Let me get this right (long read)

**Maaso** · 05-19-2010, 03:45 AM

First of all, greetings. How are the lot of you?

I came across a fellow member's carputer post on another forum, and I thought it was the coolest thing I've ever seen. So here I am wanting one of my own.

Now, I spent the past five hours or so searching and looking at almost everything on this site. I'll be the first to admit I'm not that computer savvy so the lot of what people were saying(abbreviations and tech-lingo) didn't make a bit of sense to me. But I'll figure it out eventually.

Basically since this is my first post, I'd just like a few of my perceptions verified or corrected if you have the time to answer.

First, these touch screens; they are the screen(obviously) and the "mouse" of the PC?

Well, that is essentially my only question as of now. The rest here is my project idea...

I got this old PC in my room here. It is an older, small Dell unit that is maybe five-years old.
Intel Celeron D 325 (2.53GHz) Processor
512MB PC3200 DDR Memory
160GB 7200rpm ATA Hard Drive
16x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
Six USB 2.0 Ports
Windows XP Home

This computer was infected with a virus and basically slowed it down to a snail's pace and after twenty minutes or so the computer would completely lock up and would have to be restarted. Again, I'm not computer savvy but I'm hoping I could just have a new hard drive installed and start all over from scratch.

The truck I'm wanting to put it in is a '99 ZR2 S10. It's an extended cab, so my plan was to mount this PC inside of one of the rear folding-seat compartment thingys. I'd like a modest sized screen mounted in place of the factory radio. I haven't looked at screens as much as I have everything else. So I'm not sure what my options are, but I'm thinking a "widescreen" 7"x10" mounted long-wise. Opening up the original stereo housing and eliminating the keyed-airbag turner-onner-and-offer-thing. That was also allow the original cant of the dash to angle the screen so it's facing me. I'm a fat Irish immigrant, so I'd really like to keep those two vents there and functioning! And my AC controls there for the same reason.

I'm looking at running that Centrafuse front end, it seems to be the more common and get's the most support from what I'm seeing. I'm not looking for anything fancy either. Just want it to control my CD player,, FM radio, DVD player, navigation, and the OBDII diagnostics....that is a big thing for me since I have a 388CUI L31 V8, backed by a 4L80E. My factory gauges work. But don't give me all the information I want. And I don't want to mount a bunch of ugly gauges all over my dash and A-pillar. So being able to look down and get a quick glimpse of my tranny temp while I'm towing. And the vacuum, air/fuel ratio, etc.. while I'm playing. A few creature features like the weather, hands-free phone stuff, and rear camera would also be nice.

I'm also running a big 200amp AD244(H2 and Escalade) alternator compared to the factory ~80 AMP CS130D alternator. It runs my winch and lights without a problem, so I doubt the power needed for this PC will put any hurt on it.

Sorry that is so long, I'm just trying to be thorough.

-Maaso

**Freedom_First** · 05-19-2010, 07:39 AM

Yes, the touch screen acts as the "mouse". And, even the keyboard, when front ends like Centrafuse are used. For character input, you can switch the display to a keyboard, and type on the screen. You don't need a separate mouse or keyboard to control all the functions and features of your front end. For tweaking files in the background, tho (like .ini or .xml files which allow greater customization of the front end), you'll need a regular keyboard.

I don't know where you got the info that your alternator is 200A (it's not):

AD244 67A@idle, 130A max.

(Trust me, I know... I put two of them on a LB7 Duramax, a few years back. Dual alts are da bomb... doubles your at-idle output, which is far more beneficial than total max output!).

Regardless, your lights and winch will draw a lot more than a PC will. But, I'd be careful about running everything at once! (especially at idle).

That was the other thing I liked about my Duramax... a simple jumper wire mod on the ECM, and you could enable a "high idle" mode. As I understand it, it's a feature that came standard on later models...

On edit: Waitaminnit... Are you saying you have a 6.0l with a 4l80E in a S10 4x4? Pics, or it ain't real. There's no room in the trans tunnel for a 4l80e, and you'd have to put the transfer case way back almost under the bed to make it fit, because of the length. A 4l60E, maybe...

AND.... an L31 isn't 388ci... it's 350ci. So, unless it's seriously stroked and bored (which the stock casting never would have allowed), I'm throwing the BS flag... 10-yard penalty, still second down.

**soundman98** · 05-19-2010, 08:59 AM

a good starting point:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advfaq.php

the touch screen can act as a mouse, and you can also use the on screen keyboard. though i use a adesso wireless keyboard/mouse(the same one that mp3car sells in the store) for when i need to be more precise, and need to type..

**Maaso** · 05-19-2010, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Freedom_First

I don't know where you got the info that your alternator is 200A (it's not):

Quick Start(alternatorparts.com) sells upgrade and rebuild kits. I got a 200amp stator and one of their extreme duty rectifiers.

And I never said I have a 6.0....I have a stroked and bored L31 Vortec V8. And the 4L80E's overall length was the same the 4L60E's. But the pan is some ~4 inches longer than that of the '60E so the mounting point is further back. I cut the center section of my crossmember out and moved it back and rewelded it. I used all the wiring from the '80E and repinned my factory harness...the guy who reflashed my stock 4.3PCM to run the V8 also tuned it to control the '80E. There was also this little...."ear" bracket thingy on the driver's side of the case I cut off. That was only to clear my headers though. I'm also running a 2" body lift too, I pretty sure that it wouldn't fit with out that...seeing as I can barely fit my hand between the top of the case and the floor bored when I was routing the shifter cable. I'll get some pictures up when I go home this weekend. I live in the dorms up here and the truck is a out 90% finished sitting at home in my dad's garage. Between finals and working two jobs, I have a lot on my mind. So you'll have to remind me to take the pictures.

And yes Soundman, I read every section of that FAQ and another one I found, thanks again for the link though.