97 Celica Carpc... 1st post be gentle!

Gaer · 08-07-2007, 12:20 AM

Hi all! Been reading this forum for a year or so but I'm glued to this forum and everything linked to it for the last few months, and been scanning over posts and reviews trying to throw together a computer for a toyota celica I just bought last month. LOVE OF MY LIFE

cars a real jem and I want to make it that bit more unique, so methinks a computer would be perfect

Anyho, here is what I have in mind:

Mobo: Jetway J7F2 1.5GHz
RAM: 512mb for the momement
HDD: Seagate Momentus SATA 80GB
Optical Drive: Panasonic Slot Loading UJ845
PSU: M2-ATX 160w
Screen: Xenarc 700IDT
Also: HQCT-eA to replace the radio and because I have no amp

And a plan of action so far:

Am I missing anything? Or have you guys any advice?

My big concern at the min is that I buy parts that aren't worth fudge, and end up spending more €€€€'s. The screen had me confused for a while, was tempted by one of the DWW-750FM but just feel after reading more about them that they seem more bother than there worth, Xenarc 700IDT seems more solid from reading the forums, plus it has room to add the slot loading drive below the screen.

Celica has a double din so am swayed towards putting the comp into a single din case which I got by gutting out an old radio, but I'll have to wait till I get the parts to test how they fit.

Well guys should I go ahead with the shoppin list? or am I just plain

about putting a computer in a car

Go raibh maith agat

DarquePervert · 08-07-2007, 08:01 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Gaer

Am I missing anything? Or have you guys any advice?

I would look into the issues that others have had with Jetway boards and the M2ATX. The issues have been resolved (or can be resolved).
Search the forum for more details.

Quote:

Celica has a double din so am swayed towards putting the comp into a single din case which I got by gutting out an old radio, but I'll have to wait till I get the parts to test how they fit.

That's easier said than done... Not impossible, but a decided PITA.
You'll have far fewer headaches mounting the PC elsewhere.

Quote:

Go raibh maith agat

No more posting under the influence!

Profozone · 08-07-2007, 04:53 PM

I have a different Jetway than you and I'm still in the assembly phase, but so far no problems with the M2-ATX and the Jetway board.

I agree with darque, that cramming things into a single DIN is going to be very hard. I'm working on a Toyota that has what I believe to be the same size double DIN you have and it was hard to get everything into that space. Don't forget that the cabling alone takes up a bunch of room.

The schematic looks good, but I think you will find people suggesting a fuse in there somewhere and I'd agree.

Personally, I don't like the idea of a motorized screen. It seems like something else to break plus in the up position, I picture it moving a little when you touch the screen, but I think that's just personal taste.

The rest looks good to me.

Good luck.

Gaer · 08-08-2007, 01:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Profozone

I agree with darque, that cramming things into a single DIN is going to be very hard. I'm working on a Toyota that has what I believe to be the same size double DIN you have and it was hard to get everything into that space. Don't forget that the cabling alone takes up a bunch of room.

things may be a little cramped, the DIN enclosure I have will have to be modded slightly as it has a few L corners protruding intoward the box. I've tried the setup with the dimensions allowing for cabling which I think I might have to shorten for the lack of room, but the bigest problem is a 2.5" HDD in the enclosure, there aren't too many positions it can be put in. And I will not settle for having lots of external connections like a HDD outside the enclosure

determined to keep it neat and stock. CF would solve the HDD problem but for alot of capacity I dont think it will cut it.

Quote:

Personally, I don't like the idea of a motorized screen. It seems like something else to break plus in the up position, I picture it moving a little when you touch the screen, but I think that's just personal taste.

Me neither. I want a screen that will last for the amount of money they cost, the Xenarc 700IDT is proably the screen for me, no motorised, good quality and doesn't seem to have continous threads about it breaking

I think Ill go ahead with the ordering of the parts.

Quote:

No more posting under the influence!

