My Car PC Version 4

[DaveMark]

Ok i go though to many cars lol this is my 4th car pc

The Car

Vauxhall Astra Coupe Bertone Edition SE2 - 2.2 (140bhp)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/small/PA300044.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/small/PA300043.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/small/P6120061small.jpg


The Dash

8" Linitx Widescreen Moulded into the dash

The PC

Custom Made Mini itx system in glovebox

----------------------------------------------------------------

OK got started on the dash, 8" widescreen touch from linitx .. dismantled the monitor ok and started to hack and slash at the bezel and spare dash

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/PB200021.JPG


I then glued the bezel into place and started on the filler, yeah i went a bit ott lol

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/PB200023.JPG


After a lot of sanding + having to start totally again due to i bugged the bezel i ended up with something that’s looking like it should (thanks Chris for sourcing me a spare bezel) (Sorry about the bad picture , phone was on infinite focus opps)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/DSC00042.jpg


Ok more sanding more filling more sanding etc etc ... getting there

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/DSC00043.jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/DSC00044.jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/DSC00045.jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/DSC00046.jpg

then i did some more sanding lol

and put on a greay undercoat .. this brings out more inperfections which i can fill once its dryed .. but im starting to be happy with it :)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/DSC00047.jpg

Ok more imperfections sorted .. only bit i got to work on now is the top curve as its not quite round and it can be seen that i have filled something in .. its going to be hard and im cursing over it but im sure i will get there eventually. other inperfection is the little one next to the far right heater hole.


http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/DSC00062.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/coupe/DSC00063.jpg

decided to build the whole pc into my glovebox which has a handy shelf

The Glovebox shelf

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0001.JPG

Things Placed out

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0002.JPG

I love the voom front so im going to use it and it also keeps harddrives nicely secured

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0003.JPG

Thats Close !!! lol

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0505.JPG

Mounting posts added

http://www.digital-car.co.uk/davemark/images/IMGP0507.JPG

test fit of voom front bolted to shelf

http://www.digital-car.co.uk/davemark/images/IMGP0509.JPG

http://www.digital-car.co.uk/davemark/images/IMGP0510.JPG

http://www.digital-car.co.uk/davemark/images/IMGP0511.JPG

voom front sockets fitted and secured !! dam it was close !!

http://www.digital-car.co.uk/davemark/images/IMGP0512.JPG

all wired up

http://www.digital-car.co.uk/davemark/images/IMGP0514.JPG

http://www.digital-car.co.uk/davemark/images/IMGP0515.JPG

used the plug from the voom so it can be removed with one plug

http://www.digital-car.co.uk/davemark/images/IMGP0516.JPG

this is an idea of what it will look like the right of the front of the voom will be a bit of wood shaped to fit with one of the voom fans , also possible video phono sockets for the tfts video inputs. please note i have yet to cut out the back of the glove box so it will sit further back than it is in below picture.

http://www.digital-car.co.uk/davemark/images/IMGP0518.JPG

the whole was cut and now the pc sits where it should

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0520.JPG

and shuts

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0521.JPG

the glovebox mod !!

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0522.JPG

had to make sure it fitted in the car, im just worried on space for cables going to test by adding a adapter on the vga port and seeing if i meet resistence

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0523.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0525.JPG

OK mocked up right panel in cardboard

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0530.JPG

then in wood and cut the whole for the fan

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0531.JPG

i have added a 40mm grill to my list of bits to buy should finish it of nicely

just got to paint this up now.....

More Soon

Dave

[movinginthedark]

Looks pretty good so far.
Liking the plastic dash work you done thar - V.Nice :P

Makes me think I should get back to my project, now I have no 360 - I have nothing else to do.

Project looks good though - keep us posted.

[DaveMark]

update

ok update

Just received another box full of goodies

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0533.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0534.JPG

and car audio direct also gave me a later easter gift :)

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0535.JPG

Amp bolted to bottom of glove box

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0539.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0538.JPG

put the PC back in and tum de doooo one very heavy glove box

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0540.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0541.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0543.JPG

2x pannels will carpeted black or maybe swade blue to match seats should look good

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0544.JPG

all for now

dave

[sf37]

Very nice, I am also impressed by the display-bezel work; a lot of hassle but looks much better for it.

I was also going to ask what you intended to do with the lower glove-box compartment...!

Any photos of your previous carputer mods?

[Chenks]

that's gonna run damn hot. especially with the amp below the PC.

are you sure you're gonna be able to keep all that cool enough ?

