HID Retrofit

[tofu]

After alotta work and ghetto rigging, Im finally finished with my retrofit. I used a4 e-code valeo projectors and 4300k bulbs.
stock projector
http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/4524DSCN4129-med.JPG
hacked stock projector
http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/4524DSCN4142-med.JPG
A4 projector on hacked projector
http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/4524DSCN4145-med.JPG
Retrofit in housing
http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/4524DSCN4148-med.JPG
painted relector piece flat black
http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/4524DSCN4161-med.JPG
finish
http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/4524DSCN4152-med.JPG
finish
http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/4524DSCN4160-med.JPG

Overall, im not sure that all that work was worth it, but im happy. I did try the hid in the stock housing and this definitely has alot smoother and even light, sharper cutoff, and wider beam. These projectors are surprisingly similar in size with the stock projectors, I even tried to frankenstien it using pieces of the a4 on the stock lense, but it didnt turn out good at all.

[TRD GT-S]

How much did those projectors run you? I noticed my light output with my HID isn't that wide or even either. Looks good :thumbup:

[oneflyasianguy]

lokks bright, i would still like to see someone try to install one of these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7931647448&category=36476
i think there too big though

[tofu]

haha dam never seen those b4. These a4s were about 160, and with ballasts/bulbs around 400 dollars. I still have to compare it with other celicas with conversion kits to see if all this was worth it hehe

[vaio23]

How come the beam pattern is so uneven, is it supposed to be like that? I like the color at the cutoff line. I was thinking of maybe doing a retro fit, but I am just going to get a xd h7 kit for right now then later upgrade to some OEM hid housings and get the d2s bulbs and connectors. Overall looks like you did a good job.

[tofu]

I think that is how the cutoff is for these. They were alot steeper than i expected, mabe i did something wrong. But I kno it flares up on the right for signs, and not on the left so it doesnt blind traffic.

[rapture]

My friend has an a4 and her cutoff really is that steep. It looks nice though. I wanna do mine too because I've been disappointed with my hid kit compared to cars with real hid projectors. looks like a thanksgiving project to me.

[Pinoyspd17]

Originally posted by tofu
haha dam never seen those b4. These a4s were about 160, and with ballasts/bulbs around 400 dollars. I still have to compare it with other celicas with conversion kits to see if all this was worth it hehe

Yeah, I kinda wanna see a retrofit side-by-side with a non-retro to see the difference. So, if you dont have a nice cut-off like the one you have, your headlights could just look obnoxiously bright to other people?

[tofu]

I drove behind my friend he said he didnt notice any glare at all, but when he was to the right in front of me he did see some because of that huge flare.... Also, i tried the light without painting that reflector piece black, and it glared like a mofo, so i had to take it apart and paint them

[Jdm_cel]

(QUOTE) After alotta work and ghetto rigging (/QUOTE)
nice chose of words...hehehehe
Lets us compare the Retrofit HID to the HId Conversion...

[evil eye]

Originally posted by tofu
I think that is how the cutoff is for these. They were alot steeper than i expected, mabe i did something wrong. But I kno it flares up on the right for signs, and not on the left so it doesnt blind traffic.

Hey, I have that same problem. But my cutoff goes the other way --\\___ because I have JDM housings. I couldn't even leave my cutoff as high as yours because I got highbeamed every night due to blinding traffic (4300k HID's). I am sure this is not how it is supposed to be. That is too damn steep. I think that my bulbs are not in the housings deep enough. I think the bulb is sticking out too far from the projector which would cause the cutoff line to become so exxagerated. I have to find a way to push them in more.

[tofu]

Originally posted by Jdm_cel
(QUOTE) After alotta work and ghetto rigging (/QUOTE)
nice chose of words...hehehehe
Lets us compare the Retrofit HID to the HId Conversion...

