[somspaple]

During the first year of Verna's ownership, I did just the soft upgrades like: Leather Seats, Carpets, TPMS, Dashcam, Aluminum pedals and HID bulbs etc. Second year onwards, I ventured into slightly serious [non-reversible] mods of Lighting and Music upgrades. As far as Action is concerned, first I need to look at how to improve the brakes on this!

Lights:

Prior to Verna, my daily driver was a Zen Carbon. And the headlights upgrade on Zen was a straight forward affair. A Bosch 100/90 relay kit with Philips bulbs was all it required. And I was quite happy with that set-up! I did dabble a bit to retrofit quad projector set-up with Hella 60mm Sealed projectors:


Left projector is high beam and right one if low beam - [these are meant for Right Hand Drive markets and hence the low beam static cut-off plate is wrong orientation for our market]:






I wanted to mod the low beams and add HID bulbs to these projectors but somehow never got around to complete that plan. And I had to let go of Carbon when we decided to get the Verna.


On Verna, projector halogen headlights were a OK. Since most of my long drives start in the night, I was looking forward to upgrading the headlight bulbs. After many weeks of online 'research', I ordered Morimoto HB3 HID kit from The Retrofit Source[TRS]. It is a complete plug and play system - absolutely no cutting of wires required and it was a perfect upgrade! Improvement in light output was great + it doesn't cause any unnecessary glare whatsoever for the oncoming traffic.

Morimoto Kit: as mentioned it is a plug and play kit, you just have to connect the stock HB3 connectors to this contraption. All you have to do it drill a hole in the headlight assembly cap. Bulbs are of 4300K color temperature - which give slightly yellowing white light output - well suited for rainy/foggy conditions.


Light output comparison on a same manual setting on the camera for all the pics: [ f1.9, 1/125 S and ISO800]
Halogen Low Beam:


HID Low Beam:


Halogen High Beam:


HID High Beam:

[somspaple]

After running the HID bulbs set-up for several months, I felt the need for better High Beam reach. This is especially true on narrow state highways and perennially WIP NH48 [Bangalore Hubli highway].

As usual while 'researching' for options online, I came across Hella LED light bars. But the issue with external lights is - mounting. I don't like mounting external lights on my cars - I guess more than the external light I don't like the ugly clamps over which the lights needs to be mounted. But I felt this LED Light bar is a fair compromise as these light bars are slender and lightweight [no need of heavy clamps].











There is another issue with external aux lights - they attracts attention.. of cops! Especially after Corona lull , cops are in full swing across Bangalore -they are just looking for an excuse to fine the motorists. So mounting these outside/in front of the bumper is kinda risky.

Around this time, I procured a different Black grill for my Verna devoid of any chrome on it. Plan was to modify this grill if required to fit the LED light bar and make it low profile so as not to attract any attention to it.



Next I headed to Bay6 Motorworks for the install. After some discussions, we decided to mount the light bar behind grill. Couple of clamps were welded onto the box section - it included repositioning of stock horn location. But as you can see the grill is not a plain honey comb grill and has the horizontal slats at an angle which kinda blocks the light partially. I was ok to cut out a horizontal section in grill to let light pass through. But that would've made it look really bad! The lightbar in the middle was still brighter than the HID high beams even with those slats! Wiring was completed with a relay kit and a simple switch is provided by the side of steering column inside the cabin. This switch is wired in parallel with high beam - so that I can switch on high beam without LED if required.



Though I couldn't test the new set-up on a highway, the fact that grill was blocking light kept bothering me. So the next day I removed bumper at home and armed with my trusty drill started shaving the slats of the grill.



Now LEDs have much better view of the outside world!





After all this, there was still one last step left out - focusing usable light on road so that it acts as high beam assist and helps in long range visibility.

-Had to remove the bumper again. I don't mind removing screws and fixing things a 100 times but what bothers me are those plastic rivets and pulling/fixing bumper back in those plastic slots. It's so easy break them! It causes so much stress! But still those plastic rivets and bumper plastic feels much better in quality compared Maruti ones. -

Did all the adjustments and test runs around the residential area at night. Couldn't venture far into dark areas without the bumper[and number plates].

Here is short gif of the video captured - dashcam has over exposed the light and the well lit neighborhood doesn't help either. But you can still see the impact of LED bar makes to the light at end [Low Beam, High Beam, High Beam + Hella LED]:



And here is the final look with the grill:

[somspaple]

DIY Player

I was looking for a DIY portable music player solution that I could use both in home audio and car. I didn't opt for a portable music player [PMP] because I wanted something that is semi-permanent and can be left in the car
1. So that I don't have to bother carrying it with me each time
2. No issue with battery over heating
3. Easy access to physical knobs [don't like mounting phone/DAP on dashboard]
3. Doesn't attract unnecessary attention as most of PMP/DAP resemble premium phones
4. And most importantly, why not try some DIY stuff in car audio as well!

If not for above issues, Astell&Kern Activo CT10 would've been perfect budget solution.

