As promised, posting the latest and greatest shots of alzors CarPC transplanted into a new RX8. I went with a slightly different method than the trunk. The box was almost a perfect fit for the rear vertical console (leading to the trunk). We had to do some cutting on it for wire access and used some foam to stabilize the PC in place inside the console. Here's a link to the entire album on picasa and some direct pics as well:

Car PC Install











GPS Unit


All the PC wiring comes out right behind the rear drivers side seat, but we left that seat unbolted for easy removal (seeing as it hooks in place anyways). The only evidence of the PC unit is the blue fans seen from the trunk of the car. Since the trunk is typically cooler anyways, this allows for the fans to operate within the trunk. We also cut a vent hole in the bottom side of the console piece for further airflow and cooling to the CarPC.

This was a fun project. My brother and cousin were a tremendous help as they work on cars much more than I do and attacked this project full force this weekend. This wasn't just a CarPC install. It was a full interior swap too. You can check that out here: My Interior Swap

 

Nice job man. Anyone who pulls off a CarPC deserves props!

But holy hell man. I think I could have gotten a cleaner cut on the rear pass-through if I had used my teeth!

Got any specs on the PC? Any specs on the navi hood/LCD? What kinda programs have you been doing with it?

 

makes me both happy and sad seeing it in someone elses hand..

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/my-carpc-153088/

 

yeah

all the info is in alz thread. As Alz stated previously, you're never really 'Done' with a CarPC b/c there's always more you can do.

Here's what I want to add:

1) Full bluetooth phone support (need to buy a solid mic and find a good mounting spot for it).

2) Want to install an HD radio to the PC since it seems you can't integrate the stock radio tuner with the CarPC. If I can figure out a way to do that, then I absolutely will.

3) Want to install a rear camera in the center of my rear center brake light.

4) Want to install a custom DvD player somewhere in the car (thinking glove box)

This project is taking my PC Geekdome to a whole new level :D

 

Yeah...that is a pretty dirty cut, but it's hidden, so wasn't a priority. I would like to clean it up significantly at some point though.

 

the microphone position was one of the reasons I never did the full Bluetooth setup.

there are 1 or 2 radio units you can buy from mp3car.com that will interface with the Centrafuse frontend.

rear camera shouldn't be too hard - see dean's thread, application is obviously a bit different though.

dvd player is also cake, external usb drive will suffice there.. though you will probably need to get a powered usb hub for it or power the drive itself.

oh and that USB overload error you are getting is something related to the OBD2 interface.. it doesn't really affect anything. I suppose you could just disable all Windows balloon to get rid of it. I guess by now you have figured out you need to close/reopen the DashCommand tab in Centrafuse whenever you turn on/off the car or some gauges won't report anything