Yea lets


Originally posted by evil eye
Hey, I have that same problem. But my cutoff goes the other way --\\___ because I have JDM housings. I couldn't even leave my cutoff as high as yours because I got highbeamed every night due to blinding traffic (4300k HID's). I am sure this is not how it is supposed to be. That is too damn steep. I think that my bulbs are not in the housings deep enough. I think the bulb is sticking out too far from the projector which would cause the cutoff line to become so exxagerated. I have to find a way to push them in more.

I found out that the high flare is normal for my projector, i can choose to get different shields if i wanted in the future to lower it a bit.

[rapture]

Originally posted by tofu
Yea lets

ay sonny if u wanna compare sometime u know i'm just on the other side of garland. i plan on doing the projector retrofit soon

[tofu]

yea sure. What projectors do you plan to use?

[rapture]

Originally posted by tofu
I still have to compare it with other celicas with conversion kits to see if all this was worth it hehe
Originally posted by Jdm_cel
Lets us compare the Retrofit HID to the HId Conversion...
Originally posted by Pinoyspd17
Yeah, I kinda wanna see a retrofit side-by-side with a non-retro to see the difference.

I haven't installed mine yet but i plugged my hid kit in to compare the cutoff line.

Stock Projection with xenon depot 4300k kit: The annoying yellow bulge in the middle.
http://home.comcast.net/~johnonfiya/stockprojection.jpg

A4 Projection: Nasty yellow shiit replaced by this
http://home.comcast.net/~johnonfiya/A4valeoprojection.jpg


The Flicker is amazing, pictures cant really tell but heres an idea

Retrofit: Flicker is full of color
http://home.comcast.net/~johnonfiya/flicker.jpg

Stock: No color in flicker but that yellow stuff does show up
http://home.comcast.net/~johnonfiya/stockflicker.jpg

So I'll tell ya it is very much worth it. When I bought my xenon depot kit a year ago it was a disappointment. I was to believe that the yellow bulge of light would go away after the lights break in but after a year of driving around with lights on night AND day (well over 100 hours)... no changes everynight i pull up to the garage. I then tried 6000k bulbs but boy that was a mistake in my opinion. the ouput was not even in comparison and the color on the ground made me sick. So when i get these badboys in the headlamp I shall be satisfied for once.

[X-EVIL-X]

only thing i would consider trying to switch in is an S2000 one. does anybody know the side difference? they look a little bigger to me...

[X-EVIL-X]

also can you take some better pics of it at night not with anything blocking how far it goes out.

[rapture]

i will when i do the install i'll try to take before and after pics

[tofu]

s2k ones are supposedly one of the best ones out there. But the bowl is really big, so it most likely will not fit with heavy modifocation. The a4 one is surprisingly similar in shape and size as our stock ones...The way i have mine setup, i can still aim the projectors without takeing the headlight apart. On most retrofits, aiming is the most time consuming process.

You should do a a comparison on the stock projector and the a4 on the ground in the dark. I remember when i did that the stock one was blotchy and yellow, and the a4 one is smooth even white light.

[DisGqBoi]

i'm thinking of getting this
http://www.hidplanet.com/package.html

they come with these projectors
http://www.hidplanet.com/valeo.html

is this what you have? also what are the dimensions of the stock projectors?

[rapture]

thats what i have, but tofu probably wouldn't recommend it. hes got the d1s projectors now instead of the h7. the cutoff pattern shouldn't flare up as high since its made for HIDs. but do a search on that site and you'll get peoples opinions of which one they prefer.

[DisGqBoi]

are the d1s and h7 projectors different in size? i like how tufu's projectors fit so well.

[tofu]

they are basically the same, the bowl is a different shape, a lil bigger. I will have pics later.

[2002Silver Celica]

If you go to Hidforum.com you will see that the european spec. projectors have that steep cuttoff and US Spec has a smaller shield the has a lower cuttoff.

[Jesse IL]

Originally posted by DisGqBoi
i'm thinking of getting this
http://www.hidplanet.com/package.html

they come with these projectors
http://www.hidplanet.com/valeo.html

is this what you have? also what are the dimensions of the stock projectors?
I like it.

