2007 FX35 Carputer

**RipplingHurst** · 01-17-2009, 12:53 AM

Some more updates:
My carputer is going to be Mini-itx, with an Intel DG45FC motherboard (which is going to fit in this case.
This MB is pretty much the top Mini-Itx for core2duos: ICH10R Northbridge with 10USBs, 1333 FSB, DirectX 10 support, X4500HD onboard video decodes 1080p blu-ray with HDCP, HDMI+DVI-I out, and most importantly, the best integrated sound for a Min-itx, 7.1 HD with optical out (IDT 92HD73E audio codec - No AC97 there). I'm going to use the Core2Duo E6550 65w I had at home(so I had to upgrade it, oh boy...), so it's going to be pretty fast. Totally over the top for the car, but what can I do? I had to have the size, the processor and the sound, the rest is just a bonus. It's going to be useful to decode the HD USB camera I've been using. ;D
Now where to fit this in an FX? I could use the back of the rear seats, but that would be too easy. What's the fun in that? I could also have ditched the spare tire, again, why?

I tried to fit inside the dash, but it's too tight over there. The best spot would be behind the nav screen, but it is not deep enough.

Under the passenger seat, there is already the Nav Computer:

There is a similar room on the driver seat, so I decided to fit it there. First things first, we have to route a 4gauge wire from the engine compartment for power:

Gromet behind the battery, after stripping some plastic covers, careful not to damaged the stock wires, I've heard it can cost you $500 to replace it:

Positive connected and fused:

View from the inside, (for reference the bottom left is the engine bay firewall):

Here is where it meets the wires from the LCD monitor: Power (regulated 12V from the PSU, VGA, USB for the touchscreen interface, Composite video in 1&2).

**RipplingHurst** · 01-17-2009, 01:15 AM

Now I'd have to remove the driver's seat:

First of all, quoted from the Service Manual:

CAUTION:
Before removing the front seat, turn ignition switch OFF, disconnect both battery cables and wait
at least 3 minutes.
When checking the power seat circuit for continuity using a circuit tester, do not confuse its connector
with the side air bag module connector. Such an error may cause the air bag to deploy.
Do not drop, tilt, or bump the side air bag module installing in the seat. Always handle it with care.

Now open the windows, and move both seats in a way that will work for you. For instance, you want the driver seat to be in a position that you can not only easily remove the seat belt bolt on its side, but also you want to be able to remove the bolts on the floor too. They can be hidden in certain positions, so take your time there.

The orange plug is the one for the Airbag sensor, disconnect the battery first when touching this guy:

View from the bottom of the seat. I actually though about hanging the carputer in there...

Console removal, to route all the wires under the seat:

Some are going this way (the short ground (silver), VGA, Monitor power, IGN wire), some through the console (Sound, USB, power cable), then under the carpet, they'll all meet at the same spot though.

**RipplingHurst** · 01-17-2009, 01:45 AM

This is the computer insides in my office, installing software, routing wires, checking the temperatures in a controlled environment, etc.

I found out that the temps are much better if I drill a 3" hole on top of the CPU cooler. Everything is good to go now.

And it's going to fit here:

Even though my two girls are using car seats, and they're going to be there for a long time, I'm going to need some protection against the passenger's feet anyway. You never know who's going to sit there, with what shoes... ;D. So I'm going to elevate the carputer as much as I can (so as the PSU), with this "device" LOL:

It's crazy to figure out all the angles in that spot. It's not a flat surface by any means. And no I didn't use Autocad for it, it was done with scrap material. Primed for weather resistance, you know, rainy days wreck havoc with wood:

It looks short, but the case vents and the PSU case will cover the top half over this contraption. It looks bad, specially on the pictures, but I'm going to paint it black, and there will be the carpet on top of that anyways.
Here is the computer, waiting, the PSU and the PSU case:

It's going to fit. In the meantime, I went for a quick ride just to check all the connections:

Any suggestions? Opinions? Hope you've all enjoyed so far. I know I am having loads of fun! ;D

Cheers!

