Go Back   Honda Civic Forum > GENERAL > General Honda Civic Forum

General Honda Civic Forum General Honda Civic Forum - This is the place for general Honda Civic discussion. If you have questions about the history or future of Honda Civics, factory specs for the Honda Civic, or other general Honda Civic Questions.

Welcome to civicforums.com!
Welcome to civicforums.com.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to start new topics, reply to conversations, privately message other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join civicforums.com today!



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 09-30-2009   #1 (permalink)
prodigy803
New Member
1999 Honda Civic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 14
iTrader: (0)
prodigy803 is an unknown quantity at this point
Exclamation HID retrofit... no idea where to start

So I've been reading forums and researching HID kits/conversions and all that good stuff for days on end. My eyes are starting to bleed!!! I still have no idea where to begin.

Ok to explain my situation clearer I purchased JDM OEM replacement headlights for my EK with a black housing to contrast the new paint job that I did myself FYI. In every forum that I read they talked about aiming and adding bmw projectors... before I started looking this stuff up I thought all I had to do was buy a kit and install the new bulbs in the housing. If someone can explain to me why someone would need projectors; and how they would install them in an OEM housing.

Buying new headlights is not an option, I just bought the OEM replacement and I haven't even received them yet... If anyone can clarify and assist me with this project it would be freakin awesome.
To remove this ad, register today for free or log in if already registered!
prodigy803 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
To avoid seeing this ad in our forum please register at CivicForums.com

By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features.
Old 09-30-2009   #2 (permalink)
gearbox
Super Moderator
 
gearbox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Reno, NV
Age: 29
Posts: 40,614
iTrader: (89)
gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future
Re: HID retrofit... no idea where to start

basically the correct way of doing hids is taking a real hid projector from bmw, acura, audi, etc and sticking it inside your oem halogen reflector. that way you use the real projector optics that were designed for hid instead of your halogen reflector. you can mount it all sorts of ways, usually people cut a larger hole in the reflector and mount the projector with screws or bolts. you need a projector that will fit, and also bixenon function if you need both lo and hi beam from the same unit (like for H4 housing). then you need hid bulbs and ballasts to power them, and a new wire harness to hook it all up. check hidplanet.com/forums for more info.
__________________


Restore Performance, Reduce Costs
www.lubecontrol.com
Are you using the new soy based fp-plus?
________________________________________

Go Here For Real Medicine
http://www.youngliving.com/
Member 1025782
________________________________________

Jobs wanted in boulder or louisville colorado.
PM me if you know companies that are hiring.
gearbox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2009   #3 (permalink)
OCDjG
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: So Cal
Age: 26
Posts: 106
iTrader: (0)
OCDjG will become famous soon enough
Re: HID retrofit... no idea where to start

Gearbox pretty much nailed it.

Since you got those cheapy headlights (I would know since I have the same ones), the only thing I recommend is doing a retrofit. A lot of people will simply throw in hid bulbs in the stock headlights and call it a day, but with these knock offs the beam pattern will just be absolute crap. Hell even with regular stock bulbs the beam pattern sucks. I got glare for days with mine. Anyhow that is where projector lenses come into play. If you look at a TSX or S2000 driving at night you'll notice its super bright headlights, but you'll also notice that its not blinding you either. Why? The cutoff. Say you were driving that TSX or S2000 and you had your car facing a wall. You would clearly see a line where the light just cuts out. Thats what people want when they do these retros. Now gearbox also mentioned bi-xenon. With our 6th gen headlights, the high and low beams are all in one bulb, that makes our cars bi-xenon. So unless you don't want hi-beams, you're going to have to find bi-xenon projectors.

