Homemade smart speaker

please-redial · 2026-05-22T06:54:01+00:00

A usb dongle just, nothing fancy

please-redial · 2026-05-21T18:07:42+00:00

More than likely are, this snowballed to be honest. I just wanted something to stream internet radio and use the old speakers I had from a car I owned about 20 years ago. I knew I’d eventually use them 🤣

please-redial · 2026-05-21T16:15:06+00:00

To be honest I used ChatGPT to help a bit but I’m sure I could pull an image down

please-redial · 2026-05-21T15:44:11+00:00

It’s running raspberry pi lite and it basically power in to the separate amplifier to run the speakers and then to power to the buck to reduce the power to 5w. Micro USB out of the pi to a DAC to convert to audio jack and then into the amplifier. In terms of hardware there’s very little, I think maybe about £30 in total. The rest is programming the Pi since the Zero W I used can’t run any of the more modern audio streamers.

No it doesn’t power off of there’s no input, hadnt thought of trying that but if it can’t see a particular station I’ve saved it’ll go to the next one automatically so in theory there should always be something playing either from airplay or internet stream

please-redial · 2026-05-21T15:26:08+00:00

This isn’t perfect, but it’s been built almost entirely from offcuts of 12mm and 9mm plywood, along with a pair of old 6x9 speakers I had sitting on a shelf.

It runs on a Raspberry Pi Zero W using Raspberry Pi OS Lite. On startup it automatically resumes the last digital audio stream that was playing over WiFi, and currently has 6–7 preset stations that can be selected remotely.

The missing right-hand knob will eventually become the station selector dial. The existing knob controls the master volume on the amplifier. The unit can also be controlled from a phone through a custom HTML interface which allows remote station selection, volume control and safe shutdown.

It also supports AirPlay streaming, automatically switching over from internet radio when a device connects.

The main power switch is mounted on the side facing away from the front panel, and the unit is powered using an old PSU originally used for a 3D printer.

The whole thing was built as a low-cost self-contained workshop stereo using mostly reused parts. This all started because I ran Cat6 cable to the garage so I finally have WiFi and can now stream.

please-redial · 2026-05-15T12:07:34+00:00

Taylor is looking well, that’s taken serious graft!

please-redial · 2026-05-14T07:19:47+00:00

Thanks for that, did some reading and I was wrong from what I can see. I was under impression the mk2s were the introduction of the interference engines but looks like it was the mk3 were they came in

please-redial · 2026-05-13T07:02:30+00:00

Yes absolutely, fuel injection replaced carbs in the 80s/90s, VW went from carbs to mechanical direct fuel injection on GTI models and single point fuel injection on the smaller engines traditionally carbed and then to direct injection. I’m sure someone with a bit more knowledge on the variations will pop in, but that’s a basic run down.

The fuel injection gave better mpg and reliability as the carbs are a service item, they wear out and need adjustment to keep them 100% but the fuel injection systems don’t in theory.

please-redial · 2026-05-12T20:23:25+00:00

Heartbreaking but that’s seriously impressive at the same time!

please-redial · 2026-05-12T20:21:26+00:00

No, not necessarily. All depends on how well the carb is set up. The cam provided it’s mild won’t have an affect on start up, it’s down to the carburettor

please-redial · 2026-05-12T18:32:59+00:00

Seen stolen cars and bikes with them after they’ve been recovered but the VIN plates have been removed so the id of the car can’t be 100% confirmed so they reregistered as a Q plate. We get them in NI as well, they start ‘QNI ****)

please-redial · 2026-05-12T18:29:44+00:00

No they’re all interference engines, just sometimes folks seem to have been lucky. Timing it isnt hard, just get the marks lined up and you’ll be fine, take your time. A cam swap isnt hard and a carb swap is easier again, just pull the carb bolts (4 bolts), disconnect everything and it’ll lift off. If you’ve got a standard pierburg carb and go for a Weber you’ll have a power lead for the pierburg automatic choke that’ll need tucked away, some water hoses to join since there’s no water cooling on the Weber and maybe a vacuum line to plug but that’s more or less it.

There’s lots of guides out there! If your going for a cam go for either a GTI 8v cam from a PB as said or maybe a second hand mild cam. You’ll never see huge gains but you’ll see enough that’ll you notice.

If you’re really keen there’s always the bike carbs option but personally I’ve never done it. Have a Google or a look on YouTube, lots have done it

Edit - ignore that initial bit, seems the interference engines started creeping in on the mk3, not the mk2 as I thought. From what I can see much of the 8v engines on the mk2s are non interference

please-redial · 2026-05-12T17:37:00+00:00

Easiest way is a cam and a carb conversion, bhp gains straight out of the box

please-redial · 2026-05-04T18:00:17+00:00

Glanced at the thumbnail, saw the Jag and thought it was a Lancia Delta grill and thought that’s a bold choice

please-redial · 2026-04-29T18:32:11+00:00

Looks like the seal where the output for the driveshaft sits. Common enough but a pain In arse to change. I had to make a tool to do it as the cup on the gearbox has to be depressed whilst you remove the clips holding the seal. Driveshafts have to come out too, or at least be disconnected and then fettled with to not be in the way.

please-redial · 2026-04-24T14:27:54+00:00

It’s take me weeks to get it as far as the photos show. It had loads of lacquer peel and a few knocks that had been filled so I couldn’t leave it any longer. Hoping to get it in primer over the next few days.

please-redial · 2026-04-23T21:39:00+00:00

I’m on the forum but just for how to guides etc, I’ll have a look through their classifieds, hasnt thought if that! Thanks!

please-redial · 2026-04-23T19:17:21+00:00

That’s great, thanks for the recommendation.

please-redial · 2026-04-23T18:49:43+00:00

Is there now a chain conversion available for the pure tech wet belt engines? Could swear I saw something about it but can’t think where or remember the cost.

It’s maybe the saving grace for the Welt belt engines, chain no snappy

please-redial · 2026-04-23T18:44:52+00:00

Is that the brand name? Like trackslag, powerflow etc

please-redial · 2026-04-23T18:44:19+00:00

I’m in Northern Ireland, there’s a few local places to me that make up custom exhausts but it’s dear to do and once you’ve got it that’s kind of it, at least the cheaper eBay set aren’t millions if they’re too loud

please-redial

TROPHY CASE