didn't want something I would have to replace down the line when I go to sell the car. Instead we just mounted them in front of the grill on the grill trim. Not ideal from an aesthetics standpoint but it's purposeful and the K40 diffusers are small enough that they are not really all that noticeable unless you are looking for them.
Here is a shot of the left side laser diffuser/sensor from a bit further away. It kind of dissapears into the grill and hard to get a good shot of with my iPhone but this may give you a bettter idea of size and looks. Not really buck tooth but not exactly ideal. In this case, function came before form.
As for the GPS, it's used to mark spots for false alarms and also used for vehicle speed so that you can set the radar not to come give audible alerts under certain speeds. K40 calls it quiet ride.
Last edited by slief; 02-08-2014 at 10:58 AM.
02-08-2014, 04:12 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Yesterday I painted my rear laser diffuser license plate frame carbon flash metallic to match the rear lower valance. I then clear coated it and let it rest for the night. This morning I color sanded it with 1500 followed by 2000 grit paper and then polished it with some Mcguires polish. It came out pretty good. I also added a couple more license plate screw mount things in the rear valance for the lower part of the frame.
It looks much better in carbon flash metallic than the dull original black plastic.
It looks much better in carbon flash metallic than the dull original black plastic.
02-17-2014, 06:39 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
02-17-2014, 07:44 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
You are welcome! 
If the police officer is reading my plate, he's probably already pulled me over. Most find it humorous anyway. I've had this plate for a few years now. It was a carry over from my Z06. I actually had one recently ask me what it meant. My response... "Oh Officer, I wasn't speeding" to which they got a good laugh out of, complimented me on my car and went on their way. Fortunately, that was at a stop light when he was along side me and not as the result of an infraction. All things considered, if it strikes up a conversation or makes a LEO laugh when I get pulled over, there is an off chance of getting a little bit of leniency and being let go with a warning.
Truth is I rarely get tickets but I am also very cognizant of my speed and what's around me. I am constantly scanning in front and behind me for LEO's. As such, the radar is usually my second defense with the first being my eyes. This plate was my attempt at some humor. I think it goes well with a car of this nature!
That said, yes I do take my radar seriously. I've been saved so many times over the years by my radar that it's one of those prerequisites in my sports cars. I don't run them in my SUV or my Mini but it was a must have in this car. As I said in my first post, I don't like windshield mount or removable detectors as they can be unsightly and also bait for a thief. The K40's have treated me very well over the years and even this new one has saved me from a possible ticket since getting it installed. These work great, give plenty of warning, rarely false alert and are 100% out of sight and out of mind. As such, I am VERY pleased with my choice just as I expected I would be.
If the police officer is reading my plate, he's probably already pulled me over. Most find it humorous anyway. I've had this plate for a few years now. It was a carry over from my Z06. I actually had one recently ask me what it meant. My response... "Oh Officer, I wasn't speeding" to which they got a good laugh out of, complimented me on my car and went on their way. Fortunately, that was at a stop light when he was along side me and not as the result of an infraction. All things considered, if it strikes up a conversation or makes a LEO laugh when I get pulled over, there is an off chance of getting a little bit of leniency and being let go with a warning.
Truth is I rarely get tickets but I am also very cognizant of my speed and what's around me. I am constantly scanning in front and behind me for LEO's. As such, the radar is usually my second defense with the first being my eyes. This plate was my attempt at some humor. I think it goes well with a car of this nature!
That said, yes I do take my radar seriously. I've been saved so many times over the years by my radar that it's one of those prerequisites in my sports cars. I don't run them in my SUV or my Mini but it was a must have in this car. As I said in my first post, I don't like windshield mount or removable detectors as they can be unsightly and also bait for a thief. The K40's have treated me very well over the years and even this new one has saved me from a possible ticket since getting it installed. These work great, give plenty of warning, rarely false alert and are 100% out of sight and out of mind. As such, I am VERY pleased with my choice just as I expected I would be.
Last edited by slief; 02-17-2014 at 07:48 PM.
02-19-2014, 09:47 AM
#14
I am constantly scanning in front and behind me for LEO's. As such, the radar is usually my second defense with the first being my eyes...
That said, yes I do take my radar seriously. I've been saved so many times over the years by my radar that it's one of those prerequisites in my sports cars. ... As I said in my first post, I don't like windshield mount or removable detectors as they can be unsightly and also bait for a thief. The K40's have treated me very well over the years and even this new one has saved me from a possible ticket since getting it installed. These work great, give plenty of warning, rarely false alert and are 100% out of sight and out of mind. As such, I am VERY pleased with my choice just as I expected I would be.
That said, yes I do take my radar seriously. I've been saved so many times over the years by my radar that it's one of those prerequisites in my sports cars. ... As I said in my first post, I don't like windshield mount or removable detectors as they can be unsightly and also bait for a thief. The K40's have treated me very well over the years and even this new one has saved me from a possible ticket since getting it installed. These work great, give plenty of warning, rarely false alert and are 100% out of sight and out of mind. As such, I am VERY pleased with my choice just as I expected I would be.
Cheers.
01-01-2015, 08:17 PM
#16
New Member
Member Since: Aug 2014
Location: Ca.
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2 questions
How do you get the led display into the mirror ?
Would the diffusers still work if you hid them under the "smiley" part of the grill , the part that is chrome stock ?
How do you get the led display into the mirror ?
Would the diffusers still work if you hid them under the "smiley" part of the grill , the part that is chrome stock ?
07-27-2022, 01:09 PM
#20
Many years ago in my '88 convertible I had one of the first Concealed K40 front and rear installs. Next best thing to having a Judge sitting next to you.
One thing I had back then that I have not seen in a while was a Transponder Detector to detect low flying overhead LE Aircraft. Saved my butt several times...especially in remote areas. Is anyone selling Transponder Detectors these days?
One thing I had back then that I have not seen in a while was a Transponder Detector to detect low flying overhead LE Aircraft. Saved my butt several times...especially in remote areas. Is anyone selling Transponder Detectors these days?