These retros are becoming more and more common these days so if you search enough you'll find plenty of info as to how to DIY. The hardest part of this process is the aiming process which I'm sure thats what your seeing. Depending on the method of mounting, aiming can be a real bitch. If you don't take the time to make sure the lights are aimed properly the whole job will just be a waste. BTW this is not cheap to do.
OCDjG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2009   #4 (permalink)
prodigy803
New Member
1999 Honda Civic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 14
iTrader: (0)
prodigy803 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: HID retrofit... no idea where to start

What price range are we looking at for this retrofit? and how long does it usually take to put it all together
prodigy803 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2009   #5 (permalink)
prodigy803
New Member
1999 Honda Civic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 14
iTrader: (0)
prodigy803 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: HID retrofit... no idea where to start

but i didnt want to go the halo route because i wanted to keep a JDM theme going and i didnt like the styles they had for a 6th gen civic.
prodigy803 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2009   #6 (permalink)
gearbox
Super Moderator
 
gearbox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Reno, NV
Age: 29
Posts: 40,614
iTrader: (89)
gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future gearbox has a brilliant future
Re: HID retrofit... no idea where to start

prices vary, you can get a good used set of matsushita d2s ballasts for around $110, a new pair of d2s bulbs around $75, projectors are anywhere between 100-300 a pair depending which ones you want. some suck and some are awesome. check hidplanet posts for projector output comparisons and you want a bixenon for your car. also another set of heaslights so you can take your time and still use your car. then wire harness usually people make their own for around $20 in materials. and a pair of shoruds to cover around the projector and make it look nice $50. check retrofitsource.com they have some good deals on hid parts.
__________________


Restore Performance, Reduce Costs
www.lubecontrol.com
Are you using the new soy based fp-plus?
________________________________________

Go Here For Real Medicine
http://www.youngliving.com/
Member 1025782
________________________________________

Jobs wanted in boulder or louisville colorado.
PM me if you know companies that are hiring.
gearbox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2009   #7 (permalink)
prodigy803
New Member
1999 Honda Civic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 14
iTrader: (0)
prodigy803 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: HID retrofit... no idea where to start

can i see pics of your guys retrod headlights? with the beam pattern and the actual look of the car?
prodigy803 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2009   #8 (permalink)
OCDjG
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: So Cal
Age: 26
Posts: 106
iTrader: (0)
OCDjG will become famous soon enough
Re: HID retrofit... no idea where to start

Quote:
Originally Posted by prodigy803 View Post
but i didnt want to go the halo route because i wanted to keep a JDM theme going and i didnt like the styles they had for a 6th gen civic.
What was wrong with the stock ones?

Check out this thread on this site...
http://www.v6performance.net/forums/...ead.php?t=1447

You'll see some pretty cool stuff. Granted these are not civics but you get the idea.
OCDjG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2009   #9 (permalink)
prodigy803
New Member
1999 Honda Civic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 14
iTrader: (0)
prodigy803 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: HID retrofit... no idea where to start

Quote:
Originally Posted by OCDjG View Post
What was wrong with the stock ones?
Nothing wrong with the stock ones I just wanted a black housing.
prodigy803 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2009   #10 (permalink)
TemjinX2
Ultimate Member
 
TemjinX2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lakewood, 562
Age: 27
Posts: 4,478
iTrader: (11)
TemjinX2 is a name known to all TemjinX2 is a name known to all TemjinX2 is a name known to all TemjinX2 is a name known to all TemjinX2 is a name known to all TemjinX2 is a name known to all TemjinX2 is a name known to all
Re: HID retrofit... no idea where to start

you should just go to the forums on this website...hidplanet.com. Should give you a better idea in whats involved.
__________________
04 Civic Coupe with aero kit =sold
94 Integra 3dr= sold
02 c32 mercedes amg = new project

pics of all my rides *updated 5/19/09
http://www.civicforums.com/forums/46...ml#post4289984
HID retrofit cool kids club member # 0002
TemjinX2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Tags
2009 , 99 , civic , crv , diy , ek , headlight , headlights , hid , honda , jdm , mounting , point , projector , retrofit , tsx

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


  
User Login
Our Partners
used new



Top 10 Threads
Dictionary Of Automotive Terms
How much have you spent on your civic?
Manual or Auto
I Got 2 ECU Codes P1298 and P1519
Finding the ECU error codes
2010 Honda Accord Diesel
Replacing Headlight Assembly/Bulbs
It's CONTEST TIME!!!
ignition coil
Civic 2007 Typr-R

Site Supporters


aluminum radiator

Honda car spoilers


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:36 PM.

   
Advertising - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use - Jobs
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.0.0
All Content Copyright © 2007 CivicForums.com