do aftermarket Kouki S14 headlamps exist?

[TurDz]

I'm asking because I don't like glass at all. For HID, OEM plastic that almost all car manufaturers use nowadays is really nice. Specifically on the USDM Kouki lights, there are a few fluted ridges on either side of where the projector is. I've done a lot of testing and it causes some upward "stray light" above the cutoff. I've figured out that they were incorporated to provide overhead and road-sign lighting. In addition, the body line along the S14 that extends to the corner lamp next to the headlamps and also along the glass part of the headlamps distorts sharpness.

So does anyone know if clear-plastictype headlamps were made in Japan or the US? thanks for any answers.

[TurDz]

The fluted areas im referring to are apparent. They are on either side of the USDM projector, tiny lines going downward. Especially notice the tiny rectangles. Those affect light output A LOT.

The body line I'm referring to has an angle of about 15 degrees from the horizontal, going all the way along the glass until the leftmost part of the light (where the high beams are).

thanks to NZO for the pic :D

http://home.comcast.net/~debnar1/jdmvsusdm.jpg

[old_s13]

No, they do not.

And second, you DONT like glass headlamps? You're dillusional.. these headlamps are superior. They are some of the better made headlamps in the market (in terms of build quality).

- Mike

[TurDz]

I didn't mention anything about the build quality. All I know is the design of this headlamp is not optimal for HID. The bend in the glass and the fluted sections distort a beam which is shot straight across horizontally. Also, when looking through the glass, it isn't a clear as it would be if I was looking though something like an OEM BMW, Toyota, or Honda plastic housing.

If you want pics on how it distorts, I can post them.

[old_s13]

The design of the headlamp is fine regardless if its for HID or Halogen, makes no difference. Its a beautiful headlamp and I cannot agree that any other manufacturer has made lamps that are significantly better than the 97-98 S14. Afterall, a lot of car manufacturers use the same LIGHTING manufacturers.

[Uniac]

OBX is making aftermarket headlights, i'm not sure when they will be ready, but friends of mine are a distributer and i'll know as soon as they are ready. If there is enough interest, i'll set up a GB for them.

[jdm-drift]

obx is pure crap. i could take a crap in a box and mark it guarenteed if you like .... just wait it out im sure apc will have some with halo lights or neons or somthing soon enough

[Aids333]

what happens when someone gets in an accident and needs replacement headlights, they have to take it up the butt from nissan?

[TheTimanator]

what happens when someone gets in an accident and needs replacement headlights, they have to take it up the butt from nissan?or get used ones from the junkyard. What's the big deal? If you have a new car, or a car with no aftermarket support you'd have to buy an OEM replacements....

[Steeles]

I didn't mention anything about the build quality. All I know is the design of this headlamp is not optimal for HID. The bend in the glass and the fluted sections distort a beam which is shot straight across horizontally. Also, when looking through the glass, it isn't a clear as it would be if I was looking though something like an OEM BMW, Toyota, or Honda plastic housing.

If you want pics on how it distorts, I can post them.

Um maybe you should take a look at mikes post about the HID conversion he does FOR A LIVING on these very lights. I know for a fact he is very well aware of the light pattern of the kouki headlights. or check out his website and see for yourself.

or heres the thread

http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=53358

[Aids333]

or get used ones from the junkyard. What's the big deal? If you have a new car, or a car with no aftermarket support you'd have to buy an OEM replacements....

the only problem with that is there are very very few salvage yards with 97-98 240s.. and its not a "new" car and it has decent after market support.. youd think that someone would make a copy?.. anyone?

[TurDz]

Um maybe you should take a look at mikes post about the HID conversion he does FOR A LIVING on these very lights. I know for a fact he is very well aware of the light pattern of the kouki headlights. or check out his website and see for yourself.

or heres the thread

http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=53358

Hey,

I've seen his thread and have yet to see beam pattern pics. Also, I've done the same conversion with a projector that is of equal quality to his Hella projector. And yes, I've seen his website too, he does very good work.

I'm actually speaking based on my own hands on experience. I'm not one to talk much anymore unless I have some good backup. Someone already taught me not to try to tell someone else, "what's up."

[TurDz]

The design of the headlamp is fine regardless if its for HID or Halogen, makes no difference.

btw, I disagree that the headlamp glass is optimal for HID retrofit. You were always one to say that the stock H1 projectors weren't optimal for HID (obviously) but it should go the same for the glass. The glass wasn't meant for HID. Does any other headlight design with OEM HID have a bend like the S14 Kouki?

Also, the design of the headlamp doesn't really make a difference, but the design of the glass does. There is an apparent difference between a projector shooting light through the glass and a projector outside of the assembly.

[s13driver]

Also, the design of the headlamp doesn't really make a difference, but the design of the glass does. There is an apparent difference between a projector shooting light through the glass and a projector outside of the assembly.

from my understanding, what you are saying is that glass is not optimum for hid, but do you think plastic is any better ? it wouldn't really make too much difference in this case. however glass lense does have an advantage. secondly the output of hid is heavily depend on the reflector/ reflector bowl for projector. if they are not design for hid usage, they will not perform as good as if they were design for hid. one thing that is true is clear lense is BETTER than flute lense when putting a porjector behind and there is no doubt about it.

