97 Toyota Tacoma You gotta See This. NEW UPDATE with 100+ pics on 7-4-03 - Page 6

god_of_cpu · 01-28-2004, 11:32 AM

Your computers speed is going to be limited by the amount of power you can supply to it and possibly the heat that this thing will generate. A full P4 system is going to suck ALOT of power I think the CPU alone is around 70 watts, a highend graphics card will suck probably another 30 watts or so. Typical power supplys for highend systems need to supply 300 or more watts to get enough power to this stuff. You can by inverters that will supply this much power, but they are somewhat ineffiecent and can add noise to the audio for the car, and you may need to upgrade your alternator or battery to get an adequate supply of power to these things, however, its still feasible. The other thing you would then have to worry about is heat disspisation, especially if your putting this thing in your trunk or hidden someplace, summers will kill your system without a lot of active and noisy cooling.

To answer your question, if your able to supply enough power / cooling to this thing, the sky is the limit.

Personally I would not recommend going with the absolute fastest computer available, although it is possible. I would also try and keep the power to a mimum and get a motherboard that is integrated as possible. For my own setup, I also wanted a powerful system with a good GFX card to run my DirectX interface, but I tried to keep the power consumption to a minimum. I went with a OPUS DC-DC 150 watt power supply (the biggest I could find) a antlon XP 2000+ 512mb of Ram and Abit MK79G-N which has an integrated GeForce 4 video card. This is really quite fast, I get boot times of 35 seconds and get a couple hunderd FPS in my DirectX interface and it runs everything from GPS to DVDs without hesitation. It might have some trouble with some really intense 3D games, but thats about it. Anything else, faster computer wouldn't pay off too much.

Quote: Originally Posted by icerain

anyone know what the fastest cpu I can put in my 96 blazer would be? Is there a limit to how good a computer I can put in my car? I would like to put a p4 2.8 in with a new high end ati card and whatever else might come along. Any help would be appreciated as I am new to this whole carputer thing.
Thanks
Mike

Choser · 02-02-2004, 06:11 PM

Absolutly amazing. Great job, I can't wait to see the final product.

But I have one question...
I see you are interfacing your alarm setup to the carputer using cliffords own serial connector. Using the software, you can control a lot of what the alarm does. Mainly, the windows, and door locks. In addition to being able to control many settings.

But you also plan to wire up the locks/doors/windows to your own relays with will be serial controlled. Why the redundancy? The only reasoning I can think of, is that with your own custom relay setup, you can write software that will allow more than just local control, but internet control - something that the clifford software does not offer.

-edit: Okay I didn't scroll down far enough to see your finished product. Wooow... perhaps I should read the entire thread to see answers to my question, before posting. But if my q wasn't answered in the thread, please do... i'm curious

cproaudio · 02-02-2004, 11:26 PM

Accessing Cliffnet Wizard puts the alarm in programming mode. It's not a good idea b/c there's a chance that you might change a setting that you're not suppose to and cause the alarm to function differently. The AUX channels, Windows control, and start are in different setup screens. It takes about 10 seconds to change from window control page to start up page.
The relay control module is so that I can have touch screen window control, door locks and other functions instantly. I have remote desktop control setup already so yes, I can control my CarPC from my bedroom or from the internet or my laptop.

Choser · 02-03-2004, 12:58 AM

Did you shave or get rid of the hard wired controls in the car, for windows and door locks? Not something I would do for a daily driver, but for a show car it would be kind of cool to get rid of everything and relocate it to an lcd.

Choser · 02-03-2004, 01:14 AM

Which remote desktop control software are you using? Thats pretty crazy.

But how does that work? If the car and computer are off... how can you access it? Is something wired to the WOL port to turn the computer and car on remotely, so you can access it and then shut it off? Like, with the Opus power supply, that one lead is connected to the switched power line in the ignition - which is off. I thought that no matter what you did, that OPUS would stay off... but apparantly that isn't the case.

I wanted to put 802.11g in my carputer to be able to wirelessly transfer data to my home pc, but I didn't think it was possible to remotely turn on the computer using wifi. I plan on installing a remote start / security system, but I thought that remote starting the car using relays would be impossible, due to the security system in place. Unless the relay was wired to the security brain in such a way where it turned it off? Damn... thats probably getting above me.

Crimson Tear · 04-23-2004, 02:37 AM

I'm new around here. I have been searching for a site like this for months. I knew the world of car computers was down here somewhere. I just wanted to let you know that you are an inspiration to me. As of now I have a 1964 Austin-Healey Sprite and wouldn't imagine installing this stuff in it, but I may sell it when I am finished restoring it. If this is the case, I will hopefully get a Chevelle, restore it with all custom work, and install a badass car-comp in it. You have encouraged me greatly. I hope that some day you will write tutorials on how do do some of the things you have done. (I know this is a long-since dead thread, but I am hoping you will read it.)

cproaudio · 05-02-2004, 06:01 AM

This thread is not dead. It's been hibernating and waiting for someone like you to wake it up. Anyways, I feel that my current setup is obsolete. I want it to do more stuff but dont have to money. I'm glad I inspire a lot of people to take the steps needed to build a custom dash and build a computer for their vehicle. I've written some basic FAQs in the newbie section.

Crimson Tear · 05-02-2004, 03:17 PM

I'm glad that you found this, thanks for replying.
If you update your system, make sure to post it, I'm sure we all want to see it.

Pokey · 05-08-2004, 09:59 AM

I dont know anything about fiberglassing, after you have the cardboard box made up, what do you do? Do you add fiberglass right to the box?

Good job, do you do this for a living?

cproaudio · 05-08-2004, 12:38 PM

the cardboard box was just a model to see if it fits and how well it fits. once the model is done, I made a console out of 1/8" MDF then fiberglassed it to make it stronger.

Jailer · 07-01-2004, 08:58 PM

I have a question about your install. Where did you find paint to match the dash color in that truck? I have a '98 Tacoma that I'm currently building a fiberglass mount for my Lilliput LCD for and can't find paint to match the dash anywhere. If you could give me the manufacturer and the name of the color perhaps I could order some. Also what software/hardware are you using for OBDII?

Yuriy · 07-01-2004, 10:54 PM

Jaw-dropping setup! My god, this is one of the best!
Is the serial relay thing really any good at controlling the doors/windows?
Can you give any links and $$$ estimates on where I can get one for my windows/moonroof/doors in my car?
Thanks!

Mr.Robotto · 07-16-2004, 01:59 AM

that is amazing! awesome job, how long did it take for you to build it?

trd-4runner · 10-04-2005, 02:30 AM

cproaudio, i am inspired with your work. i'm new to this forum but i also want to learn more about these projects. i love computers in general but having a computer in a car seems perfect to me. so i'm getting an idea to build a computer into my car. i drive a '97 toyota 4runner which is almost simliar to your tacoma. i just have a few question if you could help me.

1, how do you power your computer in general? like from the car battery to your power supply of your computer.

2, is there any certain specs i have to get. i know how to build a computer but is there any certain parts i need to buy? besides GPS, because i'm a college student and not planning on getting GPS just yet.

that's the only question i have so far. i just want to learn more about carputer before i actually build one. thanks!

djmickyg · 10-04-2005, 02:38 AM

excelent work..

i got the same car.. mines a manual thou so i could build anything like urs.. so i went up..
and its still a work in progress

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