2000 Pontiac Trans Am carputer install

Snootch · 05-25-2005, 04:21 PM

As i'm starting to get my install together, I figured i'd document it here pic by pic. I am currently saving money so that next month, I can just buy everything I need at one time. I have a final parts list, and here it is:

I'm going to add an Audigy USB sound card, and a GPS mouse after this is installed as I save up some more $$.

I have started some fabrication work, and here are the pics:

First, a pic of my car:

Then, the stock dash:

I relocated my A/C controls to the glove box:

Then, moved some stock electronics (relays, etc.) to get as much space in the dash as possible: (edit: I moved that small black box tucked in the left hand side to under the driver's dash)

I bought two 12"x12" (1/8" thick) ABS sheets from McMaster-Carr for $17.00, and trimmed one to fit the dash opening:

More pics to come as I work some more on it.

ltrain1007 · 05-25-2005, 04:25 PM

so fun, congrats on the start of the project

Curiosity · 05-25-2005, 10:40 PM

Me thinks you need to work on your parking skills.

So you're only putting an 8" in there? Looks like there's room for more.

Snootch · 05-25-2005, 10:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Curiosity

Me thinks you need to work on your parking skills.

So you're only putting an 8" in there? Looks like there's room for more.

I might be able to do a 10.5" LCD, but that would require serious modification of the dash, and I kinda want to be able to sell the car in stock form if needed. Also, I forgot to add, that with the dash work, i'm using all ABS, utilizing the solvent/ABS goop brought up by CoachReed in the Fabrication area. So far, it,s coming out well.

Snootch · 06-14-2005, 02:14 PM

Got a little more work done today, I'm working on the stock trim bezel, and adding a small hood on it to help cut down on glare. Here's a pic of the stock bezel with the crossbar between the AC controls and the radio removed and filled in:

then I glued on the top and side parts of the hood using the ABS goo:

I used three layers of ABS on the top portion of the hood, and two layers thick on the sides:

As soon as it dries, i'm going to sand it into shape. I think I might be able to get some more done with it tomorrow if the ABS is thoroughly dried.

Fraychild · 06-14-2005, 02:50 PM

You're definitely on the right track man... keep us posted...
Is there anywhere else one can get ABS plastic sheets for cheaper??

RS3RS · 06-14-2005, 03:00 PM

Very nice Trans Am... Good luck!

Snootch · 06-14-2005, 03:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Fraychild

You're definitely on the right track man... keep us posted...
Is there anywhere else one can get ABS plastic sheets for cheaper??

I dunno, you would probably have to do some hunting locally. I just bought this stuff 'cause I didn't feel like hunting for it to save $5 or so.

Snootch · 06-14-2005, 04:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RS3RS

Very nice Trans Am... Good luck!

Thanks for the compliment- Spent way too much money getting it to look/drive like it does.

Pathos · 06-15-2005, 09:22 AM

Is that a Rockford Symmetry I see ? Thats a flashback to the past that I've been wanting for awhile and the install looks like it will be pretty cool when finished, keep us posted

Snootch · 06-15-2005, 05:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Pathos

Is that a Rockford Symmetry I see ? Thats a flashback to the past that I've been wanting for awhile and the install looks like it will be pretty cool when finished, keep us posted

That it is, Even today, there is still not a software driven processor out there (except for the new Audiocontrol piece $$) that has the same EQ/Xover/preamp controls with global settings. Besides, being about 10 years old, and in good condition I was able to get one for about $300. It is great to be able to change EQ and Xover settings while listening to it in the driver's seat.

Snootch · 06-15-2005, 05:06 PM

Also, I just ordered everything in the first pic, and spent exactly $807.61. Hopefully I should be getting all the parts by the end of next week.

Snootch · 06-20-2005, 07:52 AM

Quick update, finished the front trim bezel (except for paint):

It is made completely of ABS plastic so it won't crack in the heat of the day. Next step is to make my ABS mounts inside for the motherboard.

SniperXX · 06-20-2005, 12:17 PM

Looking good there.

Snootch · 06-23-2005, 09:36 AM

Finally got my SP-13000 and 512Mb of PC3200 GEIL RAM, I'm waiting on the HDD, LCD, M1-ATX, and XM tuner. The HDD and XM should be here today.

Pic of the board with RAM installed:

After I got the board, I immediately did my first mod, I pulled off the CPU heatsink, and saw they only used a small dime-sized dot of heatsink compound. I wet-sanded the bottom of the heatsink, them polished it using my polishing wheel to a mirror-shine. Then I applied a thin coat of Arctic Silver to the entire bottom of the heatsink, and re-installed it. Hopefully that'll make the heat transfer from the CPU to the heatsink a little more efficient. Since it'll be mounted in-dash behind the LCD, I think this will help cooling.

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