jmars808

Hi all,

I am interested in getting some HID lights for my 2002 red Honda Civic EX coupe. I basically know nothing about them except for some things I learned on here and online researching.

After my research, I still do not know what kind to get for my car. I like the color of the 6000K lights but not sure on much else.

Questions:

Should I get projectors? (I saw they have less glare)
Would a low cost HID kit from eBay do the trick? If so , what type or brand? (something in the $40-$50 range?)
I saw something about the Morimoto minis, is that the only way to get good HID lights for our cars? They are a little pricey for me.
What is does retro fit mean? Compared to just a HID kit.
Do I need to replace just the bulb and keep my housing or do I need a whole new housing with bulbs?

I would like to stay under $150 if possible for decent HID lights. Less expensive is always better.

Thanks for your help and/or pointing me in the right direction!

Jeff

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

Yes you should get projectors. HID's work best with projectors.
If your looking for a cheap HID kit go to ddmtuning.com. They have good ones for the price.
The morimoto mini is a projector and for the price it's a great one. There are cheaper projectors but they won't be good.
A retrofit is where you fit projectors in your headlight housing. See this thread for pics:

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...ket+headlights

lowlife9

Morimoto mini kit $120 bucks DDM tuning hid kit $30 bucks total $150 bucks.

jmars808

Thanks a lot for the tips guys! Big help.

Lowlife,

This sounds like what I will get.

It looks like I would get from DDM the HID kit with H1 bulbs, at 6000K, and 35Watts to put into the Bi-xenon: Morimoto Mini H1 5.0.

With the DDM kit, Would I need to buy any other stuff like a harness or brackets?

Thanks!

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

Just to clarify, a retrofit is when you install an HID projector in a non-HID equipped headlight. I'd recommend you buy a relay harness for HIDs, so the ballasts get ample power. If you don't, chances are one side won't work all the time.

Lemme dig around and see if I still have my old DDM 55w digital ballast kit lying around. I ditched DDM components in lieu of theretrofitsource's morimoto HID ballasts and bulbs. That is, if you're interested.

If you wanna see the difference between HIDs in a non-HID projector vs a retrofit, click the "her lights" link in my sig. First picture is a side by side comparison.

jmars808

Riceboy,

Thanks for the info. So I would be doing a retrofit since I would be installing the minis in my OEM headlight housing. I think I am going to get a 35W kit so I should be fine. Thanks though.
The retrofit pic is way nicer. Def gonna go that route!

So, H1 Morimoto minis, DDM 35W kit with H1 6000K bulb, relay harness, and I should be set.

Does changing the stock housing for an aftermarket one do anything for better lighting or is just for looks?

Artificial

iTrader: (1)

Just changes the looks, unless it's a projector housing. Don't bother with the cheap ebay ones, they'll likely melt and they have a terrible output pattern compared to a retrofit.

jmars808

Ok thanks for answering that question.

Now, I am looking for the relay harness. I don't see one at DDM.
I think I see one at TRS.

Is this what you mean?
MotoControl H4/9003 Bi-xenon Relay Harness
from http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...ducts_id=14027

Does anyone know if I can get the relay for a better price than $35 at TRS?

Edit:
Or is this the relay harness at DDM that I need?
HIGH/LOW HID HARNESS H4 $15
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/High-Low-Harness

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

Either harness should be fine. I'm rocking an older version of TRS's H4 relay harness in my setup now, and I must say it is so much nicer than the DDM one that **** itself on me. The relay, one day, decided to burn itself from the inside. Just a forewarning. With TRS stuff, you seriously get what you pay for, and their customer service is excellent.

If you decided to go with an aftermarket projector headlight and retrofit that, you'd have to get more creative with how you mount the projector, especially considering you'd want to maintain full adjustability. The Morimoto HID retrofit is seriously about as easy as retrofits go, as it's more or less a plug and play. You just have to open up the headlight to do so. Do yourself a favor and find some butyl rubber to re-seal the headlights after you're done. Apparently you can find it at local autozones or whatever, but I wasn't able to, so I had to order a roll of it off amazon for cheap.


If there's one bit of advice I can give, it's do everything right the first time, even if that means spending more money up front. I've had personal experience going the "cheaper" routes before, and that's resulted in spending a WHOLE lot more in the long run. Just my 2 cents.

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

^ all great advice. I just did my retrofit this weekend and it was a direct plug and play with no cutting needed. I was able to aim them properly with the stock adjusting screws. I ended going with Morimoto ballests and relay harness cause I didn't want to take a chance with a cheaper kit. If you want a better cutoff line then I would suggest painting the stock reflector housing a darker color. My cut line line isn't as crisp as I want it to be but it's still good. Here are some pics:





Cutoff Line.

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

^you needa buff out and clean your headlights man. that haze/oxidation is taking a good 20% from your output.

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

Yea that was going to be my project this weekend. I didn't realize how bad it was until i took the picture :-/ It is pretty bad.

lowlife9

that glare is probably from all that haze on your lenses.

jmars808

Sweet. Thanks for all the great advice guys! I think I am going to do it right the first time. Big help!

What's the best way to clean your headlight outer lenses? Sandpaper or buy a kit? You could send me to a link if you wish.

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...ight-haze.html

Works really well. Only downside is you have to keep giving them attention otherwise they'll haze right back up.. Either that or get a UV-resistant clear coat sprayed on. I've heard of people doing that, too.

lowlife9

i found the best way and easiest way is a 3M headlight restoration kit then using a plastic lens sealer.

jmars808

Lowlife9,

Did you use the 3M kit with the drill or no drill? Also, do you put the sealer on after you do it? Thanks!