WRX wagon carputer ideas

**sxott** · 03-02-2005, 08:43 PM

Well I want to put a carputer in a 2003 WRX wagon.
As of now I have the stock head unit in it (it is 2xdin) and there is a 6disk changer but I do not know how deep it goes into dash.

I have:
KDC-322 (Kenwood headunit)
Optimus 150 watt stereo amp (hey its crap but I got it free) It has front/rear LOW inputs (RCA) and high inputs (some weird 4pin connector)
2.5" HDD 60GB, in a USB enclosure.

To buy:
Lilliput touch
Epia-N (when released)
Car Power supply

Thoughts...
I could make a carputer with epia N and stash it in dash slot with lilliput covering run a usb cabel out to use the USB hard drive to boot from

OR

Make the harddrive and all internal.

Then I could either use the amp, or install the Kenwood in a Gauge Pack Housing on the dash and get an adapter cabel to hook soundinputs into the cd changer control.

I don't really know what to do. I am tempted to install the kenwood b/c then I will have a decent volume control, I really don't want it to be really annoying to control the volume...

Originally I wanted the whole assembly to be removeable, but now I think just making the harddrive removeable would be good enough for me.

Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.
As to my experience not much, I have put in regular head units, I have built computers (8) for desktops and a SFF system. I have used multimeters for simple things. But computers in cars are new and I don't want to muff it up.

**kiltjim** · 03-02-2005, 08:50 PM

It sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done. Congrats.

I have a Scooby wagon (older, and no turbo...

), and believe it or not, the same Optimus amp (260 watt, but no big difference) You might be hard pressed getting everything in the dash. Someone else with a Subaru was trying to do the same thing. He wanted to make the whole thing removable, including power supply, amp, and hard drive. Just a bolt or two, and the whole thing would slide out, like a stock radio.

If you have the space, go for it. I would make the hard drive removable, just personal preference. That way you could just slide the thing out, and sync it with your desktop. Otherwise, a simple wireless card could do the same thing, I could just never get it working fluently.

I will be soon moving my HU to a gauge pack, and I think that is probably te best way to do it. That way, you don't really lose any dash space.

Keep us updated!

**wizardPC** · 03-02-2005, 08:57 PM

[shameless plug]
How bout a plexi carputer with a 200gb drive that was made to fit under a scooby's passenger seat?
[/shameless plug]

**sxott** · 03-02-2005, 09:26 PM

Thx.
Wizard I looked at the carputer at least :P but it is not what I am looking for.

Kiltjim that 3 seconds bit looks promising. What are you using (software wise)? I have been wondering about precisely that part.

I have been using solidworks at school to try and design a bit of the system.

**kiltjim** · 03-02-2005, 09:58 PM

Its just a laptop running XP with minimal features. And its Standby, NOT hibernation or cold boot.

Check around the forums for other Subarus. phc is a member here, and he has pretty good documentation on his setup on his website:

http://www.tmz.com/wrx/

(I hope he doesn't mind me saying so...)

**sxott** · 03-09-2005, 04:25 PM

I have a question about booting. I have searched here but I am not getting the info I need.

If I boot from a USB hard drive, then can I put system in standby and take the harddrive with me? In otherwords is there a way to unplug the harddrive that the computer OS is on without shutting it off?

I ask b/c right now I actually use the hard drive every day for data as a GIS project I am working on has gigantic datasets >5GBs...

What I would love is get to school, turn off car computer-->standby, remove hard drive go work come back plug hardrive back in-->computers imediately comes back on, and off I drive

Possible?

**hd54321** · 03-09-2005, 04:55 PM

Umm fyi - ur a newb so I will spare u the rants. But you really need to search. There are at least 4 different WRX carputers in the 'show off your project' forum.

Start there and then begin asking ur questions. As a tip, I saw many subbie owners building a fiberglass sub box in the spare wheel recess. This way, you keep the spare tire and can have a nice 10 or 12" sub hidden under the carpet of the trunk. Search on NASIOC for how-to's and pictures of these projects. Of course, you don't have to place a sub in that space - you could put whatever you want.