Good work tofu...looks alot better than my conversion kit.

[Blue Lucifer]

Wow. I'm working currently on that idea too. I bought my ecode Valeos off of ebay too. They were getting pretty cheap here and there, and I thought I would get them since they are the prettiest. But how I retrofitted them was a bit different. But at least I sitll have one headlight to finish. Couldn't fit 2 in the oven at the same time. But now I have an idea to finish my other side with some help from this thread. I only changed out the lense of the ecode and the projector reflector. I am still using the stock holder for the reflector and lense. But your (tofu's) idea and using the Hose holder is much simpler. I'll go back and fix the other one and keep the other side correct this way. Thanks Tofu

PS. The flicker is amazing. It's the best part about getting heads to turn even with the 1 headlight I finished. However, I got followed by too many cops around my area, that I switch my clear corners back to stock in hopes that they would leave me alone. Had to escape many times from cops tailing me by exiting into a Taco Bell if you know what I mean. :(

[tofu]

Originally posted by Blue Lucifer
I only changed out the lense of the ecode and the projector reflector. I am still using the stock holder for the reflector and lense. But your (tofu's) idea and using the Hose holder is much simpler. I'll go back and fix the other one and keep the other side correct this way. Thanks Tofu


Dont do this, it wont be worth it. I tried all the combinations with parts off the a4 projector and tested them. Meaning i tried
stock bowl/stock holder/stock lense
stock bowl/stock holder/a4 lense
a4 bowl/stock holder/stock lense
a4 bowl/stock holder/a4 lense
None of these turned out as good as the complete a4 projector....The focal points are different for the lenses, if your willing to spend the time and money on a retrofit dont do this cuz it wont be worth it at all.

[Blue Lucifer]

Originally posted by tofu
Dont do this, it wont be worth it. I tried all the combinations with parts off the a4 projector and tested them. Meaning i tried
stock bowl/stock holder/stock lense
stock bowl/stock holder/a4 lense
a4 bowl/stock holder/stock lense
a4 bowl/stock holder/a4 lense
None of these turned out as good as the complete a4 projector....The focal points are different for the lenses, if your willing to spend the time and money on a retrofit dont do this cuz it wont be worth it at all.

Yeah I went through a couple of combos. The stock holder is slightly longer and it did change the the focal lpatterns. I'll do the passenger side correctly, and get back to the other headlight when I have the time. Thanks for the advice Tofu.

[wasabi]

i m also doing my retrofit but instead of Valeo projector from A4, I am thinking to use Bimmer's projector. Will they fit ??? I realize it has bigger bowl with middle section open. Should I cover it up?
it looks like this...
http://i8.ebayimg.com/01/i/02/bd/b1/9b_1_b.JPG
http://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/02/be/41/cc_1.JPG
http://i21.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/bd/52/f3_1.JPG

[BATmobile]

hey rapture where did you get the a4 projector and how much for?,will they work with hid h7' 4300kit. can you do a write up on how do this thanks, i would love to do this yours looks great, but i know nothing about any of this.

[PoweredbyRICE]

ill take pix of my 03 conversion on a wall compared to this but wow nice output!

[DisGqBoi]

wasabi what model bmw did you get it off from? it looks a little bigger than stock, which its 2.5". from the pic, it looks yours is 4".


Originally posted by BATmobile
hey rapture where did you get the a4 projector and how much for?,will they work with hid h7' 4300kit. can you do a write up on how do this thanks, i would love to do this yours looks great, but i know nothing about any of this.

there are two versions of the a4 projectors. d2s projectors, which are ment to use hid's. h7 projectors were originally used for halogen bulbs, but they were build with hid components.
here's a link for some h7 a4 prjectors. http://www.hidplanet.com/valeo.htmlyou dont need the h7 to ds2 adaptor since you have the h7 kit.

