ZapWizard
01-30-2004, 12:11 PM
Hello folks,
I have been driving a 2000 Protege DX, but I am upgrading to a 2003 Protege LX.
I am a pretty popular Computer Modder, but car modding has begun to excite me.
So I am posting my list of my planned modifications. Nearly all of them are electronic, and non of the add horse power.
(I can't afford that just yet)
Tell me what you think.
The car will be Silver, with a dark grey/black interior.
I plan to add red accents to the inside.
Both with lights and paint.
First some ideas that I think are agressive mods.
Temperature controled moonroof tilt
My car will be parked 8 hours a day in the Texas heat.
This means that the car gets VERY hot inside.
Why not monitor the temperature in the car and tilt the moon roof open when the car heats up too much.
Once the car reaches a temperature near the outside temp, the moonroof will close again.
There would be a rain detector to make sure it doesn't open when it is raining, and a battery monitor to make sure the system doesn't kill the battery.
LED Door lock status indicator
The car will have keyless entry. The remote locks the doors on the first press. If you want a confirmation that it is locked, you press the lock button again, and the car will honk it's horn.
But this is very bad in an apartment complex.
So I plan on installing a Red/Green, or Red/Blue LED facing out the front window that shows me that the doors are locked or not.
White Cold Cathodes in the trunk
No, not for show-off bling, but for function.
The little tiny 1/2-watt light bulbs that come standard as a trunk light is worthless.
I would rather light the whole trunk so I can see what I need.
Integrated Phone Charger
I want a slot that I can stick my cell phone into that will charge the phone, rather then have a chord to mess with.
I would make it semi-modular in case I change cell phones
Custom Carbon Fiber Trash Can and larger cup holders
The cup holders right near the dash on this car are too small, and often spill large cups. Plus hanging a bag or something else for trash sucks.
I want to make a carbon fiber piece that will be on the passanger side of the center console that will hold two cups of any size, and also a trash can.
Both the cup holders and trash can will be removable for cleaning.
Idea: I just though of while typing this....why not integrate a cooler into the cup holders?
Rear ground Laser
This is an idea I have been bouncing around for a while.
I want a line drawn onto the pavement as I travel down the road.
It will be a kind of "Do not cross" line.
It would have to be bright enough to be visible, and have rain detection so it doesn't reflect into other drivers eyes.
It could even be integrated into a ultrasonic distance meter mod, that would light up a "Back-Off" light at the rear of the car if the line is crossed.
The hard part is keeping the line stable while the car is moving.
A green laser would probably be bright enough for this.
Overdrive Off Button on steering wheel
I can drive a manual, but still prefer automatics.
Actualy I LOVE Sports Automatics, but can't get one yet.
Well Protege's have a "Overdrive off" button on the gear stick that diables the fourth gear, and shifts the car into third gear.
This is pretty handy when I need some extra power.
So I would like to duplicate this button onto the steering wheel for quicker access.
Steering wheel cooler
No matter what the tempature of the car, in Texas the sun can heat up the steering wheel to the point it is painful to touch.
I would like to create a cooling solution for the steering wheel.
Either tubes with air holes wrapped around the wheel, where air carrys the heat away.
Or water, kept cool in a insulated container, and pumped through when needed.
I am still trying to figure the best solution to this.
Second battery in trunk for multiple functions
I plan on installing a car PC later for GPS, DVD, and MP3 capabilities.
Since PC's take some time to boot, you can't get instant music out of your car when you get in.
So often time car computers boot off the car battery before the user starts the car.
But when the car starts the power fluctuates and can damage the car computer.
So other's choose to have their car computer boot After the car is started, further delaying the start of music play or other functions.
Well a 2nd battery could fix this.
I would install a 12volt motorcycle battery. The battery would charge off the existing car circuits after the car is started, but would provide power for the PC to boot up while the car is starting. (PC starts booting when I get in the car)
A bonus function would be that with a switch you could actualy jump start your main battery off the trunk battery if needed.
