2008 Pontiac G6 GXP CarPC Project

**netsrikk** · 11-20-2008, 12:31 AM

Hardware Shopping List:
Morex 5677 Mini ITX case
Intel BLKD945GCLF2 Mini-ITX Motherboard With 1.6 GHz Dual Core Atom
M2-ATX Power Supply with P4 Connector
2 GB DDR2 RAM
A 64 or 128 Gig SSD Drive
Xenarc MDT-X7000 LCD/DVD Player/Preamp
Metra 99-3303 Kit

I really want to avoid doing any fabrication.

The newer G6's have the Information Console built into the stock headunit. The only way to retain that information is to purchase one of the two kits that are both very similar. The Metra has had better reviews by those who have had them. I could purchase one of these and relocate it to somewhere else; I've seen them moved to the glovebox, center console, ect. That would eliminate the need for a single din flip out LCD, however, I like the idea of an in dash LCD for security reasons.

I've been doing alot of reading here and G6 specific forums, and I have a good idea of what I need to do to get this going. I plan on assembling the PC and putting it behind my glovebox, there seems to be ample room without pulling out the basket part of the box. Worst case I pull it out and use the glovebox as a door to the computer.

What I don't really know:
-How to hook up the power supply to the car's power system.
-How audio is going to work. I have a stock Monsoon Amp in my trunk. I have not looked at it at all. The motherboard has 5.1 out, the Xenarc has 5.1 in/out, and the Monsoon system is an 8 speaker system(well 6, but the rear 2 are dual according to Pontiac.) How do these systems handle sound? Direct? Do they mix? I'd rather not have stereo sound come out of only my front 2 speakers.
-How I'm going to mount the computer in there.
-Operating System/Software. I have copies of XP Pro and Vista Business from school, although I'm not afraid to use linux if there is a good frontend available. I'm leaning towards Vista because of poor experiences with XPs standby/hibernation. My understanding is that Vista is alot better with that.
Frontend: Centrafuse, RR, Media Center, XBMC. Not sure really

Future:
ODB-II. Dash command looks very interesting.
GPS. I have an iPhone, but an integrated solution would be nice.
Small form keyboard/mouse.

I don't have any pictures handy, I will post some this weekend.

**scuba264** · 11-20-2008, 01:58 PM

Hey man, sounds like a great project. Make sure you post up pics. Are you a member on G6performance.com? Thats the main "G6 specific forum", so I'm assuming thats what you're talking about.

Make a post over there as you work on this and pics pics pics! If you've been reading the site, you know how helpful people are on there so if you have any issues we can def get it fixed.

I'd love to put together a carputer so hopefully you get one working and I can rip you off haha!

Good luck and be sure to get info on G6P. Drop me a line over there...same name scuba264.

**netsrikk** · 11-21-2008, 09:16 PM

Yeah G6P is the one where I found good information, there is also g6ownersclub which is ok.

Well I figured out the coloring schemes for the wiring, should be easy enough to do with the power supply I picked out.

Probably won't have time to get pictures tomorrow, hopefully Sunday. I've really only started pulling some panels off to see exactly what I have to do. For the most part, it looks pretty straight forward.

**flnole78** · 12-12-2008, 10:22 AM

Did you ever get an answer about the sound out of this motherboard? I am getting ready to buy this same one and am wanting to run 2 amps, 1 for separates and 1 for the subs. I've read that on most sound cards you split the output on the card using a 3.5mm stereo to 2 RCA cord. Do you happen to know what each of the three outputs are for, like blue=front, yellow or green(whichever) = rear, orange=sub?

**netsrikk** · 12-16-2008, 09:38 PM

I'm making an assumption when saying this: most car sound systems are designed for music, so the speakers are merely 2.1 stereo but multiplied to the various speakers which each specialize in a certain frequency of sound. So, I'm guessing the the amp sends the stereo(2.0) sound to all of the speakers and then the sub....I have no idea...simply plays the low frequencies?
Sounds good in my head...but I have no idea.
To answer your question: Green is front left/right and the next one is rear left/right, and the last is sub.

Unfortunately, my project needs to be put on hold until I can either find a better monitor or I can find another solution to the DIC problem. The 2009.5 G6's, which will come out in January, has the DIC moved to the gauge cluster like a normal car. If possible, I will get that cluster installed in my car and go with a 2 DIN display. Like I said before I'd rather stay away from fabrication, not that I see a good place to relocate the DIC to anyway.

**netsrikk** · 12-16-2008, 09:57 PM

Here's the pictures I said I'd post a month ago:

and the glovebox, lots of room behind it despite the poor picture

**HiJackZX1** · 12-17-2008, 01:38 PM

I see so much potential with that dash. It wouldnt be hard at all to do something with that. I wish my dash was that square in the HU area..... I drive a 2003 Dodge So its rounded all over the place.