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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
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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.
Re: HID retrofit... no idea where to start
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.
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