Backlit CD Slot
Similar to my DVD mod in the guides area
Remote start with heat venting
Great for here in Texas, starts engine, roles windows down an inch, opens sun roof, turns on A/C, switches air to pull in fresh air.
Once car reaches outside tempature, windows roll up, moonroof closes, air switches to Cycled, and A/C keeps running.
------------------------------------------------
Now for some ideas I saw on the forums, but many of them I have improvements that I want to add.
Red Lit dash
Using both LEDs and EL replacements
Red painted brake Calipers
The rear drum breaks will be painted black, as they are less desirable.
Disable switch for door chime
Electric Windows Always On
Blacked Out Headlights
LED turn signals and Brake Lights
Flush Door Locks
Variable Speed Wipers
Mirror Turn signals (home made)
Involves some custom carbon fiber holders and LED lights.
They would attach to the bottom of the existing side mirrors.
Clear side repeater lights
Disable Automatic A/C on defrost
I prefer to run my de-frost vents all the time, as the air from those vents does not dry my eyes out.
Head Light ON delay
Headlights stay on for 1 minute after you exit the car.
Can do this with a simple timer and relay.
Security system
I have tons of parts from a previously never built car security system.
I have a great car alarm horn, and even microwave perimiter sensors.
Red LED map lights, with switch to go back to white
My wife likes to read on long trips.
But the map lights annoy me, and I can't see well out the front.
Augmenting them with Red LEDs for her to read will with solve both problems.
Imobilizer
There are a few different options to disable the ignition.
I like the hidden magnetic switch idea's best.
Keyless car
Seems possible with power-everything.
It would be cool to have a car with no key needed.
Just a remote, and mabye a code system.
Auto-lock after 1 minute of driving
Great feature on some cars, would be an fairly easy timer/relay mod.
Voltage Guage
Carpeted trunk lid
Remote start
I may use a product, or mod the existing keyless entry.
Audio Control Via steering wheel
Distance Meter and Car Dectector on Rear bumper
Would be a fun DIY project.
I would also integerate some sort of "Back off" indicator when a car got too close to me.
I have been driving a 2000 Protege DX, but I am upgrading to a 2003 Protege LX.
I am a pretty popular Computer Modder, but car modding has begun to excite me.
So I am posting my list of my planned modifications. Nearly all of them are electronic, and non of the add horse power.
(I can't afford that just yet)
Tell me what you think.
The car will be Silver, with a dark grey/black interior.
I plan to add red accents to the inside.
Both with lights and paint.
First some ideas that I think are agressive mods.
Temperature controled moonroof tilt
My car will be parked 8 hours a day in the Texas heat.
This means that the car gets VERY hot inside.
Why not monitor the temperature in the car and tilt the moon roof open when the car heats up too much.
Once the car reaches a temperature near the outside temp, the moonroof will close again.
There would be a rain detector to make sure it doesn't open when it is raining, and a battery monitor to make sure the system doesn't kill the battery.
LED Door lock status indicator
The car will have keyless entry. The remote locks the doors on the first press. If you want a confirmation that it is locked, you press the lock button again, and the car will honk it's horn.
But this is very bad in an apartment complex.
So I plan on installing a Red/Green, or Red/Blue LED facing out the front window that shows me that the doors are locked or not.
White Cold Cathodes in the trunk
No, not for show-off bling, but for function.
The little tiny 1/2-watt light bulbs that come standard as a trunk light is worthless.
I would rather light the whole trunk so I can see what I need.
Integrated Phone Charger
I want a slot that I can stick my cell phone into that will charge the phone, rather then have a chord to mess with.
I would make it semi-modular in case I change cell phones
Custom Carbon Fiber Trash Can and larger cup holders
The cup holders right near the dash on this car are too small, and often spill large cups. Plus hanging a bag or something else for trash sucks.
I want to make a carbon fiber piece that will be on the passanger side of the center console that will hold two cups of any size, and also a trash can.
Both the cup holders and trash can will be removable for cleaning.
Idea: I just though of while typing this....why not integrate a cooler into the cup holders?