[DaveMark]

that's gonna run damn hot. especially with the amp below the PC.

are you sure you're gonna be able to keep all that cool enough ?
yeah should be fine i have run a hotter amp before im simular location if not im working on pumping of the air con , i will acess the heat situation if/when it arises

[Euphoria]

Looking good! But wont the PC being jolted around a lot by driving screw something up?

[DaveMark]

nah .. laptop drive all fine :) , of course i would not do a rally with it lol but general driving fine

Dave

[Euphoria]

Are laptop drives more robust than normal drives then? I always wondered how my laptop has survived lol!

[jamesp129]

2.2 l and 140bhp abit poor init my clio is 100bhp that's a 1.4

[Euphoria]

Your Clio is 1/2 the size of the Astra don't forget.

[jamesp129]

And twice as quick:D

[DaveMark]

aye not the most tuned engines .. nice on the moterway tho but yeah very hevey .. can get them to 170 + tho with low cost tuneing

[jamesp129]

Get full exhaust system ,cold air induction kit and a remap thatl up bhp a fair bit.

[Euphoria]

Or just get like your 16th Astra with the 2.0l Turbo lump in the front :D

[Graeme*Kustom*]

Looking good! But wont the PC being jolted around a lot by driving screw something up?

Mine's survived 18 months of being in a car with what would be best described as 'harsh' suspension, so it doesn't seem to be an issue.

Nice install, davemark - good work on the dash !

[Euphoria]

That's not bad then!

[DaveMark]

yeah i have a friend who has a normal harddrive in his and its been going solid for 3 years ..and never been rebooted .. allways standby . they can last lol

anyway update

OK update

I was let lose with my dads staple gun and i did this, the flash makes the carpet look crap its nice dark sub box style
http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0558.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0557.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0556.JPG

I'm very happy with the results , must thank my mum for tidying up the corners .. made it much neater

i am a little worried still about heat due to amp and PC in confined space but i will have to deal with that if/when i have problems.

All i got to do now is add fan and grill :)

Dave

[Chenks]

yeah i think heat will be an issue.

the amp's heatsinks are right below the base of the PC.. so the hot air from the amp will be rising straight into the bottom of the PC. and the PC is in a tight space with little air movement.

[DaveMark]

im hopeing it will be ok , i have had a higher power amp which did not get very hot at all and this one is lower power still but yes i will keep an eye on it

Dave

[Chenks]

im hopeing it will be ok , i have had a higher power amp which did not get very hot at all and this one is lower power still but yes i will keep an eye on it

Dave

to be fair though, the previous amp probably didn't have a PC right above it. it probably a little more air flow around it.

[DaveMark]

true , im going to attack the glovebox with a drill tommorow get some wholes in it .. should improve the circulation

Dave

[DaveMark]

bit of a majour update lol


http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0010.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0009.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0008.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0007.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0018.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0016.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0014.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0012.JPG

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/IMGP0013.JPG

Few changes/mods that are in progress

Finish Dash, Wire up Buttons & Volt Meter - Dash resprayed black
Relocate my hazard switch down to where Sig lighter would be
spray other dash parts black to match
mould 2x 2.5" screens in ashtray space for front and reversing cameras
get my OBD working
work on my steering wheel controls for PC

[Euphoria]

That looks fantastic! Makes me want want for my car!

[DaveMark]

OK little update, I'm not happy with the finish of the dash and the plan is to do what rusty did on here .. the dash is going to be covered in Alicante from http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk

I'm going to replace all the Grey bits of my dash with black so all should match nicely... only disappointment at the moment is the screen in the day ... anyone got any ideas to improve it wile i await a brighter/anti reflective screen to be stocked by somewhere. i was thinking of tinting my windows but honestly how much does that help ??? any one done it ?

Dave

[Fingz999]

you been on astra-sport mate (now the astra owners club) used to be a member when i had my 2.2 hatch

[DaveMark]

yeah i am on there

anyway update

dash now trimmed in alacantra

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/237_dashtrimmed_1.jpg

[Fingz999]

what interior you got in that mate looks simular to the 888 stuff from here, like the update to the dash looks good, Dam i miss my astra

[DaveMark]

what interior you got in that mate looks similar to the 888 stuff from here, like the update to the dash looks good, Dam i miss my astra

its the suede half leather coupe SE2 interior .. one of the best ones in my eyes :) similar to the 888 yeah diffrent seats .

