2004 Subaru WRX - A long time on the bench

**LYHTSPD** · 05-07-2009, 05:26 PM

Well, I guess I should finally start a worklog on this thing. As you can tell, I have been a member since '06... and that is pretty much when I started my carPC project. My progress has been slowed down by a lot of thing over the years; 2 kids (one born during this project), a new house, a move, a new job, and another house. This has been a strange ride!

Let me give you a rundown of the hardware. This first project has always meant to be a trial run. If this works out, I will go with something faster, smaller, and a little more modern for version 2. I patched as much as I could from old PCs I had laying around the garage.

Hardware
Enclosure: Custom (steel/aluminum)
MB: Dell GX280 - found this out in the garage
CPU: Intel P4 2.8 GHz - found this attached to the mb!
Ram: 512MB DDR2 - had this laying around as well
Screen: Lilliput 629 7" w/ transflective upgrade in a Mechatroniks bezel (for now)
HDD1: 8GB CF with IDE adapter (started off with 2GB, but realized it was going to be too small for my needs)
HDD2: 3.5" 120GB SATA - had this laying around
PS: DSATX w/ a Brainstem
Radio: HQCT (the first version)
BT: Cellink BTA-6030 w/ BlueSoleil drivers
Wifi: Engenius EUB-362 EXT
DVD drive: Panasonic UJ-825 w/ usb enclosure
Sound Card: PCI Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS

Misc. Hardware
BT Keyboard: Freedom Mini keyboard
Joystick: ALPS RKJXT Encoder/Joystick w/ GPWiz usb adapter
TPMS: Robby's homebrew TPMS using the 3rdEye kit
Backup Camera: Hacked Nitemax camera using custom mounting solution for trunk keyhole
Audio Amp: (2) David Navone AMP100s to power the stock speakers
Custom PIC solution for auto switching Lilliput for backup camera

Software
OS: nlited XP SP3 (hope to use minilog as well as EWF)
Front End: Ride Runner
Skin: Have not decided on one yet, currently using DFX4
Nav: iGuidance 2009
Automation: Girder
Antivirus: AVG Free
Xport3
VNC

Progress (05/07/2009)
I have nearly all the hardware for this project. I have decided to add another fan in the case for the DSATX. That is on the way and I will have to knock a hole in the case for it. No big deal though. I also need to put together some relay boards for the HQCT (to control power on correctly) and the DSATX (remote amp line). One of the big things I need to figure out yet is how to install minilogon and enable ewf so I can use the CF card as my OS drive.

I have decided to make May 15th the start of the install. I have a slew of install parts on its way. I realize that I will not have everything perfect before it goes in the car, but I am going to have my main three concerns implemented: navigation, mp3s, and AM/FM radio. I will have to add the rest as I finish the hardware/software for it. Here is a rundown of what I need to finish up though:

TMPS: Hardware is done. I need to have the sensors mounted on the wheels. I also need to create a skin for the DFX4 skin. I have not tried messing with skins yet, so this will be a learning process.

Backup Camera: I am waiting on the design of the bracket for this. I am having a friend help me with the design and fab. This will run directly into the screen.

Cell Phone Control: I am currently attempting to use the BT phone plugin by lambosprit. I will also need to make a skin for this as well.

Music: I desperatly need to organize my mp3 collection and download coverart for everything. This is going to be a daunting task, so it will come as time permits.

Well, that is all for now. I will try to get some pictures up of the car and everything this weekend.

Edit: Here is a picture of my car. This picture is about 4 years old now. I am using the wheels show as winter wheels now.

**rdholtz** · 05-07-2009, 07:49 PM

Nicely detailed start. Some pics (case, car, dash, install location, etc.) would be wonderful.
It's pretty neat that you kept on pluggin' through all the changes in your life.

**LYHTSPD** · 05-13-2009, 12:25 PM

Progress Update (5/13/2008)

I was able to get the hole punched in the case for the fan. However, it was late and I was not really paying attention to which die I grabbed. The hole is a little too big, but I should be able to make it work. I also mounted my usb ports, and a couple of switches on one of my console panels for control of the power and IGN lines to the PC. They all turned out very well and I am really happy with the location.

I put together the relay board (I was able to fit it all on a single perf board) last night for the HQCT and DSATX amp line. I need to make a few more holes in the case to mount it, and finish up a few wiring items.

I ran into some issues with the RRMedia DB the other night, and I had to reinstall RR and my DFX skin (along with the plugins). No big deal, but still a pain to get everything back to the way it was.

I tried using the minilogon, and quickly deciede against it. It seemed to be causing too many issues. I think I may have to reenable it to fix an issue however. I think I added xport to the startup folder while I was using minilogon, so now on a reboot it actually loads two instances of xport.

I have prepped my media drive to be installed. I have moved the majority of my music, movies, and tv shows onto the drive. I am going to try and get the HORM working with the CF drive tonight as well.

I have taken some pictures, but my wife had the camera last night. I will try to get those uploaded as well tonight.