Raspberry based system was an obvious choice for this attempt considering the amount of support/accessories you can get online. Started with Rpi 4GB version, and added a official touchscreen to it. At first tried piCorePlayer - it was a option but one drawback was it runs Logitech Media Server. Which means it needs a proper shut down each time you want to turn it off. I was looking for a portable solution where you don't have wait for the player to shut down [boot up times of up to min is OK with me].

Next I tried free version Volumio. This is perfect for what I need. The OS loads completely into RAM and chances of SD Card going corrupt is minimal due to abrupt power loss. This player allows me to play local high res content as well as Spotify. You need a paid Volumio account to run Tidal and I've not yet ventured into Tidal.

Rpi on the back of touchscreen:



Initial boot up with piCorePlayer:



Player contraption in it's temporary box:



After changing the OS to Volumio, I decided to add Rotary Encoders. These will make controlling media and volume intuitive - and I always like physical controls especially while driving. No need to take the eyes off the road [being a standalone/portable player the car steering controls are not linked to this player].


Encoders connected to Rpi GPIO Pins:








Rotary Encoder GPIO Pin settings for
Media Control:


Volume Control:


Another temporary housing before the official case could reach me. In this case, you can see the rotary encoders by the side of touch screen doing duty in home audio [which is also a DIY - pre amp, Class A Monoblock amps and stand mount Speakers].


With official case:


Volumio boot-up:


Media Art display + encoders mounted on the side:




and here is a short video on the build:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn6W26JXUt4

This is how it looks in the car: I need to get correctly shaped L section for mounting those rotary encoders. That'll make player align perfectly to the center. Right now it fits snug enough and doesn't move or bounce around. There is just one USB cable going out from the player to the USB DAC under the front passenger. Player is powered up with 2A charger and the cable is hidden below it. If I need to remove the player then I just have unplug power and DAC USB cable.



All of this is to feed clean signal to my rest of the audio chain in the car running 3 way active which is WIP - Idea is to upgrade it to run 4 way active in near future:
DAC : Budget MUSE DAC
Processor: Dayton Audio 8 Channel DSP
Amplifier 1: JL Audio M600/6 6 Channel Amo
Amplifier 2 : JL Audio Slash 1v2 [defunct, needs service]
Full Range Drivers : Audible Physics NZ3 on A pillar in custom pods
Tweeters : Custom pods on sail panel [running dummies for now]
Mid Bass : DLS R6A at stock location on under pads
Sub : 12 inch custom sub in the trunk

Got the Audible Physics drivers directly from dealer Vaani Acoustics and install was done at Top Gear.

Fiberglass pods for Full Range and Tweeters:




Amps and Processor were installed under front seats with velcro:




Star of the install - Audible Physics NZ3:




This is how vinyl wrapped A pillar and snail panel pods look with drivers mounted:





Right now stock HU feeds the high level input to processor and it is ok for casual listening. But on long drives, I carry the portable player and leave it in the car [in the space front of gear lever - it sure needs bit more tweaking so that it fits in snuggly there]. Actually a simple HU upgrade all it takes to put an end all this shenanigans but :
1. I'm not sure how the replacement HU would look on dashboard and also I simply love the stock buttons/knobs on center fascia. Aftermarket HU replaces a large chunk of dashboard center fascia apart from just the stock touchscreen.
2. I don't want to add external mike for Bluetooth telephony and I've not come across any option which makes use of stock mike/location
3. Budget [a good HU would cost around 40K - looking at Kenwood Wireless Android Auto HUs]

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Modifications forum. Thanks for sharing!

[COMMUTER]

Great lighting setup! Please do udate further on their effectiveness during rains. Post a few frontal shots too.

Did you take in the amp rating of your alternator when deciding on your Music system?

[Stribog]

Where did you order the 470? I have been looking at ways at upgrading my Seltos lighting (pathetic), and shortlisted the Hella but not been able to source the 470.

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by Stribog

Where did you order the 470? I have been looking at ways at upgrading my Seltos lighting (pathetic), and shortlisted the Hella but not been able to source the 470.

Yes, it is difficult to source. Som and I got the 470s from a dealer in Bangalore but it was through the chennai distributor. Since you are in Chennai, it should be easy. I will PM you the Chennai distributor's contact.

[Stribog]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Yes, it is difficult to source. Som and I got the 470s from a dealer in Bangalore but it was through the chennai distributor. Since you are in Chennai, it should be easy. I will PM you the Chennai distributor's contact.

That would be great, please do PM me the details.

Thanks

[mac187]

At first I was thinking the lighting set-up is a great solution then I read about the music player. Wow. I agree with you, the aftermarket HU is in no way a true replacement for the new gen ICE systems. But the quest for the right sound quality is surely compromised with stock systems.

[vredesbyrd]

I've got to give it to you, friend. This is 10/10 solid time and effort. Oh my, are the results satisfactory! Very happy to see someone delve this deep into mods beyond the regular cosmetics/remap joe. Now that you've lit the fire, I feel like sneaking up a dual-color LED bar in the grille of my Superb ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[somspaple]

Correction:

Wiring was completed with a relay kit and a simple switch is provided by the side of steering column inside the cabin. This switch is wired in parallel with high beam - so that I can switch on high beam without LED if required.