[Tchort]

Like the Pc shame about the car ;)

[DaveMark]

Like the Pc shame about the car ;)


i love my car .. love vauxhalls .. so :p

more trim done

http://www.davemark.co.uk/images/carpc/trims.jpg

[DaveMark]

ok i thought i would post some latest pictures for everyone now its pretty much 90% finished, few changes are goign to be made

changeing bottem din buttons to savage style (same as hazzard)
get stearing controls working


http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/carpc/images/P7260026.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/carpc/images/P7260020.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/carpc/images/P7260024.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/carpc/images/P7260016.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/carpc/images/P7260008.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/carpc/images/P7260030.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/carpc/images/P7260029.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/carpc/images/P7260026.jpg

:)

Dave

[shifty.ricky]

Really nice install. Except the suede on the dash...thats just not doing it for me.

[Graeme*Kustom*]

Good work. And big improvement on the software side too :)

[bootup05]

Thats such a sweet setup, congrats on that, must of took some time and work ;)

[digit]

Looks nice, perhaps I'd have used matching blue swede on the center console to match the gear stick gaiter and seats. But good work all the same!

[Mojo]

I like the suede, and it would have been too blue if you used it there. Finish looks very good.

Need to see if you can swap the basic Astra AC dials though, something more modern to go with those buttons below might be cool.

[DaveMark]

Really nice install. Except the suede on the dash...thats just not doing it for me.

Pictures dont do it justice, but each to there own

Good work. And big improvement on the software side too :)

Yeah Centrafuse Rocks !!!! much better than previous media car front ends

That's such a sweet setup, congrats on that, must of took some time and work ;)

Its taken quite a few evenings and weekends but got there in the end :) cheers for all the good comments.

Looks nice, perhaps I'd have used matching blue swede on the center console to match the gear stick gaiter and seats. But good work all the same!

Ahhhh !!! no Chav , blue would have been too in the face and OTT

I like the suede, and it would have been too blue if you used it there. Finish looks very good.

Need to see if you can swap the basic Astra AC dials though, something more modern to go with those buttons below might be cool.

Agreed to the suede comment :)

Good idea on buttons will look into it but not sure whats out there , i could fill in that whole all together and use savage switches, i will loooook into it :)

for a full build guide visit my custom pc blog :) - http://www.custompc.co.uk/blogs/davemark/

Cheers All for comments

DaveMark

[Euphoria]

Looking good since I last saw. I'm not too sure about the suede either, and blue would be a BIG no no!

[InsolentMinx]

looks great! i'm curious as to what the silver knob is under the handbrake... can't quite figure it out...

[Westy5]

looks great! i'm curious as to what the silver knob is under the handbrake... can't quite figure it out...

Looks like a Griffin Powermate (http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_5445.html)

[DaveMark]

Looks like a Griffin Powermate (http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_5445.html)


:) correct that man

Dave

[DaveMark]

ok sorry if some info dont make sence copyed from another forum

OK i spent today changing the bottom din panel as i wanted savage buttons all round

New panel In place :) and wholes drilled

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image199.jpg

filled :)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image200.jpg

test fit ( i have ordered a different volt meter now, did not like this one)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image201.jpg

now ready for re trimming which i will do tomorrow :)

stealth dash anyone lol

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image202.jpg

screen cut out

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image203.jpg

Dials cut out

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image205.jpg

finished

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image206.jpg

back of panel :)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image209.jpg

OK screen now in

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image210.jpg

wile i had it all out i thought i would tidy up the back, before i had the original back of the monitor sort of duct taped on and was a bit of a mess

now mounted on piece of wood much better :)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image211.jpg

and mounted

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image212.jpg

Just hoping Chris can find me a inverter back light plug as mine snapped and wont hold in anymore, once thats in should be ready to go back in the car


dash panel finished

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image214.jpg

LED test

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image220.jpg

OK after a few hours of wiring cursing and burning and cutting fingers lol

its in and working lovely :)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image224.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image223.jpg

Photos don't do it justice, LEDS are really nice deep dark blue

My Valet and Ignition by pass switches now work great so for future i wont need the key in the ignition for shows
only reset to go but did not have a reset header, not a big issue

at night pics, please note these pictures are taken with phone and its crap at night shots its 100000x better in real life i keep smiling when i get in car and boot it all up :)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image226.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image227.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davemark/images/Image228.jpg

Dave

[Kynoch]

Very nice work, I would love to put a car pc in my focus but I just do not have the time to do it. :(

[marcus000]

Congrats on the CPC article... :D

[Euphoria]

It's been a while since we last saw DaveMark's name next to a new post (all of 7 days - just looked :D)! Waiting to see what the next project turns out to be...?!

[DaveMark]

Congrats on the CPC article... :D
cheers , just posted low rez scans :)

very happy with article (even if they done it a little chavy :()

Dave

[Stephen B]

cheers , just posted low rez scans :)

very happy with article (even if they done it a little chavy :()

Dave


That would be the Astra effect :)

neat install btw

[DaveMark]

cheers :) ................