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Meissen's Project 8" CarPC

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  • Meissen's Project 8" CarPC

    Introduction
    Project CarPC has been an on-going project to have a fully in-dash computer mounted in place of my head unit. With a CarPC, the possibilities are only as endless as your finances, creativity, and know-how. The most common features in a carPC is to hold one's mp3 collection, as well as GPS navigation. Future features, though, include full integration with cellphone, DVD capability, data logging, etc.

    History
    CarPC v1.0 - CarPC v1 is what started it all. I had found an awesome deal on a 10.4" touchscreen kiosk PC being sold on mp3car.com and bought it. I had the entire bezel molded and installed only to realize on "move in day" that the guts of the PC were way too big for the space behind the bezel.


    CarPC v2.0 - I had to basically start from scratch after the demise of v1.0 -- a new 6" square Epia mini-ITX motherboard would ensure the guts could fit the space behind the dash, and a 7" touchscreen toned down the look after it was decided that the housing for a 10.4" touchscreen was just too big of a bezel. v2 worked great and I had it installed and running for over a year. The only thing I couldn't get over, though, was the bezel. While the lines of the customized bezel blended moderately well with the rest of the dash, it just didn't seem to be as easy to work on and didn't fit in with the rest of the dash as much as I wanted.


    CarPC v3 - Current - Unsatisfied with how CarPC v2's bezel made the interior look, and not satisfied with how hard it was to remove and reinstall the carPC, I decided it was time for drastic changes to the interior of the vehicle. I had always loved how easy it looked to install a carPC in the 97+ dash. I purchased an entire dash from a fellow member of MiFbody.com and over the winter of 07-08 swapped the new dash in. Once the new dash was installed, it was time to customize the 97+ bezel.












    Last edited by meissen; April 7th, 2009, 12:16 PM.
    - Brian Meissen
    Owner, MiFBody.com
    Administrator, LTxTech.com


    1994 Camaro LT1 Transplant - 357ci LT1, cammed, stalled, and driven.
    2022 Camaro LT1 - "Cherry Bomb 2"
    Michigan FBody Meet & Greet Car Show 2022
    June 4th, 2022 - 9am to 3pm!!!
    The HUB Stadium, Auburn Hills, MI

  • #2
    I brought this over here because I posted it on LTxTech awhile back and figured I should bring it over here too.
    - Brian Meissen
    Owner, MiFBody.com
    Administrator, LTxTech.com


    1994 Camaro LT1 Transplant - 357ci LT1, cammed, stalled, and driven.
    2022 Camaro LT1 - "Cherry Bomb 2"
    Michigan FBody Meet & Greet Car Show 2022
    June 4th, 2022 - 9am to 3pm!!!
    The HUB Stadium, Auburn Hills, MI

    Comment


    • #3
      So you have a head unit stashed behind your screen? Never knew that. I'd love to do something like that when I get an fbody again.

      Comment


      • #4
        Is there two head units in your car? One behind the screen and one in the glove box? Do you have the carPc running the headunits?
        sigpic
        1992 Chevy Camaro 25th Anniversary-SOLD
        1992 Chevy Camaro 25th Anniversary
        1997 Chevrolet Corvette

        The Original
        Originally posted by meissen
        I actually agree with Darren on everything he said...
        Originally posted by 81DaytonaPaceCar
        Yep, pretty much...not too often I agree 100% with Darren, but there it is...


        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by SoulTerror View Post
          So you have a head unit stashed behind your screen? Never knew that. I'd love to do something like that when I get an fbody again.
          It's actually misleading. The headunit was originally going to go behind the screen but then we decided to mount it in the glovebox. And even since the M&G picture that Kyle took (the last picture) we changed it slightly so things would be easier accessible in the glovebox.

          Originally posted by Darrenscamaro View Post
          Is there two head units in your car? One behind the screen and one in the glove box? Do you have the carPc running the headunits?
          Just the one, two pictures showing the two different locations that we tried with the glovebox being the final winner.