-HD

**sxott** · 03-09-2005, 10:34 PM

Read what I wrote bro... I realize that, and I have looked at them, and I have

'ed and

'ed .

I asked a simple question...

If the OS is on a removeable USB harddrive, can I put the computer in standby and remove the drive. Then later plug it back in and make it wake up. That is the only thing I could not find. I need to know so I can design my system in an appropriate manner.

If you think I should go ask my question in the software forum or somewhere else that would be a welcome suggestion.

**C4M** · 03-10-2005, 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by sxott

Read what I wrote bro... I realize that, and I have looked at them, and I have

'ed and

'ed ..

I read. Nowhere mentions or indicates that you've done any research at all. Hell - there is a guy here that is doing exactly as you are planning, and has taken a bunch of photo's right through the process. In fact, it would be one of the best documented projects ever run here, and it's going into a 03 WRX.

Originally Posted by sxott

I asked a simple question...

In a subsequent post. This is a pretty tight community with some long term members. Being a smartass with a postcount of 6 isn't going to win you any friends

Originally Posted by sxott

If the OS is on a removeable USB harddrive, can I put the computer in standby and remove the drive. Then later plug it back in and make it wake up. That is the only thing I could not find. I need to know so I can design my system in an appropriate manner.

<More helpful mode = ON>

Although I understand the question (and don't know the answer), I'm curious as to why you wouldn't make things a little easier for yourself and install a drive (even a small 2.5") for apps in the car? The VIA boards are not the cleverest things in the world (I have one in my 03 WRX).

C!

**sxott** · 03-10-2005, 08:53 AM

First to answer your question.

why you wouldn't make things a little easier for yourself and install a drive

The answer is I did not want to buy yet another drive. Yes perhaps the money would be worth avoiding hassles. But to me it would be a handy feature to be able to remove the drive to synch it up with files elsewhere easily.

2nd: When I said I asked a simple question I wasn't trying to be a smartass, I was trying to point out that when someone asks a question telling them they are stupid for doing so isn't helpful. Assuming they haven't searched for the answer when they say

Originally Posted by Sxott

I have searched here but I am not getting the info I needed.

Is quite simply rude, as it shows that you did not bother to read what they wrote before telling them they are an idiot for asking the quesiton.

The project that was mentioned here I have looked at and have saved the plans (that are on his site) for reference, but they are not what I want to do exactly. You coul see the solid works drawing I have. I will get this all worked out eventually, but I need to know the hardware capabilities first otherwise I cannot make a good design in advance.

I did lots of research, how do you think I came up with the idea of using the gauge housing for the head unit? Someone on these forums already did that.
Replies like

Sigh. Okay, here we go. Go to the top of the page you are reading right now. You'll see a set of links that reads "MP3Car.com forums > Newbie". Click on Newbie. Look at the very first post that says "Sticky: How to get audio from your computer to your speakers".

Prepare to get flamed. I will refrain this time because you are a lost cause.

Really are not that helpful. I will admit the first has validity, especially since the question asked was directly related and answered in that FAQ. However it is such a pat response people say it even when it is not applicable.

This is the newbie section b/c people are newbs supposedly. If I had asked the exact same question in the non-newb section I wouldn't have got rude remarks. I did not feel the need to say I had done extensive searching because I believed that was obvious due to the fact that I had outlined the way to actually make the system.

The first reply from someone who actually read what I wrote.

It sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done. Congrats.

The only value in having many posts is if you help others with those posts. I realize the actual question I asked may not be known at the moment, and I may simply have to try it when I get my hardware, but I have to think someone in the universe has already done so.

Anyway if any knows if that will work I would appreciate knowing, if not I shall tell you when I find out. (And I have asked on a few computer forums as well, but no one seems to know there either yet). I am sure someone else will find this information useful.