Basic Panel Dimensions

[builder]

I have to ask this basic question...even though I have a GTR sitting in my garage. This shows you how much pain I am in at the moment...having it here and not being able to get at it.

How wide is the panel (the flat area)?

Thank you,
-- Scott

[stig]

Which panel Scott? Cockpit sides?

[builder]

stig said:

Which panel Scott? Cockpit sides?

Cockpit front, where one would mount dial instruments on the vertical face.

-- Scott

[steve_D]

30" wide and 5" deep.
Then the ends sweep back towards you for another foot.

Steve

[builder]

steve_D said:

30" wide and 5" deep. Then the ends sweep back towards you for another foot. Steve

Thanks, Steve. So, just so I am clear, the 5" part is flat facing to the driver's chest and that is 30" wide.

-- Scott

[steve_D]

Yes

[builder]

Excellent, thank you.

-- Scott

[craig-ultima]

Hi Scott.

If I read between the lines you are spending some time working out what your dash layout will be? My strong recommendation is to wait until you can get to the dash itself and see how it all fits together on the chassis. There is a chassis rail going along the bottom which makes the "usable" space more like 4.5 inches high. Also, the curvature of the two sides that curve around start quite gradually, especially along the bottom edge. So that is more like 34 inches. The sides make pretty good places for placing switches and so on.

And, the location of the hoses for the AC/heater if you have that (and I hope you do!) can get close to the spots where the instruments are as well. I found it best to leave the dash layout until I had the heater/AC unit mounted, and could see how that might get in the way.

[builder]

Thanks, Craig. Right now, I am just thinking visually. That's all good advice. I am thinking about a 10" diagonal monitor, which is about 7.3" tall. I can make that work.

How anxious am I? My CPU is here. The LS7 is here. The GTR is here. The trans is ready at a moment's notice. I have a lot of the lighting and electronics (may use some Maxima stuff for interior/door)... All of the goodies are stacking up in my living room!

The weather has taken a turn and we had some snow today. Friday is forecast to be nice again. So, it's back to working on the shop.

-- Scott

[craig-ultima]

How cool!

It sounds like you are planning a very interesting dash! You might want to get in touch with Ray Halin as he is currently building a GTR (in Florida) and using a computerized display for the instruments. Ray was at the most recent Chicago meet and is now well into the build.

I'm putting a smaller 7 inch display up between the roll cage bars that will provide a rear view mirror (through a rear-view camera), and a GPS system. After I put the rear wing on, the rear visibility really drops. I happened across a good unit (Initial GD-70x) that combines a useful GPS and mapping system, DVD player and video screen in one unit.

[mhussa]

Hey builder?

Saw your links page and was gobsmacked at the amount of info in there (and how much time you spent researching).

Just out of interest how are you setting up your instruments? I was looking into a developing a dual processor setup. One for collecting the I/O samples and the other for rendering onto the display. What sort of CPU are you talking about? Its not exactly missions critical so a few missed samples caused by a busy display wouldn't be noticed I guess. the 'puters are so cheap nowadays no reason not to.

Does your system have all the I/O ports?
How are you going to render the information to the display? Have you developed your own software?

adequatespeed had a very nice setup but the link to his website doesn't work anymore.

Sorry to ask so many questions but Its the only thing I am capable of customising on mine and thought about the practicalities of it. The standard setup looks quite spartan anyway but having a single display with all the information will make the dash even more bare.

I like the idea of a centre console or something like the mosler setup with the way it curves around the steering wheel. Does anyone know of an off the shelf moulding that could be bought? rather than having to make one.

and in case anyone mentions it, I really don't like the stack dash (personal preference).

thanks in advance.

[builder]

craig-ultima said:

How cool! It sounds like you are planning a very interesting dash! You might want to get in touch with Ray Halin as he is currently building a GTR (in Florida) and using a computerized display for the instruments. Ray was at the most recent Chicago meet and is now well into the build. I'm putting a smaller 7 inch display up between the roll cage bars that will provide a rear view mirror (through a rear-view camera), and a GPS system. After I put the rear wing on, the rear visibility really drops. I happened across a good unit (Initial GD-70x) that combines a useful GPS and mapping system, DVD player and video screen in one unit.

Of course, how could you not remember Ray. Yes, I will have to give him a call. Do you have his contact info? Send via PM, if so.

