2000 Impreza RS-T car computer install

**Impreza25RST** · 08-17-2005, 09:27 PM

Hi all, just sharing my install / project...

I used an Epia M10000 mobo with 512Mb Ram, 80GB H/D, and Lilliput 7" LCD touchscreen all secured to the chassis sold at www.tmz.com. It looks very factory and its all hidden in the dash.

Here you can see the LED for PC POWER ON that i added to the dash bezel, along with a H/D use LED and the IR Eye for the Lilliput remote... all are wired through a CAT5 male/female coupling using CAT5 cable for quick dissconnect to remove the bezel for whatever reason...

Screenshot showing the XM in action using the Alpine Skin for RoadRunner.

This is the car in question...

(edited because i added the trunk sticker today)

Also installed are a DeLorme GPS antenna, Soundblaster USB Live 24bit (in glovebox), and XM Direct Commander (and a 7-port USB hub) in center console.

You can see here I chose to mount the USB antenna on the dash... its out of the driver's view though so its all good.

**Impreza25RST** · 08-17-2005, 09:33 PM

Here is a shot of the stuff being "bench tested" on my desk at work...

The 6 channels go out of the Soundblaster Live to the trunk via RCA cables and into a Jensen KA-5 5-channel Amp for now (center channel is so far unused... coming soon). The sub-woofer section of the amp is pushing 2 10" Pioneer subs. I plan to re-wire them soon to drop them to 2ohms and get more bump. All in all this is a real clean (I think) install with real clean sound. I am hooked.

Now if I could just keep the thing from locking up once in a while (stupid WINXP) and make it instant boot I would be in heaven...

**John_Duh** · 08-18-2005, 03:21 PM

<ignore this>
why o why do people buy a subaru with an automatic gearbox ??? efficiency is just not high enough

<don't ignore this>
nice install
What's mounted on the bracket next to the HVAC controls ?

**Impreza25RST** · 08-18-2005, 04:17 PM

Okay... first off... in defence of my AT Subie...

1) The stock automatic tranny (4EAT) handles more power before breaking than the stock 5spd.
2) It was my ex-wifes daily driver when we bought it and she didnt know how or want to learn to drive a stick.
3) I sit in 45 minutes (each way) bumper to bumper traffic...

That bracket next to the HVAC controls is a Pro-Fit cell phone holder, with the extension bracket and a second phone holder. Yes I have 2 cell phones, a personal one, and a work-supplied Nextel.

**samc** · 08-19-2005, 12:43 AM

I'm loving that 2din build, that's brilliant. Excellent job putting it together.
And have the mods delete any moronic posts on the auto tranny remark.

**John_Duh** · 08-19-2005, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by samc

And have the mods delete any moronic posts on the auto tranny remark.

I clearly put <ignore this> before the remark because i didn't want to change this thread into a gearbox-thread, but if you're going to call me a moron over it i can't help but reply.
The efficiency of an automatic gearbox can not be as good as a manual.
Think about it, the working principle of an auto is as follows :
take a pot full of oil, take a big spoon and stirr the oil. If you stirr hard enough
the pot will eventually start to turn.
Typically a good auto tranny will give you roughly 90% efficiency
A manual is just a fixed gear-connection between your engine and your wheels. No oil needed
to transfer power, so the only losses you have are the ones on metal to metal friction. Which
are made even smaller by the lubrication in the gearbox.
A normal manual tranny will give you 95+% efficiency.
Furthermore, it's a 4speed, so you'll have to operate your engine further from peak power
to compensate for longer gearing, thus making the car slower.

**Impreza25RST** · 08-19-2005, 06:19 AM

It has 4.44 diff gears instead of the 4.11s that the 5MT cars have so it makes up for it a bit. The 4EAT gets the same gas mileage (okay... maybe 1-2mpg less?) than the 5MT models. Since these cars are AWD, they tend to lose about 20-22% of their power from drivetrain losses anyway. But once you slap on an aftermarket turbo, are you really concerned about "fuel economy" ? (Well... now that Premium is $2.90/gal I guess I am)

**warnockm** · 08-19-2005, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Impreza25RST

Here is a shot of the stuff being "bench tested" on my desk at work...

The 6 channels go out of the Soundblaster Live to the trunk via RCA cables and into a Jensen KA-5 5-channel Amp for now (center channel is so far unused... coming soon). The sub-woofer section of the amp is pushing 2 10" Pioneer subs. I plan to re-wire them soon to drop them to 2ohms and get more bump. All in all this is a real clean (I think) install with real clean sound. I am hooked.

Now if I could just keep the thing from locking up once in a while (stupid WINXP) and make it instant boot I would be in heaven...

Maybe i missed it, but where is your DVD drive in your car?

**John_Duh** · 08-19-2005, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Impreza25RST

It has 4.44 diff gears instead of the 4.11s that the 5MT cars have so it makes up for it a bit. The 4EAT gets the same gas mileage (okay... maybe 1-2mpg less?) than the 5MT models. Since these cars are AWD, they tend to lose about 20-22% of their power from drivetrain losses anyway. But once you slap on an aftermarket turbo, are you really concerned about "fuel economy" ? (Well... now that Premium is $2.90/gal I guess I am)

mhh ... didn't know that about the diff ratio (didn't research the suby in that much detail)
fuel what ? economy ? What's that ?
Even i don't care about that and i live in EU, with fuel being (converted) 4.97$/gal

**Impreza25RST** · 08-19-2005, 01:45 PM

Actually... I dont have a DVD Drive yet... that is on my "to do" list...

I ran outta money. What I did, however, was cut 2 USB2.0 and 2 Firewire ports into the side of the center dash console... so for now I just add files via USB Thumbdrives. DVD-ROM drive and a USB 802.11 b (or g) wireless adapter are next on my list. I want to be able to hit the network at home (or hotspots anywhere)...