Need Sugestions: JDM Kouki Hid Retrofit

[wbarrett48473]

Was bored this morning and found the the guide on retrofiting S2k HID lights into a USDM Kouki Headlight.

This One:

http://www.nrgonline.org/s14_hid/img/IMG_0847.jpg

I'm sure yall can see that the projector is tiny in comparison to the original one and was wondering if anyone knew of a HID Projector that would closely match the size of a JDM Kouki Headlight (below) since that is whats located on my car right now.

This one for example:

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/4944/s14jdmkoukiheadlights.jpg

I'm sure someone out there has retrofitted HID's into the JDM headlights but searching turned up nothing.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Brian]

Hey, you know what will be WAY easier and much less hassle?

Go to JRTlighting and get a HID kit that plugs right in.

DONE

[wbarrett48473]

Thats true but considering that the Projectors are already for driving on the wrong side of the road they shine into oncoming traffic; just dropping HID's in would probably kill someone.

Thanks for the suggestion tho, but i'm still looking for a HID Projector thats large enough to replace the JDM one.

[240drifter1]

Hey, you know what will be WAY easier and much less hassle?

Go to JRTlighting and get a HID kit that plugs right in.

DONE


Haha, werd.

Ive got mad JDM TyT3 purple HIDs from JRTlighting and there badasssssss.

[Brian]

oh lord.


my beam pattern!!!

the end of the world is NOW!!!

[0wn3r]

Thats true but considering that the Projectors are already for driving on the wrong side of the road they shine into oncoming traffic; just dropping HID's in would probably kill someone.

Thanks for the suggestion tho, but i'm still looking for a HID Projector thats large enough to replace the JDM one.

Usually you can adjust up and down, side to side...

I still haven't seen any good pics of HID kits being installed into USDM kouki headlights....I want to see some cutoff pics.

[240drifter1]

Ill try and get some tonight for joo.

I was planning on taking my camera out and playing around with it tonight anyways.

[wbarrett48473]

Usually you can adjust up and down, side to side...

I still haven't seen any good pics of HID kits being installed into USDM kouki headlights....I want to see some cutoff pics.

Here is the cutoff pic from the s2k conversion:

http://www.nrgonline.org/s14_hid/img/DSC00453.jpg

Maybe there is a website that lists all cars that have factory HID's and what sizes they are... but I doubt it

[S14DB]

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/

[Tops*]

TSX projectors fit well.

IIRC, S14 projectors are 3" and the TSX projectors are 2.5".

[CKAMC]

if what is said above applies to the jdm projector size then the following should fit just right

http://www.hidplanet.com/porsche.html

[pbcstylez]

i suggest using the e55 3" lens than, but you will have to cut into your housing to fit them

i think you saw my tsx's last time u were here right Chris?

[CKAMC]

i suggest using the e55 3" lens than, but you will have to cut into your housing to fit them

i think you saw my tsx's last time u were here right Chris?

naw man you were rocking the audi for the most part

think you had the 14 back at your place on stands since you were waiting on them weds or somethin else

Either way to the OP, check the diameter of the JDM projector... if its 3 then you will likely be able to fit one of the two projectors mentioned

fucking japan had to screw the us market some more by giving smaller projector.

[wbarrett48473]

Just tried to measure the projectors while they are still in the headlight assembly and they appear to be 3" but I wont know exactly until I take the headlight apart.

Thanks again for all of the great suggestions guys!

[golfer17]

Usually you can adjust up and down, side to side...

I still haven't seen any good pics of HID kits being installed into USDM kouki headlights....I want to see some cutoff pics.

here's a couple of mine. the pics aren't the best, but the cutoff is definitely good enough not to blind others and I think they look great. Besides my s15 steering wheel, it's one of my favorite mods I've done to the car (though the gt2871r turbo is up there as well...). of note, I've heard this is only works for kouki projectors, the s13's and zenki's do not have this same cutoff.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050793_113_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050793_119_full.jpg

[0wn3r]

here's a couple of mine. the pics aren't the best, but the cutoff is definitely good enough not to blind others and I think they look great. Besides my s15 steering wheel, it's one of my favorite mods I've done to the car (though the gt2871r turbo is up there as well...). of note, I've heard this is only works for kouki projectors, the s13's and zenki's do not have this same cutoff.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050793_119_full.jpg

finally! haha, awesome (edit: THAT SOMEONE WAS NICE ENOUGH TO POST PICTURES FOR ME). what kit did you get and how much have you liked it (blown bulbs, ease of install, etc)?

