My Curb Alert install in a Z06 Grille
 

Been wanting to install my curb alert for some time now, but I needed to wait until I had my Z06 grille and Stage 1 splitter installed. Now that those two projects are complete it was time to install the curb alert. I knew I did not want to install the sensor unit under the car or under the front splitter, so I came up with a workable solution in the Z06 grille. The Z06 grille is significantly different than the original grille. Mainly because there is not an obvious place to mount the sensor.

I also chose to mount the control box in the engine bay up near the firewall and then shorten the wiring to have a little excess wiring and make it easier hide the wires.

Here's how I did it:

Initially I figured out where I wanted the control box mounted up near the firewall and attached it temporarily.


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Then I removed the fuse box cover and and the cover to the 12v contact point. I used the inline fuse assembly with a added ring connector. (BTW this inline fuse assembly is not mentioned at all in the curb alert instructions, but should always be used)

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I then measured the length of positive red wire I would need based on my wiring route and cut the wire and crimped into the fuse assembly.


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Next I measured the ground wire to the approx length needed based on where I was going to route the cable and installed it...Tip: I needed to use a little electrical tape to hold the nut in the driver to attach the nut to the ground terminal by the alternator. Otherwise the nut will fly out and not be easy to find :ack:


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Next up was to figure out where the sensor was going to be mounted. I chose the middle of the grille near the bottom...I chose the square "tall" mount that came with the curb alert. I mounted it temporarily so I could figure out the wire routing through the grill and into the engine bay.


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With a coat hanger, I was able to feed the sensor connector wire through a small hole behind the grille and into the engine bay.


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Next I removed the trim pieces on the right side of the car as described by the original curb alert instructions.


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I hooked up all the components to test if the sensor location would work in the grille location i chose. Completed a calibration and it worked perfect!


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Next, I permanently installed the sensor and control box.


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The sensor bracket due to it's shape and size will only contact about half the slat. It felt very stable, but I added a top stabilizer piece fashioned from the remaining square "short" bracket. I cut the swivel part of the extra bracket and with a little extra VHB tape made a "securing" bracket...I did not get it on as straight as I would have liked, but once that tape hits the plastic it is on...When it warms up I will take it off and reposition. Looks ok now. BTW I was doing this in a 40 degree garage..I would highly recommend using a hair dryer to warm up the tape contact points before permanatly sticking devices down...It will ensure that the bond is good. Remember to use the packet of "sticky" enhancer

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Next I ran the speaker wire to the inside of the passenger side door and mounted the speaker up underneath the glove box way in the back. I then ran all the other wires neatly and zip tied them or tucked them behind or under plastic trim pieces. Make sure you do not run the wires where any moving parts or near high temp areas.


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Finally, check your calibration and make sure all is still working as expected. Then your DONE!

I hope this helps anyone who is looking to also tackle this project.

-M

Nice way to improvise....looks great.....you can also hook up an LED very easily that sits under your hood lip that goes off like the speaker. Great for when you're pulling in and don't want to interrupt the music or your passenger talking - to listen for the speaker. Here's a vid of me pulling into a spot:
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...h_IMG_4137.mp4

Excellent write up. Thanks!

Thanks Glen!! Great idea for the LED!! Did you just splice into the speaker wire for the signal?

-M

you can, a more elegant way is get a y splitter for the control box and feed them both:

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Got it! That makes sense...Next weekend's project!

-M

Great job-looks excellent!

Thank you. :thumbs:

-M

For the mechanically challenged - do you feel the dealer's service dept. could do the install?

I dont think they will do it. A perf shop would.

I tried to put my curb alert in the grill, but it kept alerting while I was driving due to the angle it had to be at. Let us know if that happens to you at all.

Nicely done - a very clean install and thanks for writing this up.

No issues so far. I calibrated before I permanently stuck the senor in its final spot. 20 inches away from the front and about 4-5 inches high from the ground. Took it on a drive after for about 20 minutes around town...no issues..Maybe try a re-calibration?

-M

Has anyone tried installing one of the "back uo sensors" you buy with the alarm box the little round sensors you see in the bumper of most cars, these could be mounted behind any grill to see anything in front of the car , they ususally get louder and faster beeps the closer you get to an object....just wondering ??!!

:iagree:
I think that's a great question and would potentially look a lot better than the box that's being installed. Depending on the configuration of a splitter, they could even be mounted into the splitter if there's an adequate vertical surface.

Thanks for posting this, it's just what I need! I installed my curb alert under the bumper, but now I'm adding a Z06 splitter and grille so that wont work. Just waiting on paint for my splitter then I will copy your install and relocate my curb alert sensor when I install the new grill and splitter! Thanks!

I ran the wiring to my Z06 grille when I had the front clip off. Much easier to do and no fishing of wires. I also mounted the control box inside the car under the passenger glove box, near the speaker. I started with mine mounted where this one is located, but I later moved it to the bottom level of the Z06 grille. That area is more solid, but probably won't make any difference.

This is also a good time to install a Ligenfelter 160 deg Thermostat, if you are so inclined. Extremely easy to drain a gallon out of radiator tap with it exposed.

I'm with you on the control box - mine is under the glove box next to the speaker and will stay there, too hot in that engine compartment if you have a choice IMO. If you feel like it I would like to see a photo of your install of the sensor. Which mount did you use?

led light option
 

GlenE, after the y splitter, what did you use for the led light and speaker wire?
Did you mount the led attached to the underside of the hood or on top of the cowl? 3m red tape?

Your welcome :thumbs:

-M