The Carputer Build Thread

[bitWISE]

I've just made the first purchase on my road to putting a computer in my 350z. I'll be documenting all my purchases along with the actual build and the end result.
__________________________________________

Stuff I Had
Kenwood X812D sub amp - Don't recall
Kenwood X541 multi-channel amp - Don't recall
Tsunami 2 farad cap - Don't recall
Stinger Circuit Breaker - Don't recall
G.Skill 2gb DDR400 - $105
AMD64 4200+ X2 Toledo Core - $80
USB 802.11g - Free (thanks AT&T tech!)
PS2 style Generic USB Gamepad - $10
Technical Total: $195

Stuff I've Bought
Biostar GEFORCE 6100-M9 Socket 939 mATX - $68
Seagate 100gb 2.5" SATA - $40
6' Male-to-Female USB cable - $3
USB Squid Hub - $16
Slim USB Optical Enclosure - $14
Slim DVD/CDRW drive - $35
ADS Instant FM - $35
6' VGA M/M cable - $6
7" Liliput touchscreen LCD - $240
Infinit Kappa Perfect 60.5 components - $200 x 2
JL 10w3v3 4 ohm - $150
DC/DC PSU - $100
Mini USB Keyboard - $17
Centrafuse - $125
iGuidance - $90
Custom enclosure - $330
Total: $1668

Stuff I Might To Buy
Bluetooth GPS keychain - $70
USB TV receiver - ~$45
Total: $115
________________________________________

Dash Mods
Convert stereo DIN slot to 4-port USB hub and slim notebook DVD-ROM with power switch for PC (I'd rather have manual control due to short trips or short stops)
Replace OEM navigation LCD with touchscreen LCD
________________________________________

Other Mods
Semi-stealth mounted PC case in glove box (perhaps with the power inverter inside the PC case or outside of the glove box)
Stealth mounted amp rack in trunk
Stealth mounted 10" JL sub behind driver seat
__________________________________________

Installation
Phase 1: Build PC and install software/music
Phase 2: Build amp rack
Phase 3: Install amps and PC
Phase 4: Install LCD in dash and run cables
Phase 5: Build DIN adapter
Phase 6: Install new speakers and rewire the car
Phase 7: Install sub

[bitWISE]

reserved

[obsidian]

You must be asian.

[bitWISE]

If I were any whiter, I'd be sleeping with family members and wearing flannel.

[creep]

Your sole purpose seems to be music, with a side order of GPS.

Since I assume there's already a stereo in the car, and you mention replacing the existing GPS unit... I have to ask, "WHY?"

[+JuggerNaut+]

unlimited format support.

[creep]

Makes sense, since conversion still takes hours per song, and there are so few car decks available that support nearly every format anyway.

Oh wai...

[+JuggerNaut+]

.flac

good luck.

[bitWISE]

Your sole purpose seems to be music, with a side order of GPS.

Since I assume there's already a stereo in the car, and you mention replacing the existing GPS unit... I have to ask, "WHY?"

The stock nav system blows and the display on the head-unit I'm currently using went out this week. I had been putting off an audio install in the Z for a while and now is the perfect time. I've had head-units that let you play MP3s from a DVD and I've even had a 20gb Kenwood Kegg. The problem with those solutions is that they aren't very elegant, they're cumbersome, and they stick out like a sore thumb. With a PC I'll have a larger, touchscreen (or keyboard) interface to a wide array of features such as ODBII information, Wifi, movies, gaming, unlimited music capacity, constantly updated navigation, television, advanced FM radio, and I'm sure there is more I'm not thinking of. All other features aside, I would still go with a car PC to simply have better access to large quantities of high-quality audio. Imagine finding the one song you want out of 20gb worth of music using a 20 character display and a bi-directional keypad...

I don't waste money on cheap head-units so it makes more sense to have so much more functionality for a small upgrade in price. There's also the challenge of getting the project rolling and the awesomeness of having it when it's done.

[+JuggerNaut+]

but stock amps and speakers in most cars are so good!!

[AmIdYfReAk]

Good to hear mang, glad you went with the Biostar mobo, it actually seems to have a decent trackrecord.

Also, check into the Startup relay's/controllers that are availible for the carputers, it will make running the thing a little easier for you.

[bitWISE]

Got the first batch of shipments today. The FM radio tuner is fucking impressive! Its got an optional 3' wire antenna that coils on itself for storage. The software works really well and the sound quality is actually really impressive given its FM radio. It also supports the broadcasted text.

[bitWISE]

Finally getting back to this. Speakers/sub/screen ordered.

[bitWISE]

Had the PC up and running in my basement for a while now. Ended up getting a 128gb gskill SSD and loaded up Windows 7 along with my other software.

Hopefully fabricating a plexicase mini case this weekend.

[+JuggerNaut+]

where's the pics of the Z promised

[Underpants?]

Sounds like a pretty in-depth project. Any plans for some night-rider ish mods, like voice response, or rocket-assisted impossible through the 20th floor bathroom window jumps?

[obsidian]

I think he's more preoccupied with getting the car to transform into a giant walking robot before he tackles the details like jumping through bathrooms. Like, duuuuh!

[bitWISE]

I ended up giving up on building my own case and bought the smallest uATX case I could find (good thing my glove box is gigantic). Here are a few boring pics I've taken so far:

Currently running on standard PSU, switching to automotive PSU before final install


Fuck adapters, I'll just screw through the vent holes


Safe data, max performance


The media-center I'm using


I'm having trouble getting my GPS receiver installed. Few other devices to try out too. The touchscreen is very impressive (despite my shitty pics).

[bitWISE]

Center dash cluster. Nissan engineering is the best I've dealt with so far.


The hole where the OEM navigation used to be.


The screen housing was a hair too big...


...so I hacked it up


*ew, this epoxy smells toxic as fuck*

Now you see it...


...now you dont

[bitWISE]

It looks like this GPS receiver is simply dead. Doesn't send any NMEA data on either of my PCs or my Mac

That makes two failed products so far.

[bitWISE]

And now my FM tuner isn't working. WHAT THE FUCK!? I know for a fact it worked when I bought it.

Edit: Turns out SP1 for Vista increased the strictness of the DRM for USB audio devices and since my old FM tuner isn't complaint it isn't allowed to work. There is a hotfix but it "doesn't apply to your system" Looks like I may try running XP on an SSD...

[MKJ]

lol vista

[bitWISE]

The FM tuner works in Win 7 and I think the GPS unit is just DOA.

Here are some slightly unrelated pics from the other work I've been doing.



Those sideskirts fought me the entire way. Ended up having to use aluminum rivets in the door sill.


HKS hi-power duals. Sounds incredible. Cleanest, deepest aftermarket I've ever heard. It has special chambers so that when you maintain your speed its nearly silent too.


The paint didn't take on the rear so we had to strip it down and reshoot it. Unfortunately going to be a couple weeks before I can get back into the shop.

[Captain]

Nice project bit, now all you need is a high-tech alarm system.

[+JuggerNaut+]

looks pretty good, what is your plans for wheels/tires.