Carmen, my current 1985 GSL-SE, had originally received Pamela's Sony CD/ MP3 player. A gorgeous unit that, when set in orange illumination mode, looked high-tech and yet factory at the same time.

But after 6 years and a lot of use, it's speaker output began to fail. At the same time, my interest in carputers was growing. And so I contacted Chris Wood at Mobile Computer Solutions in Pennsylvania, and had him create a system within my specs.

***

Package arrives from Mobile Computing Solutions in Pennsylvania. Chris kept in constant communication with me - letting me know when the software was installed, the system was tested, packed, shipped, etc.




Monitor, CPU, cabling, remote, remote receiver, GPS antenna, and external DVD drive




same kit, unpacked. Not shown: user manuals




MCS makes their own cases and brands their peripherals




The 7" touch-screen Lilliput monitor came with a bevelled surround, as it's meant to be installed in headrests.

 

Monitor, surround, and SE dash waterfall. The monitor is almost precisely 2.5 DIN high and 7" wide, filling the stereo opening nicely



but the surround is a bit oversized Here's the thing; the monitor snaps right into the surround, making it the perfect mounting bracket.



Alas, the flanges top and bottom prevent it from fitting as it should.



You can see, however, that the monitor looks practically stock in that position



... and fits brilliantly. Too bad about the 7" wide by 6" deep stereo spot behind the monitor that'll now just be dead space!

 

Looks like it will be a very slick setup once done. The monitor does fit very well in that location.

 

That's absolutely awesome.

What are the specs and how much did it run you (if you don't mind)?

What does it use for an OS? It would be cool if you could hook it to a standalone and have both your stereo/mp3s/standalone all through one carputer.

Even better if it could have wireless so that when I'm at home I can connect to my home network and transfer music over But I'm just a geek with a pipe dream, I doubt that carputer's got *all* of that functionality, especially in such a tiny case.

Jon

 

not sure what you mean by standalone. I used to do that a lot at high school dances...

It's a Windows XP based PC, all software came preloaded and ready to go, they said - all I have to do is customize the skin.

 

Jetway Mini ITX Motherboard w/ 2.0Ghz C7 CPU
1GB DDR2 Kingston RAM
120GB 2.5" Seagate SATA HD
External USB DVD R/RW drive
Built in Bluetooth & Wireless LAN
CF/PCMCIA Daughterboard
M2 ATX 160W Smart Automatic Power Supply
GPS Receiver
$739

Centrafuse XLE Deluxe with GPS including Canada $249
XP Pro $149
XP Lite to reduce boot up time $60

Lilliput HR703 $235

Total would be $1,422.

 

Stand-alone fuel management computer... which of course my car currently wouldn't be using since I'm carb'd, but some of the 2nd Gen or TII swap guys might be interested in hooking their aftermarket fuel injection/timing computer to this carputer so that they can get readouts. Then all they'd need is an input device (like a wireless keyboard and/or mouse) to be able to tweak their air/fuel mix on the fly.

Jon

 

well... the reason MCS gave me this system is I'm building an electric car out of an RX-7 chassis. This first system is going into Carmen for testing, the 2nd will go into the EV - which of course needs no fuel management system. The carputer will, however, talk to the controller through the CANbus. As for Carmen, I'm happy with stock engine, stock FI computer.

 

rough cut installation of surround:

 

Looks sweet!! Keep us updated!!! I've always wanted to do this! Steve

 

ooh... they just came out with an internal tuner, so you can have regular AM/FM radio in addition to gigs of music...

 

Cool stuff, I like the idea of having a carputer like that. A really nice setup and it fits almost perfectly there. It's good to see you guys trying new stuff and keeping everyone informed with the results.

Keep up the good work!

 

Manntis, you scare me. I want one. Do you think you could get **** to play on that thing?

Ray

 

if you wanted to, though I can only imagine the tickets...

the DVD/CD player is tiny. Barely more than 2 CD cases stacked!

 

Can it be camouflaged to prevent theft?

Where are you mounting the optical drive?

 

So nice. Where are you mounting the cd/dvd player? What program are you using to run the music? And one more question, does the cpu have rca outs for external amps?

 

Pele - I'm looking @ options for the screen, but it uses the entire 2.5 DIN hole so it might be tricky. The CPU itself will be under sheetmetal.

I'm mounting the optical drive in the top of the glovebox.

The CPU has standard jacks for audio out, mic in, etc. but MCS includes a jack to RCA splitter, less than 6" long to go to an amp mounted near the CPU. I've heard and read many a debate that claims sound quality is degraded by said splitters but the reality is long cables are usually the problem.

 

Hey D'arcy,

Since when do you call Montreal home? (noticed the location change)

Jon

 

Been doing a lot with GalaFilm and Campo Productions on Montreal since that film on The Great War last August. I'm still back and forth between there and 'toon town.

 

Holding the glue...



the finished body-colour / clearcoat dash piece with integrated monitor surround



Monitor fits in through the front...



the completed monitor install.

 

omg. that fits so well. i praise you my friend.

 

Sweet, nothin more to add

 

Optical drive installed - note the CD cases below to get an idea of how small it is.

 

I Have always praised seeing carputers!!! It adds a very unique touch while keeping a nice clean stock look. Hopefully down the Road I can get one set-up in my 7!!! Probaly a while down the road....I Have A LOT of work ahead of me!.

Jason

 

Gander, eh? Nice friendly town