2006 C6 Submarine antenna modified and installed..

5speed6 v.2 · 10-05-2007, 09:00 AM

I bought this antenna last year, and had it painted Silver immediately. Then I got the "how to" directions on dropping the headliner and running the cables, and found I had no time to do this project...so I put the antenna in storage.

With the stereo system install that I'm in the middle of, I decided to add Sirius SAT radio to the goodies going in. So that meant another antenna on the car.

I spoke with Teddy B Game regarding the connectors from the antenna, as they would not match up with my SAT tuner, or my GPS input to the new Eclipse headunit.

There were to many "unknowns" to using the OEM connectors, plus I would need to extend the cables as well.

So with the help of my friend Peter who builds marine GPS bouys, we decided to explore the insides of the antenna.

This is what is inside:

After some delicate dis-assembly to preserve the parts, all the OEM hardware was removed. With a dremel, some modifications were made to the base and the plastic cap to allow for the next step.

The GPS antenna from the Eclipse head, and the Sirius antenna were then mounted and hot-glued to the antenna base.

The end result was no cable or connector splices or extensions, and the exact antennas necessary for my needs.

I sent the plastic cap off for it's second paint job to a local body shop, and when I got it back, re-assembled it.

The mounting to the car was a very time consuming project. Here is the base of the OEM stubby antenna that was on the car:

And here is the base of the C6 version:

So, using the square hole mounting hole that was already in the roof as a guide, the wires were routed though the hole, and removed about twenty times to get the perfect position for drilling a hole for the fastening bolt at the back of the antenna.

Once done, I test fit the antenna one last time, secured the bolt in, and found that the antenna lifted up at the front from the roof. I removed the antenna again, and drilled a hole in the antenna base, and installed a threaded ferrule. Then, more placement and removal of the antenna in order to drill another hole for a bolt in the front.

The antenna base has a very good rubber sel around it, and secondary seals around the rear bolt hole, and where the wires pass through. I added some weatherstrip foam to the underside where I added the additional bolt.

Passed the wires through one last time, mounted the antenna, secured the two bolts, and a perfect flush fit. I finished it off with some RTV silicone on the underside of the roof at both bolt holes, and where the wires pass through just for good measure.

Here is the old OEM stubby antenna on the roof before (you can also see where I had to drill one of the holes):

And here is the new antenna installed:

The difficulty level on this project is up there, and VERY time consuming, but I am extremely happy with the end results.

audikillsbmw · 10-05-2007, 09:04 AM

blAck6 (desairs) · 10-05-2007, 09:44 AM

02 Silver Arrow · 10-05-2007, 11:45 AM

TXurS6 · 10-05-2007, 02:48 PM

The C6/B6 version is more of a "whale"

Nice work BTW :-)

5speed6 v.2 · 10-05-2007, 04:45 PM

JimmyC83 · 10-05-2007, 07:06 PM

10-05-2007, 09:00 AM	#1
5speed6 v.2 Member Account #: 44347 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 21,926	2006 C6 Submarine antenna modified and installed.. I bought this antenna last year, and had it painted Silver immediately. Then I got the "how to" directions on dropping the headliner and running the cables, and found I had no time to do this project...so I put the antenna in storage. With the stereo system install that I'm in the middle of, I decided to add Sirius SAT radio to the goodies going in. So that meant another antenna on the car. I spoke with Teddy B Game regarding the connectors from the antenna, as they would not match up with my SAT tuner, or my GPS input to the new Eclipse headunit. There were to many "unknowns" to using the OEM connectors, plus I would need to extend the cables as well. So with the help of my friend Peter who builds marine GPS bouys, we decided to explore the insides of the antenna. This is what is inside: After some delicate dis-assembly to preserve the parts, all the OEM hardware was removed. With a dremel, some modifications were made to the base and the plastic cap to allow for the next step. The GPS antenna from the Eclipse head, and the Sirius antenna were then mounted and hot-glued to the antenna base. The end result was no cable or connector splices or extensions, and the exact antennas necessary for my needs. I sent the plastic cap off for it's second paint job to a local body shop, and when I got it back, re-assembled it. The mounting to the car was a very time consuming project. Here is the base of the OEM stubby antenna that was on the car: And here is the base of the C6 version: So, using the square hole mounting hole that was already in the roof as a guide, the wires were routed though the hole, and removed about twenty times to get the perfect position for drilling a hole for the fastening bolt at the back of the antenna. Once done, I test fit the antenna one last time, secured the bolt in, and found that the antenna lifted up at the front from the roof. I removed the antenna again, and drilled a hole in the antenna base, and installed a threaded ferrule. Then, more placement and removal of the antenna in order to drill another hole for a bolt in the front. The antenna base has a very good rubber sel around it, and secondary seals around the rear bolt hole, and where the wires pass through. I added some weatherstrip foam to the underside where I added the additional bolt. Passed the wires through one last time, mounted the antenna, secured the two bolts, and a perfect flush fit. I finished it off with some RTV silicone on the underside of the roof at both bolt holes, and where the wires pass through just for good measure. Here is the old OEM stubby antenna on the roof before (you can also see where I had to drill one of the holes): And here is the new antenna installed: The difficulty level on this project is up there, and VERY time consuming, but I am extremely happy with the end results. __________________ Click for Stereo Install - Part I - Dynamat Click for Stereo Install - Part II - removal of OEM components, rear speakers installed Click for Stereo Install -Part III - Custom door panels Click for Stereo Install - Part IV - C6 antenna Click for Stereo Install - Part V - Headrest Monitors Click for Stereo Install - Part VI - Front door speakers installed Click for Stereo Install - Part VII - Eclipse head unit install Click for Stereo Install - Part VIII - Disappearing amp rack install Click for Stereo Install - Part IX - Custom Stealth Subwoofer install

