I recently installed an Escort 9500ci system in my NSX replacing my hard wired V1. I couldn't find any install related information on prime so I wanted to make a thread for anyone else interested in installing the 9500ci or STi-R Plus.
*** Total install time 10 hours over two days (I spent a lot of time making sure the ZR4 heads and radar antenna were perfectly straight and level) ***
Goal: Install the 9500ci system in my car without drilling or causing any permanent damage. Also keep the system as stealth as possible.
Parts and tools used (not counting standard hand tools):
1) Radar antenna - I had a hard time deciding where to mount the radar unit as I have an SoS stealth plate braket that takes up a lot of space under the bumper. I ended up buying some 1.5' PIAA light brakets for those lights you see on Jeeps. Turns out they are also perfect for mounting things to the STMPO bar
I mounted the radar antenna with the braket attaching in the back closest to the radiator, this way the antenna is laying across the bar to maximize stability. I used nylon lock nuts and loctite blue to secure the antenna to the light brackets.
2) ZR4 shifter heads - I broke away the standard shifter head metal brakets until only one hole was left on each side, screwed the ZR4 head in (paying attention to the "this side up" stamp!). After cleaning both the bumper and the brackets I used the 3M auto tape to secure these to the underside of the top bumper cover on either side of the front plate. It is very important to get these perfectly parallel to the front of your car, perfectly straight ahead, and perfectly level. Failure to do this will result in very poor lidar performance.
3) Running cables into the cabin - I carefully routed and zip tied the three cables for the radar and laser heads through the front bumper and under the main fuse box next to the spare tire. From there I removed the glove box, used a knife to poke a small slit in the grommet separating the glove box and front compartment. I ran the wire snake through the grommet, attached the 3 wires with plenty of electrical tape to cover up the RJ11 (phone) jacks and pulled them into the cabin. Next, I used the wire snake to pull the cables behind the stereo and down to the drivers footwell.
4) Remove the center console following Brian K's instructions (no need to remove the CCU for this job
)
5) Remove the 3 panels behind the seats and below the rear window.
6) GPS antenna - Because I don't use my engine cover, I placed the GPS antenna in the engine compartment directly behind the passenger seat on the metal lip between the oil fill cap and fuel filter. This location allows the GPS antenna to have a clear view of the sky so far I have had no problems locking on and keeping the signal. Run the GPS cable down by the fuel filter and into the cabin via the rubber grommet. Wire tie the cable to secure it past the ECU down through the arm rest, through the center console, and into the drivers footwell.
7) External speaker - I used zip ties to secure the external speaker to a small bar behind the seat in a way that made it fit perfectly behind the old center speaker cover of the stock Bose stereo. Since I have an aftermarket stereo this spot was blank and fit the Escort speaker very well. Next run the speaker wire and power cable under the arm rest, by the gear shift, past the center console and down to the drivers footwell.
8) USB port - I ran the USB port cable the same way I did my iPod cable, just run it into the arm rest storage area with 6-12 inches of slack to use when needed. Run the other end of the cable down to the drivers footwell with everything else.
9) External display - I currently have the external display velcro'd to the top of the ashtray so I can conceal it by closing the door. I like the stealth aspect but it's hard to see in first and third gear so I might move it later on. Since the center console was currently sitting in the passenger seat I ran the cable through loose and left it in the drivers footwell. When re-assembling the center console carefully feed the extra slack through and pull it out the drivers footwell.
10) Control module - Again trying to be stealth, I used the velcro to attach this directly below the ignition. This allows for easy muting and disabling the shifters, while remaining stealth to anyone looking in.
11) CPU module - I attached the cpu right above the fuse box under the drivers side dash with velcro on the "eternal sports mind for you" box. I used the switched 12v power right above the fuse box to power everything.
12) Rear laser shifter - IMO it's not worth installing as it is very poor performing and is very visible to law enforcement. However the 9500ci HAS to have it plugged in to operate, so I plugged mine in and tucked it into the dash.
13) 2 hours of head stands, zip ties, and cursing - Probably the worst part is doing the "NSX electronics head stand" with a flashlight in your mouth zip tying all the wiring and tucking it away. After you've plugged everything in, zip tied the excess cable, put the center console back together, and snaped on the panels behind the seats, fire it up and go for a drive :biggrin:
I wish I would have taken pictures but if anyone is about to do the install themselves let me know and I'd be happy to answer any questions!
