08 Base Model Premium + Nav Conversion

[kkokko]

Hey all,

I purchased a base model BO 08 G37 about 7 months ago, even though I wanted it fully loaded, I felt at the time it was too costly. I do regret it now, as I would've loved the Reverse Camera, Navigation, Ipod Integration, Heated seats, sunroof, Bluetooth etcs.. sports package

First off lets start with the sports package.

-Sports suspension *
-19" Wheels
-Paddle Shifters
-Sports Bumper/Skirt
-BBK*
-Steering Wheel, Seats, Foot Pedals

I didn't really miss the sports package too much, not coming from a sports car I thought it was already stiff enough. However as I passed the break in period and started driving more aggressively, I really felt the body roll. I got Hotchkis sway bars and that fixed my problem. I will also be getting aftermarket rims + springs, and bodykit. The only thing I'll miss is the BBK.. they are pretty costly for aftermarkets.

Premium
-sunroof*
-heated seats
-powered dim mirror
-ipod integration*
-bluetooth

I didn't care too much for these except for the sunroof and ipod integration.

Navigation
-Navigation *
-Backup camera *
-Harddrive

The navigation and backup camera is what I really wanted but at the time the cost was just too much.

I found a solution to any non Nav/Premium to get most of the features that are important =)

**DISCLAIMER I have not yet tested this set up, but in theory it should work**

With the following set up below, you will be able to get

-Navigation (on your factory default LCD, using a remote control instead of touch screen)
-Backup Camera (With the vci-nis1 when you switch to reverse it will switch your LCD to the backup camera input)
-Semi-Full Ipod integration with the upac-nis1 (just like the premium model)

So basically, the only thing you won't have is touch screen navigation(use a remote instead), and you won't be able to have the nav audio + mp3 unless you use the external speaker or use some sort of special device that cuts one input when it detects a mute signal etc.. You will be able to listen to music while you have the NAV displayed or the Nav audio + Nav display.

I believe there won't be much wire splicing as the integration units just connect to the wire harness, you will only need to splice the reverse signal so that it knows to activate the backup camera input. Also some drilling involved to pull the ipod line as well as the nav toggle switch.

Garmin GVN53 - Blackbox GPS $300
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=10573

Boyo VTL300 - Backup camera license plate $150
http://boyovta.com/products/license_...ra/vtl300.html

VCI-NIS1 - Video Interface for Backup Camera + Audio /w Toggle Switch $200
http://www.pac-audio.com/productDeta...&CategoryID=34

uPAC-NIS1 - Radio Interface for Integrated IPOD + AUX input $100
http://www.pac-audio.com/productDeta...&CategoryID=22

Also for those interested in the powered homelink mirror, apparently it's really simple to change it and only cost about $160 on ebay for the same model as the premium ones.

Let me know what you guys think of this set up, hopefully it helps anyone with a base/journey that wants to add Nav and Backup camera.

Gentex Powered Rear View Mirror -
Install Requirements -
-Run wire through headliner and A Pillar to fuse box, and use a add a tap mini to plug into fuse box
-Remove current mirror and replace with new mirror, it uses the same mount so the replacement should be trivial


Garmin GVN53 - Blackbox GPS
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=10573

Install Requirements -
-Mount blackbox under the glove box attached to the cover below it - out of sight, easy access. (so that it's hidden but can still access the SD Card)
-Run video wire to the VCI-NIS1 (Will have to install toggle switch somewhere discretely (maybe the center glove compartment)

-Run audio wires to the uPAC-NIS2
-Run GPS Antenna and mount to either the rear dash or under the front dash.

Boyo VTL300 - Backup camera license plate

http://boyovta.com/products/license_...ra/vtl300.html

Install Requirements -
-Tap power to reverse wire, run wire to head unit area to plug into the VCI-NIS1 Video output. I believe there is a rubber grommet to run the wires to the trunk.

VCI-NIS1 - Video Interface for Backup Camera + Audio /w Toggle Switch

http://www.pac-audio.com/productDeta...&CategoryID=34
Install Requirements -
-Update firmware to latest

-Open up head unit to access the LCD video harness to plug in interface
-Tap reverse wire into unit for reverse backup camera toggle
-Mount switch on center glove box (require drilling)
-Connect backup camera video + GPS video to unit

uPAC-NIS1 - Radio Interface for Integrated IPOD + AUX input

http://www.pac-audio.com/productDeta...&CategoryID=22
-Update firmware to latest

-Connect to Radio harness
-Connect to GPS audio
-Run IPOD wire to Center glove compartment (require drilling a small hole)

Escort 8500x50 Radar Detector /w Stealthcord and Country Joy Mount

Few issues, the Tech suggested that the Boyo reverse camera should be wired so it's on all the time, that way when you switch to reverse you won't have to wait 2-3 seconds for the camera to adjust the contrast/white balance. However I felt like that would cause the lifespan of the rev cam to go down so I decided to hook it up to reverse lights for power, so it will only get powered when in reverse.

