HID Projector Technical Question:

[Kalashnikov]

Pretty much the whole idea here is that I want to do an HID retrofit. But due to the complexity and potentially damaging my headlights I am choosing an alternative.

I hear a lot about TSX Retrofit in the Silvia Dual Projectors, but it seems like a lot of work and it's a HONDA part in my Nissan, bleh.

I choose to not do the TSX because of the potentially braking my glass headlights is the most disconcerning idea. I don't have the patiences for it.

I am pretty much resorting to this method, because I found out ALL Philips, Mcculloch, Osram, Hella kits out there are 100% FAKE. SO the next best is O.E.M. Nissan/Infiniti and some brainwork.

My proposed plan is to do a Semi-Retrofit.

Headlights: Silvia Dual Projectors

Matieral:
*OEM Nissan (Matsushita ballasts and igniters +)
*OEM Nissan (Koito/Phillips/Osram) D2S bulbs
--------------------------------------------------
Material cost: $160-220.

Plan: Using the ballast in conjunction with the bulbs and NOT using HID Projector housing but just mounting the HID bulb to the back of my OEM silvia non HID projector via a D2S bulb mount/seat that I will salvage.

Pros: Cheap. No taking apart the headlight. Less work. And if there is a mind change, then this Semi-Retrofit can easly be removed and the headlights can be reversed back to its original form.

The Cons are:

*The difference is the beam pattern. Projectors used for Halogen bulbs focus (http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=418823#) the light up front, while projectors for HID spread the light around. This gives a much more even light distribution.
Also, the shield in HID projectors blocks the yellow light from the bottow of the HID capsule, just allowing the white light from the top. Halogen projectors do not do this as efficiently and you get some yellow light mixed in. This means that HID bulbs in halogen projectors appear white/yellow instead of white/blue.

*Maybe Blind people

HID experts out there, Do you have any suggestions upon this Idea?
Yes, do it? No, Don't do it? WTF? :wiggle:

[daverussell]

You will effectively fuck up the light pattern if you do it that way. The TSX projectors are some of the best out there. If you can ship your headlights, there is a guy in NC that does amazing work with headlights/HID retro fitting. We are going to do a FX35 bi-xenon projector into a square H4 conversion housing on my S13 and will be documenting everything, every step of the way. He also makes clear lenses so you do not have to worry about using the fluted ones with the HID lights. Let me know and I will keep you informed.

[xsparc]

Where are you going to get your OEM materials?? I have real Hella 90mm projectors that use H9 bulbs and i know how to do the conversion for the D2S bulbs.

Here is where i got them... if they are knockoff, then they are damn good and i cant even tell. Hella is embossed in the lower glass along with the SAE and DOT certs.

Hella 90mm Headlight Modules (http://www.rallylights.net/hella/90mm_modules.asp)

[Kalashnikov]

You will effectively fuck up the light pattern if you do it that way. The TSX projectors are some of the best out there. If you can ship your headlights, there is a guy in NC that does amazing work with headlights/HID retro fitting. We are going to do a FX35 bi-xenon projector into a square H4 conversion housing on my S13 and will be documenting everything, every step of the way. He also makes clear lenses so you do not have to worry about using the fluted ones with the HID lights. Let me know and I will keep you informed.

I am interested. Can you please send me related information and is the guy reputable? Cost?

I guess I will read more upon TSX retrofit. But I really hate to mess with a good seat of headlights. Keep up posted on what you guys know, thanks for the reply.

I guess I can run PIAA bulbs for now....in the mean time.

[kingkilburn]

The only way I would ever do it would be to get them done by ixfxi. He owns ClearCorners.Com [ top projects ] (http://www.clearcorners.com/) check it out for sure.

[S14DB]

TSX projectors are not made by Honda so you won't have Honda parts on your Nissan, le sigh...

HiDPlanet.com :: Search (http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/search.php)
Search for Silvia and S13 and read up on the swaps.