**HiJackZX1** · 01-17-2009, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by RipplingHurst

This is the computer insides in my office, installing software, routing wires, checking the temperatures in a controlled environment, etc.

I found out that the temps are much better if I drill a 3" hole on top of the CPU cooler. Everything is good to go now.

And it's going to fit here:

Even though my two girls are using car seats, and they're going to be there for a long time, I'm going to need some protection against the passenger's feet anyway. You never know who's going to sit there, with what shoes... ;D. So I'm going to elevate the carputer as much as I can (so as the PSU), with this "device" LOL:

It's crazy to figure out all the angles in that spot. It's not a flat surface by any means. And no I didn't use Autocad for it, it was done with scrap material. Primed for weather resistance, you know, rainy days wreck havoc with wood:

It looks short, but the case vents and the PSU case will cover the top half over this contraption. It looks bad, specially on the pictures, but I'm going to paint it black, and there will be the carpet on top of that anyways.
Here is the computer, waiting, the PSU and the PSU case:

It's going to fit. In the meantime, I went for a quick ride just to check all the connections:

Any suggestions? Opinions? Hope you've all enjoyed so far. I know I am having loads of fun! ;D

Cheers!

I think that is a perfect place for the screen. Its actually so high the rear passengers can view it also.

**rdholtz** · 01-17-2009, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by RipplingHurst

Any suggestions? Opinions? Hope you've all enjoyed so far. I know I am having loads of fun! ;D Cheers!

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

I think that is a perfect place for the screen. Its actually so high the rear passengers can view it also.

I saw this when you were fabbing the screen install, but I must not have been paying attention enough. Now, when I see it in operation, I have to agree with HiJackZX1 -- it looks great.

I'm going out to my car to get a better look at what sort of space I have up there. Even without placing the screen up there, it provides lots of space for other controls, and gets me to wondering: could I fit an overhead console into the xB?

Good stuff, mate.

**HiJackZX1** · 01-17-2009, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by rdholtz

I saw this when you were fabbing the screen install, but I must not have been paying attention enough. Now, when I see it in operation, I have to agree with HiJackZX1 -- it looks great.

I'm going out to my car to get a better look at what sort of space I have up there. Even without placing the screen up there, it provides lots of space for other controls, and gets me to wondering: could I fit an overhead console into the xB?

Good stuff, mate.

That is a hot idea. I think you could easily build one for the xB. You could have a screen for the front and make the console like a T shape, so that the rear passenger get their own screens. (Im a nut for screens, so excuse me if I am going overboard).

**rdholtz** · 01-17-2009, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

That is a hot idea. I think you could easily build one for the xB. You could have a screen for the front and make the console like a T shape, so that the rear passenger get their own screens. (Im a nut for screens, so excuse me if I am going overboard).

Yep, I'm going to work on this. But instead of threadjacking, I'll do that over at my worklog. RipplingHurst, thanks for the ideas.

**RipplingHurst** · 01-17-2009, 02:47 PM

Thanks guys! I'm very happy with my results so far! The screen is rock solid there, and the angle is working great for me.

**aToxic** · 01-18-2009, 11:22 AM

RipplingHurst Great worklogs with M35/Fx35. Read them many times over and over again. Also started installation with my G35x. That screen place is realy the one and only great place fo Infiniti, but i installed screen a bit different

**turbocad6** · 01-18-2009, 01:24 PM

I never looked too hard, but I always thought the drivers seat would have less room than the passengers side cause of the up & down, great you got room there, nice install. have you checked clearance when the seat is all the way down too?

I love overhead, I've used that space on all my cars for years, even when it was way back when for just gages & indicators. def a great place to work with in addition to the dash or even instead of the dash on complicated installs. also nice because it is easy to use your peripheral vision to see the screen & peripheral vision to see the road ahead when glancing at the screen too, just a great & often overlooked location, almost any car can benifit from use of this otherwise wasted space