2003 Nissan 350Z CarPC

paulpv · 08-07-2003, 04:16 AM

http://www.swooby.com/z/navpc/

Project Name: Pv's 350Z PC (how original...maybe "Lemans PC"!)
Car: 2003 Nissan 350Z

Stereo Head: Pioneer DEQ-9200
Stereo Amp: Kenwood KAC-X650D 5 channel 1200W
Computer: EPIA M9000, 256MB, 40GB, DVD/CDRW
Case: Travla C-134
Input: Gyration Keyboard and GyraMouse
Power: mini-box ITPS

Pictures:

What I love about this system is that it is practically invisible (especially if you close the cover on the screen).

I try to update my site's Journal with my plans on a regular basis.
I hope my site makes it easy for the next poor schmuck that tries to do this!

Feel free to email me if you have any questions or comments.

Pv

frodobaggins · 08-07-2003, 04:25 AM

sweet

Machs_FueL · 08-07-2003, 11:15 AM

very nice, although i am going to have to hate you from now on

SiGmA_X · 08-07-2003, 11:22 AM

Nice. I'm with Mach about, gotta hate you for that

What's your 0-100 on it?

Defiler · 08-07-2003, 11:59 AM

Very nice!!!

I will show this to my friend who also has been wanting to do this to his own 350Z.

paulpv · 08-07-2003, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SiGmA_X
Nice. I'm with Mach about, gotta hate you for that What's your 0-100 on it?

Sorry if my site is acting up. Verizon's service is acting screwy on me today!

Thanks guys!
I don't mind the hate, I know it's really love!

My 0-100?

The coolest thing is that I am working on it.
The Z has a built in 7-function display.
(in the photos it is the left most peekaboo on the top of the console).
There are controls for it right beside the head unit.
MPH, MPG, Miles-Till-Empty, Temp, Stopwatch, Tire PSI, Rev Limit.
Once I get OBDII working (a good month or two away...I'm budgeting) I plan to find a way to integrate the PC with these controls so that it can stop and start the stopwatch however I want.
Lap time (via a "HotLap" LED/Laser pickup)? You got it!
0-100? You got it!
Would you like to know how you could have optimized your last power curve? You got it!

I've been wearing a big grin on my face for the past few weeks that I've had my PC working.

Thanks for the comments.
It is no where near as functional as many of the other cool PCs I have seen on this site, but the idea is for us to all learn from each other and improve each other's CarPC.
Feel free to take my knowledge and run with it...just don't take my car!

Pv

cproaudio · 08-07-2003, 05:46 PM

How bright is the factory screen? All of the factory nav screen I've seen are really bright. I mean day time direct sunlight viewable. Changing to Xenarc's dim screen might not be a good idea. Since you got the factory LCd screen torn apart, why not just add your touch screen overlay? I gotta give it to you, you're pretty brave modding the factory LCD screen. You just saved $1000 doing it yourself. One more thing though, dont get the Delorme GPS receiver. Get Rand Mcnally receiver with serial to USB converter instead. It'll work with the best in car nav software the Copilot. As with OBD-II you should search for more options. The ones you've listed only reads the standard OBD-II. You probably be able to find one that works with the Z's standard OBD-II and the Nissan's propriatary dianostic functions. It'll probably allows you to program the car's ECU for more horse power or for better economy.

paulpv · 08-07-2003, 05:58 PM

The screen is very bright, but the quality is pretty bad.
There is no VGA input so I ideally needed a VGA to RGBS scan converter.
I could not find anything small that runs on DC and outputs RGBS of decent quality for less than $1K.
I REFUSE TO PAY MORE FOR MY VIDEO SIGNAL CONVERSION THAN I DID FOR MY ENTIRE PC!

And then I found out that no one makes a Composite/S-Video to RGBS converter (again, it must be small and run on DC).
Seriously, think about it, what's the point of converting Composite/S-Video to RGBS?

Thus I wimped out and am using the GEX TV Tuner as a Composite to RGBS converter.
The quality is pretty bad (to me), thus the reason I am interested in the Xenarc.
The TV itself is pretty cool, but quite distracting, and very illegal (to the letter of the law).

