Retrofitting HIDs into Popups....

['90RPS13]

I was wondering if there is a Writeup or How To on installing HIDs into Pop Ups. While searching, I read a few not to's from Mike at Clearcorners. If I shouldnt use H4 Conversion Lamps, what should I use to install them? Also, anyone know if Audi A4 HIDs will work? Not to Bright in the area of lighting. Thanks. *a

[Slidin240Wayz]

use the ebay specials. Since they have the clearest cover. The audi's works fine, but they are only single xenon. You will need a bixenon projector. Audi ahs one, maxima has one as well.

Carloa

['90RPS13]

A little oblivious to lights but any chance of in depth to what is single xenon and bixenon? So I cant use these? Thanks. *a

[rps13sr20det]

Originally Posted by '90Silvia

A little oblivious to lights but any chance of in depth to what is single xenon and bixenon? So I cant use these? Thanks. *a

bixenon is what newer BMW's have in their headlights. They use a single projector for low beam and highbeam....HELLA bright!

['90RPS13]

So with a Single Xenon, I can only have Low beams? If so, that perfectly fine for me. I am getting them for free so, beggers cant be choosers. Thanks Again Guys, *a

[LA_phantom_240]

as far as i know, a4 HIDs will work. I cant remember where i found what i know about retrofitting HID's, i think maybe it was caraudio.com/forum or on hidplanet.com... cant remember

[Slidin240Wayz]

if you only go single, you will not have any highbeams = unsafe.

www.hidplanet.com

[rps13sr20det]

Originally Posted by Slidin240Wayz

if you only go single, you will not have any highbeams = unsafe.

www.hidplanet.com

doesn't really make it that unsafe. The other option is to buy a HID system with HiBeam kit

['90RPS13]

See I am performance over looks so I would rather not purchase a set of HIDs. I am only doing this because its a free set of HIDs. As far as not having high beams, I do not see why it would be unsafe. What do A4's do for Highbeams? Separate bulb? Thanks Again. *a

[mobilesuit818]

You have 3 options.
1. Go buy a hid conversion kit off of ebay or something and have mad glare.( this option really sucks.)
2. Retrofit your H4, intergrate existing hids into your housing, thus creating a cutoff so you dont blind other drivers. (this option would be best.)
3. Get some aux. Hid lights like sylvania system, and ghetto fab them into your car.

['90RPS13]

Have you done any of these? Any info on retroing them? Thanks. *a

[Anto]

I've done a sleepy eyed HID retrofit on my 3rd gen prelude before, with the pop up headlights. The retrofit is the best way to go, period.

Since the s13 uses an H4 bulb with intergrated low/hi beams, there is only one bulb for both. If you retrofit, you'll have to use a bi-xenon projector if you still want to retain the high beam option. When I did mine, I retrofitted Lexus RX330 single xenon projectors in, but I personally didn't care about the high beams. Having high beams are good, but the good bi-xenon projectors cost around $100-$200 more than single xenon ones.

Your Audi projectors are probably made by Valeo. In my opinion, they are crap compared to japanese projectors, but they're still in HID territory, and they give off lots of color.

Here are some problems I encounted when retrofitting:

#1 Problem on the prelude was HEADLIGHT SHAKE. Now, granted an S13 isn't a prelude, BUT the headlight arms share a similar design. S13's are old, and the headlight tends to have alot of free play in it. This combined with a sharp HID cutoff line is just ASKING to be pulled over. The fix? Tighten down all the loose nuts and bolts, and add neoprene and rubber washers where needed. On my prelude, I had to actually DRILL out the old riveted arm and add washers + nut and bolt.

Another area you might want to check out is clearance behind the pop-up assembly. If the projector is going to be retrofitted into an h4 headlight housing that will move up and down, the rear needs sufficient clearance. Remember that the bulb sticks out the back some, and the ballast connects to that, so figure 1-2 extra inches past the rear of the projector.

Those were the two main blocks when I installed mine. There are more, but I can't remember right now.

[LA_phantom_240]

I have an idea.. Could i get ebay specials, take the lens out, and cut about half the reflector off the back and use fiberglass to build the back of the reflector flush, then cut out whatever space needed for the projectors? It seems like that would solve the clearance issue and have more room for 2 projectors instead of one... just an idea. Oh and yes, the lenses would be put back on... and most likely the rest of the reflector blacked out...


Also, What if i were to just use halogen projectors? No need for fancy xenon as long as i get sharp light.. I can get better bulbs to get the color and output i want...

[Anto]

LAphantom - I'm not sure what you're talking about. Perhaps you can link me to an ebay auction of the item you had in mind.

You can use halogen projectors, BUT keep in mind that it's still halogen output. You're not going to get MORE output by using them compared to a regular H4 conversion housing, you're just going to get more evenly dispersed light. Keep in mind that most halogen projectors use a 55w halogen bulb. The only way you could get more lumens out of that would be to use a higher wattage bulb, and that in turn requires a wiring harness. I'm talking about the relayed setups that draw power directly from the battery, not the end connector plugs.

Retrofitting halogen projectors in are kind of pointless.
HID beats halogen in almost every single category - but you're going to have to spend the money to do it.

[LA_phantom_240]

I know exactly what it takes to get more light out of halogen... Ive seen at least 2 or 3 brands of bulbs that are 100w/120w lo/hi and wiring them up is a snap.... also, ive seen bulbs that are supposed to fit H4 or other bulb types that are HID... to retrofit housings...

But about what im saying, let me draw a few pics...

Something like that...

[EchoOfSilence]

where's olds13....

[240silvia]

You should do what I did, S14 projectors, fab up a metal frame to fit the projector. Search S13 HID Retrofit, it will come up. In the mean time....

[LA_phantom_240]

?!?
Youre not worried one bit about the projector lens are you..... I would be, the slightest scratch messes up beam pattern like a mofo..

Actually today while smoking a cigarette in a trunk full of resin fumes i was unintentionally getting high from i came up with an idea for what housings i would use for such a conversion... I would buy the regular sealed beam fluted lens headlights, and then take the lens off, and put the clear lens from the eBay specials on there, and proceed with the retrofit!

[LA_phantom_240]

WAIT.... couldnt i get projectors from a j30?

[LA_phantom_240]

no more info? Come on you guys, somebody has to know SOMETHING about this

[DRFT]

Originally Posted by EchoOfSilence

where's olds13....

He was banned a while back i think

[TipStylez]

that s14 projector looks nice, maby add a reflective chrome base and glass infront of it to make it look clean and actualy like a headylight =]

[projekt_s13]

Originally Posted by 240silvia

HAHA it looks like its scared.

[TipStylez]

^More like loaded on some good stuff.

[COstyle]

I have ebay h4 conversion, Acura ballasts/ignitors, and 8000k h4 hid bulbs. Lots of rewiring. Out of all the mods on my car I get compliments daily on my headlights...

['90RPS13]

Looks good. Only thing, need some coilovers. Overall, thats exactly what I am looking for. Pics of the headlights like behind the pop up? Thanks *a

[LA_phantom_240]

how bout of a divers POV night pic with the lights on?

[LA_phantom_240]

...hmm... looking into some cadillac projectors... dont know if theyre HID or not, but hell, i can get higher wattage bulbs if need be. Do you think that there is any way someone could get 2 projectors into the 240's popups?

[Slidin240Wayz]

stick with HID projectors, not halogen.

[TipStylez]

since were on the same subject.

On BMW and Audi projectors, at a angle they have a rainbow look to them, like they are just flashing LEDs. But directly infront they are white...Is it the projector or HID bulbs giving off this affect?