Machputer Proyect- 03 Mustang Mach1

Willy-Mach1 · 04-08-2005, 03:18 PM

Hi all,

Just wanted to start documenting the Machputer Project and get some opinions and/or comments, good or bad, I don't mind as long as it's constructive. Plus I've noticed that there are very few Mustang installs in here (I bet mostly because it's a pain in the a$$ to get around the Mach460 audio system...) so hopefully this will encourage some other Mustang owners to install a Carputer.

I'm still in "off-car" testing but I have most of the components which I hope to start installing soon (Hopefully before the DC area meet, in the end of this month

).

Here is the hardware list.

--Toshiba Satellite 1800-S207 Laptop
--Lilliput 7" Touchscreen
--Creative SoundBlaster Live! USB
--Holux Mouse GPS Receiver
--Wireless Trackball mouse
--Logitech Playstation Keyboard
--External Sirius tuner (already had it in the car, just recycling....gotta love that Sirius!!!!)
--750W Power inverter

For software:

--WinXP Pro SP2
--Still not sure what frontend, between Media Engine, Centrafuse, and Road Runner
--iGuidance

I'll post updates here as often as possible, these next couple of weeks I'll be doing a lot of work on this.

l8rz!!!

Willy-Mach1 · 04-11-2005, 08:56 AM

Hi again,

Did some testing this weekend and realized that the Toshiba laptop is waaaaay too slow for my liking. I see posts here with people using P300's and 128MB RAM, honestly I don't know how. The Toshiba is a 1.10GHz Celeron with 512MB RAM and most frontends just drop it to its knees. In any case I ordered an Epox micro-ATX board with a AMD Sempron 2600+ from Newegg to replace the Toshiba for as the Machputer. This should be more than enough processing power for whatever I run on it. As for the Toshiba, I guess it is back to Linux on it.

NzC · 04-11-2005, 10:10 AM

Hey, looking forward to this install. I hope you do a good job!! But lets see some pics of the car!! Thats a fast car, those mach1's!!

Nick

Willy-Mach1 · 04-11-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by NzC

Hey, looking forward to this install. I hope you do a good job!! But lets see some pics of the car!! Thats a fast car, those mach1's!!

Nick

Thnx.....I'll post some pics tonight....and YES, it is fast, and I love it

!!!

Willy-Mach1 · 04-14-2005, 08:35 AM

OK....I got the parts to replace the Toshiba laptop. Epox MB and AMD Sempron 2600+. I did some testing last night and everything looks good. Hopefully I'll start the install this weekend, start the wiring since that is going to take the most time. Also, I'll start building the box for the trunk where everything will be housed. Somewhat like a raised floor but only for a small portion of the trunk. I'll keep you posted.

Now......car pics

Willy-Mach1 · 04-18-2005, 10:39 PM

I was able to do some fab work this weekend. I got the pc box almost done, just the lid left to cut and carpet. I'm also going to build a deck for the amp and cap. Also did some wiring, not much cause it took me way too long to get all the details on the engine compartment and the cable through the firewall.

The box is built with 3/4" MDF. Don't ask me the measurements because I don't know

I used a cardboard template and some improv.

Here is the box in the car

For wiring I replaced the battery terminals with Stinger battery terminals. These allowed me to connect the power and ground wires directly on the terminals without a lot of work.

Here is a closer look at the Stinger in-line fusebox with the digital read-out. Everything is wired up with 4ga all the way to the trunk where there will be a power distribution box. You can harldy see it but the fusebox is displaying 14.4 (the engine is running)

SwapMeet · 04-22-2005, 04:36 PM

I noticed you put your power cable through the firewall. Wasn't that a pain in the ass? It took me 2 hours on a similar Mustang. I also like how you attached your fuse holder to the top of the fuse box. I'll probably do the same with mine. Mine's currently just hanging around.

Willy-Mach1 · 04-22-2005, 10:30 PM

Yes it was a pain in the *** to get the cable through the firewall. I took me a long time too, I used the hood latch cable hole becaused it LOOKED easier than any other hole (without drilling a new one). The fuse box was really a "where can I put it without drilling any holes in the car?" kind of decision. If I decide to take it off the fuse box cover is easily replaceable. Do you have any pix of your setup?

I just finished putting all the hardware into the box. It looks pretty good, in my unbiased opinion

. As soon as I get some pictures of the setup I'll post them. I'm waiting to receive the carpeting to cover the wood. This weekend I'll begin work on the screen setup, so hopefully by next week I'll have the MachPuter up and running!! Wish me luck!

Willy-Mach1 · 04-25-2005, 09:53 AM

UPDATE:

I got most of the wiring done this weekend. It went well. I took some pics, I'll post them soon. All I have to do is actually install the Machputer in the car and plug everything up. I've not fab'd the screen face and mount for the dash but I guess that will have to wait at least a few weeks.

I'll keep you updated......CHEERS!

pyros · 04-27-2005, 03:40 PM

looking good man!!! only thing, you should have done it in dash like mine! :P I'm hoping to finish mine up shortly, but the morons over here can't make the interior upgrade colour paint I want so I'm on a wild goosechase.

Chris

P.S. Red is faster

Willy-Mach1 · 04-28-2005, 08:07 AM

Hey Chris.....wazup?!

I couldn't do it in-dash....the board is too big, I used microATX board not an Epia miniITX. But it is looking good. I just did some more work last night and got everything wired and carpeted. Now I just need to organize everything, and of course the bezel which I'm still pondering how I want it. Anyways, I got some pics, but they are still in the camera so as soon as I get them off I'll post.

PS. I'll have to pick your brain later about the OBDII which I want to do too!

31Charlie · 04-28-2005, 08:36 AM

Man, cant wait to see the finished project. I love Machs, so sexy.

31C

Willy-Mach1 · 04-28-2005, 10:08 AM

Nice truck Charlie.......had never seen it in white, looks goooood!!

pyros · 04-28-2005, 12:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Willy-Mach1

Hey Chris.....wazup?!

I couldn't do it in-dash....the board is too big, I used microATX board not an Epia miniITX. But it is looking good. I just did some more work last night and got everything wired and carpeted. Now I just need to organize everything, and of course the bezel which I'm still pondering how I want it. Anyways, I got some pics, but they are still in the camera so as soon as I get them off I'll post.

PS. I'll have to pick your brain later about the OBDII which I want to do too!

Sounds good man, can't wait to see it! I'm sending my opus back to opus today to get the cold weather bug fixed. By the time its back i hope to have everything ready to put back in the car.

I'm might be getting rid of my obd diagnostics reader and going with the sct raptor. i want to get the dynojet wideband commander for the a/f ratio too so I'm thinking of writing my own app to interface with these. We'll see what happens!

Good luck

Chris

pyros · 04-28-2005, 12:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 31Charlie

Man, cant wait to see the finished project. I love Machs, so sexy.

31C

Love hte lightning's.. hoping to pick one up to replace my jimmy if funds allow