I was wondering when you would be stopping by Mike. Let me shed some light on the dark tunnel for you.
RPi3 (Raspberry
Pie 3 Model B) is a small computer that is used for all kinds of different things, but was design to be used for robotics. Many of the DIY people use them for "car computers", old game consoles (look up retro
pie), home surveillance, etc... The reason most use these is they are cheap $40, fast for a small computer, and opens the door to all kinds of projects.
The OS (Operating System) is linex based meaning it is written in computer code. I don't really know how to do that, but thats what they make Google for. There are many OS systems that you can use, but the common ones are Noobs and Raspbian. I will be using Raspbian on this project since from my research on MSExtra that is the most common OS I have been seeing used.
Yes, it does support TS (Tunerstudio) full version and no it is not like Shadow Logger. It is the same software that you are using on the laptop.
Yes, you can use the same hardware that you use on other computers Bluetooth keyboard, USB keyboard, USB mouse, etc. I am currently thinking of just using a mini USB mouse, and stick it in the glove box until needed.
I will also being setting the RPi up, so when you turn the key "ON" then the computer will boot up, automatically launch TS, and display the dashboard in full screen. My goal is to also insert a "splash screen" this is the image or video that you see in newer cars before the display shows on the dash or center console. I dont know what I am going to use just yet, but that is a goal of this project rather than watching a blank screen or computer code. I am also goal wise pushing to have the dash displayed in 30 sec or less as well.
I have a few reasons for this project:
1. Removal of the 3 pod gauge pillar with Water Temperature, Oil Pressure, and Transmission Temperature. These were added due to the crap stock ones
2. Removal of the stock instrument cluster that only has 4 working gauges (Tach, Speedometer, Fuel Level, and Battery) disabled the Water Temp and Oil Pressure for the above gauges
3. Removal of the tuning laptop in the passenger seat for the need of datalogging, since I dont have the MS3 with the onboard SD card
4. Increase the amount gauges to show all the vitals wanted (14 in total)
5. Ability to change/add/delete/edit any of the gauges I want, but also if I want a different display I can just change it
6. Ability to make tuning changes as needed
7. Removal of bouncing speedometer due to the cable, removal of the transmission kick-down cable, removal of the CD player for bluetooth enabled music player installed on the RPi
I hope this has been a little more helpful to you, but also to anyone else that maybe following this build thread. I will try not to abbreviate as much but to explain more of details, since this is just one of many projects that will be done on this car. Still have to take out the AOD and put the 4R70W transmission in the car, which means the installation of the Microsquirt for the duty of a TCU (Transmission Control Unit). The TCU will be connected to the current MS2 via CAN bus used for engine control meaning that I will have complete control of the entire engine and transmission both from the dash. This leads to the multi transmission modes that newer cars have of Normal, Sport, and Manual with just a flip of a grounded trigger switch. This then leads to the paddle shifters that are only used in Manual mode that you probably saw as well.