A computerized display is where I am heading, but we'll see how that developes. The computer is capable of managing and displaying all of the information required...and a bunch more. It may not meet DOT requirements, though, by itself. Lots of rules there.

I just looked at that GD-70x. Very cool device. Should work great for the GTR.

As for the rest of the panel, I hope to put in some interesting stuff. Stay tuned (if I ever get my shop to where I can work in it )!

[builder]

mhussa said:

Hey builder? Saw your links page and was gobsmacked at the amount of info in there (and how much time you spent researching). Just out of interest how are you setting up your instruments? I was looking into a developing a dual processor setup. One for collecting the I/O samples and the other for rendering onto the display. What sort of CPU are you talking about? Its not exactly missions critical so a few missed samples caused by a busy display wouldn't be noticed I guess. the 'puters are so cheap nowadays no reason not to. Does your system have all the I/O ports? How are you going to render the information to the display? Have you developed your own software? adequatespeed had a very nice setup but the link to his website doesn't work anymore. Sorry to ask so many questions but Its the only thing I am capable of customising on mine and thought about the practicalities of it. The standard setup looks quite spartan anyway but having a single display with all the information will make the dash even more bare. I like the idea of a centre console or something like the mosler setup with the way it curves around the steering wheel. Does anyone know of an off the shelf moulding that could be bought? rather than having to make one. and in case anyone mentions it, I really don't like the stack dash (personal preference). thanks in advance.

Ha! Gobsmacked? Some would say it's a character flaw...how much research I do. I figured I would post those links so it might save some time for others; perhaps lots of time...especially in the transaxle area. I knew absolutely nothing of a transaxle before.

The computer is just a 2GB Celeron with lots of RAM and a 40Gig HD. Since no apps are mission-critical, it's not the super-go-plenty system...just your basic (small) carputer. However is't got some cool stuff in it. Yes, it's got all of the ports...and a few extra-special ones. Hey, I have to have a few surprises up my sleeve. Let's just say that the acquisition portions of the system have been enhanced. But, no, I haven't developed any software...just cobbled some things together.

Ask away on the questions. That's what the forum is for! The only dumb question is the one you don't ask. Yes, I am preparing the readership. Stand by for some of the inane, nonsensical, and aimless questions I come up with when my build gets rolling.

-- Scott

-- Scott

[mhussa]

only 2GHz he says , I guess running google earth will suck up those processing cycles. Anyone up for touring the continents in an ultima (or two)?

I was thinking along the lines of an embedded linux device for control and acquisition (www.linuxdevices.com) called the "collector" and another embedded linux device with an LCD interface which communicates (via IP) with the collector but focuses more on the visuals/interaction. I want to keep it as simple (and cheap) as possible so that if I need to revert it to the factory setup, I can. Or possibly make it a simple package to install so that others could benefit from it, thats the theory anyway.

I'll be watching your build "builder" with the most interest. Good luck.

[builder]

mhussa said:

only 2GHz he says , I guess running google earth will suck up those processing cycles. Anyone up for touring the continents in an ultima (or two)? I was thinking along the lines of an embedded linux device for control and acquisition (www.linuxdevices.com) called the "collector" and another embedded linux device with an LCD interface which communicates (via IP) with the collector but focuses more on the visuals/interaction. I want to keep it as simple (and cheap) as possible so that if I need to revert it to the factory setup, I can. Or possibly make it a simple package to install so that others could benefit from it, thats the theory anyway. I'll be watching your build "builder" with the most interest. Good luck.

Yup, 2Gig is enough for the apps I will be running. There are some neat toys on that Linux site...more than what I need. But, looks like a lot of fun to be had there. Thanks, and I should have something to put on a build site in a month, or so...

-- Scott

[steve_D]

builder said:

......I should have something to put on a build site in a month, or so... -- Scott

You need a roof on the 'Build site' first.

Steve

[builder]

steve_D said:

You need a roof on the 'Build site' first.

Ha! Yup, it's taking all of my efforts at the moment. It was too windy to work with 3'x14' sheet metal outside today (gusting to 50 mph). Could have gone for one bl**dy, wild ride! But, maybe tomorrow I can hit it hard again. Spent today sourcing bumper-suitable video camera equipment and filing the mountainous, staggering paperwork with the state of Nevada for a new mortgage company.

-- Scott