Carputer for RX8
 

Hi guys,

I own a 2004 RX8 6SPD GT, that did not come with the built in Navi.

I've decided I want to put in a carputer with a 7 inch touch screen coming from the flip out Nav compartment so I can get a clean factory look.

I put together a spec sheet of the items I think would need, I'm quite an accomplished engineer but I've never worked on a vehicle before, I was wondering if any of you more experienced joes out there can give me some advice, possibly tell me what I am missing, what I shouldn't be using, or even better, if there is a company out there (in the SE) that specializes in these kind of installations. Please post some pictures if you have them.

Here is my spec sheet:

Retractable LCD / Nav Holder for RX-8
SP7 VGA 7" - Touchscreen
Ampie Car Computer Case
Seagate 100GB UDMA/100 5400RPM 2.5'' 9.5mm NBB HDD
VIA EPIA M10000 Mini-ITX Mainboard
1GB DDR266 RAM
CarPC EZ v2.5d - The Simple ATX Power Controller
M1-ATX 90 Watt - Smart Automotive Power Supply
BU-353 Weather-proof GPS Receiver
StreetDeck (North America) Software with Development tools - DVD

Excluding cables and additional harnesses...totaL cost is ~$1408.02

I somewhat of a computer geek and am looking at doing something myself. I was wondering why you chose the components that you did. I'm not sure I would be satisfied with the VIA processor.

There are a dozen threads on this.
Search is your friend.

True enough, however consider that things in the computer world change rapidly so what was great last month isn't so great this month.

I am doing this as well so I can run some engine tuning/diagnostic software and play MP3's thru my stereo. I searched EBay for carputer and hit a bunch of results. Found a really hot one, compete with OS, harddrive, CD Drive, GPS navigation, a bunch of RAM, mounting accesories, 12-volt power supply, and was only $190. Found a 7" LCD Touch screen with mount for $30 (Current bid). EBay is sweet!

Sweet. What are the specs on the PC?
You will also need one of the adapters that are around to attach the sound output of the PC to the stereo head unit.
Check out www.mp3car.com for tips, tricks and hardware/software.

Thanks, MM.
It's a rebuilt HP E-PC with a 1GHZ Intel processor, 256MB SDRAM, 40-gig 7200rpm harddrive, Sony CD/CD-RW drive, Windows 2000 professional OS pre-configured for car computing (has shortcuts for on-screen keyboard, widgets for temp and big time displays, configured for use on a 7-8" LCD touch-screen monitor), 12v power supply adaptor, FM Modulator to play PC music thru the radio (!!), Garmin GPS reciever, HP WiFi adaptor, and a few other things I can't remember. But for only $189 + shipping, how do you beat that? I figure I only want it to run the Scanalizer software and play MP3's for now (until AccessPort comes out!), so a 1-gig processor is pretty much overkill.
It also has a cooling system and can be mounted under the passenger seat (where I'm gonna put it) so I can the wires in that rocker panel door sill under the passenger door, the up into the glovebox and to the ashtray where I can tap 12 volts from.
I also found a 7" LCD Touch Screen monitor with wireless remote, mount, 12v adaptor, VGA input, and USB touch screen cable and touch screen driver software. Right now I'm bidding on it and it's only $66 bucks! The Carputer is coming together nicely....