I'm starting to brainstorm for ideas on the best solution for installing a touchscreen VGA or better display in the RX-8. I do not have NAV, but really want to get a carputer installed in there. It would be awesome if OverLoad gets the aux in module with a serial conenction working, so the steering wheel controls could work as well. I have seen a few ideas on here over the last year or so, but i just wanted to get a common thread for this going. I want this thread focused to just the display options and mounting options. I wat touchscreen, so it should be in decent arm's reach. Best idea wins a shiny yellow sticky of appreciation from yours truely!

 

These are my results after several months of researching this.

---------Hardware-----------

Dual-Lock (Like Velcro, Only Better)
http://www.3m.com/product/d_index/Dual_Lock(TM)_Reclosable_Fastener,_3M(TM)_
(AN)_00.jhtml

Possible mounting bracket
http://store.thedishman.com/2004e-sisha1566b.html

Carnetix power supply (Like Opus)
http://www.carnetix.com/

Steering Wheel Controls to Computer:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=25690

POR Patch sealer/filler:
http://www.por15.com/product.asp?productid=8

Monitors:
http://www.qualitymobilevideo.com/rawmodules.html
http://store.earthlcd.com/s.nl/c.318...category.12/.f
lilliput:
http://www.logicsupply.com/
lilliput dimensions:
http://www.digitalww.com/images/TM71...asurements.jpg

Case/mobo package:
http://www.mini-itx.com/store/defaul...=11&currency=2
2.55(h) x 8.27(d) x 10.16(w) inches

http://www.mini-box.com/
4.4(h) x 8.66(d) x 7.87(w) inches

tv/fm tuner:
http://www.hauppauge.com/html/usb_data.htm

software:
MediaEngine http://www.mediaengine.org/
xp embedded http://msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/
download link:
http://www.windowsembeddedkit.com/KitPage.aspx
XP Load Tweaks:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/supertweaks.htm
http://iamnotageek.com/articles.php?...s_XP_Performan
ce_Tweaking_Guide

OBDII Software:
http://www.suicidalcreations.com/proscan/details.htm
http://www.obddiagnostics.com/

VFD Hud:
http://www.noritake-itron.com/
http://sales.goldmine-elec.com/prodinfo.asp?prodid=7953 Coated Glass.

Switches:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=27514

Plastics for console:
http://www.professionalplastics.com/cgi-bin/pp.pl

-------Operating Systems---------------

Windows XP/2k/98 Lite Installer. HD Only Install?
http://nuhi.msfn.org/nlite.html

Windows 98 lite. HD only?
http://www.etek.chalmers.se/~e8gus/nano98/

Search for TinyWin. Puts 98 on USB Drive.

Embedding windows (GOOD!).
http://www.embeddingwindows.com/

98Lite.
http://www.litepc.com/download.html

--------Win98 Diskless Options--------------

windows 98 disk-less install.
http://forums.infoprosjoint.net/showthread.php?t=3724

Search for xmxdsk. RamDrive with no limit.
http://www.uwe-sieber.de/util_e.html

98-lite pro. $25.00. Download link.
https://www.litepc.com/shop/?product=Our_Products&pid=1

98 disk-less walkthrough.
http://www.bootix.com/support/sample...skless_en.html

98 run from cd tutorial.
http://www.lachiesadicristo.it/w98cd/page1.htm

bootix 98 diskless.
http://www.bootix.com/support/sample...skless_en.html

win98 optimization, includes diskless.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/win9x/chapter/ch10.html

another 98 diskless install; from cdrom; good because only registry is in ramdrive, not
all of the system.
http://www.heise.de/ct/english/99/11/206/

---------Challenges-------------

For the screen; I wanted to remove the faceplate, and fabricate my own. This would require removing the controller board behind the plate. In doing this, one would loose the controls for the clock and the temp display buttons. Unacceptable. Option two is to keep the buttons and controller, but desoldier them from the main controller board, and have some wire extend to the board.

Also for the screen; Option two is to keep the factory dash piece, as one would not need to fabricate a panel that fits. Cut a square the size of the Lilliput Touch Screen and affix it to the panel. Also would have to move the controller around somewhere. (not too far, as the AC also connects to the controller)

I was going to use the stock radio case inside the dash for housing my PC and accessories. If you gut the radio stuff out of the case, the computer motherboard will fit. Same for the CD. Gut the CD stuff out of the case, and use the case. I like this idea, as everything fits like factory. One could even use the MD frame below for a slim laptop-style HDD for MP3's. (also my plan)

I have not done any of this yet, as there are still some question marks about the design phase, as I've posed above. When I get a finalized picture in my mind of what I want and how I want it to be engineered, I'll post my progress.

 

Like your avatar, BTW

 

Lots of great stuff. Fortunately, I have an older laptop (Athlon 900MHz I think) that I will be using for this, so a lot of the stuff listed i don't need to get involved with. As for the displays, the Lilliput seems so much better than everything else in its pricerange, that I am probably going with it. I am now looking into some sort of rail system that would allow the display to be hidden when not in use. More of that to come (gotta snap some pictures, and do some drawing).

 

Sounds good. Hope it works out for you. Let me know of your progress.

 

Here is an idea I came up with for mounting the monitor. It will take some trial and error engineering time to perfect the mechanism, but it would be VERY nice if the finidhed product turns out right.

Monitor Idea Number 1

 

that is a great idea...probably the best one I've seen yet...unfortunately, it looks like the hardest one I've seen yet too. Let me know of any progress...

the look I'll probably be using initially is to mount a lilluput touchscreen to a bendable arm which comes out of the little hole next to the glove compartment. It is definitely not something I would consider finished but until something like you posted above comes out...I think it would do

-Greg

 

I think my plan with this is to start by purchasing a replacement panel for the dash, and building the unit on a bench, and looking at how hard it is really going to be. Just have to figure out how to order a replacement panel now. Anyone got any ideas on this one?

 

talk to thew from rx8garage.net he can get it for you no problem

 

Great set of links merlin00gt. I noticed that the OBD interfaces you have linked don't support CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol - you'll need this to access the RX8's OBD.

 

Yeah, I saved the link anyway, thinking that they may include this in a future product/revision.