[98koukile]

That actually looks horrible but people seem to love drop in kits... If you want HIDs do it right or you're a ricer

[CKAMC]

Yeah the s2k cut off looks a lot better than these cheap crap ass drop in kits.

[wh0aitznic0]

oh lord.


my beam pattern!!!

the end of the world is NOW!!!

:bowrofl::bowrofl:

Oncoming drivers can go suck a dick.:keke:

[LA_phantom_240]

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/

Yay another person who knows of HIDPlanet!
+some for joo.

[Anto]

fuck it

if you're set on going on a 3" lens projector, you're probably gonna have to cut your headlight housing

might as well go TL/Clearlens, the ZKW isn't the only lens you can use now, cop a pair on ebay for $80, plus TL projectors..

mmm..

bixenon

dual highbeam

[DreamN]

Damn those S2K projectors look really similar in size to the s13 projectors. I wonder if the retrofit would work on them.

[LA_phantom_240]

Damn those S2K projectors look really similar in size to the s13 projectors. I wonder if the retrofit would work on them.

Its pretty common to use s2k's in s13's.

[Johny5]

lol light pattern, get fucking serious dude

[LA_phantom_240]

here's a couple of mine. the pics aren't the best, but the cutoff is definitely good enough not to blind others and I think they look great. Besides my s15 steering wheel, it's one of my favorite mods I've done to the car (though the gt2871r turbo is up there as well...). of note, I've heard this is only works for kouki projectors, the s13's and zenki's do not have this same cutoff.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050793_113_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/2050000-2050999/2050793_119_full.jpg

Looks like someone puked a bunch of light onto a wall.

[MangoDorifto]

You could use a shroud to fill in the gap and clean up the look of the projector, if it's a big bulky unit. Here's a couple pics of my past retrofit jobs.

04 accord, TSX projector w/ BMW M3 E46 Shroud
http://www.tmobilepictures.com/photos/photo32/54/09/345f09538cc8.jpg

98 accord, BMW M3 E46 Bi-Xenon Projector w/ shroud
http://www.tmobilepictures.com/photos/photo31/c4/36/146a1b669c49.jpg

[silviaguy240]

fx35 bi xenons too would fit probably.

[golfer17]

finally! haha, awesome. what kit did you get and how much have you liked it (blown bulbs, ease of install, etc)?

I got some kind of cheaper "zenon hid" kit because a local member who is a good friend of mine was selling them, and had very good luck with them on his atv's and bikes (plus they were the extra small ballasts at a good price). They weren't any harder to install than any other kit, and should only take around 30min. for a pro, to no more than a few hours for a beginner. had them on for almost a year now with no bulb problems, besides the normal ones that happen with all hid kits (bulb does not turn on, so you have to turn it off and back on. this has happened twice and ive seen it happen a couple times on my friends 350z as well as my mom's cl type s). anyways, pics really do not do them justice, the beam pattern really looks great on the street. it's not quite as good as my mom's cl type-s of course, but its close enough for me.

anyways, sorry for the thread jack, and I don't mean to take anything away from the s2k retrofit, that really is a wicked beam pattern (it seems much better than most other stock hid systems i've seen).

btw, someone named pbcstylez neg. repped me for posting up those pics. wth?

[waynehead05]

head on over to hid planet. there's me with my hatch (pop up retro) and a couple other 240 guys with retro fits. Lots of good info.

[0wn3r]

FYI, those pics above aren't alot of glare...from the pictures I've searched for, including the people that install HID kits into stock S13 and S14 zenki housings, you really wouldn't believe just how bad glare can be

but for kouki projectors, I think it beats installing blue halogen bulbs you see rice bags installing.

Now I really wonder if CF eyelids were made to help counter some of the effects of glare :confused:

[95KA-Turbo]

Here's my cut off from my JRT lighting kit 4300K.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c51/95KA-Turbo/HIDs5.jpg

They're not adjusted in this picture, I got them better looking then that:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c51/95KA-Turbo/HIDs4.jpg

HID on Left, regular on right:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c51/95KA-Turbo/HIDs3.jpg

The cut off is very good from further away. When I drive through the tunnels and shit around here I can see my cut off on both sides is a nice straight line and in front of me it isn't over people's rear bumpers.

[pbcstylez]

Here's my cut off from my JRT lighting kit 4300K.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c51/95KA-Turbo/HIDs5.jpg

They're not adjusted in this picture, I got them better looking then that:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c51/95KA-Turbo/HIDs4.jpg

HID on Left, regular on right:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c51/95KA-Turbo/HIDs3.jpg

The cut off is very good from further away. When I drive through the tunnels and shit around here I can see my cut off on both sides is a nice straight line and in front of me it isn't over people's rear bumpers.


sir that cutoff looks like pure ass

[Brian]

tight.


its going to light up the road.


