E39 CarPc, Zapco, HAT, Fi

[rogan]

Any way you can use steering wheel volume controls to control the master volume on the Zapco unit? Then hide as Benny Z suggests

[Jesus Freak]

The bezel cost $200 and took 3 weeks to get, it's solid plastic too, don't wanna cut into it.

I'll have to look into steering wheel control units, they're canbus signals, and I'd have to gut the Z8R to see if it's looking for 12v or ground.

[Jesus Freak]

Won't fit this way (the way I like it)



Looks funny like this IMO

[Driiven]

have you looked into reslers i-bus interface? It will work heaps better than the zapco unit for volume control..

[Jesus Freak]

have you looked into reslers i-bus interface? It will work heaps better than the zapco unit for volume control..

I've seen reslers interface, don't know how it'd really work for volume control, my guess is it'd be through software, which I'd like to avoid.
I might get one and see what I can do with it though.

[Jesus Freak]

Black carpet and leather door panels installed



Alternator wiring, ready for the new HO alt.





Wiring is tedious.... Glad half of it is over. Gonna finish buttoning up the interior so I can drive again, then it's back to trunk fab.

[Driiven]

It does work through software, the plugin I am using is a windows service that has been rock solid since I installed it over 6 years ago PM me if you want more info

[Jesus Freak]

I'm re-thinking my door setup/speaker placement.
I think having the mid in the door may cause stage/tuning issues. With the mid in the door my leg will be right in front of it, won't that block the sound itself?
Now, I don't want to do pillar pods, I DESPIZE the look of them and that is my only reason for not doing them. Appearance is more important than SQ to me when it comes to that. I'm thinking flush/sunk mounting the mid in the dash, and a press fit grill





Opinions or suggestions?

[Benny Z]

have seen it done in an e39 w/ lots of custom dash work. in the end it looked stock.

[Jesus Freak]

have seen it done in an e39 w/ lots of custom dash work. in the end it looked stock.

I'm looking at having it done, either way I go. Luckily I'm local to MusicarNW so I've got a meeting with them next week, and a meeting with another shop where I bought all my equipment.

[Jesus Freak]

So Steve at Soundstage suggested dash pods

New proposed location



And some custom bits for amp inputs

[Benny Z]

Have you talked to Ken yet at Musicar?

[Jesus Freak]

Have you talked to Ken yet at Musicar?

No, I got I'm my car to head up there and it wouldn't go in to gear. Second time this stupid thing has done this. So I called ken and told him I'd have to reschedule.

[Benny Z]

Stupid car won't go anywhere...but at least I can sit in my garage and enjoy great music!

[Benny Z]

Anyway - pls tell Ken I said hello when you do see him.

[rogan]

Stupid car won't go anywhere...but at least I can sit in my garage and enjoy great music!

What happened to your install? Last time I saw it you'd planted a birch tree in the trunk.

[Jesus Freak]

Decided to stay the DIY route.
So a little update, so far this project has been nothing but planning and I think I've finally settled on my ideal install.

I'll be upgrading to L4SEs and L1pro R2s. L4s will be mounted like this:





The L1s I'll probably install in the A pillar as close to the windshield as possible.

The trunk I will mount the 400.2 and 2kd under the floor with a removable trim panel, the 150.2s and dsp I'll mount under the rear deck... Might do a few tricks to that amp rack.

[darkhart]

I've seen the link on that dash build and love it, just don't like the side def vents being covered. Also where did you find a HO alternator for your car, all the manufactures I talked to said that all the prototype HO liquid cooled ones they tried developing just didn't work....what and where did you find one....

[Jesus Freak]

I've seen the link on that dash build and love it, just don't like the side def vents being covered. Also where did you find a HO alternator for your car, all the manufactures I talked to said that all the prototype HO liquid cooled ones they tried developing just didn't work....what and where did you find one....

Those are 6.5" and I'll be running 4" so I might not have to delete the vents.

I have an LS, so HO alts are a dime a dozen. I couldn't find anything other than a race alt for the BMW motor.

[RVAE34]

Wow!! That dash looks great!!

[Benny Z]

have seen this done in an e39 a couple of times now and have always wished i'd had the guts to try it.

early reflections might just work very well.

[Jesus Freak]

Hopefully it turns out as nice as that. Might have it wrapped in leather or alcantara if it turns out perfect.

Just need to get other cars out of my shop so I can get started.

[AusE39er]

Hey where is some 12v power behind the center stack anyway?

Did you hide that steering wheel control thing away somewhere? Won't look good anywhere in plain site, imo.

[BMWPlanetDude]

Loving the craftsmanship on this.
Any more pictures on the dash work?

[kapone]

Nice build. Excellent choice of equipment.

I may have missed it...but where's the "CarPC"??