2008 Impreza WRX 5-door & Intel Mac Mini

AznRida · 11-30-2007, 10:14 AM

Hardware:
1 Mac Mini 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1 1GB Memory
1 WD 3.5" 500GB 7200rpm SATA 3.0Gb/s HD
1 CRN-2140 Power Supply
1 MacPac Power Kit
2 I-Rocks Black USB Hubs
1 Internal Bluetooth
1 Internal Wi-fi
1 BU-353 GPS Receiver
4 Rosetta White LED Fans
1 Apple Bluetooth Keyboard
1 Apple Mighty Mouse
Labview Controllers

Software (as of now):
Mac OSX
Labview 8.0

Don't have the car yet but I'm doing the computer set up first so I can install it right after I buy it.

The setup ideas are pretty simple. I'm placing as many things as I can into the glove box while retaining the simple appearances. Front of the glovebox will be face with a white plastic material that looks similar to the plastic Apple uses on all of their desktops. The theme of the car is black&white. Car and interior will be black and all lighting on car will be white. The plastic used on the face of the glovebox will be backlit with white cathodes. I will be ordering a glovebox from a 2008 WRX so I can get to work on that early as well as a spare dash unit so I can mold a screen.

Also, I want to motorize nearly every moving item in the car so I can get some practice with making custom mounts. Rear passenger door handles will be shaved off and door actuator poppers will be installed instead

Motorized projects in car:
Rear door - 12 V DC Linear Servo Motor
Back Seat - 12 V DC Rotary
Passenger Rear Doors - 12 V DC Linear Servo Actuator
Glovebox - 12 V DC Rotary Motor + cable
(Whatever else thought of in the future)

Everything will be controlled by Labview 8.0 in my computer and the external NI controllers.

I'm still in the market looking for a good FrontEnd and GPS software.

The reason for putting this challenge ahead of me is because I'm majoring in Mechanical & Electrical Engineering at Kettering University and I'm looking for an application. Some of my friends from TRW Automotive in Auburn, New York will be assisting me in the designs just to give them some credit. I'll name names once I'm done with designs.

I'll get some pictures up once I get home.

newsom7 · 01-06-2008, 01:16 PM

Can you tell me which screen you plan to use/using, and if you needed to mod the double din at all.

Thanks

FordNoMore · 02-08-2008, 02:12 AM

I'm doing an 08 WRX install too, but in the opposite order. (I do have the car, but do not yet have the computer...) I can tell you, the double-DIN slot is nice and big (about 4" x 8") and has a ton of space behind it and even to the sides. I just ordered a Lilliput EBY701 and I'm hoping to mount it behind the car's bezel without modification. (It's over $100 for a replacement bezel... probably because the air vents are built in.)

cMags · 02-12-2008, 11:19 PM

I'm interested to see the progress on this (these) project(s). Be sure to post back!

Oh, and FordNoMore - if you haven't yet seen it, check in the store for vehicle-specific, and look at the WRX mechronix housing. I would assume it would still work for the '08's.

FordNoMore · 02-13-2008, 12:26 AM

Actually, maybe you could tell us if the 2007 mount will fit. Here are some pictures from my "exploratory surgery". It looks a little different to me than the pictures in the MP3Car store, but it's hard to tell.

Also, as a tip for '08 bezel removal: Start at the top! It's extremely flush, but I got it by sliding a piece of paper under the corner... then two pieces, then three, then four... Finally a small screwdriver or trim-puller. The top clips pull straight out, but the bottom ones have to be unlatched. I'll post lots more info once I start my own worklog.

cMags · 02-13-2008, 04:05 PM

Well, it looks as if it should fit. Here's the specs for the bezel - see if your side clips will line up:

http://www.mechatroniks.com/wrx/cad/kit1.pdf

Oh yea, its Mechatroniks, not Mechtronix

FordNoMore · 02-13-2008, 07:17 PM

Thanks, I hadn't seen the CAD drawings. So, this just bolts in to the regular DIN mounts then? That's cool - I thought it bolted straight to the car, and I didn't see the two offset mounts like there are on my stereo. Hmm... I was going to make my own custom mount (which I may still do for cost savings), but this is giving me second thoughts. Thanks for pointing it out.

aerohoff · 03-02-2008, 01:57 AM

So what's the verdict? will the wrx kit fit? I've got the 08 5 door too. I'd like to install a pc in there but i've never done anything with car stereos before.

I know my comps though.

FordNoMore · 03-02-2008, 10:57 AM

It looks like the kit fits the standard DIN mounting holes, BUT check out the front panel dimensions listed in the PDF referenced above. Says the front is 4.275" x 6.790". I measure a 4" x 8" opening on our stereo. A little over 4" tall, but definitely not 4.275", so it'll take a little modifying and you'll have a big gap on each side.

I'm going custom anyway, though, so I don't plan to order one. Good luck. And enjoy your new ride.

Serialk1llr · 03-07-2008, 11:42 AM

hmm.... interested as well. Planning on an 08 WRX in the next few weeks, have been trying to figure out how i'll transplant my laptop install to this car.

Serialk1llr · 04-14-2008, 04:53 PM

Bump for updates?

HiJackZX1 · 04-17-2008, 04:58 AM

Post pictures of the car. I actually admire the 08 WRX. I heard it was a 5 door and thought it must look terrible. I saw one today for the first time and was really impressed. The body is amazing. They did good with this new body style. Havent seen the sedan version yet.

cheungri · 05-02-2008, 03:09 AM

i'm hoping to do this exact same setup. looking forward to hearing about your progress.

FordNoMore · 06-01-2008, 03:28 AM

I've made some progress on my 08 WRX install if you want to take a look. It's up and running already, but the computer's just a big mess in the trunk for now.

I'm really happy with how the monitor and front panel came out, though.

TheCakeIsALie · 06-23-2008, 06:51 PM

I'm interested in installing a touchscreen in a 2008 Impreza as well. Unfortunately, I don't work at a machine shop, so this custom solution is a bit out of my league. After lots of googling, I still have many questions before I embark on this.

1) The slot in the 2008 Impreza measures 4" x 8". The Lilliput EBY-701 is 4.5" x 7.75". Is the actual screen only 4" high, such that I could install this and not be missing 1/2" of screen real estate? What about the width difference of 1/4"? There's a kit for sale on mp3car.com, but that appears to be for older model imprezas.

2) Would some other display fit better than the Lilliput EBY-701?

3) Does any company sell a custom bezel for a 2008 Impreza that turns it into a standard-size double-din slot, if there are no solutions that will just fit the 08 Impreza slot without custom modifications?

4) Assuming I can find something that generally fits in the Impreza's slot, or a bezel to make it look like it fits, does anyone have experience mounting a touchscreen in an '08 Impreza? Anything I should look out for in advance?

Thanks!