This Is Where It All Happens! 

This project is done in a 1984 Chrysler Laser turbo 5 speed.  When i bought it i was only interested in the performance of it but i have now totally changed it for cruisin'.  It is the third version of the audio system i have done in it.  The last one was done in the late 80's.  The Alpine amps are from this version while the PC and everything else is current.  It has been an ongoing 6 year project...

If after you view my install and you want to see what you need to do, just search on this forum and you'll find plenty of info!

July 22, 2002 **Construction Start Date**
I am in the process of installing a computer in my car. This project is the result of over 2 years of planning and research. It was started before there was such a thing as mobile MP3 playback.

There is no head unit.

The "brain" of the system is an AMD Athlon XP 1600mhz processor sitting on an ATX Microstar KT4V Motherboard. It has 1 Gig of DDR Ram and a 150GB Western Digital hard drive.

Power to this unit comes from a Opus 150 watt DC/DC power supply. No inverters here!!! There is a Shutdown Circuit that allows the carputer to remain on for short periods of time; quick trips into the store with the car off and when you come back to the car there is no need to reboot.(thanks Jeff Mucha & Mastero from MP3car.com).

A Soundblaster Audigy 1 PCI card controls the audio while a Radeon 7000 distributes the video.

This system play's mp3's, dvd movies and several other formats. It also has GPS navigation using Microsoft Streets & Trips 2007, Sirius radio, Rear view camera and TV tuning capabiity.

In the center console, there is a Datalux 12" VGA TFT LCD touchscreen that controls the system. A rear 15" VGA TFT LCD raises and lowers as the hatch opens and closes for display purposes to run video demonstrations when I compete in car shows. A TV output connects to 2-7" LCD screens mounted in the rear hatch over the 15" rear screen. There are also 2 - 7" LCD screens in the visors.

The MP3's are stored on the 150GB hard drive for instant access. Road Runner is the control front end that runs this car computer. Loading of all MP3's is done by CD-RW's or by directly connecting to my home network through Wi-Fi. Once the carputer is on, i can completely control it from my desktop pc; updating program files, adding music etc.

An Pioneer 16x DVD player takes care of all DVD playback.

There is also a relay board that is run via the parallel port that controls 8 relays that control various functions-door solenoids(to open each door-handles are shaved), hood and trunk release, display neon, etc. A Visual Basic program was written to control each relay which has an option for on/off or momentary capability.(thanks Wizard PC from mp3car.com)

Also, an 10-channel remote control relay board operates various things around the vehicle for demonstration purposes at shows.

Audio output starts at the carputer and then goes into an Audio Control Epicenter for additional bass control. This unit has an external bass control mounted up front. From there the signal is then run through an Alpine Dolby Surround Sound Processor that has a built-in crossover. This unit has the master volume control mounted on the front panel. It is installed in a custom enclosure mounted between the headrests covered with headliner material. There is also a small center speaker mounted in an enclosure over the screen.

Processing is handled by 2 Audio Control EQT's and a 4XS on the front stage to introduce the mid bass drivers into the system. These units are mounted overhead behind the sunroof in front of the rear hatch.

Amplication is all Alpine. Total system power--over 650w--from 6 amps.

Subs--3 JL 10W3's 300w
Rear surround--MB Quart 5-1/4" coax 60w per channel
Mid Bass--4 MB Quart 6.5" 100w per channel
Front Stage--MB Quart 5-1/4" Q series separates--60w per channel mids, 40w per channel tweeters
Center--MB Quart 5-1/4" Coax 80w

Total front to rear and top to bottom sound deadening is a combination of Dynamat and RaamMatt.

A rear battery powers the computer system and alarm as well as all the extra features via a battery isolator mounted in the engine compartment. A 125A watertight fuse is mounted inline after the isolator before the 4 gauge Stinger wire goes underneath the vehicle in water tight conduit to the rear.

The vehicle has undergone a complete strip job down to the factory metal. It is painted black. The door handles are completely shaved as are all chrysler emblems.

Page 1: The Story
Page 2: Paint & Security
Page 3: Enclosures
Page 4: Power Source
Page 5: Signal Source
Page 6: Processors
Page 7: Speakers
Page 8: Amplifiers
Page 9: Computer, Screens & Consoles
Page 10: Extra Stuff
Page 11: Summer 2006
Page 11: Summer 2008

I will be updating these pages regularly to report my progress in this installation. Stop back as much as you want!!!