my rsx tsx projector retro *updated 12/22/08
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, 562
Rep Power: 320 






my rsx tsx projector retro *updated 12/22/08
Hi everyone,
My gf liked my tsx retro in my mercedes so much, she wanted it on her rsx. I got a pretty smoken deal on some tsx projectors for $120, so i decided to give it a shot.
I bought some eagle eye ebay projectors to start off.
Materials used
Dremel
heat gun
philips screw driver
flat head screw driver
mirror clips qty = 2
8-32 2.5''screws qty 8
8-32 2'' screws qty 4
8-32 washers
springs
nuts
JB Weld
separate harness
stock light


The great thing about the eagle eyes is that it uses a separate bracket to hold the projector to the head light. This made working on them a lot easier then on my retro.


There's three mounting points on the bracket. Thankfully the bottom two holes mount perfectly with the tsx mounting points. This made setting up the rotational alignment a lot easier.


here's another pic of the bracket without the projector to give you an idea.


The tsx projector is a little wider then the halogen projector, so I used my dremel to wider the bracket a little to accomadate the tsx projector. It was pretty quick with a dremel and a grinding bit.


Here's how i setup the projector. The springs are used to keep tension on the projector so the projector doesn't move around when you go over speed bumps. Ignore the rubber stoppers, i found out later i didnt need them.


Here's a mock up with the head light bracket with the tsx projector. I used the mirror clip and screw to hold the top half of the tsx projector to the top half of the bracket.


Thankfullly the eagle eye projector and tsx projector are both 2.5'' so it was a perfect size for the cover to fix over.


Since i'm using the stock location on the bracket. The tsx projector sits in the stock location so i can use the stock rubber stopper to seal up the projector later.


Here's a pic of the cut off with 3 washers on the bot. As you can see the rotational is slightly off but i can live with it.


I'm going to be jb weld it later today. Once i got it mounted i'll post some pics.
My gf liked my tsx retro in my mercedes so much, she wanted it on her rsx. I got a pretty smoken deal on some tsx projectors for $120, so i decided to give it a shot.
I bought some eagle eye ebay projectors to start off.
Materials used
Dremel
heat gun
philips screw driver
flat head screw driver
mirror clips qty = 2
8-32 2.5''screws qty 8
8-32 2'' screws qty 4
8-32 washers
springs
nuts
JB Weld
separate harness
stock light


The great thing about the eagle eyes is that it uses a separate bracket to hold the projector to the head light. This made working on them a lot easier then on my retro.


There's three mounting points on the bracket. Thankfully the bottom two holes mount perfectly with the tsx mounting points. This made setting up the rotational alignment a lot easier.


here's another pic of the bracket without the projector to give you an idea.


The tsx projector is a little wider then the halogen projector, so I used my dremel to wider the bracket a little to accomadate the tsx projector. It was pretty quick with a dremel and a grinding bit.


Here's how i setup the projector. The springs are used to keep tension on the projector so the projector doesn't move around when you go over speed bumps. Ignore the rubber stoppers, i found out later i didnt need them.


Here's a mock up with the head light bracket with the tsx projector. I used the mirror clip and screw to hold the top half of the tsx projector to the top half of the bracket.


Thankfullly the eagle eye projector and tsx projector are both 2.5'' so it was a perfect size for the cover to fix over.


Since i'm using the stock location on the bracket. The tsx projector sits in the stock location so i can use the stock rubber stopper to seal up the projector later.


Here's a pic of the cut off with 3 washers on the bot. As you can see the rotational is slightly off but i can live with it.


I'm going to be jb weld it later today. Once i got it mounted i'll post some pics.
Last edited by TemjinX2; Dec 22, 2008 at 05:52 PM.
My Honda Loves Me ^_^
iTrader: (7)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,825
Likes: 0
From: The rich oil fields of Kuwait
Rep Power: 303 










Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
Nice retro! Can't wait 'til you post up some pics of the final product on the car with some wall shots.
Last edited by 2005EM2; Dec 13, 2008 at 08:33 PM.
My Honda Loves Me ^_^
iTrader: (7)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,825
Likes: 0
From: The rich oil fields of Kuwait
Rep Power: 303 










Banished to the Depths of Rice.
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,196
Likes: 1
From: SoCal 714/909/626
Rep Power: 352 










Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
i think it's great when anybody doing a project takes pics while they are at it...... like for me for instance..... i had some hazing in my rear window.... couldn't clean it off. so i knew it was the damn factory tint somebody probably tried to clean with an ammonia based product (windex). I ended up spending an hour probably stripping the whole window of the stock tint. i got really tired of the smell of that acetone, but hey i got it done. Now my car is ready for a real tint job.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, 562
Rep Power: 320 






Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
I'm taking my gf to hawaii tomorrow so it'll have to wait until we come back.
As a teaser, i'm posting the wall shots of my mercedes retrofit. The alignment is slightly off..but its hard to notice until your up close. Her's is going to be better since on mine i had to drill into a reflector. Her's i just used the stock alignment holes.
Take from about 4ft away.
These are with 50watt ballasts.

My Honda Loves Me ^_^
iTrader: (7)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,825
Likes: 0
From: The rich oil fields of Kuwait
Rep Power: 303 










Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
i think it's great when anybody doing a project takes pics while they are at it...... like for me for instance..... i had some hazing in my rear window.... couldn't clean it off. so i knew it was the damn factory tint somebody probably tried to clean with an ammonia based product (windex). I ended up spending an hour probably stripping the whole window of the stock tint. i got really tired of the smell of that acetone, but hey i got it done. Now my car is ready for a real tint job.
yeah i was going to seal them up today...but like a idiot i lost my second roll of nissan oem sealant from my retrofit on my mercedes. So i have to order another roll.
I'm taking my gf to hawaii tomorrow so it'll have to wait until we come back.
As a teaser, i'm posting the wall shots of my mercedes retrofit. The alignment is slightly off..but its hard to notice until your up close. Her's is going to be better since on mine i had to drill into a reflector. Her's i just used the stock alignment holes.
Take from about 4ft away.
These are with 50watt ballasts.
I'm taking my gf to hawaii tomorrow so it'll have to wait until we come back.
As a teaser, i'm posting the wall shots of my mercedes retrofit. The alignment is slightly off..but its hard to notice until your up close. Her's is going to be better since on mine i had to drill into a reflector. Her's i just used the stock alignment holes.
Take from about 4ft away.
These are with 50watt ballasts.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, 562
Rep Power: 320 






Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
the 50watt ballasts from the seller gearbox recommended on ebay. I've had them since april...seems to be holding up pretty well.
My Honda Loves Me ^_^
iTrader: (7)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,825
Likes: 0
From: The rich oil fields of Kuwait
Rep Power: 303 










Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
So, do you get that buzzing sound (from the ballasts) as soon as the HIDs are turned on?
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, 562
Rep Power: 320 






Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
surprisingly..no. NO sound at all when i turn them on. I was actually pretty surprised. They take little longer to warm up and they run hotter then the panasonic ballasts i use to use though.
My Honda Loves Me ^_^
iTrader: (7)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,825
Likes: 0
From: The rich oil fields of Kuwait
Rep Power: 303 










Re: my rsx tsx projector retro

Another problem I have is that the philips bulbs I'm using don't fit into the bulb-holding caps on the e46 retro... *flame retardant suit is going on* I actually broke some of the plastic pieces off of the bulbs to get them in and now, the bulbs move around a lot. And I gotta re-aim the headlights soon, too.

I still have the new set of d2s bulbs that came with the HID kit, but gear had told me that they aren't going to be good, but I'm willing to use it though. I just don't know why the plastic piece between the glass bulb and the connection area is fat.. I tried to push the cap in as far and hard as I could, but it doesn't lock and cap in.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, 562
Rep Power: 320 






Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
i'm using a harness though..so that might be the difference. If you post a pic of the harness, i can probably figure out where everything goes.
You also have to make sure the little groove on the bulb matches up with the dot sticking out of the projector or the cap won't fit. The cap won't until the groove and dot are lined up. At least thats what i think i remember when i had the e46's. Once its lined up you should be able to push and twist..like a medicine bottom cap.
Its actually a pretty secure way of holding in bulbs...superior to the paper clips they use on the tsx.
You also have to make sure the little groove on the bulb matches up with the dot sticking out of the projector or the cap won't fit. The cap won't until the groove and dot are lined up. At least thats what i think i remember when i had the e46's. Once its lined up you should be able to push and twist..like a medicine bottom cap.
Its actually a pretty secure way of holding in bulbs...superior to the paper clips they use on the tsx.
Banished to the Depths of Rice.
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,196
Likes: 1
From: SoCal 714/909/626
Rep Power: 352 










Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
buzzing sound is normal. i have oem DENSO ballast, matsushisu(sp), and denso D4S ballast and they all make the humming/buzzing sound...although its more of a humming sound.
Banished to the Depths of Rice.
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,196
Likes: 1
From: SoCal 714/909/626
Rep Power: 352 










Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
hey temjinx2, when you ordered teh ballast, you ordered the d2s rite? did he include a PnP-D2s adaptor?
and did you use his bulbs or stuck with philips?
and did you use his bulbs or stuck with philips?
My Honda Loves Me ^_^
iTrader: (7)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,825
Likes: 0
From: The rich oil fields of Kuwait
Rep Power: 303 










Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
i'm using a harness though..so that might be the difference. If you post a pic of the harness, i can probably figure out where everything goes.
You also have to make sure the little groove on the bulb matches up with the dot sticking out of the projector or the cap won't fit. The cap won't until the groove and dot are lined up. At least thats what i think i remember when i had the e46's. Once its lined up you should be able to push and twist..like a medicine bottom cap.
Its actually a pretty secure way of holding in bulbs...superior to the paper clips they use on the tsx.
You also have to make sure the little groove on the bulb matches up with the dot sticking out of the projector or the cap won't fit. The cap won't until the groove and dot are lined up. At least thats what i think i remember when i had the e46's. Once its lined up you should be able to push and twist..like a medicine bottom cap.
Its actually a pretty secure way of holding in bulbs...superior to the paper clips they use on the tsx.
Oh, btw have a safe and fun trip in Hawaii
Ahh, i c. Thanks for the info. Maybe the buzzing sound will stop when I use the ebay wiring harness, or maybe not.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, 562
Rep Power: 320 






Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
As for the buzzing..there's no buzz with the hid ballasts i have. They look like hella replicas. I didn't have any buzzing with the my 3rd gen matsushitas (panasonics).
I did have buzzing with my e46 ballasts. Not really a big deal, but it seems like the newer ballasts dont not make the buzzing sound.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, 562
Rep Power: 320 






Re: my rsx tsx projector retro
I just finished my gf's retro. I very happy in how it came out. I think it came out better then the one i did on my mercedes.
I'm actually kinda impressed with the ebay led and ccfl o nthe ebay head lights.
Here's some teaser pics. I'll try to take more wall shots once it gets darker.
pic with the head lights on


pic with the lights on


close up




some wall shots
pic of the cut off..it looks more purplish in person.



the rotational alignment on the right is slightly off but i can live with it.
I'm actually kinda impressed with the ebay led and ccfl o nthe ebay head lights.
Here's some teaser pics. I'll try to take more wall shots once it gets darker.
pic with the head lights on


pic with the lights on


close up




some wall shots
pic of the cut off..it looks more purplish in person.



the rotational alignment on the right is slightly off but i can live with it.
My Honda Loves Me ^_^
iTrader: (7)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,825
Likes: 0
From: The rich oil fields of Kuwait
Rep Power: 303 










Re: my rsx tsx projector retro *updated 12/22/08
Oh, I had a question that I wanted to ask you.
Did you do the washer mod on your Benz and your gf's rsx?
Did you do the washer mod on your Benz and your gf's rsx?
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, 562
Rep Power: 320 






Re: my rsx tsx projector retro *updated 12/22/08
i did three washers on the bottom where the bolts went. On the benz, the cutoff is pretty blue and on the rsx its little more purplish blue. I think its the head light cover that changes the color. When there was no cover it was pretty blue.
My Honda Loves Me ^_^
iTrader: (7)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,825
Likes: 0
From: The rich oil fields of Kuwait
Rep Power: 303 










Re: my rsx tsx projector retro *updated 12/22/08
Ohh okay. Cool. So, when you put on the washers, do you sacrifice a bit of the amount of light projection?
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, 562
Rep Power: 320 






Re: my rsx tsx projector retro *updated 12/22/08
Given that the tsx projectors already have a very sharp cut off..i was willing to make the sacrifice..
My Honda Loves Me ^_^
iTrader: (7)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,825
Likes: 0
From: The rich oil fields of Kuwait
Rep Power: 303 










Re: my rsx tsx projector retro *updated 12/22/08
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, 562
Rep Power: 320 








