Car Computer aka Porscheputer Part 1 of 3

This is a three part post cuz we can only post eight pics per thread, and I have 24 pics. I've been procrastinating posting this, but I found some motivation today, so here goes. Here is my install of a computer in my Cayman S . A carputer, or "Porscheputer" if you will. It has all the capabilities of a regular computer, so it is only limited by your imagination, budget, and software skills. Basically, it's a mini-itx motherboard with an 80 gig 2.5" hard drive, 512 mb RAM, startup/shutdown controller (so that the carputer boots on startup and shuts the computer down normally when you turn the car off), Bluetooth, XM-PCR for satellite radio, a wireless FM transmitter to get the audio signal to the car, an OBD2 reader, and a touchscreen. Now, let me explain some of the requirements I gave myself before installing the carputer: 1. Not cutting any wires....What does this mean? No hardwiring an FM modulator, no attempts at hacking (and probably royalling screwing up) the Porsche audio system, must tap into ignition wire at fusebox. 2. Not drilling any holes...What does this mean? Running wires/cables and mounting the touchscreen was going to be interesting. Caveat I did break this rule to screw the carputer case into the interior of the boot, but you can't see those holes with the carputer removed. 3. Touchscreen has to be easily removable. I live in Atlanta, if you don't remove it, someone will. So, here's the pics: Carputer Case in Boot - About the size of a medium size amplifier, still plenty of space for luggage and stuff. Painted it white to match the car. Carputer Case in Boot - Plenty of room! General lay of the wiring - Running the wires was not too bad. There were three access ports I made use of to get through the walls. Carputer Case Close Up - Slapped a Porsche badge on it for that OEM look... OBD2 Scan Tool - Works well, connects via serial, there are other units that connect via USB and via Bluetooth. I originally wanted to go bluetooth to reduce the number of wires I had to run, but there was enough room for a cable. In my experience, if you can do it with a wire, do it with a wire. XM-PCR Satellite Radio - Sweet little device. XM radio that connects via USB to your computer. XM doesn't make anymore b/c some guy wrote software that could intercept the stream and chop it up into mp3s. They are still available on ebay though (and totally legal). Regular XM radio can be made to work with the carputer though. XM Antenna - gets pretty good reception there. Wireless FM Transmitter - Not wanting to cut any wires (and no AUX input in the Porsche PCM and no ipod-type CD changer interface to provide an AUX input yet...) I opted for a USB powered FM Transmitter. The sound quality is actually not that bad, but of course, it could be better. As soon as ipod-type connectors are available, I'm going to get one and run the audio straight to it.

Would you mind submitting this as an article? If you upload your 24 images into the Gallery you can link them into 1 single article in the Articles section!

I'd love to. I am gonna grab a bite to eat, then I'll submit it as an article a little later this evening. Thanks!

How much, may I ask, did it all cost you?

I think it was all total around $800-$900. But it can be done for less (or more). For example, you can use the carputer as a navigation unit, (I didn't since i have Porsche nav) so you would need to buy a GPS antenna (about $80).