90% of the people on here are such pussies.

[neilsan]

I'm not trying to specifically condone HID retrofit kits in a kouki, but GFD the stock H1's suck SO much ass that I'm beginning to consider a retrofit myself.

The glare doesn't look too obnoxious and I dont care much about sharpness of the cutoff, but I just wish I could see the hot spots in person. my concern is that my eyes are going to be adjusting for an ultra bright spot on the ground 50ft in front of my car and I'm not going to be able to see much happening anywhere but in that spot.

[95KA-Turbo]

I can see very well, I've never had complaints from anyone (I even had my friend drive in front of me at different distances and come from the other direction and he reported nothing worse then a stock TSX/any other car with stock HIDs), and you really can't beat the ease of doing it as well as the cost and the fact that it is 100000 times better then the stock headlights.

[LA_phantom_240]

sir that cutoff looks like pure ass

X2!

God the Kouki projectors blow.

[Anto]

you want the best?

the BEST of the best?

like really really kills pretty much 100% of the cars on the road, including those with retrofits?

Let me tell you what you need.

TL projectors
Clearlens
Apexcone 55w D2S Slim Ballasts
Philips DL50 bulbs.

those will fucking rock anything on the road.

$200 + $90 + $200 + $100 (if you can find them)
~$600 will yield you over 10,000+ lumens, not including reflector & lens loss
two standard HID bulbs yield 6400 lumens before losses.

[wbarrett48473]

Back from the dead!

After getting sick of being flashed because everyone thinks my high beams are on I decided it was time for a change.

So, after reading all of the helpful hints that were listed in this thread this caught my eye...

you want the best?

the BEST of the best?

like really really kills pretty much 100% of the cars on the road, including those with retrofits?

Let me tell you what you need.

TL projectors
Clearlens
Apexcone 55w D2S Slim Ballasts
Philips DL50 bulbs.

those will fucking rock anything on the road.

$200 + $90 + $200 + $100 (if you can find them)
~$600 will yield you over 10,000+ lumens, not including reflector & lens loss
two standard HID bulbs yield 6400 lumens before losses.

So, after much hesitation I went ahead and purchased a set of TL projectors, ZKW-R lenses, and 55w Digital ballast with bulbs.

First to compare the 2 projectors:

FRONT-
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/9251/hid1.jpg

SIDE-
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3451/hid2.jpg

REAR-
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3691/hid3.jpg

BOTTOM-
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/6951/hid4z.jpg

Next I had to figure out how to fit the damn things into the housing. As you can see from the pics the solenoid on the bottom of the TL projector hangs down quite a bit. So much, that I would have to either cut into the headlight housing or cut off the solenoid. Since each headlight cost roughly $250 and each projector was about $80, I decided to cut the projector instead.

After I was able to slide the projector into the housing I noticed the adjustment screws getting in the way. These things seem to be impossible to remove without cutting them out so I decided again to cut into the projector to make the screws fit.

So It was time for some measuring of the holes where the adjustment screws were placed in the original S14 projector.

TOP Outer dimensions:

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3993/hid5.jpg

SIDE Outer Dimensions:

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/6235/hid6.jpg

SIDE Inner Dimensions:

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/4056/hid7.jpg

TOP Inner Dimensions:

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/7756/hid8.jpg

Then I made a template out of cardboard and placed it onto the TL projector.

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/390/hid9.jpg

On the drill press lined up and ready to go!

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/9846/hid10.jpg

No turning back now

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/9181/hid11.jpg

Then Magically its where it should be!

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/2593/hid12.jpg

This is what it looks like with the shroud on.

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/5679/hid13.jpg

Now with the glass on.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2061/hid14.jpg

Here it it hooked up to a 55w Digital ballast with 8000k HID bulbs. This all came in a kit off of fleebay.

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/5806/hid15.jpg

Finally the beam pattern!!

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/9410/hid16.jpg

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/6070/hid17.jpg

A couple of key notes about these headlights vs. the USDM version.

JDM Projectors are 3" (s2000 retrofit would have looked like a toy inside of them)

JDM glass does not have as many louvers in the glass so it means a better cut-off.

JDM projector housing is completely different than the USDM one.