In my post above, I mean switch is in series here [I was thinking series but typed as parallel].

Originally Posted by COMMUTER

Great lighting setup! Please do udate further on their effectiveness during rains. Post a few frontal shots too.

Did you take in the amp rating of your alternator when deciding on your Music system?

Thanks!
Will update - though I don't think LED Lightbar will be of great help in case of heavy rains. Usually Yellowish light helps and my HIDs are of 4300K temperature. And nope, I did not really bother about amp rating as this is a simple Class D amp and this was doing duty on my puny Zen Carbon earlier.

Originally Posted by Stribog

Where did you order the 470? I have been looking at ways at upgrading my Seltos lighting (pathetic), and shortlisted the Hella but not been able to source the 470.

Ramesh[Jaguar] helped me get mine as we were both looking for better lighting.

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Yes, it is difficult to source. Som and I got the 470s from a dealer in Bangalore but it was through the chennai distributor. Since you are in Chennai, it should be easy. I will PM you the Chennai distributor's contact.

Did you manage to fix the light bar on your Verna? How's your flood beam 470 performing?

Originally Posted by mac187

At first I was thinking the lighting set-up is a great solution then I read about the music player. Wow. I agree with you, the aftermarket HU is in no way a true replacement for the new gen ICE systems. But the quest for the right sound quality is surely compromised with stock systems.

Thank you! Yep, stock systems are highly tuned for the specific car and the drivers used. For a clean signal we've to depend on a good source [aftermarket HU or some other media player].

Originally Posted by vredesbyrd

I've got to give it to you, friend. This is 10/10 solid time and effort. Oh my, are the results satisfactory! Very happy to see someone delve this deep into mods beyond the regular cosmetics/remap joe. Now that you've lit the fire, I feel like sneaking up a dual-color LED bar in the grille of my Superb ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Thank you for your kind words!
Dual color LED, you mean LEDs with color temperature control? That would be interesting.. unless if you were referring to Blue-Red flashing types!

[vredesbyrd]

Originally Posted by somspaple

Thank you for your kind words!
Dual color LED, you mean LEDs with color temperature control? That would be interesting.. unless if you were referring to Blue-Red flashing types!

You're welcome. Actually I'd be moving to Gurugram by Q1 2021 and what better place to see smog/fog. So yes, the 6500k-3500k switchable ones because my current front setup is 6500k for everything. Or should I just go for 3500k fogs to have that classic racecar look and cut fog? At lower speeds, my fogs act like cornering lights, so using dual-color ones would lead to the car looking like a bad case of heterochromia. I'm myself confused

[somspaple]

Originally Posted by vredesbyrd

You're welcome. Actually I'd be moving to Gurugram by Q1 2021 and what better place to see smog/fog. So yes, the 6500k-3500k switchable ones because my current front setup is 6500k for everything. Or should I just go for 3500k fogs to have that classic racecar look and cut fog? At lower smy fogs act like cornering lights, so using dual-color ones would lead to the car looking like a bad case of heterochromia. I'm myself confused

6000K+ is useless when it comes to fog. If you encounter fog on regular basis, it does makes sense to go for 3500K ones + it'll be helpful in rains as well.

[Firoshg]

Originally Posted by somspaple

DIY Player

I was looking for a DIY portable music player solution that I could use both in home audio and car. I didn't opt for a portable music player [PMP] because I wanted something that is semi-permanent and can be left in the car
1. So that I don't have to bother carrying it with me each time
2. No issue with battery over heating
3. Easy access to physical knobs [don't like mounting phone/DAP on dashboard]
3. Doesn't attract unnecessary attention as most of PMP/DAP resemble premium phones
4. And most importantly, why not try some DIY stuff in car audio as well!



Raspberry based system was an obvious choice for this attempt considering the amount of support/accessories you can get online. Started with Rpi 4GB version, and added a official touchscreen to it. At first tried piCorePlayer - it was a option but one drawback was it runs Logitech Media Server. Which means it needs a proper shut down each time you want to turn it off. I was looking for a portable solution where you don't have wait for the player to shut down [boot up times of up to min is OK with me].

Can you provide the total cost involved in your project (raspberry Pi portable player and its components)?
A price break up would be much appreciated. I have been thinking about adding a raspberry Pi to change the stock music system in my Chevy Beat to an android or android auto system without sacrificing the look of stock music player.

[somspaple]

Originally Posted by Firoshg

Can you provide the total cost involved in your project (raspberry Pi portable player and its components)?
A price break up would be much appreciated. I have been thinking about adding a raspberry Pi to change the stock music system in my Chevy Beat to an android or android auto system without sacrificing the look of stock music player.

Initially I just got the RPi and touchscreen only- later on added other components. And I've had the DAC with me.

RPi 4B - 4K INR
Official touchscreen - 6K INR
Official case - 2K INR
Any DAC USB of your choice ~2K INR
Rotary encoders+wires ~500 INR

There are other touchscreen options too, you can explore a bit along with different OS options + custom casing.

All the best!