The manual for the Garmin GVN 53 recommends mounting the antenna in the front dash for good reception, rear trunk for better , and the top of the car for best. However the tech recommended to mount it on the front dash as there is no tint/frost heater lines that may interfere. He also said the metal plate that comes with the antenna isn't required and the signal will be good enough, (as it's kinda ugly if we use the provided metal plate to put below the antenna to make it a bigger antenna, however the manual says it's needed for good reception and to mount the antenna on a metal surface. The surface on the front dash is plastic, so I hope that's fine, aesthetically it will look weird with the metal plate ) .

Please note prices are in CAD
GPS = $330
Boyo Backup camera/License Plate = $130 (From Ebay)
Gen Homelink Mirror, + Compass + Autodimm = $150 (From Ebay)
Escort 8500X50 = $300
Country Joy Mount = $60
Invisi Cord = $15

VCI NIS1 = $390
UPAC NIS1 = $150
Labour 11 hours @60 an huor = $660

+ 12% sales tax on the 3 above items. = $1344

$1344 + $985 = $2329

[Triple_X]

Definitely interested in the Nav setup since it'll be better than factory, look factory and cost a few thousand less. Will you be doing a DIY if all goes well or did you plan on having the garmin installed at a shop? Do you need to mount an antenna for it too?

[Triple_X]

oh yea and you are off to a good start to the conversion. With upgrading to bbk, I say save some money powder coat calipers so they don't look rusty and upgrade to rotora rotors which aren't too expensive and replace the horrible mold colored OEM ones.

Sunroof could be expensive but doable

[kkokko]

The only thing sucky about the NAV is it won't be touch screen and the music/voice directions cant be played together so the music would tone down while the voice nav tells you directions. Also if you don't want to buy the integrated modules, you could always just get the garmin blackbox and do the video bypass (which we are not allowed to discuss here) however that will void warranty.

Unfortunately I'm a horrible DIY guy... and have no experience so I will be getting a shop to do it. I will try to get them to take pics of the install so I could post up for you guys.

As for the antenna, yes you will need to mount it but I believe you can mount it under the dash so it's invisible or, mount it on the back dash.

The thing about powder coating the non-sport calipers it still won't be as big as a BBK which is what I'm looking for. I'll probably just buy used sport BBK and powder coat them =)

[Triple_X]

do you plan on doing the garmin install soon? I'm very cuirious/interested in this. How will you enter an address? Does the remote have letters and numbers or will it be similar to typing using a playstation where you click on a letter on the screen ??

[denishot]

The remote to the GVN52/3 has T9 entry so it'd be like texting, it also has a full keyboard on screen so you could scroll through it with the D-Pad

[Triple_X]

^^ nice! thanks for the info. Hopefully this works well and I will be doing it next

[WhosUrBuddiee]

I want to see how this turns out

[thejumpoff]

Def. interested in this as well. Please keep us posted.

BTW, where did you find those for the prices you listed next to them if you don't mind?

[cdebnil]

I have a base too and have explored some options. One thing you could do is spend about $150-$200 for a cheap lenovo or dell netbook with a video out, a usb hub, webcam for rear camera, and use it instead for mp3's gps etc. Even put a touchscreen overlay on top of the existing G37 lcd.....there are a lot of carputer forums around with people doing crazy things with the newer smaller cheaper netbooks...

[alexdee]

why would you get the garmin one, when you could just buy a regular garmin GPS unit and mount it on your dash? Am I missing something?

[HP_John]

Originally Posted by alexdee

why would you get the garmin one, when you could just buy a regular garmin GPS unit and mount it on your dash? Am I missing something?

Most people like the in-dash aspect. Some don't think portable ones look cool enough.

[Triple_X]

Originally Posted by alexdee

why would you get the garmin one, when you could just buy a regular garmin GPS unit and mount it on your dash? Am I missing something?

Mounting on dash will make things look 'messy' and for me personally I don't want to have to take it down constantly when I leave my car. I guess the reasonable solution would be to do that only when I use it (probably very rarely) but I look at this as another cool mod

[Triple_X]

kkokko, any idea when you plan on installing ?

[kkokko]

I've been pretty busy and I'm planning a trip to asia so i might not do it until I come back ... 1.5 months from now =P