Ermenegil

Hello guys,

My name is Olivier and I've been lurking the forum for some time and now I have a project for my Cobalt 2010 LT 2.2L.

I planned to built a Carputer with a screen at the place of the HU. My screen will be a 7inch touchscreen connect with an HDMI cable to the computer probably in the trunk.

Photo of the screen with the Double DIN trim :



When I'll replace the stock HU with my screen, the harness will not me connected to it in any way. So I need to get the carputer sound card to connect to the STOCK speakers of the car. I'm pretty good with electronics but when it comes to audio I'm lost.


First Question : I'm pretty sure that I will need an amplificator to replace the HU one. I'll also need a way to convert the 1/8inch jack of the computer to something that I can connect to an amp. Is this correct? What do you use for that?

Second Question : When my amp will be connected the the computer what is the best way to connect it to the stock speakers. Is there an harness or something that I will plug in the factory one?

Third Question : What amp should I buy? I dont want something crazy, I'm not an audiophile in anyway but I like my things to be clean so... I see that there is some with 2 output and other with 4. If I want to keep my stock speaker what do I choose?


Thanks for your inputs guys.


Olivier Beaudoin

(Sorry if my english is bad, not my first language)

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

do you have the stock pioneer package in your LT? that will 100% change what you need

Ermenegil

As far as I know, I don't have a pioneer package.

My Cobalt is a 1SA Package with US8 Stereo pkg (Canadian model)

Thanks

Ph3lix_004

iTrader: (1)

interesting. like to see how this turns out

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

in most cases not having the pioneer package is good but in yours it just makes it more stuff you have to buy.

1st question: yes and yes. you want a 3.5mm to rca plug like this BELKIN COMPONENTS Y Audio Cable - 6 ft : Dell MP3 Players - Digital Audio MP3 & Media Players | Dell

2nd question. the harness that plugs in where the factory radio goes is the metra 70-2104. you can either run all 4 pairs of speaker wires to that or just the 2 fronts and wire the 2 rears directly off the new amp, whatever is easiest for you. That harness will also give you constant 12v and ground if you need it but with the carputer in the back direct to the battery will probably be easier

3rd question: Depending on your soundcard your 2 options are a 2 channel or a 4 channel. If your soudncard only has one single output then you cant utilize anything more then a 2 channel. BUT if you think you may ever upgrade the card in the future and want fade from front to back then you can buy a 4 channel anyway and just use it as a 2 for now. Most of the higher end 4 channels will have a "combine" or "2-channel" switch that uses just the front inputs for the audio. If you go with a 4 channel i would look for that.

On the stock speakers they cant handle much power so if you dont plan on changing them a small amp is a good choice Something like the rockford fosgate P400-4 would work good (bigger then you need thou) or the kicker DX200.4 is good too and its about half the power of the fosgate

Ermenegil

Thanks EmperorJJ1 for all the inputs!

I have made a wish list for my build:

-Computer

Motherboard / 140$
Ram / 60$
SSD / 100$
Audio Cable this with that / 5$
HDMI Cable /15$

-Screen and Audio

Screen / 210$
Frame for the screen / 30$
HU Cobalt Trim / 15$
Stereo Harness (Metra 70-2104) / 20$
Amp / 150$


It will cost about 750$ with no shipping so maybe 900$ shipped (Gotta love multiple supplier)


I plan to tether my phone to my carputer so I will listen to online radio and have complete access to the web. No need for the antenna too

Another question : What is the best way to pass wire from dash to trunk? Passenger side?

Thanks

Olivier

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

passenger is slighly easier to get it from the radio area to the carpet but realistically they are both the same and since its just speaker you can run it however safely. You may want to look into getting the 3.5mm cord with the built in cap for ground loop and make sure to ground the carputer/power inverter whatever in the same spot as the amp (straight to the battery works but you would need a new batt terminal. or you can just go to the spot the battery is grounded. not as good but best option if your not getting a new terminal

Ermenegil

Hey guys I just finished (almost) my build! Here is some pictures.







My wiring is not pretty but I'm working on it. Now I just need a couple of fuses for my peace of mind!

tpete763

iTrader: (2)

Wow! I gotta say that's pretty impressive! great job!