[Kalashnikov]

You will effectively fuck up the light pattern if you do it that way. The TSX projectors are some of the best out there. If you can ship your headlights, there is a guy in NC that does amazing work with headlights/HID retro fitting. We are going to do a FX35 bi-xenon projector into a square H4 conversion housing on my S13 and will be documenting everything, every step of the way. He also makes clear lenses so you do not have to worry about using the fluted ones with the HID lights. Let me know and I will keep you informed.

TSX projectors are not made by Honda so you won't have Honda parts on your Nissan, le sigh...

HiDPlanet.com :: Search (http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/search.php)
Search for Silvia and S13 and read up on the swaps.

Oreallly. I guess I meant the entire HID set up. Don't know who makes the Ballast, but I think it is Osram or one of those companies.

I guess I can run TSX HID projectors and my Mitsushita HID ballast Igniters and Oem D2S bulbs.

I guess I can live with this set up.

[ewuzh]

Between a true HID projector vs. halogen projector w/ HID bulbs in it there is a HUGE difference in beam pattern, cut-off sharpness and color. I've retro'd bosch e-46 and e-55 projectors before, and even though they aren't TSX projectors, the light output and cutoff was already exceptional. If you're going to retro, do it right.

But if you aren't doing a projector retrofit, why even use an OEM D2S bulb that's gonna flop around in your headlight housing? You could just get an HID kit with rebased bulbs for your silvia headlight so it's a direct plug and play. HID kits are dirt cheap nowadays.

Check out this place: $39 bucks for any standard 35w full HID kit, any color, any bulb size, AND lifetime warranty. It's tough to argue against that.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/hidkihidbuhi.html

[Kalashnikov]

Between a true HID projector vs. halogen projector w/ HID bulbs in it there is a HUGE difference in beam pattern, cut-off sharpness and color. I've retro'd bosch e-46 and e-55 projectors before, and even though they aren't TSX projectors, the light output and cutoff was already exceptional. If you're going to retro, do it right.

But if you aren't doing a projector retrofit, why even use an OEM D2S bulb that's gonna flop around in your headlight housing? You could just get an HID kit with rebased bulbs for your silvia headlight so it's a direct plug and play. HID kits are dirt cheap nowadays.

Check out this place: $39 bucks for any standard 35w full HID kit, any color, any bulb size, AND lifetime warranty. It's tough to argue against that.

HID Xenon Kits, HID Bulbs, HID Accessories (http://www.ddmtuning.com/hidkihidbuhi.html)


Damn, that is cheap and you're right, I can't argue with the price and even if it works for a month, it's still be okay with me.

But have you purchased from this place? Any creditablity?

[Kalashnikov]

Anway, I just ordered a Kit from DDM Tuning.
ApexCone 35W (6000k) H3. HID kit.

Came out to :$39.99 + 11.xx (Ground shipping) + ($3.xx tax), = $54.26 shipped.



Man, for the Price and the ballasts looks freaking SOlid.
It's $50 bucks so I am taking a chance.

I guess I'll put off the HID retrofit until later. I still have enough money do to the retrofit and If these work well, then oh well....

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp4/5x114/safsadf-1.jpg

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-15912447027353/DDMWholesaleIcon.jpgApexcone is a 3/4 size ballast kit. It is a fully digital ballast and integrated ignitor design that has an analog under/over voltage input circuit that does two things. First of course, it senses the input voltage from your car and will shut the ballast off if the incoming voltage is below 9V or above 32V. Its second function is that as the lights are starting up, the circuit functions to act as a stand-in for the bulb during computer self checks. While this works on early detection circuits like those on most BMWs, there are some car makes like Mercedes and Chrysler that use more advanced self diagnostics and those may require the BOW-3 Bulb Out Warning Adapters. But when operating normally, the ballast is totally digital and works amazingly well with all the speed and arc control accuracy of a fully digital design to ensure long bulb life. Contains your choice of low beam bulbs (H1, H7, 9006, H11, etc) in the color of your choice. Ballasts are our absolutely Rock Solid Apexcone 35W or 55W ballasts. Of course this product comes with our Lifetime Warranty.


