Okay, so I'm deciding that there really is no good place in either one of my Firebirds to relocate a stereo head unit. The reason I don't want a radio in the stock location is because I want to fit the largest possible LCD-screen flush mounted in that location for my in-car PC. Then I was thinking.... why use a head unit?

I want to utilize the in-car PC for everything entertainment and utility-related in my car(s). CD/DVD/Video/Engine Monitoring/GPS/etc/etc/etc, so, in reality, what do I honestly need a head unit for?

Could I not just purchase a top-of-the-line high-SQ sound card for the PC, run the sound directly to my (to-be-purchased) amps, and have the amps power all of the speakers in the car? Then, I could fab up a way to have a small slot-loading (like normal car cd-players) CD-ROM / DVD-ROM drive mounted up front somewhere (maybe an external laptop drive or something similar?) and use that for my CDs and DVDs. Everything would run through the PC initially. And there is enough software capability to handle basic equalization, Pre-Amp, volume adjustments, and the like. I would then use a wireless remote to control the system. I would also keep one of those roll-up keyboards under the seat just in case I need to ever set up or configure something.

Does anyone forsee any problems with this type of setup?

 

I've had no headunit in my car for well over a year now, but alas it's time to buy one.. I've had the computer in for all this time with a sound blaster audigy and yes it'll work just fine and sound fine.. The reason I'm getting a head unit is beacuse I don't want to run a cable to the computer (yet another wire) for the antenna if I were to get an fm radio card. I have a touch screen and a mini 27-key numerical keypad to control everything and for the most part I like it this way but the reasons for getting a head unit is for EQ purposes (you can't eq while your driving with the computer and some bands/songs require you to adjust IMO), Also, Volume ***** are much nicer than sittin there pressing a button 15 times to crank it up.. I'm still keeping the computer, I wouldn't dream of taking it out, getting into the car with over 3000 songs (with the option to put as many more as I want pretty much) at my fingertips and not having the flip through CD's is the best thing in the world.. I'm just gonna plug it into the head unit's AUX input when I buy one..

As far as running a DVD rom to the dash.. Well you *might* right in to a problem with this depending on where you plan on placing the computer.. Have a read at this, it has happened to people before:

Also, are you aware of any OBD I programs for engine monitoring? How do you plan on doing it? The only thing I know of is Autotap but thats for OBD II ..

 

I've been thinking of doing this and have not had a chance to really do anything yet. One thing though is most laptops do not have the best sound card in them. They are built into the mobo and can not be changed out. However the new Alianware laptops are coming out with interchangable SC. Hope this helps. Let us know when you are finished with it.

 

Yes, good point on the IDE issue, external USB would probably be the best solution.

And I will most likely implement this in my 95 Formula first, so Autotap should suffice, correct?

I'm not sure of OBD I monitoring.

 

Ooh its for your fourthgen, ok then.. Well yeah autotap should work fine, I'd read through the website, I know if you click on products then click on windows pc, then on the right side thers a small box with an ad that has a package specifically for LS1's, maybe they have something similar for LT1's as well.

 

I don't plan on using a laptop.

Sweet, I'll check into it.