Hoons PAC computer system, features include:
pentium III 1ghz CPU,
256mb ram,
128mb video card,
56k modem,
LAN port for ADSL,
wireless keyboard, mouse, and joystick,
FM transmitter with 4 presets,
CD rom,
DVD,
webcam,
15 inch LCD screen.
Car sound system includes:
Kenwood head unit,
2 Kenwood amps,
Kenwood speakers 750 watts in total,
12 inch Jaycar Subs 250 watts in total.
The computer allows the following
Able to connect to the car ECU so that you can see the engine management,
Play games,
Watch DVDs,
Play 40gb of music via the FM transmitter,
Mix the 40gb of music by using the DJ software,
Using the sound card software, set-up various sound effects through the car's sound system via the FM transmitter (eg, surround sound in a concert hall)
Read Emails and other internet stuff,
GPS navigation.
Some pics
This is the pentium III, shortly after the new CPU, vid card, etc fitted into a customised case.
The computer is possitioned inside the glove box waiting for the mounting brackets.
I had to use a normal CRT monitor and mains power, until I was able to get an LCD screen. The inverter is the last thing to sort out.
The screen was not able to be fitted into a stand that should have slid out of the glove box as planned. The problem was that the slide out stand was just going to be too large to fit in the glovebox. Instead I made a simple plate with hooks that gets bolted to the front of the dash, and the rear of the screen has the means to just latch onto the hooks, this only took 45 minutes to make.
The loading of the screen drivers presented more of a problem, and in the end had to be manually loaded, with some changed to various games from 32 bit back to 16 bit (LCDs do not like 32 bit), I was able to play a stable game of BF 1942.
Testing Battlefield 1942 just after the LCD screen driver problem was fixed.
The screen showing the HOONS PAC desktop.
One issue with the computer is to make the engine management software enable the PC, and the EFI computer communicate. The software works, but "com1" which is where the serial cable is connected between the 2 computers could be set-up wrong. Just have to work that out. The EFI computer works when using the old windows 3.11 lappy, so EFI computer, cable, and software is confirmed working.
The work with the inverter will be carried out at a later date due to some more urgent car work, but the system is fully opperational when I use it at a place with mains power.
awesome looking install.. a bit rough around the edges still but i really like the idea.. will you integrate a touchscreen in the dash to make it more driver friendly ? i can already see how you can move some of those switches and stuff to make space for a lilliput
Status: 99%
hardware: 7"lilli mx440 pci,M10k/160GB/slim-slot DVD-CDRW/Hifonics ZEUS ZX8000,CNX1260,DConnex GPS,Powermate,usb WiFi
software: XP Home/Media Car/RoadRunner/IGuidance 2.0
Car: 2002 Ford Focus SVT
It wasn't easy to fit this into the car as there is very limited space. The screen itself can be removed and packed away in a carry case along with the keyboard and games.Originally Posted by fasternfaster
Touchscreen is an option as the video card has an unused port which it could plug into, but would/could only be used for GPS and music sellection. The laws here are tight with Visual components or use thereoff (must be switched off) but GPS systems can be used (the law hasn't got to them as such).....oh and touch screens are kinda expensive.
When the systen isn't in use and the screen etc is packed away, it is hard to tell if there is anything there at all, which is good because the car is less of a target to getting done over (except for the sound system)
As for being rough around the edges, this is the first PC I have ever built, and you don't want to know about some of the tools I used to create this
EDIT: More pics soon as there is some finishing touches to be done.
Nice install got more pics of the car? I my self have a 87 RX7 GXL G2.
Peace
MAge
=Cars=-
2001 Kia Optima, V6 4matic fully loaded SE W00t! soon to have a Car pc.
There are a couple of feature reviews on this site, go to the australian part, then features.
I have done more work since then, so I will see about getting some more pics done.
/me cries
i was going to do this to my mazda rx7 (1984 1st gen)
the 3 stack clarion sounds sytem was shot and when removed, the resulting hole was the perfect size for a 7" touch screen, was going to use one of the behind seat storage bins to hold the computer components. had it all planed out, then the engien hit 75K miles and died on my way to work /me cries again
i loved driving that car.
Wtf?
Yeh, mazda engines suck
There is a downside to a rotary, and that is that it costs lots of $$$ if you don't know how to do it yourself.Yeh, mazda engines suck
One small (possible) problem with my install, is that while the car idles, it dose vibrate abit due to it being an extend ported turbo. The HDD is now encased in bubble wrap and a fan blows air over it keeping it cool as the bubble wrap dosn't let out the heat.
So far no HDD or CPU overheating problems, although still not game enough to use the system while its over 35C because the car has no aircon. Not sure what damage can be done to an LCD screen when its that hot, so I don't use it.
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