My 2007 Infiniti G35 Coupe Worklog

**cirrus_** · 10-09-2009, 10:06 AM

I am in the process of building the system for my G35. My objectives for the project are to keep it clean and stealthy, and minimally invasive to the car as possible. I have some components left over from a previous project.

Components:
Intel Mini-ITX dual core Atom 330 w/ 2GB RAM
120GB SATA HDD
USB WiFi
USB Bluetooth
USB GPS
M3-ATX Power Supply
7" Touch Screen LCD (~$100 from E-Bbay,may upgrade to a better one later)

My Ride:

My plan is to put the PC case in the upper glove box where the nav unit would go. The LCD will go in the non-navi cubby in top of the dash. I am going to make a panel to go in the ash tray. This panel will have the power switch, LEDs and USB port. I want to be able to close everything up and hide the system. Here is what I have in mind:

Here is my progress so far:

Where PC case will go (non-nav storage box removed)

Sheet of fiberglass to cut up to fabricate case ,etc.

PC case construction

Playing around with Ubuntu Netbook Remix on LCD

**hexxamillion** · 10-16-2009, 06:51 AM

Cool start. Hey if you're going with LINUX, check out LINUXICE or nGhost for a front end (there is a section in the forums here also). If you are not looking for a front end, check out XBMC LINUX for media player...it's great on LINUX and works great with the Wii remote using bluetooth connectivity.

**cirrus_** · 10-19-2009, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by hexxamillion

Cool start. Hey if you're going with LINUX, check out LINUXICE or nGhost for a front end (there is a section in the forums here also). If you are not looking for a front end, check out XBMC LINUX for media player...it's great on LINUX and works great with the Wii remote using bluetooth connectivity.

Thanks! Great info, I prefer Linux and I was wondering is there was much interest in Linux based frontends. I spent the better part of a day compiling nGhost, NavIt, and the touch kit drvers and getting everything working. I am liking nGhost, it seems pretty easy to customize. Here are some screen shots of nGhost after getting it working and playing around with some customization.

**cirrus_** · 11-08-2009, 06:51 PM

Progress update:

Doing front panel cut-out and adding reinforcing:

Cut outs for fans and wiring, almost ready for paint:

I didn't want to hack up the "coin box" that's in the car, so I bought a used one off of ebay to fit the LCD:

I want to be able to close the cover and hide everything, it's going to be tight:

**csfile** · 11-08-2009, 11:07 PM

nice work so far...subscribing

**cirrus_** · 11-17-2009, 01:45 PM

Just a quick update. Here is the PC enclosure after painting and ready to start putting the components in:

I also received the last bits I needed. The PAC will connect to the factory head unit for audio from the PC. I ordered the OBDII and mini-keyboard from our friends at mp3car.com. I haven't found a really good OSK for linux, and the mini-keyboard should make it a little easier to type in nav locations.

**cirrus_** · 11-27-2009, 01:37 PM

Just a quick update on my progress over the past week. I am pretty much finished putting everything together. The PC enclosure is done and assembled. I think I have the LCD mounting worked out and the cubby mods done. I've finished the ashtray panel with the LEDs, switch and USB port. Here are some pics...

Assembled PC enclosure (cover open):

Ashtray panel with LEDs and USB port mounted with flox. LEDs and power switch are soldered:

Front view of completed ashtray panel:

Bench test of complete system:

I am hoping to take advantage of the long weekend to install in the car.

**drewbp** · 11-27-2009, 01:59 PM

Looking good Cirrus

I have an '07 G35 also. Went the laptop on a dock in the trunk direction. I have a spare hard drive and caddy so am going to try the linux options as well as the RR / DFX that I am already using.

**cirrus_** · 11-27-2009, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by drewbp

Looking good Cirrus

I have an '07 G35 also. Went the laptop on a dock in the trunk direction. I have a spare hard drive and caddy so am going to try the linux options as well as the RR / DFX that I am already using.

Thanks! I just checked out your project, nice work. I dig the GT-R gauges, I want to do something similar later and add a dual-axis accelerometer.

How did you mount the LCD? Any tips on pulling the head unit? I've ran across a post on G35driver.com that went through the process of pulling the head unit on an '06 G. I've also read that the trim around the clock can be tricky to remove without breaking.

**drewbp** · 11-27-2009, 10:09 PM

The lcd is mounted using the no longer available mp3car G35 screen mount. You have to open up the screen and seperate the electronics between mounting in the cubby and the screen box. I will post a picture if I can find one. If I get to do it again, I will design a mount that has a hood just like the stock gauge cluster and recess the screen.

I broke one small tab on the top part of the clock surround, but it does not vibrate or move at all. Otherwise not too difficult to take the headunit out. The '06 and '07 are identical cars for the most part. So similare I actually dont know what they changed between model years so the '06 write up will be a good resource.

Let me know if you have any questions.