So I have been looking at a lot of stuff on the forum and decided I am going to build and install a car-pc.

I would love to get input on motherboards, drives, screens, all that kinda stuff involved(gps software, carputer software too). I know there are a few popular ones out there, but I would like to hear what yall have to say.

I want to have a flip out LCD where the OEM nav would be. The motorized housing and whatnot it ridiculously expensive for what it is, so I would need to find a deal on that, and I will only build this with a flip screen (seen the one at mazdaparts.com, but 325, for nothing but a peice of plastic, I can find better, but that type of non motorized it fine)

I would want to ultimately have internet, gps, dvd, mp3, engine info (for digital gauges and whatnot), windows xp(most likely).

So if you have suggestions for parts, how to do it, anything really, please post!

 

b-u-m-p

 

have you looked at the Metra Kit? (as opposed to the flip out LCD)
look at Alz0rz thread

 

Yes, I've read his thread. Really like what he did, if I could do what rotary rasp did, with alz0rz flip out screen, that'd be ideal.

Just need a list of good parts and such.
But the screen absolutely has to be flip out. I am not willing to take out stock radio for the screen that goes there, nor do I want a screen that is easily visible when outside the car. I got broken into last week, luckily he was caught, but I would have lost $600+ in stuff, not including the broken windsheild. So I really need a flip out. Hopefully I can snag a parting-out lcd housing.

But that isn't that important right now. What is, is getting a list of parts. So, do you have any suggestions?

 

Check alz0rz thread.
He has exactly that you want.

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



You can flip the screen down.

 

I wanted to do this as I am extremely computer literate but I know little to nothing on wiring and how to hook it up to my 8 so I ditched the idea sadly.

 

It's like wiring a computer you know... at the beginning (basic install) all you need to do with the 8 is run a dedicated power cable from the battery for the computer and buy an adapter to interface with the factory HU (if you even go that way) for sound.

It's when you start to expand on the setup where things get tricky.. obd, tapping wires for signals like the e-brake, reverse, etc., switched bootup, etc.

For me it was one of those mods that I can say I made for my car. You can't go out and buy it like this or find anyone else with it.

As for parts all you really will need is the computer itself, an interface unit for the factory HU and all the wiring. Plan everything out before you tear apart your car.

I refer you to the link in my sig for my CarPC.

 

www.mp3car.com

Having a car computer was cool in my honda accord but I like my 8's factory nav more. The GPS never crashes, doesn't take forever to lock on, no touchscreen to loose calibration, no boot times...

I had a few problems with volume control which would have gotten ugly if I didn't have a switch to kill power to the amps. so if you plan to power your stereo directly from your PC, have a kill switch handy.

It's a lot of work to do right, but they're pretty sweet when they work right.

 

Perhaps I will look more into it, still, I am looking to build a carpc for under 500 dollars.

 

Putting together the pc parts is the easy part.


The dash piece alone is going to eat up alot $$$. If you go manual fold out it will be cheaper. If you want one with a motor you have to buy it from someone who is selling theirs which is super rare. There is a wiring diagram in the interior, audio, electroncs forum for the motorized fold out.

I want to do something similar as well, but after everything said in done it would cost me at least $1200 to get the OEM look and feel.

 

Ya, I will accept the flip out, but at mazdaparts.com they are still upwards of $300, and I've seen people on here selling their OEM housing for $400+, so I would just front the extra money for one if I can find one at a reasonable price. The screen is also going to be a bitch. But I would be wiring to the 8's stereo, I don't have any aftermarket for sound.

and alz0rz, what do you mean by HU? head unit? Also, tapping the wire for reverse, you gotta let me know how you did that! because I could see that definitely coming in handy for a backup camera.

Also, I would want engine gauges, I saw someone, maybe you alz0rz, had dash command? do you like it? also, what is that part that you need in able to do that, I've seen it in pictures but can't remember the name...