Now this retrofit is not 100% completed yet as I have not installed the plastic adjustment things so I can use the original adjustment screws but, I'll be sure to take pics when I get off my lazy ass and do it.

[kognition]

I eliminated the issue of pesky beam pattern allignment alltogether and just got rid of my headlights. :rofl:

[maplejesse]

^^

http://img.skitch.com/20090310-fue4arsbcqnqj5q9327sc2gd46.jpg

[kognition]

No , really Bro. :coolugh: I got rid of my headlights and made deletes. lol
Bro.
http://www.kognitiondesign.com/headlight_delete.jpg
http://www.kognitiondesign.com/headlight_delete.jpg

^^

http://img.skitch.com/20090310-fue4arsbcqnqj5q9327sc2gd46.jpg

[wbarrett48473]

I received a few PM's from people about this retrofit so I decided to tackle the rest of the job and take more pics along the way.

Before I start - PLEASE stay on topic "Need Sugestions: JDM Kouki Hid Retrofit" This is about a retrofit not getting rid of your headlights completely or something completely unrelated.

Anyways...

To start you want to preheat your oven to 250-300 or so and remove the metal tabs holding the glass and plastic housing together. Then put everything on a cookie sheet or something close to that and leave it in there for around 7mins or so.

After that take it out of the oven and start to pry it apart. I used a flat head screwdriver and a razor blade to cut the sealant apart.

Be very careful not to put to much pressure on the edges of the glass with a screwdriver because you can easily chip it. Also, if its too hard to pry apart toss it back in the oven for another 5 mins and try again.

After everything is pried apart it should look like this.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1547/26113116281_a9e001f5ba_o.jpg

This is the stock JDM Kouki Headlight without the glass.

Next you want to take the shroud off of the projector.
This is attached by 2 philips screws at the bottom.

And then BAM - this is what it looks like.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1653/26179453405_4a77b22bb3_o.jpg

You may notice on mine one of the metal tabs at the top left of the pic has been broken. This is one of the reasons why I chose to retrofit another projector because I could no long adjust mine so it wouldn't blind others.

Use the adjusters on the back of the headlight to remove the projector.

This is what it should look like.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1718/26179455485_e773abaf84_o.jpg

Now its time to mess around with the TL projectors. These projectors are bixenon (meaning they can be used for both High and Low beams) Since the solenoid for the bixenon is at the bottom and makes it impossible to fit into the headlight housing it must be removed.

This is what the solenoid looks like.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1610/26179455465_92231fbfc6_o.jpg

There are 4 philip screws located on the back side that must be removed. Once done it should look like this.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1469/26153502376_92c1dc408f_o.jpg

To remove the solenoid itself you must first take the lens out by removing its shroud and then the solenoid will fall out.

Since the cutoff line is attached to the solenoid it must be removed and bolted back into the housing. This is fairly strait forward and only requires a small flat head screwdriver.

After your done taking it apart this is what you are left with.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1714/26153502336_e4967c6dee_o.jpg

There are black plastic stoppers located on the cutoff line and a bracket inside the projector housing that need to be removed in order to install a bolt. These just pop right out.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1566/25576806713_9de28b9305_o.jpg

This is everything you need to install the cutoff line to the bracket. A small bolt, mine is a M6x12mm, also need a nut, washer, and lock washer.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1716/26113117301_86b70af351_o.jpg

This is what it looks like when your done.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1652/26113117261_f2d266c97e_o.jpg

Now its time to trim the housing a little. Where the solenoid was located, needs to be removed.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1454/26153502216_4ca0e663b7_o.jpg

This is when having a air cutoff tool comes in handy, but a Dremil, or even a hacksaw would work if your desperate.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1564/25906587960_7e2d60724f_o.jpg

Now that the bracket is removed you can see the end of the cutoff line where it used to be connected to the solenoid needs to be modified.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1679/26087004752_46f3722388_o.jpg

I chose to just bend it back and this is what mine looked like.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1579/25576806543_d326bc2cf4_o.jpg

Here the projector is all ready to be drilled.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1618/26087004692_1d0cb784d5_o.jpg

This is a closeup of the top part of the projector. There needs to be 2 holes drilled on this side and the basically you drill in between the screw and the hole already located there.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1671/25574701284_e1a81718ec_o.jpg

This is a closeup of the bottom of the projector. Only 1 hole needs to be drilled here and it depends on if its going to be your left or right projector since TL projectors are exactly the same.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1682/25574701274_a84ae0eb57_o.jpg

Basically where the laser intersects is where the hole should be for the top mounts.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1494/26113117141_26e13ce40c_o.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1598/25576806483_d2a2881cab_o.jpg

