To Do:
-Thunderform installation (extend power wires, permanently attach sub to trunk)
-New Head unit - Need multiple AUX inputs, Sirius ready.
-VGA LCD Touchscreen, in dash, probably Xenarc.
-Mac Mini Install (Carnetix 1900 for the power, need to find a place to mount it)
Brief history of my futile efforts to get a computer in my car: A lot of these mistakes will be obvious to anybody with experience, but I was a complete noob to car audio/video/computing. Despite these setbacks, I've learned a lot about my car and how it works. The biggest challenge has been the limited amount of space in the Mustang and the non-flat trunk floor (it's difficult to mount anything in the trunk due to the spare tire).
October '02 - Upgraded factory head unit with Kenwood KDC-MPV619 with Sirius Satellite Radio (early adopter). CD-MP3's, baby.
November '04 - Installed Pyle 6" in-dash mobile monitor. Originally wanted to use a composite input for my PC, but that failed miserably. Lesson #1 - an inverter plugged into a cigarette lighter just won't provide enough power to a FIC Small Form Factor PC. Lesson #2 - Anything with Pyle on it is a piece of crap. It doesn't display most composite sources correctly. I was able to use it for my PS2 plugged into the notorious inverter mentioned above, so at least I had limited mobile video capabilities.
April '05 - Upgraded factory speakers to Infinity Kappa 572.5cf's. Had some trouble with the speaker installation at the beginning. Ford includes a small amplifier in the stock Mustang radio that's a separate unit. The people that installed my head unit wired the speakers to that, so they screwed up the wiring harness. I had to run new speaker wires straight to the head unit. Also installed a Phoenix Gold QX90.2 amp and Polk 12" DX subwoofer. Half my limited trunk is now taken up by a big giant sub enclosure. Speakers are a great improvement over stock, but clipping is apparent at higher volumes. Also added the Kenwood KCA-S210 auxiliary input to the KDC-319. Even though it's specifically made for the KDC-MPV619 head unit, that auxiliary input is a piece of crap. Distinct low level hiss at medium to high volumes.
March '06 - My standards have gone up significantly, and the audio quality in my car, while an improvement over stock, leaves a lot to be desired, especially since my speakers can sound so much better if given the proper power and inputs.
April '06 - Picked up the
MTX FMC10A-T45 Thunderform, a custom amplifier/subwoofer for the Mustang. Hopefully I'll reclaim some much needed trunk space, as well as improve the sound quality. That Polk was used and a piece of crap when I got it, I'm hoping that going from low quality 12" speaker to a higher quality 10" sub will reap some benefits. Haven't installed it yet.
I'm thinking a new high end head unit will output enough power to my Infinity Kappa's so that I won't need a separate amplifier, but I'm shopping for one nonetheless.