[wasabi]

Originally posted by DisGqBoi
wasabi what model bmw did you get it off from? it looks a little bigger than stock, which its 2.5". from the pic, it looks yours is 4".


Seller said it's from a E46, I am guessing 328Ci, if bimmers don't fit, what will besides A4? Lexus?350Z?TT?A6?




there are two versions of the a4 projectors. d2s projectors, which are ment to use hid's. h7 projectors were originally used for halogen bulbs, but they were build with hid components.
here's a link for some h7 a4 prjectors. http://www.hidplanet.com/valeo.htmlyou dont need the h7 to ds2 adaptor since you have the h7 kit.

Does this mean I can get a H7 halogen projector with HID kit and it'll turn out as nice as D2S HID projector? Is the len designed for HID or is it just like ours which has yellowish cutoff?

[BATmobile]

so if i buy the projectors from the link above it will look like the 3rd pic rapture posted, also i'm orering the phillips 4300 hid kit.

[tofu]

If you are getting a projector, you might as well get a d2s kit with a h7 adapter. Thats all a h7 kit is anyway, plus its cheaper, and parts are easier to find since all oem hids are d2s.
H7 kits are all hacked bulbs and bases, if u need a replacement bulb, they rape u on it, if u get a d2s kit then u can get d2s replacment bulbs easily on ebay.

A thing about the a4 h7 projectors. These projectors are originally for halogen, but these happen to work very well with hid. Most halogen projectors do not work well with hids, such as our stock ones.

[Blue Bomber]

I'm thinking about doing a projector retrofit when I get my HIDs. I was wondering if anyone knew what the whitest projectors out there were. I'm not interested in having blue lights, and would actually prefer a slightly yellowish color to keep the cops at bay, and to possibly improve vision in bad weather. Any suggestions?

[DisGqBoi]

all projectors produce white light. blue is seen only at the cut off. new oem 4100k bulbs are kinda yellow but after they are broken in (100-500 hours of use) they colorshift to about 4300k. a nice crips white with a hint of blue light.

[Jesse IL]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
I'm thinking about doing a projector retrofit when I get my HIDs. I was wondering if anyone knew what the whitest projectors out there were. I'm not interested in having blue lights, and would actually prefer a slightly yellowish color to keep the cops at bay, and to possibly improve vision in bad weather. Any suggestions?
From what I was reading last night, you would want to make sure you get a DOT projector and use Osram bulbs. Funny this thread got revived last night...I spent a few hours researching this and was considering reviving it myslef :)

So now what I have decided I want to get is a set of Valeo D2S ECE projectors with clear lenses. But these seem hard to find! The ones HID Planet sells are the H7 version of this. The consensus seems to be that the actual D2S projectors will give superior performance to the H7 versions. For bulbs I would use the 85123 Philips, which are the BMW part number as opposed to he common 85122.

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by Jesse IL
For bulbs I would use the 85123 Philips, which are the BMW part number as opposed to he common 85122. Hmmm, any clue which bulbs come in the XenonDepot 4300K kit?

[rapture]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
I'm thinking about doing a projector retrofit when I get my HIDs. I was wondering if anyone knew what the whitest projectors out there were. I'm not interested in having blue lights, and would actually prefer a slightly yellowish color to keep the cops at bay, and to possibly improve vision in bad weather. Any suggestions?

I'm sure the stock projectors will give you the yellowish color you're looking for.

[Jesse IL]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
Hmmm, any clue which bulbs come in the XenonDepot 4300K kit?
Well the Xenon Depot kits used rebased bulbs, so there is no part number on them, but I would suspect the 85122 part number. 85123 is not listed in the Philips catalog supposedly, but they are found often in BMW headlights.

[tofu]

tsx projectors are pretty small and give one of the best outputs as far as light. They have a smoother cutoff, and with osram bulbs they will be yellower than most hids, and give really nice output.

Right now i have the d1s valeos, the output is slightly better than the h7. One thing i notice however is the cutoff now has alot of color, while the h7 one has a really blue cutoff.

