Newbie freebie(my setup: suggestions + questions)

**cadence117** · 04-17-2004, 01:26 PM

So I finally am getting around to the install of my Carputer on my 2002 Subaru impreza. Heres the list of my equipment.

Syntax - S635MP 1.3ghz, onboard audio/ video 4x-- $5
Opus 150w PS-- $200
Spec-tech256 pc2700 ram,-- $20
Western Digital 120gb HDD 7200-- $70
Lilliput touchscreen 619GL-70NP-- $265
Wireless USB LAN 11mbps-- Free After Rebate
GPS Mouse Receiver (G-Mouse)-- $60
am/tv PCI card-- $30
Wireless USB LAN 11mbps-- Free After Rebate
Wires and other various adapters-- $15
USB 2.0 Card-- $6.00
Total = $671

So that is everything, the monitor and PS are still either on backorder or being shipped.

Now to the questions:

1. Does anyone foresee any problems, or have any suggestions for my current setup?

2. As I understand it, I need to purchase amps to power the audio out of the computer and to my speakers (they are stock and I dont need anything spectacular). Does anyone have a suggestion for what amp to buy? What audio cables do i need to run it to the speakers? How do you power an amp that is in the trunk?

3. What do I need for cooling the system?
The CPU is in the trunk and i currently don't have anyfans(save for one on the motherboard. I've considered drilling through to the bottom of the car and installing vents. If I put filters in the vents am i okay as far as rain dust and condensation goes?

4. As far as powering the Lilliput screen from the opus goes, From what i have read you take a hard drive power wire and use the yellow and black wires from that. How do you extend those wires all the way to the front of the car?

5. I am taking out my head unit to install screen in-dash. Can I use the power that powers the Head unit to Power the Screen? And the audio wires from the headunit to Connect the Amp to the Speaker?

6. I'm considering buying a slim dvd/cdrw and putting it up front, next to the screen. How exactly do i run that to my computer(power and ide), I've heard bad things about extending the ide, Do you do IDE-->usb2? then how do you power it?

I understand this is alot to ask and that some of the answers might already be in the forums. But, i've read everything i can get my hands on about this stuff for the past month or so, and these are my missing links.
Any answers to any of these questions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you to all of you for contributing to this incredible resource

**kiltjim** · 04-18-2004, 07:29 PM

Fellow Scooby Owner! And fellow newbie. Here goes, with little experience:

1. Setup looks good, except the LAN adapter. You are gonna need to have this above any structures in the car, or you're never gonna get any signal.

2. This is gonna take some searching, and some listening. I still haven't settled on an amp, or speakers that I am gonna install permanently. Everybody is gonna give you a suggestion of the amp they have, and its never gonna be the same. Go to your local high end car audio installer, and listen to what they have. If you think you like it, find it online for cheaper!

3. Build a case. Install fans. Don't try to get the air from outside. This sounds like its just asking for trouble with condensation, dust (regardless of vents) bugs, small animals, BigFoot, UFOs, etc.

4. Butt connectors, lots of wire.

5. This is exactly how I have it setup. There are 2 wires running into the back of the radio, yellow, and red. I believe the red is aux wire (on when car is on) and the yellow is constantly on. I may these mixed up. Check 'em with a meter. Lilliput to yellow wire (const on?) and black from lilliput to black wire. Don't forget to wire the filter in the middle (mine came with one.)

6. There has been a post by someone extending IDE to something like 20'. As far as power, Butt connectors, lots of wire.

**samc** · 04-18-2004, 08:08 PM

what I want to know is how you can get a mobo+proc for $5, and the memory for $20.

Besides that consider a laptop hd, sure it costs 2x+ as much as the normal 3.5" drive but it'll last.

**cadence117** · 04-18-2004, 08:25 PM

Wow

thanks for takeing on all my questions!
heres some more... if you dont mind

If i just put the usb LAN antenna right under my rear glass, wil that be enough?

kiltjim, or any other Scooby owners can help me out with this. I have no idea what i'm doing as far as mounting the lcd behind the dash. I opened up the dash and it basically looks like 2 options back there: 1 mounting it to the metal bracketing behind the dash, or 2 attaching it to the bezel (the piece that comes out). Any suggestions for this? ... actual pictures wouldnt hurt.

Thanks again for any assistance.

what I want to know is how you can get a mobo+proc for $5, and the memory for $20.

Samc, it's called patience, rebates, the internet, and local ads. I've been compiling everything for the last 3 or so months. Daily checking www.dealone.com and weekly checking local ads for rebates and such. I got the mobo w/proc from tigers direct with like a $50 rebate off 55 (something like that). I just bought another 256 pc2700 memory stick from office max for $10 after rebate today. It's all worth the wait.. believe me!

**kiltjim** · 04-18-2004, 10:50 PM

I went the easy route and bought myself one of these.

It took a little work installing the Lilliput into housing, but once it was done, its a matter of getting it to fit into a radio DIN hole. Its not quite the right size, but a little banging, a few washers, some bolts and TADA! Its in place.

I don't know the differences between the 2002 and the 2000, but it shouldn't be that big of a deal.