2001 Ford Escort ZX2 - First Install

elBradford · 05-08-2008, 09:31 AM

Entry 1
Thursday, 8 May 2008

I've been lurking around the mp3car.com boards for months, planning my carpc project. I recently decided to keep my little ZX2 for the rest of my school career, which is looking to be around 7 years. Can't beat 30 mpg on a budget!

My up to date materials spreadsheet is at http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...V4NrCe_3BVvMaw

Currently the materials I've purchased are:

X ZX2 Stereo plate SCOSCHE FD136010B http://www.millionbuy.com/scofd136010b.html $48
X HD Radio Tuner HDZ300 http://www.google.com/products?q=hdz...ucts&scoring=p $35
HD interface cable http://www.rush2112.net/ $25
4 Channel Amp Alpine MRP-F250 http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=16413 $130
X Power Supply DSATX http://store.mp3car.com/Mp3Car_DSATX_p/pwr-023.htm $160
X Processor Core 2 Duo E4500 http://www.pricewatch.com/microproce..._duo_e4500.htm $109
X Motherboard Foxconn LGA 775 Intel 945GC http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186137 $60
X Case APEX DM-387 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811154087 $60
X Monitor Lilliput 629GL-70NP http://www.case-mod.com/lilliput-629...or-p-1626.html $299
X DVD Drive Panasonic Slot Load CW-8124 DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive 24x24x24 - USED https://store.mp3car.com/ProductDeta...ctCode=OPT-006 $20

Total $946

I've already installed the HD-Radio add-on to make sure it works - it sounds fantastic!

I've ordered the touch-screen from the mp3car store - it will arrive in about a week. When it does, I'll modify the after market stereo panel shown below to fit the 7" touchscreen. I plan on moving the climate controls down below to an unused cubby hole at the bottom of the console.

I've also started modifying the case I've purchased (pic below). I've drilled out the rivets and it came apart really nicely. Now I need to cut it to fit my foxconn motherboard (about 12"x12"x4") and I can rivet it back together.

I will post more pictures when I have a chance. This Saturday I'll work on the case and placing it. I might have to take out the passenger seat to get a good mount for it.

-BL

elBradford · 05-18-2008, 04:17 PM

Entry 2
Sunday, 18 May 2008

The past two Saturdays I've worked on cutting my case to about 10x12. I used a jigsaw with special blades to cut down the case. That was a chore - I went through three of them the first Saturday (8 days ago). It's uglier than I was hoping for, but I'm going to get some paint when I'm finally done and get it looking nice again. It's been... years since I was in Junior High metal shop class. Yesterday I got the sharp edges turned up and a plate cut for the new face however I wasn't able to find the riveter! Next Saturday I'll be able to finish up the case and put the computer in it.

Today I've thrown together the computer as much as I'm able to put an nLite'd XP on it and play around with front ends to find the one that I like. I really really like the look of Centrafuse, however I don't like the $250 price tag. I also have RR that I'll try out. Honestly, I would prefer to play around with Linux because a Beryl-supported front end would blow all the other front ends out of the water, in my opinion, but just like most things Linux, development is slow. Maybe when everything is put together.

I was able to get my hands on 2 E6850 processors for just $96 each (price mistake at Dell's website), which was actually CHEAPER than the $100 I paid for my E4500. The difference would probably be minimal if ANYTHING for my uses of it, and the E4500 does have a few degrees C on the E6850 in terms of max operating temperature, but I have a hard time not wanting MORE POWER!!! I might do a side by side comparison to see if one is better than the other in terms of loading windows and whatnot.

I put the computer together running on AC to make sure everything works and installs before I switch to DC power. I have a battery and I wonder if I can have the battery hooked up to a trickle charger while I am running the DSATX DC power supply off it. I will search around.

I would prefer to have the OS on a SSD, but I cannot find one that is fast enough and cheap enough yet so I'm experimenting on an old 10Gb PATA HDD for the OS and a 60Gb USB drive for media. If these work well in the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter here in UTAH (two extremes) then I will invest in a decent SSD for the OS and a huge fat mother of a HDD for media. I think 750Gb would be OK for all my movies and music

Well, installing windows right now and hope to play around with the setup during the week before I finish the case and put it in. I hope the processor heatsink/fan isn't too high for my case, otherwise I'll have to buy a low profile heatsink/fan.