Carpc Info Needed
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 313
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Vehicle: 2000
I just recently started looking in Carpc stuff for my car and dont really know were to begin.Here is what i am looking for
-Want to be able to install megasquirt tuning stuff for the ecu that kfx just put together.(main purpose for it)
-Be cool to have it as my stereo as well
-small so i can put it in my glove box or possible were the passenger airbag goes.
I think i will use a seven inch touch screen were my headunit is right now so i have the tuning info in view at all times.
I found a mostly complete system on mp3car.com will it work for my needs? Is there better? Heres the link http://store.mp3car.com/Mp3Car_Custom_Car_...s_p/ccc-121.htm
sorry im a little new to all this hightech stuff so any info would be amazing. thanx in advance
-Want to be able to install megasquirt tuning stuff for the ecu that kfx just put together.(main purpose for it)
-Be cool to have it as my stereo as well
-small so i can put it in my glove box or possible were the passenger airbag goes.
I think i will use a seven inch touch screen were my headunit is right now so i have the tuning info in view at all times.
I found a mostly complete system on mp3car.com will it work for my needs? Is there better? Heres the link http://store.mp3car.com/Mp3Car_Custom_Car_...s_p/ccc-121.htm
sorry im a little new to all this hightech stuff so any info would be amazing. thanx in advance
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Vehicle: 2000
I look forward to hearing from ya. Ill Be ordering the ecu with in the next month and just be running it from my laptop for a little bit till i get more money together for the carpc. so its about 3 months off till i actually will be able to start into the pc. Anyone else have info they can give now just so i can have a few options and start getting a knowlege of this stuff?
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Vehicle: 2001 Tiburon
I've had two CarPC's in the tib, just recently pulled out the last one as I'm taking the car in a different direction.
Everything I've learned, I learned from mp3car.com forums. I'm sure I've spent upwards of 150 hours reading that site.
Think about everything that you want in the system. Want GPS? Surround Sound? Want to play video games? Do you want it to look like it came stock, or better? Or are you after more functionality than looks?
Also think about how much you want to spend. I was very frugal in my CarPC's which meant they never worked quite the way I wanted, and never had enough money to make it right the first time. However I have a new job and a 2nd vehicle ('04 Explorer) and I'll probably give it the full treatment in time.
Yes, that kit has pretty much all you'll need to get a basic system up. You'll need a touchscreen, keyboard/mouse, USB->Serial adapter for the MS ECU, and a shitload of time (depends on how much you want to put into fabrication). You'll have to decide how you want to mount the screen. I went with an 8", and I really should have gone with a 7". I spent way too many hours with epoxy, molding and cutting the Double Din surround, getting it just perfect to house a screen, and even then, it wasn't quite perfect.
For the PC itself, the power supply is included with that deal. I had the M2-ATX in my first CarPC and it worked great. Since it's in your glovebox it will be accessible, another plus. You'll want to add some ventilation in there so you don't run into overheating issues. You'll have to run a few wires. One from a constant 12V source rated for at least 10Amps (your best bet is going straight to the battery) and a 12V switched power, which you'll probably tap from the stereo harness, so that the PC turns on when you turn the key on. Make sure you have a good ground to the chassis of the CarPC. A common problem with CarPC's with internal sound cards is alternator whine, which is caused by improper grounding/ground loops. Do a search on mp3car.com about ground loops and you'll have days worth of reading right there. You can also solve alternator whine with a ground loop isolator available at Rat Shack for $20.
You'll need to run misc. cables (usb and vga to the touchscreen, usb/serial adapter to the MS). You'll need a USB Hub if you plan any other peripherals (ie: keyboard, mouse, GPS, game controller, etc).
There's lots more and I could type for days, but I have to go to bed. Hit me up on MSN, frozenus at hotmail dot com, if you have specific questions.
Everything I've learned, I learned from mp3car.com forums. I'm sure I've spent upwards of 150 hours reading that site.
Think about everything that you want in the system. Want GPS? Surround Sound? Want to play video games? Do you want it to look like it came stock, or better? Or are you after more functionality than looks?
Also think about how much you want to spend. I was very frugal in my CarPC's which meant they never worked quite the way I wanted, and never had enough money to make it right the first time. However I have a new job and a 2nd vehicle ('04 Explorer) and I'll probably give it the full treatment in time.
Yes, that kit has pretty much all you'll need to get a basic system up. You'll need a touchscreen, keyboard/mouse, USB->Serial adapter for the MS ECU, and a shitload of time (depends on how much you want to put into fabrication). You'll have to decide how you want to mount the screen. I went with an 8", and I really should have gone with a 7". I spent way too many hours with epoxy, molding and cutting the Double Din surround, getting it just perfect to house a screen, and even then, it wasn't quite perfect.
For the PC itself, the power supply is included with that deal. I had the M2-ATX in my first CarPC and it worked great. Since it's in your glovebox it will be accessible, another plus. You'll want to add some ventilation in there so you don't run into overheating issues. You'll have to run a few wires. One from a constant 12V source rated for at least 10Amps (your best bet is going straight to the battery) and a 12V switched power, which you'll probably tap from the stereo harness, so that the PC turns on when you turn the key on. Make sure you have a good ground to the chassis of the CarPC. A common problem with CarPC's with internal sound cards is alternator whine, which is caused by improper grounding/ground loops. Do a search on mp3car.com about ground loops and you'll have days worth of reading right there. You can also solve alternator whine with a ground loop isolator available at Rat Shack for $20.
You'll need to run misc. cables (usb and vga to the touchscreen, usb/serial adapter to the MS). You'll need a USB Hub if you plan any other peripherals (ie: keyboard, mouse, GPS, game controller, etc).
There's lots more and I could type for days, but I have to go to bed. Hit me up on MSN, frozenus at hotmail dot com, if you have specific questions.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Western PA
Vehicle: 2001 Tiburon
I have been throwing the idea around a bit as well. Everyone seems very interested in the MS stuff as well. I was thinking of trying t compile a Linux build that would run off a flash drive so there would be no need for a hard drive, (just mold a DVD player into the surround so you can play mp3's off a DVD.) I was messing with my linux box last night as im gonig to try to get the MS software to work on there.
Also think about heat from the computer. There are very small motherboards out there, micro-atx that would probably be the best bet. As far as where to mount it, glove box or possible were the passenger airbag is are probably your best bet.
I also would like to start the initiative of sharing MS information here. So many other forums are treating there maps like top secret classified information. MS was build on open source and free flowing ideas of information. Like Linux, huge community and very open and free flowing. There seems to be a lot of interest with them right now and since we pride ourselves as a great forum lets not get like everyone else.
Also think about heat from the computer. There are very small motherboards out there, micro-atx that would probably be the best bet. As far as where to mount it, glove box or possible were the passenger airbag is are probably your best bet.
I also would like to start the initiative of sharing MS information here. So many other forums are treating there maps like top secret classified information. MS was build on open source and free flowing ideas of information. Like Linux, huge community and very open and free flowing. There seems to be a lot of interest with them right now and since we pride ourselves as a great forum lets not get like everyone else.