I was under the impression that the new Xenarc (USB version) is brighter than their previous 7" VGA screen.
Is it still too dim?
As you can see from the photos, the screen is pretty well shaded, so perhaps it won't be an issue.
Several people on the Z boards (www.my350z.com) are using the Xenarc,but I don't have any personal testimony from them.

Also, notice the large border around the screen.
Something in my M90000's video output driver puts that there EVERY OTHER time I start the car.
If it is not there then the screen is TOO big, and I cannot see the "close" X in the upper right corner.
Yet another reason I want the Xenarc.

Thanks for your input CPROAUDIO!
In my opinion your project is without doubt the most impressive one on this board, and I aspire to make mine half as cool!
I am new to the GPS and OBDII stuff, so I [obviously] still have quite a bit of research to do.
If you have any specific suggestions feel free to email me, or just mention them here for everyone else to see.

Pv

SiGmA_X · 08-07-2003, 06:04 PM

Yeah, it is love not hate.. We all love your car

What's your 0-100!?

paulpv · 08-07-2003, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SiGmA_X
Yeah, it is love not hate.. We all love your car What's your 0-100!?

persistent, aren't you

I honestly have not timed the 0-60 or 0-100 times.
I've been specifically avoiding any "official" numbers until I get the OBDII working so that I can dyno the car.

The high end stock Z has a 0-60 of 5.5s.
My car is a little heavier, so I would guess 6s.
However, just today in fact I had a nice run at a red light and got up to 100mph in what felt like no time.
Perhaps tomorrow I'll make the same run and time it this time!

The Z is by no means a super sports car.
You would NOT be blown away by its timings.
A BMZ M3 would smoke me, as will a WRX STI or Mitsu Evo.
But then again the Z is better looking than any of those!

I do plan to eventually add in a supercharger, which would put the car over 350hp.
THEN we'll talk about performance!

No ETA on when I'll get around to this $4500+ mod!
I want to finish up the PC and Stereo mods before I start doing things that void the drivetrain's warrantee.

Anyone remember the drag scene in The Fast And The Furious where the dude pulls out his laptop and checks his car's perf?
That'll be me one day!

Pv

paulpv · 08-07-2003, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cproaudio
...dont get the Delorme GPS receiver. Get Rand Mcnally receiver with serial to USB converter instead. It'll work with the best in car nav software the Copilot.

TravRoute CoPilot 2003?
Why not get the GPS receiver that comes with that?

I like the looks of CoPilot, it just seems a little bit expensive.

Pv

WhateverJames · 08-09-2003, 06:02 PM

Good job.

Quote:

Originally posted by paulpv
I do plan to eventually add in a supercharger, which would put the car over 350hp...naturally aspirated.
THEN we'll talk about performance!

Ah yes. The Stillen supercharger kit? I'd love to see a Z with that kit.
But it won't be naturally aspirated anymore once you install the supercharger

eventmac · 08-10-2003, 03:32 PM

I love your system. I too have been looking at teh Xenarc touchscreens but I'm wondering how useful touching it is going to be - bearing in mind that the res is so high and the screen is so small (7"). I don't know if I'll realistically be able to select mp3s without touching all the wrong stuff!

Was looking to see if I can find space for a 12" screen instead... but it won't be as neat.

frodobaggins · 08-10-2003, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eventmac
I love your system. I too have been looking at teh Xenarc touchscreens but I'm wondering how useful touching it is going to be - bearing in mind that the res is so high and the screen is so small (7"). I don't know if I'll realistically be able to select mp3s without touching all the wrong stuff!

Was looking to see if I can find space for a 12" screen instead... but it won't be as neat.

that's why you use specialized software that's made to use on small touchscreens

paulpv · 08-13-2003, 03:40 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by WhateverJames

Good job.

Ah yes. The Stillen supercharger kit? I'd love to see a Z with that kit.
But it won't be naturally aspirated anymore once you install the supercharger

Touche, good catch. I was spacing thinking that a Turbo is not natural, but a Super is.
Bad mistake.
I edited my post.

I just got a stupid "70 in a 60" speeding ticket, and i'm gonna pay my lawyer $350 to get me out of it.
At this rate it will be many months before I make this mod, after which I'll probably get more tickets than before. <sigh>

Pv

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