[wasabi]

notice a lot of projectors are ECE or DOT proved, what's the difference between them? and are "fresnel type lens" better than non-fresnel type?


Thanks

[X-EVIL-X]

can you take some more pics of them at night please? id like to see more angles.

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by wasabi
notice a lot of projectors are ECE or DOT proved, what's the difference between them? and are "fresnel type lens" better than non-fresnel type?


Thanks ECE and DOT are just different standards Europe and the US require for headlight housings. ECE housings are usually superior to DOT ones, allowing for brighter, clearer light output. Fresnel lenses (mainly DOT) have little lines in them that help spread the beam to the sides (at the expense of distance), and make the overall light distribution more even. Clear lenses ("non-fresnel") have a cleaner, narrower light that reaches farther, with a sharper cutoff.

[Blue Bomber]

Here's clear vs fresnel:

[Jesse IL]

Originally posted by tofu
Right now i have the d1s valeos, the output is slightly better than the h7. One thing i notice however is the cutoff now has alot of color, while the h7 one has a really blue cutoff.
Please explain more. You say the D1S has "alot of color" vs. the H7 being more blue. What do you mean exactly? And are you actually running D1S bulbs or D2S with some rigged method to hold them down? I'm looking at a set of D1S projectors right now.

[Jesse IL]

BB, here's a set of Osram bulbs...don't know if this price is good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7938451302&category=33710

[wasabi]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
ECE and DOT are just different standards Europe and the US require for headlight housings. ECE housings are usually superior to DOT ones, allowing for brighter, clearer light output. Fresnel lenses (mainly DOT) have little lines in them that help spread the beam to the sides (at the expense of distance), and make the overall light distribution more even. Clear lenses ("non-fresnel") have a cleaner, narrower light that reaches farther, with a sharper cutoff.

that is one helpful reply, BIG thanks Blue~
so it's the decision between farther or wider, I'll stick with fresnel style just in case non-fresnel cutoff's too sharp to blind oncoming traffic and popo.

[Korben007]

im confused on the differences between the ds1 and ds2? isnt the h7 a halogen projector? I think the reason the audi h7s take to the HIDs so well is cause HIDs are a factory options so they could posibly use the same lense for both options. I feel kinda confused on all these different types of bulbs and housings. Someone should set us all strait here. I thought i knew what i wanted but now i am confused. I know I want the factory audi look. the ones that you see coming from far away that looks like a rainbow, as it comes towards you you see many different colors? what setup is that?

[Jesse IL]

Originally posted by Korben007
I feel kinda confused on all these different types of bulbs and housings. Someone should set us all strait here. I thought i knew what i wanted but now i am confused. I know I want the factory audi look. the ones that you see coming from far away that looks like a rainbow, as it comes towards you you see many different colors? what setup is that?
You should become a member at the HID Planet Forum. Just spend time there and read up. The setup you're looking for is a Valeo A4 projector, preferably a D2S or D1S with a clear lens.

[wasabi]

I was told that A4's projector H7 don't work as well as D2S projector since it's originally designed for halogen bulbs but its cutoff still give awesome blue/purpleish color and cheaper than D2S/D1S. As for D2S or D1S I think it's just the bulb's adaptor difference? (see pix) I am wondering what will it look like if I have Valeo D2S projector with 6000K HID after break in period? :crazy2:

D2S(left) VS D1S(right)
http://www.directimagehost.com/is.php?i=77323http://i24.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/81/5a/92_12_s.JPG


This is what you want, BID THIS NOW:) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7938336420&category=33710&sspagename=WDVW)
http://i18.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/81/0a/24_12_s.JPG
http://i20.ebayimg.com/01/i/02/81/70/46_1.JPG

[tofu]

The h7 valeos have the same lenses(fresnel or clear) as the d1s/d2s valeos. The only difference is the bowl is a bit wider. Having played with both of them I can conclude that:
H7
- easier to find/cheaper
- Sharp blue cutoff
- good light output

d1s/d2s
- harder to find
- semi sharp rainbow cutoff
- Slightly better light output (brighter and wider)

d1s and basically the same as d2s, they both use d2s bulbs, but the d1s style holds the whole connector with the bulb, while the d2s holds the bulb only....but i bent the clip so that i could make the d1s head work.

