Honda Insight Computer Project

[lakedude]

It seems strange that someone would purchase the most efficient car currently available and not do likewise with the computer system. I've got systems rangeing from a 3G P4 with a 10,000rpm RAPTOR drive to a 1.5GHz pentium M powered laptop with a 7,200rpm drive and a 9600 pro turbo.

The fast system is used for video editing and conversion and runs 100% CPU load during such use. I LOVE the laptop, it works great for any reasonable task and only consumes about 25 watts most of the time. Playing Doom3 eats the batts a bit but I don't think playing Doom is a good idea while driving.

To me the only processor that is a match for the Insight is the 1.1GHz ultra low voltage 5 watt pentium M. A 1.1 is no dog and can do everything you are asking of it. I love my 1.5.

[flunkysama]

Here's my 2cents.

One app no one mentioned yet is to get a OBD2 adapter and have an full featured engine monitoring display.

There is not a lot of spare space under the dash, but an ITX system with a laptop harddrive might work.

Otherwise you should look in the space between the buckhead behind the seats and the IMA box. A MATX should fit in there. Use the rear speaker holes without speakers for ventilation. Access would be difficult.

Add wireless and put a base in your garage so you can upload new tunes directly from the net or your home system.

The biggest issue (at least with me) is where to mount the display. No matter where you put it, it will block something and look ugly. A trackball or touch pad could be added to the center console for an input device.

I was considering something that was partial under dash and also used the radio mounting spot. The computer would replace all the functions of the head unit. What killed the deal was that there is no AM recievers for PCs. FM:yes, AM:no and there a great AM NPR station here.

Anyway, go for it. And have fun.

[Chris]

Why would any of you want to put all that computer crap in your car for amyways? I can see putting a GPS thing so you can see where you are going or if you are lost and need directions to get where you want. I just don't see why some of you take a personally great looking car and then destroy it by either modifying the outside or in the inside.

[Getshocked.ca]

Originally Posted by Chris

Why would any of you want to put all that computer crap in your car for amyways? I can see putting a GPS thing so you can see where you are going or if you are lost and need directions to get where you want. I just don't see why some of you take a personally great looking car and then destroy it by either modifying the outside or in the inside.

Why Dont you read the thread before you ask the same question again????

There will be nothing "Destroyed" in my project, This Website is FILLED with modifications to Insights, everything from Warm Air mods to the Willie Turbo.. all done proffessional and all done with a purpose, wheather you think its a good idea or not to modify an insight means nothing to me and everyone else on this site

[Chris]

wheather you think its a good idea or not to modify an insight means nothing to me and everyone else on this site

I don't think you speak for everyone on this site.

[Tim Maddux]

Let's try to keep the discussion civil, shall we?

[Chris]

Ok

[Yves M.]

While searching some info on the Mini-ITX motherboards, I stumbled on this doc "How to Power a Computer from a Car":

http://www.via.com.tw/en/downloads/whit ... ridger.pdf

and this site: http://indashpc.org/index.html

There is GPS (Routis or IGuidance ) talk here: http://indashpc.org/faq.html#1_1

They use a flash drive to provide car tempature range support. A harddisk could not withstand the temp range of a car.

[Foxpaw]

Originally Posted by Yves M.

They use a flash drive to provide car tempature range support. A harddisk could not withstand the temp range of a car.

Minor point of clarification: this is only the case for hard drives with liquid bearings.