Toyota MR2 Carputer

TomFraser

New Member
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/11/forum-find-custom-mr2-with-the-ultimate-car-puter/

Upon first inspection, MR2forum.de member LaroCroft's second-generation (SW20) Toyota MR2 is simply a tastefully modded example of a cult favorite. However, peer inside and all preconceived notions are immediately thrown out the targa top.

Any "For Sale" thread that requires "Knowledge in electronics, skills in PC technology and knowledge of programming (especially Visual Basic)" is a clear indication that things inside have gotten thoroughly out of hand. Just check out the gallery and you'll see what we're talking about.

The entire instrument cluster and center console have been replaced with three screens displaying every conceivable function and parameter of the MR2's systems. The trio of displays are controlled by either a touch screen interface or a center console-mounted knob (ala iDrive), and allows the drive to manipulate everything from fuel consumption to engine temp; climate control to GPS functions; mirrors, radar/laser, the wireless transfer of music from a home computer, lights, fog lights, and on and on and on.

It's pure insanity and incredibly cool. And the best part: it's for sale in Germany – assuming you've got the programming chops to actually leave your driveway.




Thought this was pretty cool, anyone up for a supra version?
 

ERA

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Jul 31, 2006
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Facime

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Jun 1, 2006
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all I can say is

:aigo:


I want it. If that guy could make amd market those for various models, he could make a small fortune off it.
 

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
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Zumtizzle;1129845 said:

That's funny, I saw the first thread he made over there and they closed it as fast as he made it. Now the thread just posted, he made a second one that also got closed up tight. LOL.

My feelings: to every one their own, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I still want to see the finished product;) There was some creative shi% going on there, to get a couple ideas from.
 

JDMMA70

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Dec 4, 2006
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92nsx;1129857 said:
That's funny, I saw the first thread he made over there and they closed it as fast as he made it. Now the thread just posted, he made a second one that also got closed up tight. LOL.

My feelings: to every one their own, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I still want to see the finished product;) There was some creative shi% going on there, to get a couple ideas from.

I give him props for creativity. I personally dont like it but then again i never thought of doing something like that. Homer seems like a Vincent Van Gogh
 

TomFraser

New Member
92nsx;1129857 said:
That's funny, I saw the first thread he made over there and they closed it as fast as he made it. Now the thread just posted, he made a second one that also got closed up tight. LOL.

My feelings: to every one their own, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I still want to see the finished product;) There was some creative shi% going on there, to get a couple ideas from.

hommers car could look great, I just don't think anything but a fiberglass mold would do it justice...

right now my favorite part is the gauges mounted in CD cases :)
 

Facime

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Lets please not go getting carried away and comparing in ANY way Hommers pile of crap to this guys MR2. Simple, well-executed and just plain sexy, this guys work makes Hommers dash look like owl vomit.

Camparing him to Van Gogh? Well maybe in the sense that it was inspired by my worst nightmare and made me want to remove body parts so i didnt have to experience it, then yes. There was nothing original, inspired OR artistic in hommers dash. Lets not drag his crap into this thread.
 

JDMMA70

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Dec 4, 2006
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Facime;1130049 said:
Lets please not go getting carried away and comparing in ANY way Hommers pile of crap to this guys MR2. Simple, well-executed and just plain sexy, this guys work makes Hommers dash look like owl vomit.

Camparing him to Van Gogh? Well maybe in the sense that it was inspired by my worst nightmare and made me want to remove body parts so i didnt have to experience it, then yes. There was nothing original, inspired OR artistic in hommers dash. Lets not drag his crap into this thread.

Can someone explain to me why everyone gets so worked up over what someone else is doing if its not even their car to begin with? I dont get worked up when i see my neighbor next door ricing his Civic out in the worst way possible with a spoiler made from cardboard. Its not even done yet nor do we know what his vision is of it when its done. I dont see the Japanese Auto Enthusiast get worked up when someone lets their imagination go wild on their cars. All in all its not your car so why worry?

~JDMMA70
 

figgie

Supramania Contributor
Mar 30, 2005
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Kai;1130435 said:
I want to know what software and sensors he's using! :)


Just a couple of guesses.

He is probably leveraging the digital output of the Cruise control system for Speed, odo and the rest of the calculations. Also, I think the MR2 folks already reversed engineer thier ECU's so they can do all the other "adjustments" with a proper interface. if the guy was able to build all that, adjustability and its interface is cake.
 

Facime

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Jun 1, 2006
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figgie;1130545 said:
Just a couple of guesses.

He is probably leveraging the digital output of the Cruise control system for Speed, odo and the rest of the calculations.

That or hes using his GPS ;)
 

SilverSupraT

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Oct 3, 2005
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Facime;1130660 said:
That or hes using his GPS ;)

Don't know if I would like to rely on GPS for speed completely.

As for the rest of it: sick. I don't personally care for the gauges being replaced with screens but that's just a personal thing. I prefer analog gauges for speed and tach always. The center console looks like what I want to do. I might have to consider doing a vertical display like that, very nice stuff.

And L.O.L. @ comparing this to Hommer. **Although, I do miss his threads...oh the laughs to be had!