The Perfect HID set up: For those of you who know...

[Pblesh85]

Ok so I was doing some of research on how to go HID(BTW my car is a 97 240 with stock headlights). And I had a few questions.


I have pretty much decided on retro fitting my headlights with s2000 projectors. Im not so sure on the rest of the parts though and basic costs. Now Ive found through the help of a few other forums that the basic retro fit using s2000 stuff will cost around $300~450(give or take).

Im just currious what would you guys pay ? And not think you were being ripped off.

Also what balast would work the best and be the cheapest.

Essentially what is the best set up using a 6k bulb looking for an oem look(slightly blue).

The site I am using to help with the assembly is:

HiDPlanet.com :: Log in (http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6638)

So if you guys could just give me a price break down and point me in the right dirrection as far as finding the parts at the best source/price it would be appreciated. Thanks for the input.

[jrbump]

Have you poked around here:

http://hidplanet.com/main.html

there are other HID forums as well.

[atutt]

I'd imagine the ballast that goes with said projectors would be the best. OEM ftw.

[S14DB]

Xenon (HID) retrofit (http://www.ma240sx.net/forums/showthread.php?tid=1438)

[Pblesh85]

Xenon (HID) retrofit (http://www.ma240sx.net/forums/showthread.php?tid=1438)

That is a pretty good write up. Is it cheaper to go xenon or oem ?

I know oem prices can go up or down depending... but over all do you think it is more cost effective vs the finished product ?

[sac]

S14DB that looks to be the cleanest approach! Like it VERY much!

[S14DB]

That is a pretty good write up. Is it cheaper to go xenon or oem ?

I know oem prices can go up or down depending... but over all do you think it is more cost effective vs the finished product ?

Projector differences IMHO is more cosmetic. Color line and stuff like that. Supply and demand determines which is cheaper. S2000 prices depends if the conversion is a hot topic on the honda forums. NOS/OEM usually stays the same.

I would get at least new bulbs. HIDs tend to crystallize if you don't let them warm up to temperature before shutting them down. They last along time if left on for 10mins. If someone has been playing with them on the bench they can have killed them. Shouldn't be more then $45new for the set.

New ballasts are preferable. But you can get away with used. OEM brands only, cheap ballasts will eat bulbs.

[Pblesh85]

..............

[S14DB]

OP link modified to the original thread to credit the true author.

[Pblesh85]

so if all the companies thay sell the "full HID kits" for like $150ish, What are you buying ? Why does retro fitting cost so much more money ?

[95KA-Turbo]

Because like most things that cost more money and take longer to do - it is doing it right.

Halogen projectors/headlights are not intended to use HID bulbs so the light projection is not ideal - especially when you intensify it.

[S14DB]

http://www.zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/229320-hid-stock-headlights.html

Many threads like it.

[jspec240]

Here was a good thread that got LOCKED..

has good info, pics and best of all kouki lights only

http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/176485-hid-kouki-projectors.html

[Pblesh85]

http://www.zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/229320-hid-stock-headlights.html

Many threads like it.

I read that a while ago. Thats kinda what got me searching.

[S14DB]

I read that a while ago. Thats kinda what got me searching.

HiDPlanet.com :: Search (http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/search.php)

Make an account on there and then search for 'S14'.

[Pblesh85]

ok, ill give it a go.

There is a damn forum for everything these days...

I bet there is a forum for guys who like to have sex with door knobs...

Oh well thanks for the site.

[fliprayzin240sx]

so if all the companies thay sell the "full HID kits" for like $150ish, What are you buying ? Why does retro fitting cost so much more money ?

Those "HID kits" are low quality, debased bulbs (halogen style base bulbs) and low quality ballast. Im sure there are enough people who can attest on the quality of these kits. Simpy put, they suck. I've had ballast go out in 4 months, bulbs at 6.

