MG ZST Core 2022 Mods - updating…

[aromaxa]

Hi all,

I have my small business/work MG ZST Core 2022, which I am starting to mod in spare time as a hobby.

Done so far:

• fully tinted (ceramic) including front windshield strip - as MG ZST glass UV resistance is appalling
• swapped rubber pedals for alloy pedals
• replaced all lightbulbs with LEDs
• added Bluetooth Throttle controller with function to lock pedal
• Installed glovebox light
• Added wireless CarPlay via CarLinkit 4.0
• Added rear ambient lights via USB light plugs, but purchased usb ports and thinking to install and wire them permanently instead of using existing rear ports.
• installed charcoal carbon cabin air filter
• installed mud flaps
• installed 70mai Omni360 camera with 4G kit for remote monitoring and GPS tracking.
• installed front and rear door scuff plates
• air vents stickers to change colour to red
• installed rear passenger down light when door opens
• added sunglasses holder in place of grip handle for driver
• added bonnet gas struts to hold the bonnet when open
• checked if can add DAB+ module, as it can be activated via head unit engineering menu (unfortunately head unit P/N: 11306789 has only 1 FAKRA connector for radio and none for DAB/RDS ?). Unless… can try and solder it on, there is a spot for it, but too much hassle.
• Changed head unit, got one from wreckers and GPS module off AliExpress - have OEM navigation now as well.
• added Head Up Display via OBD2 port
• Replaced front door speakers with JVC 5.25 ones
• Added rear door speakers JVC 5.25 ones - wired yet.
• Done sound proofing/damping
• Added rear door speakers and activate via engineering menu in the head unit - set to 6
• Added extra foam in all doors to make them more solid and heavier

To do:

• add wireless charger
• add self dim rear view mirror
• add fog lights
• see if can figure out how to enable rain sensor for auto wipers
• See if can figure out hot to enable ambient temperature sensor (sensor bought already)

 

[aromaxa]

Added rear passengers light and routed to front dome to link with door open trigger

 

[aromaxa]

Added sunnies holder in place of driver’s grip handle

 

[Ruislip Resident]

Fascinating

 

[madaleno]

Liked the glovebox light, can you share more details where to get it and how to connect?

Added sunnies holder in place of driver’s grip handle
View attachment 16841

Want one too!!! Where did you get it???

 

[BFev]

Hi guys. I put a sunglasses holder in mine a couple of years ago. For those in the UK, have a look on eBay for an earlier Vauxhall Corsa (C or D) sunglasses holder. The curves of the holder and the recess match perfectly and it fits a treat.

 

[aromaxa]

Liked the glovebox light, can you share more details where to get it and how to connect?


Want one too!!! Where did you get it???

eBay or AliExpress has plenty of them, just check the sizes, if not clear confirm with the seller prior to ordering.

 

[aromaxa]

Liked the glovebox light, can you share more details where to get it and how to connect?


Want one too!!! Where did you get it???

I used above from AliE, had to cut off white connector. Red wire has been soldered with the fuse extender - I believe went into the slot f17 from memory with 5A fuse - from the manual F17 slot looks after power to the rear USB ports for the passengers on the middle console.

Black one just grounded to the body of the car.

 

[aromaxa]

Added bonnet gas struts instead of metal stick

 

[aromaxa]

Bought DAB+ antenna, was hoping to do the install, however when pulled out the head unit (P/N: 11306789) found out that it did not have extra FAKRA connector, potentially can solder it on and see what happens, but I reckon I’ll check head unit with navigation at the wreckers now instead.

Also, had a look at the engineering menu and found out that there seems to be an option to have external ambient temperature displayed, once heater selected/enabled, but not quite sure where sensor would be located and if the same sensor can be installed from ZS EV and if system will pull in the readings

 

[aromaxa]

Picked up MG ZST head unit with navigation from wreckers for $AU120 and GPS module with FAKRA connector from AliExpress $AU5, have both installed and now car has OEM GPS navigation as well. Prepped USB in the unit and updated via Naviextras. Tried enabling DAB, but still no dice, I think there
should be extra module required. I am just not sure where would it go, tried getting splitter for normal antenna and adding dab antenna as well, while enabling DAB in the unit with no luck.

 

[aromaxa]

Replaced front speakers with JVC 5.25 ones, I could not find proper spacers and wanted to have stock OEM connectors still from the harness. So ended up just cutting out crap paper XBM Sonavox speaker and screwed JVC speaker in place instead and soldered wires from the speaker to connector socket.

My car does not have rear speakers, so will go through the same process of adding them in. First of all will find at the wreckers 2 stock OEM speakers in the OEM molds and will repeat process. Regarding harness, will have to source proper rear speakers harness from the wreckers as well. That way making sure all mounts and connectors are stock OEM and will be easy just doing plug and play into the head unit and activating rear speakers via engineering menu.

JVC 5.25 without sub are good enough for me, so not going too crazy on this bit.

 

[aromaxa]

Spoke to the SAIC parts dealer in China, he pointed me to the locations of the sensors in MG ZST. Number 3 is the ambient temperature sensor not fitted into the Core. Seems to be like plug and play to me. Need to investigate when I have more time next

 

[aromaxa]

Added rear doors speakers JVC 5.25, but not wired yet (need to get harness at wreckers). The rear speakers are fitted into standard OEM mounts - picked up OEM speakers of wreckers 2 for $35 and repeated what I have done for the front ones.

Also all doors have been sound proofed using cheap Chinese sound proofing adhesive material - 8mm foam with foil. Not perfect application but seem to be keeping temperature inside the car better as well as I am not hearing outside noise as much.

 

[aromaxa]

Wired rear speakers finally and added extra foam to all the doors to make them slightly heavier and solid. Not getting any plastic flex anymore in them. Once wired speakers properly, I had to go into the engineering menu and increase speakers from 4 to 6. Can move sound around the corners now.

Used AmazonBasics 16-Gauge cable.