Here it is with all of my holes drilled.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1522/26179455115_a11c08db59_o.jpg

Next I test fitted it into the headlight housing and noticed there was a bracket on the backside preventing it from going all the way in.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1565/26153502066_290bf27cf9_o.jpg

Nothing that a pair of metal shears couldn't handle.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1503/26087004592_cf42a205e4_o.jpg

Next I test fitted it again and there was a black tab inside of the housing that was hitting the projector located in this pic.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1468/26087004462_2fdd8d1217_o.jpg

Again I used the cutoff wheel and this is what it looks like now.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1508/26087004452_e34cfe4e5f_o.jpg

Here is the TL projector mounted inside of the Kouki projector. Notice I made a mistake while drilling my holes on the bottom so there is an extra one of the right side.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1555/26179455035_2d35ee9a56_o.jpg

Now that it fits in there properly Its time to install the new lenses. Here is a comparison between the TL lenses and the ZKW-R ones. Notice the TL lens on the right is frosted and this would cause a crappier cutoff line.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1634/26153501936_a89a2ebd24_o.jpg

Here the new lens is at home.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1702/26087004392_83891f16c3_o.jpg

Now to mount the projector inside of the headlight housing.

I used the existing plastic adjustment tabs that came with the headlight because I could not find a nut that would fit on the mounting bolts. I tried a standard #10x32 and a metric 5x.08mm... neither would work.

What I did was cut off the little arm parts and here is whats left over.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1664/26113116841_f9a6435415_o.jpg

Next I screwed some of the tabs behind the projector and some in front of the projector so that I could adjust it the way I wanted until I thought everything looked right.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1487/26179454925_cd05c7bf0f_o.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1716/26113116561_59f5ccf402_o.jpg

The original shroud needs to be slightly modified. As you can see on the inside there are a few tabs. Just pull them out and the whole center piece can be removed.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1697/26087004152_6c3855b295_o.jpg

Now the shroud will fit over the new projectors.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1673/26087004102_14f34dbff3_o.jpg

Now its time to test everything. I googled "Proper Headlight adjustment" and eventually found a guide and used it. Make sure your beam for both of your headlights is perfect before you put everything back together because its a real pain in the ass.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1456/25574700804_e3b7d88426_o.jpg

When everything looks good toss your glass and headlight into a 300 degree oven for about 5 mins, just to get the glue nice and soft.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1660/26153501636_2c007176e3_o.jpg

Then put the two pieces back together and dont forget to put the metal tabs back on.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1546/25574700734_cd3402e4ae_o.jpg

Wiring it up depends on a lot of different things so I'm not going into that but here is the final results.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1685/26113116231_b75d71d7f0_o.jpg

p.s. I know I need a paint job but its too cold right now to start :cry:

I'll try to get some pics of them outside at night when I get a chance.

If anyone has some questions don't hesitate to PM. - Thanks

[initial_jc]

I have some audi projects and ballast, that i havent installed but they are going to fit pretty nice and they are bixenon ftw

[wbarrett48473]

Yeah I wish I could have kept the bixenon but since the headlight itself costs so much and I didn't want to cut it up I ended up cutting the projectors.

Fitting a 3" projector with bixenon inside of those housings may be possible, but I haven't looked at all of the different types of projectors to measure them.

[DisFrikkenWill]

I wonder if this could be done with the USDM headlights. It would be nice to have some other options besides s2k projectors, even in the USDM kouki hl's I think they are pretty small.

[xxsocalzfinestxx]

dude you rule! this is exactly what i want to do... and now i can have my 3 yr old do it for me because your write up is so freakin easy to understand.....only prob is where did u come up on the ZKW-R lens?

[DisFrikkenWill]

dude you rule! this is exactly what i want to do... and now i can have my 3 yr old do it for me because your write up is so freakin easy to understand.....only prob is where did u come up on the ZKW-R lens?

The Retrofit Source (U.S.) - HID Projector Retrofit Kits, Retrofit and HID Componenents, Projectors Lens, Wiring Harnesses, Shrouds and more! (http://store.theretrofitsource.com/index.php?cPath=29&osCsid=533f5db56add16f017322649243ab1cd)


Im gonna be buying stuff from there probly. They got clear lenses,ballasts,projectors,etc...

[fueled by hate]

I would have suggested porsche projectors due to the bulky solenoid on the TL,but congrats on the retro. Here's a pic for size ref. Porsche on left Tl in middle.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/giynmgs/Picture030-1.jpg