[TurDz]

from my understanding, what you are saying is that glass is not optimum for hid, but do you think plastic is any better ? it wouldn't really make too much difference in this case. however glass lense does have an advantage. secondly the output of hid is heavily depend on the reflector/ reflector bowl for projector. if they are not design for hid usage, they will not perform as good as if they were design for hid. one thing that is true is clear lense is BETTER than flute lense when putting a porjector behind and there is no doubt about it.

sorry I wasn't more clear. I was talking about a plastic lense without that "bend" that goes diagonally across the headlight.

Yeah, I and I also understand that the reflector and lens determines the output of HID. Pretty much what I'm saying is, the projection isn't performing 100% in a Kouki headlamp, and would be best behind a flat, plastic (or glass) clear lense.

[SimpleS14]

TurDz - It's not going to happen. Unless you want the be the first to make exposed kouki S14 projector housings....ala Impreza WRC (02-03).

[OptionZero]

Personally, i think those WRX bugeye projectors are pretty fugly, so please nobody make exposed projectors. Ditto for the ones on Golfs and Jettas....yuck

[TurDz]

Wow, that WRC Impreza STi is ugly. Anyway, thanks for all of the replies. I was just wondering anyway.

[SilviaDriver]

stop wondering.

[SimpleS14]

I think the "bend" in the headlights is utilized very nicely with the overall design of the car. Look at how well it flows with the corner lights and the body lines.........IMO

[old_s13]

btw, I disagree that the headlamp glass is optimal for HID retrofit. You were always one to say that the stock H1 projectors weren't optimal for HID (obviously) but it should go the same for the glass. The glass wasn't meant for HID. Does any other headlight design with OEM HID have a bend like the S14 Kouki?

Also, the design of the headlamp doesn't really make a difference, but the design of the glass does. There is an apparent difference between a projector shooting light through the glass and a projector outside of the assembly.

If this comes off as rude or cocky, its most likely because I dont want to sit here bantering back and fourth about what you think and what I think. BUT, if you are so confident that the glass needs to be changed -- CHANGE IT.

Example? I dont like the factory projector, it is not for HID.. what did I do? I changed it.

You dont like the glass, get rid of it then. Change it with plastic, or go get new glass made.. do whatever you think is right. Will it be strong? Will it be able to withstand the great amounts of heat and weathering a headlight is exposed to? And most importantly, how much will this run you? Everything is possible, but at WHAT COST. When you complete this project, post on the forum and show us all what you've done. No one ever complains when people do GOOD things in the 240SX community, we only nag and complain when we see crap being released.

Which brings me to my next topic, OBX.. yeah.. okay.. great. I am anxiously awaiting their headlamps, which they've been discussing about creating for the past 5 years. I recall they were going to make 95-96 headlamps.. and now, 97-98? This will be fun. It will be nice to see how quickly they can recoop their investment of injection molding some "high quality" lamps for a vehicle that was only made for TWO years. I am sure they will profit, because afterall... that IS their main goal. I never hear APC and OBX and TYC saying "lets make something BETTER quality than stock." It just never happens. Their main goal has always, and will always be selling low-quality garbage at bargain prices. Someone has to make lights for "the pussy wagon" .. hence the reason that car was equipped with altezza-styled lights to begin with. Like I said, I used to hate on companies for selling shit.. now I just sit back and laugh because they are great indications of people's taste and how poorly they fix up their vehicles.

Again, not trying to rain on your parade.. just saying "good luck."

- Mike

[old_s13]

http://www.blogblogblog.com/2002_misc/blogimg/11-12-02-pwagon.jpg

;)

[Steeles]

sweet that thing died! hahah i just saw vol. 2 over the weekend!

[TurDz]

Thanks Mike for your post. Oddly it didn't come out as cocky at all. Maybe it's because I've already thought of making a plastic cover myself too. I'm thinking of finding someone who knows how to create a mold from the factory glass, and then create a copy out of plastic.

anyway, here is the difference the glass made on my car. I did this mod late last year and have been tinkering with it to get optimal results.

No glass, free air:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/214000-214999/214239_124_full.jpg

comparison:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/214000-214999/214239_123_full.jpg

[fliprayzin240sx]

Wow...that shiets bright as fuck. Id go plastic but damn, im thinking zenki plastic housing here. Id be worried bout that turning yellow. But yah keep us up to date on how it goes. i might just get a set if you do find somebody to fabricate it. I wonder how that would look with my HIDS. :naughty:

[Drunk Bastard]

I bought some kouki headlights the other day, and after reading this post I realized that they are JDM NOT USDM. I plan on doing a HID retrofit. Do the JDM headlights affect light output differently than the USDM ones?

[devonkyle77]

i had my hanabi 8000k kit in my usdm headlights and jdm headlights....i had no complaints with the light output http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/teamnismo/240sx.html however to get a decent light pattern with jdm u really need to mess with those adjustment screws in the back, otherwise lighting is awkward at best. with the heat an hid kit omits i would be concerned using cheap ass plastic, but thats just me

[NZO]

Just FYI the glass is designed for HIDs as HID was a factory option on JDM kouki s14s.