What is the difference between 55w and 35w kits?
Our 55w HID kits are 40% brighter than the standard 35w kits.The 55W system ballasts are about 1 cm longer than the 35W ballasts. 55w kits tend to wash out some of the color of the HID bulb due to the light output( for example, a 55w 8000k will look similar in color to a 35w 6000k kit).55w Kits are not recommended for smaller fog light housings because they tend to concentrate a large amount of heat in a small area.



12.1.08 Update: 35w Full-Size Apexcone will be in stock Thursday 12/4/08 and begin shipping from oldest to newest. Please do not email or call for tracking. You will receive tracking once your item leaves our warehouse.

[S14DB]

HiDPlanet.com :: Log in (http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=45366)

[Kalashnikov]

HiDPlanet.com :: Log in (http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=45366)


Thanks, I just joined HIDplanet.

I guess DDM isn't that bad. They have some good reviews. I've checked other forums and people have ordered the kits without any problems so I am looking forward to this.

$55 isn't much and if they HID comes and they work, then it was well worth it. "you get what you pay for" and i don't expect much from these kits, but who can resist the Bargain! =)

[spiderlone]

Lets see if i can help u out ...pm sent

[S14DB]

Thanks, I just joined HIDplanet.

I guess DDM isn't that bad. They have some good reviews. I've checked other forums and people have ordered the kits without any problems so I am looking forward to this.

$55 isn't much and if they HID comes and they work, then it was well worth it. "you get what you pay for" and i don't expect much from these kits, but who can resist the Bargain! =)

If you are doing any HID work it's a great site to have on hand for reference. I even see some of my work being reposted on there.

Do a search on Silvia, s13 and 240sx. You can see the projects others have done and the pro's and cons of each.

[Slidin240Wayz]

Fuck drop in kits!

[firelizard]

lol

Doesn't matter if your drop in kit is made from OE components, it's still a drop-in kit, not the same as a retrofit at all. Not even a semi-retrofit. It's just more grief because a D2S bulb won't fit properly.

[fueled by hate]

why keep the silvia projectors when they're for RHD and also they're designed for halogen bulbs. Don't be gay and get a kit.

[Kalashnikov]

Fuck drop in kits!
Yeah, but retrofit is timely and costly. Yet, it looks very straight forward and simple.
I will do this eventually with a spare set of headlights, and If I go BRICKS halogens, this whole Idea will not be entertained.. but here is

TSX retrofit, courtesy of Nico.


http://nissaninfiniticlub.net/photopost/data/500/19672driverside_hid_retro-med.JPG
This took me about 3.5 hours to do (just pass side). If this is your first retro, it might take a hell of a lot longer (this is my 4th).
I won't get too detailed because this is custom work, no matter how detailed I am, you'll never get it. Besides, everything is a little different so you might see a way to do it thats a lot better than mine. Also, I wouldn't recommend this to someone who isn't very handy with tools like a screwdriver or Dremel.
Start off by taking off the lens. Take off the 4 clips first, then you heat up the lens around the edges with a heat gun (my pref over the oven, you put food in that thing! what are you thinking!?) I have a cheap heat gun so i hit it with high and brush over the whole thing slowly. If you stay on one spot too long, you WILL melt your housing. When the black sealant becomes nice and glossy, thats means its pretty soft. Take a flat head and start to pry out the lens at the corners because they are a bit stronger than the sides. Try not to warp or bend the housing. if you have suction cups, you can try to put it on the lens and pull it off. Be careful, then glass lens will be hot. As you pry, keep returning with the heat gun to keep the glue soft as you go. be careful not to get the glue on the bezel. Once its off, heres what it'll look like:
http://nissaninfiniticlub.net/photopost/data/500/19672lens_off_siliva.JPG
Next, you'll want to take off that smoked bezel. I didn't know it was smoked till i got it out. From the outside, it just looks chrome. Anyways, to get it off, theres two screws at the top and the bottom is held in by 2 ball joints, one on each side. You can get it out with a flat head. Pry carefully, don't damage it.
http://nissaninfiniticlub.net/photopost/data/500/19672lens_bezel_off.JPG

