Some Ideas, need advice

**addedstyle** · 08-17-2005, 02:42 AM

Hi everyone, I have been throwing around the CarPc idea for a while now and have finally decided to jump into it and do it. I do however have a couple questions.

I am purchasing a 1998 Chevy Cavalier, i know from owning a previous 1998 Cavalier that when you remove the passenger side airbag it gives you about a 10"w x 10"l x 5-6"h opening under the front dash, does this sound like a wise place to mount the computer because i am wanting to mold in a 7" screen and mold in a pioneer slim line dvd-rw/cd-rw underneath the monitor.

If i mount the dvd drive under the screen will i have to run a ide cable or some sort of ribbon cable to it, and if so, it would have to be lengthened of course, if i run a longer cable will i still be able to watch dvd movies on the computer?

Also is there anywhere i can check, and after i do this i will search anyway, just thought of it, for a detailed list of what is required for building a car pc, i know most people use the Mini-Itx motherboard, but what else do i need, the startup/shutdown, power supply, what else do i need for a setup to play music, i will add gps and the rest of that stuff later, i just want to get a music playing pc in the car so i feel i have accomplished something and then move on from there.

Thanks in advance for the help

Rob

**shotgunefx** · 08-17-2005, 03:06 AM

Originally Posted by addedstyle

Hi everyone, I have been throwing around the CarPc idea for a while now and have finally decided to jump into it and do it. I do however have a couple questions.

I am purchasing a 1998 Chevy Cavalier, i know from owning a previous 1998 Cavalier that when you remove the passenger side airbag it gives you about a 10"w x 10"l x 5-6"h opening under the front dash, does this sound like a wise place to mount the computer because i am wanting to mold in a 7" screen and mold in a pioneer slim line dvd-rw/cd-rw underneath the monitor.

If i mount the dvd drive under the screen will i have to run a ide cable or some sort of ribbon cable to it, and if so, it would have to be lengthened of course, if i run a longer cable will i still be able to watch dvd movies on the computer?

Also is there anywhere i can check, and after i do this i will search anyway, just thought of it, for a detailed list of what is required for building a car pc, i know most people use the Mini-Itx motherboard, but what else do i need, the startup/shutdown, power supply, what else do i need for a setup to play music, i will add gps and the rest of that stuff later, i just want to get a music playing pc in the car so i feel i have accomplished something and then move on from there.

Thanks in advance for the help

Rob

Removing/permanently disabling airbags (in the US anyway) is illegal. If you had an accident or if it's seen during inspection, you could get busted. The feds fined "Pimp my ride" $10,000 for it.

Legality aside, I think it's a bad idea. I know if I was in an accident and someone got hurt cause of something like that, well, I wouldn't want it on my conscience. I also think that mods like this will lead to increasing scrutiny from the authorities.

It just takes one person to die and it will be a trigger issue, IMHO.

As far as the IDE, not sure how long you can go. I know I've gone two feet which in a car is pretty far.

**shizzle** · 08-17-2005, 04:05 AM

Originally Posted by shotgunefx

Removing/permanently disabling airbags (in the US anyway) is illegal. If you had an accident or if it's seen during inspection, you could get busted. The feds fined "Pimp my ride" $10,000 for it.

Legality aside, I think it's a bad idea. I know if I was in an accident and someone got hurt cause of something like that, well, I wouldn't want it on my conscience. I also think that mods like this will lead to increasing scrutiny from the authorities.

It just takes one person to die and it will be a trigger issue, IMHO.

As far as the IDE, not sure how long you can go. I know I've gone two feet which in a car is pretty far.

As to the removing airbag thing.... if that is true, I dont see how it could apply to the passenger side, as there doesnt necessarily even have to be a person there. All new cars have the option to disable the passenger airbag anyway (in case a baby is in the front seat). It is your car, and that is not a required safety feature (am I wrong here?) so how could it be illegal to remove it.

As for the drive below monitor, most people go with usb drives, becuase the cables can be and generally are longer.

For all your other questions, including a parts list, check the FAQ emporium.
Welcome and good luck!

**shotgunefx** · 08-17-2005, 05:08 AM

Originally Posted by shizzle

As to the removing airbag thing.... if that is true, I dont see how it could apply to the passenger side, as there doesnt necessarily even have to be a person there. All new cars have the option to disable the passenger airbag anyway (in case a baby is in the front seat). It is your car, and that is not a required safety feature (am I wrong here?) so how could it be illegal to remove it.

As for the drive below monitor, most people go with usb drives, becuase the cables can be and generally are longer.

For all your other questions, including a parts list, check the FAQ emporium.
Welcome and good luck!

The keyword is permanently

From nhtsa.dot.gov

12. Under what circumstances will NHTSA allow air bag deactivation?

If the vehicle manufacturer does not make an on-off switch available for a particular vehicle, NHTSA will authorize deactivation for the following reasons:

* A rear-facing infant restraint must be placed in the front seat of a vehicle because there is no back seat or the back seat is too small for the child restraint (passenger air bag only).

* A child 12-years-old or younger must ride in the front seat because the child has a condition that requires frequent medical monitoring in the front seat (passenger air bag only).

* An individual who drives (or rides in the front seat of) the vehicle has a medical condition that, on balance, makes it safer to have the air bag(s) turned off (driver and/or passenger air bag, as appropriate). Each request based on a medical condition must be accompanied by a written statement from a physician unless the request is based on a medical condition for which the National Conference on Medical Indications for Air Bag Deactivation recommends deactivation.

* Drivers who must sit within a few inches of the air bag (typically because they are extremely short-statured, i.e., four feet, six inches or less(3)) (driver air bag only).

17. What does the final rule allow?

Beginning January 19, 1998, the final rule allows repair shops and dealers to install "on-off" switches that allow air bags in passenger cars and light trucks to be turned on and off in appropriate circumstances. Dealers and repair shops cannot perform this work without an authorization letter from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Vehicle owners can get this authorization letter by filling out a request form developed by NHTSA and sending it to the agency.