My HID Retro Fit

[snowborder714]

Would you mind going back and uploading all your pictures to the DSMtuners server, using the Upload/Edit Photos button in the "Go Advanced" posting section? This way if they ever get deleted/lost from your photobucket account, people can still seem them in this thread.

If not, would you mind if I did it?

 

[Blurred Talon]

I can do it. Though I doubt it will ever be deleted from my account.
It will have to wait till I have my computer back though.

 

[snowborder714]

I'm sure we'd appreciate it, just in case something happens. People always say that, yet I've looked in older posts/tech articles and see no pictures where there should be. Just trying to make sure your work is always available no matter what

 

[Blurred Talon]

I understand Brian and I know how you feel.
Once I have my computer back, I'll upload all of them.

 

[Blurred Talon]

Uploaded all the pictures to the DSMTuners server now.

w00t, I has my lap top back.

Bought some FX-R Bi Xenon off of Ken over at Xenmod.ca.
Must say I'm very impressed with both the projectors and Ken's service.

Pictures:

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Cut off, I didn't get a shot of the High Beam.

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Trying to get it in the reflector bowl.

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Then I broke it so, JB Weld to the rescue!

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Gonna shave the sides of the projectors and get them fitted tonight!

 

[Blurred Talon]

Did a bit more work to the retro. Doing more tomorrow.

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Need to get some bulbs and start the LED turns, then I can aim them.

 

[siceclipse]

how did the lenses come out in the end?

Did they haze up at all from sanding them down?

 

[Blurred Talon]

I still need to work on the lenses. Might bro a friend's buffer to do it. I've just moved on to other more important (at least in my mind) things to do with the rest of the retro.

Slowly moving forward, looking into my LED turn signals. I'm trying to find a small set of round fogs that I can steal the lenses from so I will be able to do a projector set up. I've found 1 or 2 that I can use but with blue or ion lenses which will change the color of the LEDs I think.

As for the LEDs, I'll be using Phillips Lumiled Luxeon K2s in amber.
Specs:
- 35 lm @ 350mA
- 65 lm @ 700mA
- 1500mA - Max Drive Current
- 3.4Vf - Forward Voltage
- 590nm - Color Temperature

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I think anywhere from 4-6 per side will be REALLY bright. I've got to run a heat sink under them too as heat can kill an LED quickly!

I'll also share a bit about the FX-R and what bulbs I'll be running.
The FX-Rs will be running Phillips DL-50 'Fat boys'. They are a 50W Xenon bulb.
I'll be running an aftermarket 55w ballast with adapters to plug into the OEM bulbs. I haven't decided on a brand yet, maybe something from Retrofit Solutions as people seem to like them.

Gonna order more parts this week or next and get this finished up.

 

[azdave]

, looking into my LED turn signals. I'm trying to find a small set of round fogs that I can steal the lenses from

I used clear lenses from old Pilot projector fogs.

Pilot PL-720C or PL-2720B

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You could also try the Hella version.
Hella Optilux

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Blazer fogs might be too big

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[lmtune]

Looks like everything is coming along great.

 

[Blurred Talon]

I used clear lenses from old Pilot projector fogs.

Pilot PL-720C or PL-2720B

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You could also try the Hella version.
Hella Optilux

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Blazer fogs might be too big

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Thanks Dave, I did try to find some fogs at Princess Auto (kind of like Harbor Freight) with no luck. A few were small enough but had those blue ion lenses, I want clear lenses.

My search continues.

Placing an order for shrouds/bezels, ZKW-R clear lenses and some 85122+ bulbs.
Next week I'll order all my LEDs and what. Still figuring out the wiring.

So right now, things are on hold till I get all these parts in.

 

[Blurred Talon]

Going to get both E55s mounted over the weekend and start on the wiring too.

Ordered a bunch of stuff from Matt at The Retrofit Source today. Can't wait to get this stuff.

Gattling Gun shrouds (2 pairs)

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ZKW Replica Clear Lens for the E55s (sharper cut off and more color with these babies)

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Some Phillips 85122+ D2S bulbs. These will go into the FX-Rs until I can track down some DL-50s

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I'm on the fence about the LED projector signals right now. I'm not too up on spending close to $100 on fog lights just for the lenses. So I might just remove the amber from my current lights and then just run LEDs behind them. It won't look as pretty but will still be what I want.

 

[Blurred Talon]

Welcome.

Who's ready for some updates? Got some real progress down today imo.

Before starting any job, make sure you have beverages, Cold Certified beverages.

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The projector mounting brackets after being trimmed and tapped for the 10-24 screws. .79 cents for 4 at Home Depot.

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The brackets on the projector.

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1"x10-24 machine screws with a lock washer and nut holding them to the projectors.

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Mock up mounting of the projectors in the driver side bowl.

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The rotational adjustment screw.

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My fabulous JB Weld job to repair the driver side reflector bowl.

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I don't always drink beer but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis!

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The passenger side reflector bowl with the E55 mounted up.

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I used sealing washers and nylock nuts. This thing won't move at all.

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Pitch adjustment screw. I need a longer one, it's currently 2" and I have no adjustment. Going to try 2.25 or even 2.5" to see if that will work for me.

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Some pictures of the projectors/reflector bowl mounted back in the headlight housing.

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With the lens back on, this is gonna look bad ass imo.