Rear ground Laser
This is an idea I have been bouncing around for a while.
I want a line drawn onto the pavement as I travel down the road.
It will be a kind of "Do not cross" line.
It would have to be bright enough to be visible, and have rain detection so it doesn't reflect into other drivers eyes.
It could even be integrated into a ultrasonic distance meter mod, that would light up a "Back-Off" light at the rear of the car if the line is crossed.
The hard part is keeping the line stable while the car is moving.
A green laser would probably be bright enough for this.
Overdrive Off Button on steering wheel
I can drive a manual, but still prefer automatics.
Actualy I LOVE Sports Automatics, but can't get one yet.
Well Protege's have a "Overdrive off" button on the gear stick that diables the fourth gear, and shifts the car into third gear.
This is pretty handy when I need some extra power.
So I would like to duplicate this button onto the steering wheel for quicker access.
Steering wheel cooler
No matter what the tempature of the car, in Texas the sun can heat up the steering wheel to the point it is painful to touch.
I would like to create a cooling solution for the steering wheel.
Either tubes with air holes wrapped around the wheel, where air carrys the heat away.
Or water, kept cool in a insulated container, and pumped through when needed.
I am still trying to figure the best solution to this.
Second battery in trunk for multiple functions
I plan on installing a car PC later for GPS, DVD, and MP3 capabilities.
Since PC's take some time to boot, you can't get instant music out of your car when you get in.
So often time car computers boot off the car battery before the user starts the car.
But when the car starts the power fluctuates and can damage the car computer.
So other's choose to have their car computer boot After the car is started, further delaying the start of music play or other functions.
Well a 2nd battery could fix this.
I would install a 12volt motorcycle battery. The battery would charge off the existing car circuits after the car is started, but would provide power for the PC to boot up while the car is starting. (PC starts booting when I get in the car)
A bonus function would be that with a switch you could actualy jump start your main battery off the trunk battery if needed.
Backlit CD Slot
Similar to my DVD mod in the guides area
Remote start with heat venting
Great for here in Texas, starts engine, roles windows down an inch, opens sun roof, turns on A/C, switches air to pull in fresh air.
Once car reaches outside tempature, windows roll up, moonroof closes, air switches to Cycled, and A/C keeps running.
------------------------------------------------
Now for some ideas I saw on the forums, but many of them I have improvements that I want to add.
Red Lit dash
Using both LEDs and EL replacements
Red painted brake Calipers
The rear drum breaks will be painted black, as they are less desirable.
Disable switch for door chime
Electric Windows Always On
Blacked Out Headlights
LED turn signals and Brake Lights
Flush Door Locks
Variable Speed Wipers
Mirror Turn signals (home made)
Involves some custom carbon fiber holders and LED lights.
They would attach to the bottom of the existing side mirrors.
Clear side repeater lights
Disable Automatic A/C on defrost
I prefer to run my de-frost vents all the time, as the air from those vents does not dry my eyes out.
Head Light ON delay
Headlights stay on for 1 minute after you exit the car.
Can do this with a simple timer and relay.
Security system
I have tons of parts from a previously never built car security system.
I have a great car alarm horn, and even microwave perimiter sensors.
Red LED map lights, with switch to go back to white
My wife likes to read on long trips.
But the map lights annoy me, and I can't see well out the front.
Augmenting them with Red LEDs for her to read will with solve both problems.
Imobilizer
There are a few different options to disable the ignition.
I like the hidden magnetic switch idea's best.
Keyless car
Seems possible with power-everything.
It would be cool to have a car with no key needed.
Just a remote, and mabye a code system.
Auto-lock after 1 minute of driving
Great feature on some cars, would be an fairly easy timer/relay mod.
Voltage Guage
Carpeted trunk lid
Remote start
I may use a product, or mod the existing keyless entry.
Audio Control Via steering wheel
Distance Meter and Car Dectector on Rear bumper
Would be a fun DIY project.
I would also integerate some sort of "Back off" indicator when a car got too close to me.