I want to do a HID retro. I have 2 sets of stock lamps on hand, one set with bad lenses and one set with broken mounting/adjustment tabs but with good lenses. Is it worth doing a retro kit using the lens from one set and the housing from another or should I start out with one good set.
Should I go with a stock head lamp setup for modding or should I go with ebay lamps. I have a set of new black Ebay head lamps on the way and I figured I would use them till I got done with the retro's which would be done using the 2 sets I mentioned earlier. But I'm wondering If based on the look I'm after (black) if it would just save time and it would make more sense to mod the ebay lamps right off the get go.
Whats a good projector to use for a first time project. Looking answers dealing with quality, ease of install and long term more then looks better.
Should I buy factory new rubber surrounds for the headlamps or try and fine used. Not sure if the ebay lamps come with it but I would guess not and out of the the two sets I have both a not really in that good shape
Also Just throwing this out there, I have a really nice used Aquamist HFS-5 kit for someone who will make me a really nice retro HID lamp set up.......new the HFS-5 kits go for about $895, not too many show up used but I would figure they would be around $650 - $700 if there were to show up. Its my personal kit and there's nothing wrong with it........I'm not going to be using it only because I'm upgrading to a HFS-6 kit.
I want to do a HID retro. I have 2 sets of stock lamps on hand, one set with bad lenses and one set with broken mounting/adjustment tabs but with good lenses. Is it worth doing a retro kit using the lens from one set and the housing from another or should I start out with one good set.
The stock housing is a bitch to take apart. If they're not useable at all for stock use, take themapart for the purpose of retaining the reflectors and other misc pieces. you can use the reflectors to pratice with. and use the othe misc pieces if something breaks.
Should I go with a stock head lamp setup for modding or should I go with ebay lamps. I have a set of new black Ebay head lamps on the way and I figured I would use them till I got done with the retro's which would be done using the 2 sets I mentioned earlier. But I'm wondering If based on the look I'm after (black) if it would just save time and it would make more sense to mod the ebay lamps right off the get go.
Go with ebay lights or depos. just for the ease of getting them apart. use your oem gaskets. Since you'll have multiple reflectors at this point. you have alot of room for trail and error
Whats a good projector to use for a first time project. Looking answers dealing with quality, ease of install and long term more then looks better.
it depends on how creative and patient you are. since i'm niether i started out with single xenon projector ie, e46, tsx, or s2k
Should I buy factory new rubber surrounds for the headlamps or try and fine used. Not sure if the ebay lamps come with it but I would guess not and out of the the two sets I have both a not really in that good shape
The ebay ones will come with it but use oems, theres agap between the bumper and the headlight when you using the aftermarket gasket.
Also Just throwing this out there, I have a really nice used Aquamist HFS-5 kit for someone who will make me a really nice retro HID lamp set up.......new the HFS-5 kits go for about $895, not too many show up used but I would figure they would be around $650 - $700 if there were to show up. Its my personal kit and there's nothing wrong with it........I'm not going to be using it only because I'm upgrading to a HFS-6 kit.
Too bad i already have a w/i kit. it ends up being more gradifying when you make them yourself, trust me
I forgot to ask.....where should I start hunting for the projectors? Should I be looking in the boneyards for complete HID lamps with busted lenses or should I be looking on ebay for the projectors.
I forgot to ask.....where should I start hunting for the projectors? Should I be looking in the boneyards for complete HID lamps with busted lenses or should I be looking on ebay for the projectors.
you could try bodyshops, and boneyard. but i guarantee the workers have already stripped the hids out before it goes to the lot.
search ebay "bi-xenon" or "single xenon" projectors
turbojack is getting in the retrofit mods huh!!! Dude...you've helped me out so much with my previous HFS-5 kit, supported it when things went bad, helped me sell it, and got me on the HFS-6 GB in the nick of time...just let me know how I can help you with this project so I can return the favor.
Dont bother with junk yards for hid headlamps. 99.9% of the time they were already removed before it goes out there. If you did find a set, chances are the price would be much higher, because they price them as someone who need the entire headlamp. I found the best deals on hid planet. Ebay hasnt been that good to me, because theres alot more competition.
I would suggest going with tl's for your retro, but just the projectors are going to cost you $150-$200 just for those. If you want to save some money go with e55's. Those should only cost you $100-$115. However the tls are brighter and wider. Dont forget though, these prices do not include the bulbs, ballasts, and the harness. I do suggest going with bi-xenon projectors. They are really nice to have even if you dont use them very often.
second the bi-xenons. the fx projectors are a step up from the e55s but not a lot more money. hidplanet.com is a good resource. you can buy direct from their site or go to the forums in the FS section for used goods. it's a pretty good community so not as much worries about getting scammed.
Unlike aww sheet and many others, I've had NO problems opening up the OEM lamps. If you want to try it, p.m. me and I'll tell you what I do to pop 'em open.
As for the bi-xenon recommendation, do you ever use your high beams? If not, then you probably don't need them. I've used my high beams once in my year and a half of ownership of the SRT. That being said, I did go bi-xenon (mostly because I wanted to use E55's, and they just happen to be bi-xenon).
turbojack is getting in the retrofit mods huh!!! Dude...you've helped me out so much with my previous HFS-5 kit, supported it when things went bad, helped me sell it, and got me on the HFS-6 GB in the nick of time...just let me know how I can help you with this project so I can return the favor.
You do not owe me for anything so no worries W/A injection is fun and the more people doing things properly and are happy with doing it the better for everyone. Help with questions is great.
So when I look for projectors It should be the TL's or the E55's, correct. The E55's are lower in cost but the TL's have better output, correct?
When it comes to the ballast's wiring, relays etc...these can be bought separately, correct? Once I have the projectors I can purchase a HID wiring kit from a place like VVME and a relay and hardness from another place that will keep the stock harness from being hacked up.
Any other major hardware other then glue/sealant and paint. Also, I'm not sure I understand how you cover up the projectors after mounting them? Later on tonight when I'm finished at work I'm going to look at the sites you guys mentioned. Thanks
If you put projectors in your car, do not buy an aftermarket kit. Go with oem bulbs at least, but I would use oem ballasts as well. Aftermarket bulbs are junk. I dont care for aftermarket ballasts either, because they take 10 seconds to warm up. Oem are warmed up in 2 seconds or less, and will be more reliable.
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Retro kit questions = thinking about doing this
Dude...you've helped me out so much with my previous HFS-5 kit, supported it when things went bad, helped me sell it, and got me on the HFS-6 GB in the nick of time...just let me know how I can help you with this project so I can return the favor.
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