Thread: 2008 Kia Rio Carputer

I just purchased a PSU and am having second thoughts about leaving the stock audio system in my car. It will have a much cleaner look if I remove the stereo and replace it with a monitor. I have read some threads here and it doesnt seem to be too hard to bypass the stereo in the car. However, Im not too familiar with car amps so I will have to do a little more research. If anyone has any information that could help me or advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

Well, if you're up for it, it looks like you could pull out your factory radio and buy a Metra 95-7321 double-din kit and then put in something like the Lilliput EBY701. I bought this pre-assembled model from the MP3car store and have been very happy thus far: http://store.mp3car.com/Preassembled..._p/mon-067.htm Metra #70-1004 should be the wiring harness that will plug into your factory wiring so you can hook up an amplifier without cutting anything. I think with the monitor, computer, amplifier and wiring harness you should be fairly set. Be sure to double-check the Metra part numbers before ordering, as I don't own a Kia, but that's the info I found online.

Also, having a good power and ground setup is one of the most important parts of the installation, so I would recommend buying both a ground distribution and power distribution block to hook all of your components into. It makes adding and removing parts much easier down the line as well. Take your time and plan this part of the installation out really well and it will likely save you some headaches in the future.

IMO, the CPU you listed may be underpowered for your needs (didn't look up any benchmarks though). I'm using a dual core atom 330 with an Nvidia ION chipset. I like that setup because I felt like it would be superior for things like playing video and music visualizations. The above setup may be overkill for you and it may not fit your budget, but I'm sure you can find a good compromise somewhere that will likely work for you.

Challened is right, that CPU is pure $h!+ when it comes to Car PC use, especially since you want to use media, which can use alot of resources when using codecs to view movies. I would log onto the MP3Car Store and check out there MoBos. You can get a dual core 1.6ghz for the car instead. Here is a link to a common used board. http://store.mp3car.com/Intel_BLKD94...b-057-0002.htm

Other then that everything looks good. You may want to browse the work logs and finished projects. There are a few people that have done PC installs on Hyundai Accents, which have the same radio and bezel. That way you can get an idea.

Originally Posted by ZX1Cruizer

You may want to browse the work logs and finished projects. There are a few people that have done PC installs on Hyundai Accents, which have the same radio and bezel. That way you can get an idea.

Indeed. I did my install in a 2007 Hyundai Accent which should be structurally the same as the Rio.

I have been doing a lot of searching the past couple days and have yet to find a reasonably priced FM radio. I am not looking for HD radio or satellite, just FM radio. The USB versions dont seem like they would get good reception in a car and I dont want to drop $180 on a nice once since I will rarely use it. However, I would like this feature. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I've never used it, but I just came across this FM tuner with RDS: http://www.mo-co-so.com/Car-TFT-FM-T...cs-tft-rad.htm

I decided Im going to try to use a TV tuner card for FM radio and hook it up to my car antenna. For speakers I decided to go with Infinity Kappa or Reference speakers. I should have them by the end of the month. Then all I will have to do is pick an amp, which I have no clue how to choose, but my friend is a car audio buff so I am going to have him help me.

Finally got around to installing some software. I decided to go with Ride Runner and I am glad I did. At first I couldnt figure out how to get rid of options such as "Web" from the front end. I knew it was possible from pictures I had seen. So I checked all over the place and couldn't find any tutorials. So I went through some of the code and saw that the buttons changed when you held them down. Problem solved! This will allow me to install software for GPS and fm radio while the computer is still on my desk without having the hardware for it. When I do get the hardware, it will be as simple as either installing the card or plugging into the USB! Ride Runner FTW!

On a side note, I also purchased some front speakers. Infinity Reference 6022i. They aren't the best speakers in the world, but they should be leaps and bounds better than my stock speakers. I am looking at some Infinity Kappas for the rear (6x8). Once these are purchased, all Ill have left to get is the monitor and amp.

With finals and hunting for a summer job, this project has slowed down quite a bit. However, I was able to purchase all of my speakers and a 5 channel amplifier encase I decide to put in a sub. I installed the front speakers and will probably install the rear speakers on my next day off. I am going to reformat my CarPC since it had to be used toward the end of the semester for homework since my main comp died... I also purchased a 2.5" HDD for it. With any luck and a couple days off, I should have the software setup by the end of the month.