*** Total install time 10 hours over two days (I spent a lot of time making sure the ZR4 heads and radar antenna were perfectly straight and level) ***
Goal: Install the 9500ci system in my car without drilling or causing any permanent damage. Also keep the system as stealth as possible.
Parts and tools used (not counting standard hand tools):
- Carpenters square
- Cheapo bubble level
- Wire snake
- 3M auto molding tape
- Industrial Velcro
- 1.5' PIAA light brackets
- Loctite blue
- STMPO chassis bar
1) Radar antenna - I had a hard time deciding where to mount the radar unit as I have an SoS stealth plate braket that takes up a lot of space under the bumper. I ended up buying some 1.5' PIAA light brakets for those lights you see on Jeeps. Turns out they are also perfect for mounting things to the STMPO bar
I mounted the radar antenna with the braket attaching in the back closest to the radiator, this way the antenna is laying across the bar to maximize stability. I used nylon lock nuts and loctite blue to secure the antenna to the light brackets.
2) ZR4 shifter heads - I broke away the standard shifter head metal brakets until only one hole was left on each side, screwed the ZR4 head in (paying attention to the "this side up" stamp!). After cleaning both the bumper and the brackets I used the 3M auto tape to secure these to the underside of the top bumper cover on either side of the front plate. It is very important to get these perfectly parallel to the front of your car, perfectly straight ahead, and perfectly level. Failure to do this will result in very poor lidar performance.
3) Running cables into the cabin - I carefully routed and zip tied the three cables for the radar and laser heads through the front bumper and under the main fuse box next to the spare tire. From there I removed the glove box, used a knife to poke a small slit in the grommet separating the glove box and front compartment. I ran the wire snake through the grommet, attached the 3 wires with plenty of electrical tape to cover up the RJ11 (phone) jacks and pulled them into the cabin. Next, I used the wire snake to pull the cables behind the stereo and down to the drivers footwell.
4) Remove the center console following Brian K's instructions (no need to remove the CCU for this job
)5) Remove the 3 panels behind the seats and below the rear window.
6) GPS antenna - Because I don't use my engine cover, I placed the GPS antenna in the engine compartment directly behind the passenger seat on the metal lip between the oil fill cap and fuel filter. This location allows the GPS antenna to have a clear view of the sky so far I have had no problems locking on and keeping the signal. Run the GPS cable down by the fuel filter and into the cabin via the rubber grommet. Wire tie the cable to secure it past the ECU down through the arm rest, through the center console, and into the drivers footwell.
7) External speaker - I used zip ties to secure the external speaker to a small bar behind the seat in a way that made it fit perfectly behind the old center speaker cover of the stock Bose stereo. Since I have an aftermarket stereo this spot was blank and fit the Escort speaker very well. Next run the speaker wire and power cable under the arm rest, by the gear shift, past the center console and down to the drivers footwell.
8) USB port - I ran the USB port cable the same way I did my iPod cable, just run it into the arm rest storage area with 6-12 inches of slack to use when needed. Run the other end of the cable down to the drivers footwell with everything else.
9) External display - I currently have the external display velcro'd to the top of the ashtray so I can conceal it by closing the door. I like the stealth aspect but it's hard to see in first and third gear so I might move it later on. Since the center console was currently sitting in the passenger seat I ran the cable through loose and left it in the drivers footwell. When re-assembling the center console carefully feed the extra slack through and pull it out the drivers footwell.
10) Control module - Again trying to be stealth, I used the velcro to attach this directly below the ignition. This allows for easy muting and disabling the shifters, while remaining stealth to anyone looking in.
11) CPU module - I attached the cpu right above the fuse box under the drivers side dash with velcro on the "eternal sports mind for you" box. I used the switched 12v power right above the fuse box to power everything.
12) Rear laser shifter - IMO it's not worth installing as it is very poor performing and is very visible to law enforcement. However the 9500ci HAS to have it plugged in to operate, so I plugged mine in and tucked it into the dash.
13) 2 hours of head stands, zip ties, and cursing - Probably the worst part is doing the "NSX electronics head stand" with a flashlight in your mouth zip tying all the wiring and tucking it away. After you've plugged everything in, zip tied the excess cable, put the center console back together, and snaped on the panels behind the seats, fire it up and go for a drive :biggrin:
I wish I would have taken pictures but if anyone is about to do the install themselves let me know and I'd be happy to answer any questions!
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