[Jesse IL]

wasabi...that's, I'm already watching that auction ;) I emailed that guy, trying to find out if they are clear or fresnel lenses. He hasn't responded yet. If you look at his other auctions, he definitely knows the difference, so its odd that he hasn't specified in that auction.

But from what tofu says...maybe I just want a set of H7 Valeos. Now tofu, what I don't understand is that you have D1S projectors, yet your cutoff looks very sharp and only blue/purple. What gives?

[tofu]

http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/4524DSCN4213.JPG
http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/4524DSCN4208-med.JPG

The ones in that auction is exactly what i have right now.

[Jesse IL]

Gracias :thumbup: That makes it much more clear.

[vaio23]

Tofu, do you have the h7 or d2s projectors? Are they h7 in the first pic and d2s in the latest pics because I noticed the flare is reduced and not as blue?

[wasabi]

Originally posted by vaio23
Tofu, do you have the h7 or d2s projectors? Are they h7 in the first pic and d2s in the latest pics because I noticed the flare is reduced and not as blue?

I think he uses H7 in 1st & 2nd pic, tofu could you post some pix with your D1S or D2S projectore now? Thanks

[tofu]

the pics on this page are the d1s ones that i have on right now

[Blue Lucifer]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wasabi
[B]I was told that A4's projector H7 don't work as well as D2S projector since it's originally designed for halogen bulbs but its cutoff still give awesome blue/purpleish color and cheaper than D2S/D1S. As for D2S or D1S I think it's just the bulb's adaptor difference? (see pix) I am wondering what will it look like if I have Valeo D2S projector with 6000K HID after break in period? :crazy2:

You should see ECE H7 Valeos with 8300K HIDs ;) . The cutoff is extreme with intense purples and blues. Too extreme in fact. I have to change out the 8300Ks to 4100K because I get followed by bored cops around my town, and it's starting to get annoying.

[vaio23]

^^got any pics?

[junk]

Originally posted by vaio23
How come the beam pattern is so uneven, is it supposed to be like that? I like the color at the cutoff line. I was thinking of maybe doing a retro fit, but I am just going to get a xd h7 kit for right now then later upgrade to some OEM hid housings and get the d2s bulbs and connectors. Overall looks like you did a good job.

http://faqlight.carpassion.info/headlight-beams-on-wall-illustration.gif

http://faqlight.carpassion.info/hl-systems.htm

[xxcelicaxx]

i've been wanting to do a retrofit for a while now but i want to clear some stuff up, i am currently running the xenon depot h7 4300k on stock projectors, my question is should i buy the h7 projector that is off of the A4 or should i just go with a d2s or a d1s projector and buy a d2s hid kit? thanks

[vaio23]

Originally posted by xxcelicaxx
i've been wanting to do a retrofit for a while now but i want to clear some stuff up, i am currently running the xenon depot h7 4300k on stock projectors, my question is should i buy the h7 projector that is off of the A4 or should i just go with a d2s or a d1s projector and buy a d2s hid kit? thanks

You can just retrofit some h7 A4 projectors and keep your existing kit but if you want to use d2s projectors you dont need a new kit. All you need is d2s bulbs and d2s connectors and you can use your existing kit.

[evil eye]

Where can I buy Audi A4 H7 HID projectors and for how much?

[evil eye]

Originally posted by evil eye
Where can I buy Audi A4 H7 HID projectors and for how much?

[mixer107]

I'm also thinking about doing a retrofit. Has anyone tried retrofitting a TSX projector in a Celica headlamp?

Here's a link (http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6366&highlight=tsx) to a comparison of a TSX and Valeo projector. Is the TSX too wide?