          The audio flow is from the CarPC to the aux-in of the headunit, which then sends the signal to all the speakers and to the amp, and then the amp sends it to the subwoofers. I'm essentially only using the headunit to make the wiring from the carPC to the speakers easier.
          - Brian Meissen
          Owner, MiFBody.com
          Administrator, LTxTech.com


          1994 Camaro LT1 Transplant - 357ci LT1, cammed, stalled, and driven.
          2022 Camaro LT1 - "Cherry Bomb 2"
          Michigan FBody Meet & Greet Car Show 2022
          June 4th, 2022 - 9am to 3pm!!!
          The HUB Stadium, Auburn Hills, MI

          Comment


          • #6
            Very much looking forward to seeing all of this when it is finished.
            sigpic

            RED





            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by meissen
              and over the winter of 06-07 swapped the new dash in.

              07-08.

              Gone but not forgotten: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

              "You shall ride eternal. Shiny and chrome."

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by meissen View Post
                It's actually misleading. The headunit was originally going to go behind the screen but then we decided to mount it in the glovebox. And even since the M&G picture that Kyle took (the last picture) we changed it slightly so things would be easier accessible in the glovebox.



                Just the one, two pictures showing the two different locations that we tried with the glovebox being the final winner.

                The audio flow is from the CarPC to the aux-in of the headunit, which then sends the signal to all the speakers and to the amp, and then the amp sends it to the subwoofers. I'm essentially only using the headunit to make the wiring from the carPC to the speakers easier.

                did you swap your interior?
                sigpic

                1996 Base Model
                +2 cylinder mod

                Comment


                • #9
                  looks nice man i am jealous !!!!!
                  The Original




                  Originally posted by 81DaytonaPaceCar


                  Can you argue that it's "revolutionary"? Perhaps. Just because it's "new" and "different" doesn't mean it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by jderry View Post
                    did you swap your interior?
                    He has a lot of custom work done to his interior but I believe by looking at the pictures it is all with stock interior parts... I love his seats he had custom seat covers made and he re did his stock seats they look amazing!
                    sigpic
                    1992 Chevy Camaro 25th Anniversary-SOLD
                    1992 Chevy Camaro 25th Anniversary
                    1997 Chevrolet Corvette

                    The Original
                    Originally posted by meissen
                    I actually agree with Darren on everything he said...
                    Originally posted by 81DaytonaPaceCar
                    Yep, pretty much...not too often I agree 100% with Darren, but there it is...


                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Guess I'll be the first to take this into the gutter, but Meissen's Project 8"....???8-O8-O8-O
                      West Michigan Pontiac Club



                      "A Camaro looks like it can kick your a**, a Trans Am is coming over to do it"

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by 92conv View Post
                        Guess I'll be the first to take this into the gutter, but Meissen's Project 8"....???8-O8-O8-O
                        Haha there always has to be one...
                        sigpic
                        1992 Chevy Camaro 25th Anniversary-SOLD
                        1992 Chevy Camaro 25th Anniversary
                        1997 Chevrolet Corvette

                        The Original
                        Originally posted by meissen
                        I actually agree with Darren on everything he said...
                        Originally posted by 81DaytonaPaceCar
                        Yep, pretty much...not too often I agree 100% with Darren, but there it is...


                        Comment


                        • #13
                          ya some bestock but imo he dont a lot of custom work to his car and it going to one of a kind
                          The Original




                          Originally posted by 81DaytonaPaceCar


                          Can you argue that it's "revolutionary"? Perhaps. Just because it's "new" and "different" doesn't mean it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Darrenscamaro View Post
                            He has a lot of custom work done to his interior but I believe by looking at the pictures it is all with stock interior parts... I love his seats he had custom seat covers made and he re did his stock seats they look amazing!
                            Originally posted by jderry View Post
                            did you swap your interior?
                            He has a 97+ Dash.
                            Gone but not forgotten: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

                            "You shall ride eternal. Shiny and chrome."

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Nice post for us technically advanced out there......of which i am not lol. Looks like alot of work but well worth the end product!
                              sigpic
                              1994 Camaro Z28 83K M6, CAI, AFR 190cc, 11.6:1, Hooker headers, Hooker ORY, Mangnaflow exhaust, AI 230/238, 1.6 RR, B&M Short throw, Hays clutch, 4.10 gear.

                              Member: The Mid Michigan Modern Muscle Car Club

                              Originally Posted by 1BADAIR
                              manuals should be launched off the limiter and the throttle shouldn't leave the floor til 10 feet after the finish line

                              Comment

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