I'm Irish so I wouldn't know what your talking about

Cheers guys

skatata · 12-04-2007, 08:32 PM

Ok one thing before I continue, I am the same person as Gaer just forgot the password to this account which I used along time ago for a few posts so instead Ill stick with this one. Its my account and Im keeping it

Anyhow with that identity crisis solved I'll continue.

A lovely bundle of joy arrived this morning in the form of a package from mp3car.com

woohoo is right! Inside was the Lilliput 629, M2-ATX and a 60GB HDD. More pieces to the puzzle. Cheers guys everything arrived top notch, talk about that xmas feeling, even left me late for a lecture so I could check out me toys

A few weeks ago I also picked up the Mechatroniks case which is well crafted and a great guy to deal with. So those are the pieces I have so far, still left to order is the motherboard, RAM and the AMP9 from 41Hz.com.

Since the first post I've slightly adjusted my setup as you can tell from the products I just received. Instead of a motorised headunit and a single DIN the unit will be Double DIN and all self contained, amp9, HDD, motherboard, RAM, M2-ATX and the Lilliput.
Heres maybe a few pics since they seem to be worth more than words sometimes.

First the ride

always wanted one and spent a fair bob on it. insurance is crazy for a 20year old with a full licence!!!

Shot of the Console

A dry test of the Mechatroniks case

As you might be able to tell the bezel don't fit so modifications will need to be made. the bezel itself is around 1cm taller than the opening, and the curvature of the console means it will sit out a mill or 2 which I won't mine. Im thinking maybe mount the screen to the console fascia or even extend it out from the case. With plenty of rome to add a slim DVD drive the option to motorise it is also there but maybe I'll keep it simply... for now

So next Im going to go ahead and order the Jetway J7F2 mobo, RAM and the AMP9. For the radio I was tinking about the Silab USB FM radio but It seems it ain't that good wile moving? or am I wrong? Im into my radio so this is one feature I really want to work well.
O and does anyone know if this is really an OBD-II car? I can't find out if it is, this connector is in the engine bay so I ain't sure?

As usual any advice is appriciated

HiJackZX1 · 01-04-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Profozone

I have a different Jetway than you and I'm still in the assembly phase, but so far no problems with the M2-ATX and the Jetway board.

I agree with darque, that cramming things into a single DIN is going to be very hard. I'm working on a Toyota that has what I believe to be the same size double DIN you have and it was hard to get everything into that space. Don't forget that the cabling alone takes up a bunch of room.

The schematic looks good, but I think you will find people suggesting a fuse in there somewhere and I'd agree.

Personally, I don't like the idea of a motorized screen. It seems like something else to break plus in the up position, I picture it moving a little when you touch the screen, but I think that's just personal taste.

The rest looks good to me.

Good luck.

I agree, my PC was supposed to be built for small size and the cabling now takes up all the center console, along with all the USB components. The PC is mounted to my back seat.

Fuses are very important. From the line coming from the battery I have 3 heavy duty and 3 normal fuses.

I disagree, its all about preference with the motorized screen. I prefer something that hides away so people cant see. Profozone what are you doing punching the screen to make it move back and forth? Mine doesnt do that. Also if you are worried about the screen moving, you could also get another input device, I use these, so I dont have to reach up, and each row of seats in the back has one. (was to expensive to buy a 20 inch touch kit, also how would the 3rd row reach!)

HiJackZX1 · 01-04-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by skatata

[B]For the radio I was tinking about the Silab USB FM radio but It seems it ain't that good wile moving? or am I wrong? Im into my radio so this is one feature I really want to work well.

I have the Silab radio and it does not get good reception at all.... I read that it works when you soder on the cars antena..... Can some one post if it works ok doing that?

demonspeeding · 06-16-2009, 07:30 PM

I'd love to know how you got on with this as I'm about to fit a Mac Mini in my Celica GT-Four and the dash is identical to yours. I'm fairly sure I can fit the Mac and the PSU in the centre console but I'm not sure how to fit the screen as it doesn't look like it will fit well.

Do you have any pictures of the finished install?

black13 · 06-18-2009, 12:21 AM

hey I'm doing the same thing in my 94 man, although this thread is old, doubt we'll get an update.

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