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Here's a little beam shot to boot, nice and level, rotation isn't off, I'm very happy so far.

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Now once I get the other projector mounted and some longer screws (again), I can mount them to the car and aim them. I can't wait

 

[psycho]

Do you plan on using any shrouds? I like the E46's personally. I don't have any on mine but I plan on cracking them back open to install a pair.

 

[Blurred Talon]

I've got Gatling gun shrouds on the way from Matt at TRS.

 

[Blurred Talon]

Figured out my cut off issue. The issue was it was simply too close to the wall. Did a test at 15-20ft tonight and the cut off was mint!
Cannot wait to have these on the car!!!!

Got both E55s mounted into the reflector bowls. Aiming will happen very soon!

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[Blurred Talon]

Got all my stuff from Matt at The Retrofit Source. Very pleased, fast shipping, great prices.
Here's all the parts:

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Also the Phillips bulbs, these fit in my FX-Rs were the Osram bulbs did not.

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Tonight, I installed the clear lenses into my E55s. What's the difference, well pictures speak a thousand words. The following picture is the stock E55 lens, you can see the circular grooves in the lens.

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Here's the the clear lens, a perfectly clear lens.

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E55 projector with no lens, you can see the shield nicely in this picture.

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Some shots of the projectors with the new clear lenses.

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Output shot, maybe 8ft away, you can see a bit more color. This will also give that nice color flicker when looking at the lights as the car is driving down the road. Color flicker is that changing from white to blue to purple.

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I will have to do serious trimmings on those bezels to make them fit, plus paint some of the hardware so it blends into the housing.

Also, I got some LED strips with the lights, opinions?

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[KFT0001]

Nice progress. I was curious why the bi-xenon in the low beams. Are you going to wire them along with your FXR projectors to come on when you switch on the high beams? I did a retrofit on mine with TSX projectors, they were pretty slim for anybody considering it.

 

[fedj18]

I have been messing with FX projectors since I work for Infiniti and have acquired some for free. the biggest problem that I have had is for the gen 1 headlights the FX projector is simply too tall to fit properly. I've also tried the g35 projectors but they are still kinda tall. I've also found pairs of Matsushita ballasts on ebay ranging anywhere from 50 to 150 for a pair, some with bulbs and what not. Anyways this thread is definitely something that will be followed for many people. Thanks and keep up the good work.

 

[Side_Show]

the led strip looks pimp

 

[Blurred Talon]

Nice progress. I was curious why the bi-xenon in the low beams. Are you going to wire them along with your FXR projectors to come on when you switch on the high beams? I did a retrofit on mine with TSX projectors, they were pretty slim for anybody considering it.

No the FX-Rs will have a completely separate circuit from my main headlights. This will allow me to switch between the 2 sets of projectors and avoid any issues with the law enforcement since there are 6 lights on the front of the car.

I wouldn't personally suggest E55 or FX-R projectors for a retro in a 2G. The projectors are simply too big for reflectors. You've got to cut a lot to get either one to fit.

I have been messing with FX projectors since I work for Infiniti and have acquired some for free. the biggest problem that I have had is for the gen 1 headlights the FX projector is simply too tall to fit properly. I've also tried the g35 projectors but they are still kinda tall. I've also found pairs of Matsushita ballasts on ebay ranging anywhere from 50 to 150 for a pair, some with bulbs and what not. Anyways this thread is definitely something that will be followed for many people. Thanks and keep up the good work.

The FX-R is a bit smaller but not by much. I think TSX or S2000 projectors are best but then you have no bi-xenon.

Check the for sale on HIDPlanet. Way better deals then eBay.

the led strip looks pimp

Thanks man.

 

[Blurred Talon]

Did some more work on the retro tonight.
Started getting the shrouds ready for the E55s. As you can see the inside needs to be trimmed to fit the projector.

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After some cutting with the dremal.

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After sanding to pretty up the cuts.

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That's where the shrouds will wait for now. I want to get the projectors aimed before I do anymore work.

Mounted the reflector bowls into the headlights. Going to aim them in a week or so (having odd days off sucks).

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[Blurred Talon]

I intended to have output pictures by now of the lights all aimed. However, things didn't go as planned.

I was getting set up to aim the lights when I looked at the back and noticed this.

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After some choice words at my dumb ass self for not checking ahead of time, I drove home. Out came the dremel and plastic started disappearing.
This is what I was left with.

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I can now connect and change my bulbs. I'm going to go to Home Depot and use some plumbing supplies to close it up again.

Also figured out a use for the LED strips. Turn signals!

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I just coiled them up and glued them to the stock signal reflector.

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A bit too blue for my taste so I've got an idea to change that. I'll be wiring them as signals only. Not what I wanted but I really don't want to spend too much more money on this project right now.

I'll be aim the lights tonight and after that start to trim the bezels.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

You should have stuck with the strip and just used regular Silverstar Signal bulbs for that nice look. Those LED Strips in the front looked impressive. I Love the shrouds. Alot better! Are you wireing the Bi-Xenon shield retractor to the High Beam so it adds to the High Beam? I was thinkin about doing the same with the Bi-Xenon lens's. The new lens also, looks sooooo much better. Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[Blurred Talon]

Bixenon will be fully functional.

The LEDs just weren't what I wanted plus they didn't cover the head light all the way.