Jump to content
HybridZ

Derek's custom dash work


Derek

Recommended Posts

Well since i don't have the money to do the motor work I figured I'd start working on my console/center dash setup. I'm running a carputer with a 7" touch screen, and a Vintage Air ac unit. The carputer handles my music, navigation, and engine monitoring through Megasquirt. I've been running a couple different switch and LCD locations and I'm pretty close at this point to a final placement.

The first thing I needed to work out was the center vents. The stock vent just wasn't cutting it with the new A/C unit. I've been kicking this around for a few months and finally settled on 5 series BMW center vents.

 

The first thing I needed was an adapter from a single 2.5" hose to the twin intakes on the Bimmer vent.

 

I'm carving the adapter out of type 1 PVC which is really dense. It's the same stuff electrical conduit is made of.

 

1" blocks laminated together

DSC_0018.jpg

 

Interior roughed

DSC_0020.jpg

 

Interior finish cut

DSC_0021.jpg

 

Fits like a glove

DSC_0022.jpg

 

Now the tricky part. Machining the exterior

DSC_0025.jpg

 

Finished adapter

DSC_0027.jpg

 

Now the switch plate

 

DSC_0002.jpg

 

Here is the switch plate with SEM texture paint. I had to raise it up for switch clearance .

 

DSC_0003.jpg

 

Here's the BMW vent in place

DSC_0005.jpg

 

The LCD and the A/c Switch assembly is close. I'll probably pull the bottom of the screen and the switches back towards the console to improve the angle on the screen. When everything is set I'll carve a piece to attach to the console that runs up to the dash and a bezel plate that surrounds the LCD.

 

DSC_0006.jpg

 

 

Tuner Studio

DSC_0007.jpg

 

Thanks for looking

Derek

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 41
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

nice work so far - what frontend is that, and how much did your ac put you back (if you don't mind). Also, did you feel it was necessary to do any kind of upgrade to your alternator for the carputer system?

Also laptop w/inverter, or ITX with DCPS?

I'm all questions because your going down the same road I am.

Later

Val

(PS, you felt the orig. vents didn't flow well enough? Have you been able to test the new ones? Marked improvement or what?)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

nice work so far - what frontend is that, and how much did your ac put you back (if you don't mind). Also, did you feel it was necessary to do any kind of upgrade to your alternator for the carputer system?

Also laptop w/inverter, or ITX with DCPS?

I'm all questions because your going down the same road I am.

Later

Val

(PS, you felt the orig. vents didn't flow well enough? Have you been able to test the new ones? Marked improvement or what?)

 

 

I Think I paid 450.00 for the unit and 150.00 for the switches. I'm not really sure. I really try to forget that kind of stuff! Here's a link to a write up I did.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30411&highlight=vintage+air

 

The unit cools great but I have a lot of insulation. If you don't want to pull the dash the Mini is the way to go but if your pulling the dash anyway the compact is a better bet. The center vent is so basic that I wanted something more adjustable. It works a lot better than stock. plus I can direct one vent on me and on towards the back of the car to cool down the hatch area.

 

The carputer is running roadrunner for a front end. It's a Jetway Atom 330 with a dedicated car PC power supply. The Atom 330 rocks. I can run Roadrunner, iTunes, iguidance and tuner studio all at the same time and it never misses a beat.

 

I'm running a 90 amp maxima alternator. And yes that's the first thing you should do!

 

Derek

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You, my friend continue to SUCK!!

 

All I can do with you is say wow, over and over again......

 

Thanks guys

Yes it sucks being me!

 

Life would be a better place if everyone had their own CNC knee mill!

 

 

Derek

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I Think I paid 450.00 for the unit and 150.00 for the switches. I'm not really sure. I really try to forget that kind of stuff! Here's a link to a write up I did.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30411&highlight=vintage+air

 

The unit cools great but I have a lot of insulation. If you don't want to pull the dash the Mini is the way to go but if your pulling the dash anyway the compact is a better bet. The center vent is so basic that I wanted something more adjustable. It works a lot better than stock. plus I can direct one vent on me and on towards the back of the car to cool down the hatch area.

 

The carputer is running roadrunner for a front end. It's a Jetway Atom 330 with a dedicated car PC power supply. The Atom 330 rocks. I can run Roadrunner, iTunes, iguidance and tuner studio all at the same time and it never misses a beat.

 

I'm running a 90 amp maxima alternator. And yes that's the first thing you should do!

 

Derek

 

Did you end up sacrificing your glovebox for the atom?

And yeah, i've beeen looking at the reconditioned 90A Z alternators for 2-300$. I didn't know about the maxima thing, so i'll do some searching - you recomend it?

What are your plans for portable media? I bought a slim slot load DVD+-R that I'm going to try to fab into the dash somehow.

Val

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did you end up sacrificing your glovebox for the atom?

And yeah, i've beeen looking at the reconditioned 90A Z alternators for 2-300$. I didn't know about the maxima thing, so i'll do some searching - you recomend it?

What are your plans for portable media? I bought a slim slot load DVD+-R that I'm going to try to fab into the dash somehow.

Val

 

 

Right now I have it in one of these cases http://store.mo-co-so.com/4thgenminiitxcaseforcarputercarpc-p-178.html?zenid=apmj31qos98hg7l2mrcnf5e2q6

 

And it's behind the passengers seat. I had hoped to mount it under the passengers seat but it was too tight a fit.

 

I have no provisions for portable media. I have a wifi connection so I can update my music. I also have it set up with tight VNC so I can manage it from my office. Running itunes through the front end is clunky but it works ok. If I'm on the road I set up an ad hoc connection with my iphone and use the remote app to run itunes. Road Runner works really well with winamp but not with itunes music. I tried conversion programs but could never get the tags right. I'd like to integrate a cradle for the phone but I want something slick

 

I can't remember what alternator I used but it was from Autozone. It had a serpentine pulley on it. I had to make a spacer so that my stock pulley would go on. It may only be a 85 amp unit. It's been a while.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I still hate you

 

 

Thank you for hating me. I feel warm all over!

 

 

What is the software package you are using for that home screen? Is that something you custom wrote or something you found and modified?

It's called "Ride Runner" formally known as "Road Runner" until Warner bros came down on him!

 

Or so the story goes.

 

Here is everything you need to know about carputers.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/

 

There is a whole lot of reading on there.

 

Here's a link to the front end forum

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/front-ends/

 

Derek

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is VERY cool! If you were going to make and sell the adaptors to go from the stock to a BMW 5 series two input thing, I'd be all over that if it didn't cost too much! I was thinking of doing something similar with the vents but couldn't figure out an easy way to make up an adaptor......

 

greg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is VERY cool! If you were going to make and sell the adaptors to go from the stock to a BMW 5 series two input thing, I'd be all over that if it didn't cost too much! I was thinking of doing something similar with the vents but couldn't figure out an easy way to make up an adaptor......

 

greg

 

Hi Greg

No plans to make the adapters. I'll certainly release the 3D model if you know anyone that can machine it for you.

 

 

Derek

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...