There was some interest in another thread about my system so I figured I would just post it here so more people could take a look if they wanted. This is a project I've been working on for the last year.

This is a 900mhz CPU, 256mb ram, 40gb harddrive and a 7" LCD that has been designed to be a drop in replacement for the radio and cup holder. The whole computer and LCD fit in the dash.

Currently I use Winamp to play MP3's, and MS streets and Trips 2004 for the GPS navigation. The system is not touch screen mainly because of cost but also because the software is still being developed that could take advante of it. Right now I use an X10 mouse remote that works for what I need, although it is a little big.

I did not use a DVD drive because I didn't really have the space and I didn't feel like hacking things on the maxima. Instead I chose to use Divx and store any movies or TV programs on the harddrive. I was able to install this whole system without doing any cutting or modifying to the car itself.

Also, I'm not claiming to be the first on this, I've seen at least one other 3rd gen install. Just figured I would show my setup incase some of you were interested in doing one of these.

If any of you guy's have questions I'd be happy to answer them.

Here are some pics for you guy's if your curious.

http://www.cardomain.com/id/adamis

And a website that is dedicated to this type of stuff.

http://www.mp3car.com

 

Just curious, if you don't mind me asking, but how much did this set you back? Also, what kind of sound system can you run off this setup? (ie: Subs, amps, components)

 

http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...page_id=429803

Click here for a link that works.

 

Sorry about the link, it should work now. All told the system including my mistakes has set me back over 1200 bucks. If I were to do it all over again it would cost me as follows:

Epia M motherboard $130.00
40GB Harddrive $120
PW-70 DC-DC power supply $50
12v 7ah battery $14
7"LCD $230
X10 Mouseremote $50
Assorted cables $50

All told probably $594 although there are some associated costs such as taxes and shipping.

As for sound system, it uses the audio out on the motherboard which I plug into the rca jacks on the amp. If I were to pick up a 4 channel amp I could have surround sound if I wanted.

 

Dude that is freakin sick how do you put new songs and crap on it, just burn em on cd and put them in and copy to hard drive? That is sooo cool

 

now you just need an extra lcd to pull out from under the seat, a wireless keyboard, and a WiFi card and you'll be set

cool setup though! very clean.
no overclocking though

 

nice setup, i built a very simular one one for my buddies car. we have it setup for a external cd rom, and when we want to add mp3's, just hook it up, pop in a disc.

 

To add stuff I just network the system with my laptop and transfer the stuff. I don't add music that often since I don't use Kazaa, I rip all of my own CD's and download stuff at mp3.com. As a result most of my music sucks but ohwell.

On a side note I no longer have a radio installed in my car. I do have a USB radio that I worked with for a while but I found I never used it so I got rid of it. To be honest I don't miss the static and commercials. I can drive from point A to point B listening to what I want to listen to, without the interuptions.

Eventually I might try to figure out how to get a slot loading DVD drive in there, but for now I'm perfectly happy with how it is.

 

thats really clean and you probobly could put a black bezel slot loader where the siglighter ashtray are or maybe move the heater controls into the glove box and put it there or mayby in your centre counsel and have a long ide cable either way its still bad*ss looking and the way it mounts it will be hard to steal

 

Adamis,
Great work man. You've come a long way since we first talked about your setup. Now if we can just source a "reasonable" touch screen. lol...

 

Actually, after ripping this thing apart so many times I could probably steal it in less then 5 minutes... Of course the cool thing with the screen is it blends in so well with the dash that unless you look carefully from out side the car it looks like I don't even have anything worth stealing.

One more cost I forgot to add was the GPS reciever which is somewhere around $100.00.

I'm getting my digital camera back from my folks, I'll post some pictures of what the GPS looks like. Winamp hasn't changed much.

 

Mad props for all the work you did ! Just a question about parts, did you buy local, or have to order off the net? In either case where did you go specifically (i.e. address or link)

BTW if I had this setup, there would be no need for me to leave my car .

 

why the battery?
Do you have a pic of the X10 mouse thingy?
Where'd you mount the HD?
Does it get enough airflow?
Is that enough Questions?

 

All of my parts with the exception of the LCD and the GPS I bought locally at Fry's electronics. For those of you who don't have a Fry's around think Costco only everything electronic. The LCD is Ebay and the GPS was from Randmcnally. I use a serial GPS because I bought it over a year ago. There are USB recievers but it seems like some programs take playing around with to get a USB reciever to work.

The harddrive is mounted inside the metal case above the motherboard. If you look in picture three on the cardomain site it is behind the massive bundle of red wires on the right side of the case.

The small battery allows the computer to keep running while I'm starting my car. Usually the starter draws down the voltage lower then what the DC-DC power supply likes so the battery with the diode to keep current flowing the right way kick in to keep the computer running while cranking.

The X10 Mouse remote can be found here.
http://www.x10.com/products/x10_mk19a.htm
It's a bit bigger then I would like but it has several "modes" so you can probably choose over 100 different key combinations. I ditched the software it came with and used Girder which is a sweet program once you figure out how to use it.

Airflow has not been a problem. I replaced those two tiny fans with a 4" case fan not because it was overheating but because those small fans were loud. The Epia motherboard doesn't produce much heat, some of the slower versions run without a fan, just passive cooling.

If I get the time I'll try to do a writeup to better explain what is involved and the things I have learned.

 

What's the boot time like on this sucker?

 

pretty much, if you know what your doing with computers its a simple job. the hardest part i had with my friends was craming everything into the small case. also props to the remote thing, we just rigged ours up with a wireless mouse and keyboard, kinda awkward in a car