Retrofitting cost so much because your using actual OEM parts. Better quality parts and using projectors thats actually intended for HIDs. You stick a debased HID bulb into a halogen headlight and no buts or ifs, there will be glare on it, even on a kouki projector headlight (but not as bad compared to a zenki).

[Future240]

OP link modified to the original thread to credit the true author.

Is the OP the same simples14 that posts here?

[S14DB]

ok, ill give it a go.

There is a damn forum for everything these days...

I bet there is a forum for guys who like to have sex with door knobs...

Oh well thanks for the site.

Sites been around for a while...
Is the OP the same simples14 that posts here?
No, it's the MA240sx post I posted later.
Xenon (HID) retrofit (http://www.ma240sx.net/forums/showthread.php?tid=1438)

[JRas]

ok, ill give it a go.

There is a damn forum for everything these days...

I bet there is a forum for guys who like to have sex with door knobs...

Oh well thanks for the site.

guyswholiketohavesexwithdoorknobs.com

:bigok: couldn't resist

someone should do a write up on retrofits.. detailed

[fliprayzin240sx]

guyswholiketohavesexwithdoorknobs.com

:bigok: couldn't resist

someone should do a write up on retrofits.. detailed


There are, ive seen a couple for zenki S14s and 1 for a kouki one. Just not here. I know HIDPLANET got one for a zenki. I think I found another one in 240sxforum.com.

[DruidAT]

- The Retrofit Source (U.S.) - HID Projector Retrofit Kits, Retrofit and HID Componenents, Projectors Lens, Wiring Harnesses, Shrouds and more! (http://store.theretrofitsource.com/)
Anybody have anything bad to say about this site? I was planning on getting my stuff from here.

[napaKAliboog]

i'm very noob when it comes to retro-fitting. But is it possible to just cut the rear of the headlight housing (in a non-janky manor) and fit the projector through and seal it up rather than baking it? I'm going to retro fit my impala...

[JRas]

i'm very noob when it comes to retro-fitting. But is it possible to just cut the rear of the headlight housing (in a non-janky manor) and fit the projector through and seal it up rather than baking it? I'm going to retro fit my impala...

the bulbs in your headlights currently shoot into fluted lenses, if you just put in a HID kit you will end up shooting unwanted light everywhere and blinding people on the road.

do it right, or don't do it at all :smash:

[!Zar!]

HIDs tend to crystallize if you don't let them warm up to temperature before shutting them down. They last along time if left on for 10mins.

Shit, I didn't know this.

Whenever I start my motorcycle the hid's turn on.

Guess I should leave it on longer.

Learn something every day...

[simmode1]

Lookey lookey! I searched and found an old ass thread! lol

For noobs like me and napaKAliboog, does anyone know if Slidin240wayz still provides this service?

http://zilvia.net/f/sale-items/97615-hid-retrofitting-service-zenki-model-s14s.html

[S14DB]

Shit, I didn't know this.

Whenever I start my motorcycle the hid's turn on.

Guess I should leave it on longer.

Learn something every day...

Just for them to get up to color/temperature. Then the gas mix should have balanced mixed enough to shut down.

When HID's light off some of the gases in the mix light off faster then others. if you shut them down during this time the mix separates. Some of this will deposit on the glass and electrodes reducing the life of the bulb.

This is a simple explanation of the gas metal interaction. But, this is why you need to let them warm up and why some people leave them on.

[napaKAliboog]

the bulbs in your headlights currently shoot into fluted lenses, if you just put in a HID kit you will end up shooting unwanted light everywhere and blinding people on the road.

do it right, or don't do it at all :smash:

Of course, but i have housings that aren't fluted. My question was, is it possible to just cut the back of the house and stick the projector in there? Im just trying to avoid the baking part

[Rapier46]

i have hid in my s13 silvia...they look cool...but damn they're not very bright.

[Pblesh85]

how are the fx35 hid's ? anyone use them before ?

[S14DB]

how are the fx35 hid's ? anyone use them before ?

They are comparable to the Acura TL and the Porsche Bi-xenon projectors. Very nice units.