I recently installed the star map mod and thought it would be helpful to share some tips. Installation on my machine was kinda tricky and took hours not minutes, but like the chest mod I definetly think it was worth the effort.
1. The mod backboard would not go far enough down on my machine without enlarging the cutout for the Black Pearl VUK. The VUK sits tight against the machine backboard, and there is no adjustment tolerance where it attaches to the playfield. I tried sanding about 1/4" off the top of the mod cutout, but that still wasn't enough. The fix was to cut a 3/16"vertical groove about 1/2" long where the edge of the VUK contacts the backboard. Of course I couldn't find my Dremel so it took over an hour vs. 15-minutes. Also had to take the top of the Dauntless off to create enough room to manipulate the backboard in-place.
2. Don't use Novus 2 on the backboard. The backboard scratches easily so I tried removing with some Novus. It worked but also took the mat finish off. The mat finish is a good idea to reduce reflections but you need to be very gentle. I'd recommend temporarily putting some cling or transparency film on to protect it during installation. In the end, the effected area was small and is completely unnoticeable.
3. The fit was too tight to just bow the mod backboard around the star map circuit board without cutting holes out for the capacitors. This wasn't too bad but the spacing needs to be spot-on, so center punching the holes before drilling is a must. Also recommend putting painters tape on both sides to help prevent the wood from splintering, and using a new step drill bit like this: https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10193A-Titanium-Drill-3-Piece/dp/B001OEPYWK/ref=sr_1_3
4. Even with holes for the capacitors, I wasn't comfortable just taping the circuit board directly onto the machine backboard. Instead, I attached it using the smaller, 1/8" spacers from the original star map and some shorter 1/2" pop-bumper screws. I used some 3M 467MP transfer tape to hold the spacers on the circuit board during installation. Also used the same tape to attach the mod led light board.
IMG_1897 (resized).jpg