Here is a shot of the carPC components (minus the HD and PSU controller). Lighter is next to the mobo to show scale. Thanks to braineack for donating his amp from the 1980's to provide a housing for the PC. Yes, I will be painting it. As of right now I'm looking at an 8x8 footprint. In the background you can see my newest whoring, Momo steering wheel 70 bucks.

 

who's feet?

 

The CarPC is now built and into the OS stripping phase. Total dimensions of the overall package are 8x10x3. I will be removing all components that may impact boot time and building up a front end software either based on an existing platform or my own. Pics of the completed hardware are below. Wires are power, ignition (triggers boot) and ground. Have it spliced via quick connects into a laptop power supply for indoor build/testing. Ultimately, I ended up buying a case that I found on sale for 55 bucks. It came with hardware and rubber "shock reducers" that I was ultimately going to have to source anyway. Saved me alot of time and effort.

 

For some reason I missed this entire thread. Everything looks great, love the Kosei's. Go bigger turbo. That PC thing seems sweet too. So it's kinda a built-in PC that automatically turns on with the car and links to your megasquirt software?

If so, that's so ******* cool. I want one.

 

actually brad...is there room in the case for the MS?

 

ummmm why would you need an MS at all if you have a car PC? the MS is pretty wimpy compared to a pentium.

 

Answers to all questions:

The MS will plug directly into the USB of the carPC. The carPC will be equipped with Megatune and Megalogviewer for touchscreen analysis and gauge functionality. The carPC is equipped with the following other amenities:
60 gbs of storage for MP3s, Music Videos, Games.
Wifi Internet and Printing services, why? because I can bitch.
Biometric matching for security control Again because I can.
GPS and bluetooth will follow I am sure.. thats more software work then anything

The power supply is rigged to be "intelligent" in that it maintains a constant link to a 12v and is toggled by ignition, therefore no power button. I have it set to shut itself down after it detects my ignition is off for 5 seconds. It has a hard kill (in case the computer freezes during shutdown) of 2 hours. If the PSU determines that the battery drops below the deep discharge of 11v it will stop all power to the PSU. The PSU can support cranks also!

The boot sequence itself currently looks like this: Boot on ignition, windows loads, biometric match (only allowed people may use the system) because I dont want people messing w/ my PC, and a boot right into the car front end.

In answer to scotts question, I could fit the megasquirt board in the case also. In answer to anyone else... now that I have the hookups on parts, I could reproduce these on the cheap, sub 300 dollars for a PC, and these do work in houses. I had used one previously for a home theater setup.

 

i want one so bad...im just to lazy to do the work and to cheap to pay someone...i guess no carPC for me

 

**** the miata, I want this **** in my subaru. I need to surf scat vids while I drive home from work.

 

Today was a productive day.. I managed to finish up the housing for the carPC (see below) its not quite perfect, but thats all the time i'm willing to put into it. Should look nice with the center console delete. Also managed to get the one of the two momo seats installed. The damn things (Momo Start) are so narrow that they only 1/2 rails fit with bolting, need to tack weld the other side. Oh well. Next set of pics will have the installed PC w/ center console delete and momo seats!

 

broseph, i think i might actually be around this weekend if you want some weldage.

 

do it!

 

Momo seats are in.. need 3 tack welds still, but close enough. So I measured out and cut the carpet for the center console delete. Drove it to work today! Tomorrow it hits the shop for the 3" exhaust.

 

those seats look much improved from before. they match your speakers

 

very nice, very nice. That car pc junx looks hott but if i can just scrape by waiting for scott to come tune my car i dont need another headache... Props brad, props.

 

A whole month went by! Two! Where's the in-the-dash pics?

 

**** I was hoping no one would remember. My girlfriend broke the damn console I worked so hard to make while we were moving. I am in the process of repairing :(

 

which one? you should tell her about the others as punishment for her crime.

 

I've heard "political re-education", but never so brutal a term as "repairing". Wow, I'd hate to see pictures of that, it sounds horrible.

 

Newbsauce, sorry to intrude but could you tell me what body kit does your car have? BTW, really nice job all around. Your car looks hot!