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Hi all,

I'm new to the forums but am glad I found them! I am thinking of installing some aftermarket headlights and just had a question regarding them. I searched the forums before posting and found relative information, but not really the answer I was looking for. I really think adding projector headlights with a black or chrome housing improves the look of the car, but:

If I put aftermarket projector headlights in my car, is it going to produce the same beam pattern as OEM, if not better? Or am I going to hit every deer that runs across the highway at night because the headlights are only for show?

I am not really willing to compromise my safety, or the safety of other drivers, to make my car look a little better.

Thanks,
jm

--Terribly sorry if this is the wrong forum to be posting this question in; but it seemed the most appropriate considering I want to install these headlights myself.

 
Rep Power: 351

the output of aftermarket headlights (projectors in this case) are lot worst than ur OEM headlight output.

the best aftermarket projector headlights are made by TYC, and even their projectors suck compared to the output of OEM headlights.


another option is a retrofit. a retofit is the best of all option, but the only down side is the price.

retrofit > hid + aftermarket projector headlights + hid > oem headlights + HIDs > oem headlights > aftermarket projector

 
Rep Power: 250

Aftermarket projector headlights suck in terms of beam pattern and light output. You're better off with the stock headlights if your concerned with safety.

 
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Cool, thanks for the answers guys. So retrofitting headlights is essentially taking the headlights from another vehicle, and putting them in yours?

 
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It's not taking the headlight, just the hid projector unit in the headlight and retrofitting them into yours. You'll also need the ballast ,ignitors, and bulbs. There are many different type of projectors out there with some being better than others, so do your homework if you decide to go the retrofit route. It is expensive. Retrofitting will give you the best light output possible, but keep in mind that it is still essentially illegal since your car did not come with it from the factory.

 
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Ah, gotcha. I guess I should have mentioned I wasn't necessarily planning on going for the whole HID setup; just replacing factory headlights with projectors (so the light is supposedly focused more on the road rather than into the sky and everywhere else with parabolic headlights) and using bright/white halogen bulbs. Same kinda thing either way though I suppose.

 
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Well if you want pics of HID + Projector set up, let me know. I have black projector headlights along with HID setup... I like it better than OEM + stock bulbs in my opinion... otherwise you can just get some Sylvania Silverstars for your OEM headlights.

 
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ebay headlamps have the worst halogen projectors ive ever seen. even worse than a cheap foglight you would find.def not street legal theres no way

 
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My tyc projectors work great. Maybe a little less light than oem but still really bright. The beam pattern seems a little crisper too. Then I put silverstars in them and its even better. An HID retro would be awesome but they are just too far down on the parts to buy list. Just figured I would throw in my 2 cents amongst the retrofit votes.

 
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can you post pics of the black projector headlights?! PLEASE. I want to do exactly that for my car, but i wanna make sure the light output is ok.
Hows the cut off point to? Don't wanna blind the guy in front of me.
Where did you get them from?

 
Rep Power: 237

I got them off of ebay actually. But I got them from a store and they're real tyc.
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/4...-ya-think.html
I dont have any pics of mine uploaded anywhere, and I'm too lazy to do it right now, but here is a comparison with the same ones I have. Hope he doesnt mind me stealing his pics. And here is a link to a thread that gearbox did a few years ago comparing stock to tyc light output. It looks like all the pics but one are removed or gone or something, but maybe you could pm him and see if he still has them all. The one of the tyc output is really close to what mine look like though, if that helps.
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/4...-once-all.html

Sorry I dont have my own pics handy. But I hope that helps.

 
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Thanks! Definitely checked that out. Sorry to bring this thread outta the dark again but I just came across these Pilot headlights. I've never heard anyone mention these and was wondering if anyone had any opinions or knew about the reputation of Pilot Lighting:

01-03 Civic Projector Headlights; black housing:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BQP3CS?...0&linkCode=asn

They're certainly more expensive than your generic TYC or ebay lights.

 
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those are tyc actually, just marked up to a retarded price. tyc is the only one i would use if i had to have aftermarket. and with some +50 H1 bulbs ofcourse.

 
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can anyone compare TYCs to Sonars? i have the sonar projectors.

 
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I had tycs, they were crap. period. ps ill sell them to someone for 50 bucks if they will pick them up.

That was after my wreck. dont do 90 in a 25!

 
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if you think those are bad, you should see the sonars. they are about 1/2 as much light on the ground lol. its worse than a fog light projector.

 
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what do i need to do to get hid for the sonars? do i need a retro or just pnp?

 
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you gotta open them up and replace the stock projector with hid one. but its gotta be small enough to fit the housing. bosch e46 is pretty small.

 
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by opening up... you mean unsealing it?

 
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yeah stick it in the oven for 5-10 mins at 200F, til the goo softens, then pull em apart. then you can replace the projector but you gotta make the new ones fit since the size will be different.

 
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You're not a very good salesman.

 
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TYC > sonars. i had both...

my sonars didnt come with blub holders and apparently, i couldnt use my OEM ones... wtf are they thinking?

 
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yea at this point im tryin to get rid of them lol im in debt after the whole wreck thing. I might try to sell them at an import meet saturday.

Does anyone know if its illegal to have white turn signals? i cleared out my stock headlights and installed them and im a lil worried about it.

 
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Most states, yeah, it's illegal. I'm not sure if it'll get you pulled over, but you won't pass inspection.

 
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O ok well i deal with that in 2 years then

 
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i was able to use my oem ones.