My Black '97 Mazda Miata MX-5 + CarPC

keyvan · 05-07-2006, 04:43 AM

UPDATE 9-27-06Almost done finishing the dash. latest pics:
http://www.aescarpc.com/miatapc/2

Update: Fabricating dash AGAIN!
http://www.aescarpc.com/dashfab2/

Update: Decided to fab my lcd dash install, check it out: http://www.aescarpc.com/dashfab/

Hey all,
I finished my install about 3 weeks ago, here are the pics:
Enjoy and comment please on any improvements i can make, perhaps to the surrounding of the screen (there's an ugly gap at the top part a bit).

keyvan · 05-07-2006, 04:45 AM

keyvan · 05-07-2006, 04:49 AM

more..

Hellcat · 05-07-2006, 06:37 AM

Nice install!

But whats with the wheels?

nitropwd · 05-07-2006, 09:38 AM

What kind of case is that?? A Large Attache'?

Matrix_24 · 05-07-2006, 10:33 AM

Nice install. BTW, I like the location of the HU. I have the same one and I am happy with it.

keyvan · 05-07-2006, 02:39 PM

Thanks!

nitro: Yeah, I guess it is a large attache case? I told my dad I wanted to use plexiglass and how to cut it and he said it was a pain, not as easy as glass cutting which he had showed me a while back. Instead he brought this case from the garage which had his old camera in it. I tore into that instead. It was a really snug fit. I was hoping the PC would be smaller but even with a tight squeeze it's still a pretty huge package.

hellcat: yeah it came with those wheels when i bought it about a month or so ago. I dont mind it, it might keep people away from looking into my car and stealing my stuff :P

matrix: Ya thanks. i covered the back of the face with velcro and it sticks nicely to any location around there given the wire is long enough. (unfortunately i used shorter wire than I should have when I was wiring the faceplace out of behind the screen where the actual HU is)

chomo · 05-08-2006, 04:48 PM

Nice install! No specs?

AMMendes · 05-09-2006, 11:28 AM

Cool another miata carpc. i love your skin, what is the frontend. I still did put here my install, but it will be soon. if you want you can look here, but soon ill post my project.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2087446/2

keyvan · 05-09-2006, 04:57 PM

chomo: I cant even remember what's in here but lets see....:

M2-ATX Power Supply
AMD Sempron 3300+ w/ mATX Biostar nForce2 Motherboard
512 MB RAM
250 GB Western Digital 5400 HDD
USB Sound Card
Holux GPS Receiver (mounted on rear deck, under carpeting.. stealth)
18 dollar PCI Mimo Wifi receiver with 3 prong bulky external antenna (great deal from frys)
Lots of USB Extension and VGA extension wires and just extension power wires...
Ebay 7" Touchscreen (Lilliput hardware) which I had to repair numerous times... ugh what a pain that was
Thats about it I Think

keyvan · 06-25-2006, 01:40 AM

UPDATE:

I've decided to fab my lcd install.

Check out my progress so far. Could use some suggestions. I did all this today.

http://www.aescarpc.com/dashfab

wasyed · 07-11-2006, 11:52 PM

Nice install, love the idea about the HU and not getting rid of it like many people end up doing. It actually looks convenient and hey it works. I'm looking into that ex-audio screen as well because someone recently broke into my car and trashed my lilliput 629gl. so this ex-audio is definately a lilli rebrand and not just a guess that it is? i know it uses the same case as the new lillis but sometimes whats inside is different you know what i mean? Have you confirmed by any chance. I just dont wanna jump into getting it and it turns out it isnt a lilli because My lilliput was flawless and I guess i trust the brand despite the problems ppl get. You wouldnt have any pictures of the actual back of the screen (not back of case) with model numbers would you?

keyvan · 07-12-2006, 04:13 AM

wasyed, i put in an amp and removed the head unit. i like this way better. its cleaner.

Yes this is for sure a lilli thats rebranded (this has been covered in other topics on the other forum sections, search for em). I dont have picture of the back panel or a camera handy but I am looking at it now and theres no mention of a model number other than "7" TOUCHSCREEN" ... hah.

And I dont know if it was the manufacturing of this screen or not but ive had ALOT of problems with this screen's internal build. look at the mess that is my screen right now: http://www.aescarpc.com/screenrepair.

I would just pay the extra 30 dollars and buy a real lilliput from mp3car's store. Dont be too cheap, you get what you pay for, sometimes ALOT less.

Although dont get me wrong, it could have been that i underestimated the fragility of these parts when i was workin on them.

wasyed · 07-12-2006, 09:26 PM

yeah i been searching for answers on the screen, and some threads say its a lilli, others say its not a lilli, and still others are saying the ex-audio screens are terrible and go for a lilliput instead. So thats why I was trying to get a definate answer from you, and the other pain is the forums are large now so theres so many discussions about the screen but like I said they all say something different, and there have been recent questions rising again about the screen because there is yet again more confusion and every one of those people questioning the screen is getting the same answer "search the forums, it has been covered in many topics." lol all good I mean i understand thats ur answer too but many of us are stuck and trying to find hard proof I guess just for our own benefit. but still thanks for the input, I think I'll just go for the lilliput branded.

and youre damn right about not being cheap because you really really do get what you pay for. I didnt have any issues with my lilliput even after I took it apart and reassembled countless number of times, but then again I was very careful when handling my screen so maybe i was just being extra careful and kept the internals ok. but if you think about it these lcd screens werent made to be opened by us so it is kinda our own fault when something happens i guess.

wow I just checked out your pics, lol man you really did have a lot of problems. I'm gonna order the new lilliputs available and if I dont need the ribbons and all the other stuff from my trashed lilliput, I can send you the ribbons and clips and whatever if you like? (hopefully the small parts like the ribbons arent any different)I would like to order my screen and install my screen first though. (just in case I mess up and screw some ribbons up). So don't get your hopes up just yet but I will keep in touch. Let me know if you find yourself the parts on your own beforehand.
Good luck!

wasyed · 07-12-2006, 09:37 PM

man im glad I have a double din and a 3rd din in my car, that way I got room for a head unit and a screen.. hmmm lucky me