10-05-2007, 09:04 AM	#2
audikillsbmw Member Account #: 121340 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 15,211	Nice : ) __________________ ************************************************* Johnny B. - OFFICIAL 2007 C5 A6 POST WHORE - - OFFICIAL 2008 C5 A6 POST WHORE - R.I.P. Thor- 10/97-8/08.. I miss you buddy :( Racing Green PE 2000 A6 4.2: All options except warm weather & Sport package... MODS: Bilstein shocks, H&R Sport springs, 18x8.5" wheels (et30) with 235/40's, blacked-out RS6 upper grille, debadged, 15mm (F) and 20mm (R) spacers (SOLD,) Darintake mod (w/screen,) 00032 trans recode, high flow race cats (courtesy of 034 Motorsport,) plain black 3-spoke steering wheel, 605 "mod", painted rear valance, drilled rotors F&R, Metal Master front pads, VAST performance fan, clear corners, and various other things. FUTURE PROJECTS: NONE. She will be gone soon. Previous Rides: 1996 A4 2.8Q 1992 Acura Legend LS sedan 1986 Ford F-250 2WD

10-05-2007, 09:44 AM	#3
blAck6 (desairs) Audiworld Junior Member Account #: 134622 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 828	Niceee I like it

10-05-2007, 11:45 AM	#4
02 Silver Arrow AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 101259 Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,257	impressive, looks great __________________ 02 A6 4.2 All options except warm weather package. Hard wired 8500 w/FUNK mute switch, Motorola hands free, Phat box H&R Sway bars Eibach Pro Kit/Koni FSDs RNS-E w/DVD player & TV Euro Blind spot mirror

10-05-2007, 02:48 PM	#5
TXurS6 Member Account #: 9795 Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 7,277	Your OEM looks like a submarine The C6/B6 version is more of a "whale" Nice work BTW :-) __________________ Jim formerly FtWorthS4 1997 S6

10-05-2007, 04:45 PM	#6
5speed6 v.2 Member Account #: 44347 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 21,926	Lol....and thank you. __________________ Click for Stereo Install - Part I - Dynamat Click for Stereo Install - Part II - removal of OEM components, rear speakers installed Click for Stereo Install -Part III - Custom door panels Click for Stereo Install - Part IV - C6 antenna Click for Stereo Install - Part V - Headrest Monitors Click for Stereo Install - Part VI - Front door speakers installed Click for Stereo Install - Part VII - Eclipse head unit install Click for Stereo Install - Part VIII - Disappearing amp rack install Click for Stereo Install - Part IX - Custom Stealth Subwoofer install

10-05-2007, 07:06 PM	#7
JimmyC83 AudiWorld Super User Account #: 110805 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chowdaah and Red Sox! Posts: 7,435	definitely looks better than the stock version. nice job 5speed6 __________________ I drive a Green A6 that drinks gasoline like it's coffee.

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