2005 Blue Mazda 3s

vcbb5 · 07-10-2005, 07:33 PM

This is my 2005 Winning Blue Mazda 3s. I got it new in July 2005.

Specs:

Exterior:
No Mods yet (planned: Spoiler, Stubby antenna, Rims?)

Carputer:
Shuttle SK41g Barebone (Socket A, DDR, AGP, PCI)
AMD Mobile Athlon XP-M 2400+ (45W) Barton 266mhz
256mb DDR 2100 (may upgrade later)
40gb Hard drive (may upgrade later)
Creative Sound Blaster Live 5.1
Nvidia mx420 64mb (for 800X480)
Motorola 802.11g Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter
DVD-Rom
Planned: GPS, Phone Internet

LCD Screen:
Lilliput 7" VGA Touch Screen

Subs:
Bazooka ELA 300.1 500w Max Amp
2 12" Sony subs
Custom Built Sub Box/Carputer Shelf/Amp Shelf

HU:
Stock HU (for Steering Wheel controls) Solder modified with AUX-in hack. IOC for sub hookup.

Radar Detector:
Cobra ESD 9150 (9-Band with Compass hooked to switching power source, cable hidden)

PICS

Exterior

LCD

vcbb5 · 07-10-2005, 07:34 PM

Trunk

Wireless 802.11g

Radar Detector

Wire Mess

Frodoplayer Skin (based off febsperanza's)

Download

Download

Custom Boot Logo

VIEW

DOWNLOAD HERE

Add the following switches to your boot definition in your boot ini file.

/bootlogo /noguiboot

Put Boot.bmp in your windows folder

Let me know what you think...

vcbb5 · 07-10-2005, 07:37 PM

Reserved for later

rsd212 · 07-10-2005, 07:41 PM

What do you think of the Lilli being mounted so low? Is it difficult to touch/see while driving?

Im considering relocating the HU and putting a screen there, but it would be easier to ditch the ashtray instead.

vcbb5 · 07-10-2005, 07:44 PM

Quote:

I prefer it down there, keeps it out of the sun as you know touch screens can not be seen in direct sun, its easy to use, and its not noticable at all in the car, no need to worry about anyone stealing it, and when the car is in gear the shifter is out of the way

-Devin

I Agree

. I also didn't want to replace my hu (steering wheel controls, radio etc.). You can also remove the steering wheel knob easily to view while in park.

rsd212 · 07-10-2005, 07:57 PM

I was kind of hoping for the 8" though, which is why Im so reluctant now to do the ashtray install. Plus, using nappyjim's trick of moving the HU to the glovebox lets you keep the steering wheel controls.

Do you think there would be another way to do the install without grinding away those two spots?

Shelbrain · 07-10-2005, 08:00 PM

I really like how you set up your trunk with the PC in the middle...I hadn't thought of that but may have to steal it...looks clean (behind the box is another story...out of sight...out of mind)

vcbb5 · 07-10-2005, 08:05 PM

rsd212- 8" won't fit in the ash tray (had to cut to fit 7"). 6.5" works the best, but no 6.5" has touch screen

. Grinding was the only way to fit the 7" lcd into that spot, unless you just have it sticking out with the stick on stand (which doesn't look very good).

Shelbrain- Those boxes were a *****, but the look and sound really good. Changing wireing, etc. is easy because of fold down seats. I also plan to stick a blue light that turns on when the trunk opens behind the boxes, which should look good.

rsd212 · 07-10-2005, 08:21 PM

I really like the skin, thanks for that

vcbb5 · 07-10-2005, 08:23 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rsd212

I really like the skin, thanks for that

Thanks

. Took me hours.

vcbb5 · 07-10-2005, 08:34 PM

Reminds me: Custom Boot logo: DOWNLOAD HERE

Add the following switches to your boot definition in your boot ini file.

/bootlogo /noguiboot

Put Boot.bmp in your windows folder

Rafster · 07-10-2005, 09:23 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by vcbb5

rsd212- 8" won't fit in the ash tray (had to cut to fit 7"). 6.5" works the best, but no 6.5" has touch screen

And to make matters worse, there are no 6.5" screens with VGA.

Nice install man!

Peace,

Rafster

CornToeGoblin · 09-15-2005, 11:37 AM

I really like how you put the case in between the two sub... if you have any tips or pics of the process of making the sub boxes please post them

MatrixPC · 09-15-2005, 12:05 PM

You really need to smooth out the cuts on the bezel a little.
So far sooooo goood

vcbb5 · 09-15-2005, 12:22 PM

CornToeGoblin- I used 3/4" mdf (heavy duty crap) for the boxes.

Here are the tutorials I followed:
Box:
http://forum.sounddomain.com/forum/u...;f=11;t=070786

Carpet:
http://forum.sounddomain.com/forum/u...;f=11;t=070780

As for the bezel, I've thought about making it look better, but I would have to make a custom plexi piece for it, with weird angles for it to fit right. I also have no room to spare in that area, so the task would become more difficult. I also just got to college a couple weeks ago, and don't have any tools, or time to work on my car.

A little update:
Everything is running fairly smoothly, except I had heating problems when it got hot. I had to add 3 fans to the case:

http://store.yahoo.com/xoxide/sunbea...mod-clear.html
^that with two case fans (mine are on the outside, because the inside is so tight).

I also put a fan on the back that pulls air out (on the outside of the original 80mm fan to help it). I did this based off a tutorial found on google, but i can't currently find it.

I also added two 12" blue cold cathode lights in the corners of the shelf that holds the computer. I rigged these to only turn on when the trunk is open.

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