To get out the projector, remove the top right and bottom left adjustment screws. Take an 8mm or Phillips head and unscrew them from the back where you would adjust them. The bottom right is a ball joint. Half way screwing out the other two, you'll want to pop that joint out with a flat head or any other method.
http://nissaninfiniticlub.net/photopost/data/500/19672silvia_proj_out.JPG
So heres where the custom part comes in. Depending on what projector you use, you probably can't do it my way but heres basically what i did:
Take out the 3x clips from the Slivia projector. Be very gentle with these.They are probably very old and very brittle. you don't want to break off more than 2 of those legs. i broke 3 off one of them. that set me back a good 15 mins to figure out a way to get around that.
http://nissaninfiniticlub.net/photopost/data/500/19672silvia_proj_clips.JPG
Trim the new hid projector so that it'll fit in the space where the Silvia projector was. Fabricate some brackets so you can use the old clips. A lot of cutting, eyeballing, putting on, taking off, bleeding (be careful), more cutting, trimming, adjusting, etc... is going to happen. Once you get your brackets correct, you can put the projector in just like it was the Silvia unit. This way you can still adjust the up/down/left/right just like normal.
http://nissaninfiniticlub.net/photopost/data/500/19672hid_front_shot-med.JPG
Depending on what projector you get, you'll probably need to cut open the back a bit to allow for more room. Then you'll need to figure out a way to close it back up. it doesn't need to be sealed, but you'll need to protect your electronics from water. luckily, with the TSX, i only had to cut a little off.
http://nissaninfiniticlub.net/photopost/data/500/19672hid_back_shot-med.JPG
THIS PART IS VERY IMPORTANT: it might look level when you look at it, but when you turn them on, it will not be. Best way to adjust this is to mount them back on the car with the lens off and fire them up. Shoot them onto the garage door because most of them have horizontal lines you can compare with. Make sure they are level, otherwise, your cutoff will look bad.
When its level, straight, etc, you'll want to put the bezel back on. the TSX has a clip at the bottom of the lens to hold the lens in. This part hits the bezel so I had to trim it a bit to get it to fit. If you get a 3" lens projector, you might have to trim a lot more than what i did. When the glass lens is back on the headlight, you cant see where it's been cut.
http://nissaninfiniticlub.net/photopost/data/500/19672hid_lens_off-med.JPG
When the bezel fits on to your satisfaction, you're ready to put the glass lens back on. By now, the glue is probably pretty hard again. Use the heat gun and heat up the glue in the housing till its nice and glossy. Then heat up the glue around the edge of the glass lens just briefly as well till its glossy. don't heat up the glass too much cause it'll get too hot to hold and you'll "drop it like its hot, drop drop it like its hot!"
Put the lens to the housing and be careful not to get the glue on the bezel, and start pushing them together. At the same time, use more heat to keep it soft if needed. Once it's close enough to get the clips on, clip them back on and they will pull and hold the two together. When the clips are on, keep applying some heat to the edges to get the glue on both halves to melt together and create a water tight seal. If you bent out the housing when you were prying, this is a good time to use some heat and try to bend it back. by this point, since you have clips, you can mount it back on the car. Here's my finished product. As you can see, it looks just like stock. No one will ever suspect its retrofitted until i turn them on. They can be adjusted for up and down, left and right, just like before. Also, when the glass is off, you may want to take that time to do whatever cleaning to it you want, especially on the inside.

[Kalashnikov]

why keep the silvia projectors when they're for RHD and also they're designed for halogen bulbs. Don't be gay and get a kit.


That is a very valid point! Totally forgot about that..

[Bahdra]

i was under the impression you could get the hid kit for the s13 brick lights? ive seen a 300zx with hid's and the light pattern was pretty good looked stock put on a wall and didnt blind ppl driving by