Headlight replacement with HID (no rice)?

[Migoreng_Noodles]

Hi,

So my headlights are getting old and dull. I'd like to go non-rice HID's (no 9600K's) which means I need Projector housing to do it properly.

I don't want Angel eyes etc.

I was hoping to find something that looks similar to OEM or looked good on the car. Some of the ones on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/TYC-92-93-95-HONDA-CIVIC-EG-2-3DR-PROJECTOR-HEADLIGHT_W0QQitemZ370058826462QQihZ024QQcategoryZ 33710QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebaypho tohosting) look pretty ricey. The only one on ebay I like are these ones (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/92-95-HONDA-CIVIC-EG-Si-CLEAR-HEADLIGHT-AMBER-CORNER-94_W0QQitemZ370058033724QQihZ024QQcategoryZ33710QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), but it's not projector style.

What options are available to me?

[vinnY]

diy projector retrofit would probably be the only way to go dude

[Ascension]

Hey migoreng,
the link that you provided shows a regular reflector housing, not a projector housing, VinnY is on the ball by saying that a retro fit may be your only choice... There aren't too many projector housings for Civic that aren't "ricey" (given that rice is all a matter of perspective). I've read somewhere about a place that retrofitted s2000 projector headlights onto a different make of car (overseas of course), it's big bucks. S2k projectors are the best ones out there though. If you you're really interested I'll try have a dig up of that article.

You identify projector housings by the glass/ceramic convex lens and closed housing of the HID bulb. The angel lights you refer to are a perfect example.
http://optionaustralia.onlinera.com/OA/Uploaded/SK3300-CV99-Y.jpg

[Boban]

i got the ones you put in the link and i'm running hid in there with no problems so far. What would be a benefit of projector style over those
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u286/80ban/x1pRTZV02Ww2pkvvx9ga7EbQVe1nYlCC0ZX.jpg
there are also these (sorry for the small pic), PM 'marte' he has them
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u286/80ban/avatar8601_3gif.jpg

I am personally looking for a pair of these (hint hint anyone selling)
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u286/80ban/taymode.jpg

[vinnY]

light beam patterns
reflector housings not made for hid's are pretty shithouse when you throw in hid kits, beam pattern is all over the place and you're guaranteed to get flashes from oncoming traffic

projectors aim the light and sort of contain it so its concentrated where its needed the most i.e. on the road infront of the car and not above the height of the head light itself thus not blinding people who drive in the opposite direction

[Boban]

makes sense. i got mine aimed as far down as i could so i don't pi55 others off

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/mooshu000/TSX%2520retrofit/IMG_4901.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread%3Fid%3D2225166%26postid%3D33900911&h=600&w=800&sz=187&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=bu20tpLP3LuVLM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Deg%2Bcivic%2Bheadlights%26um%3D1%26hl %3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN
retrofit diy
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u286/80ban/IMG_4901.jpg

[Ascension]

HID's were made for prejector housings, not for reflector housings. Reflector housings will create uneven lights dispersion and hot&cold spots. The light pattern is intense in the center of the beam focus and fades as it disperses away from that center of focus.

Projector housings will create even light dispersion and sharp cut-off. The combo of HID's and projectors create a light that is not offensively bright yet is very affective in lighting up roads and highlighting reflectors (road dimples, license plates, taillights and roadsigns). The light travels further and the dropoff is more consistent and linear when compared to a regular bulb in a reflector housing, who's light doesn't travel as far, and the dropoff is exponential, meaning that the light is offensively bright close-up, yet inneffective at a longer range.

Coupling a HID bulb with a reflector housing is like mixing oil and water. The reflector will cause the HID bulb emitted light to behave in a way it was not designed for. This mainly results in very offensive bright hotspots in peoples faces, poor dropoff performance (less covered distance), weak illumination on the focus point of the beam, and unneccassary illumination to the sides of the headlight.

[eg5civic]

I am also looking for a set of lights llike these if anyone could help on where to find them or knows of anyone selling some :D

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u286/80ban/taymode.jpg

[nd55]

> So my headlights are getting old and dull.

Brasso and a lot of elbow grease will get rid of mild oxidation.

Fine Wet & Dry and a buffing pad for severe cases.

Mine came up Ok with Brasso.


Beyond that a set of Osram SilverStar or Phillips ColourView lamps will go a long way for little $$$.

These don't give the 'blue' light, however.

Also check your wiring might be getting a bit of voltage drop due to old corroded copper.

Nick.

[rayb3na_]

I am also looking for a set of lights llike these if anyone could help on where to find them or knows of anyone selling some :D

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u286/80ban/taymode.jpg

arent these just angel eyes?

[Migoreng_Noodles]

> So my headlights are getting old and dull.

Brasso and a lot of elbow grease will get rid of mild oxidation.

Fine Wet & Dry and a buffing pad for severe cases.

Mine came up Ok with Brasso.


Beyond that a set of Osram SilverStar or Phillips ColourView lamps will go a long way for little $$$.

These don't give the 'blue' light, however.

Also check your wiring might be getting a bit of voltage drop due to old corroded copper.

Nick.


Thanks Nick. I'm seriously considering getting a pair of THESE (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/92-95-HONDA-CIVIC-EG-Si-CLEAR-HEADLIGHT-AMBER-CORNER-94_W0QQitemZ110261441717QQihZ001QQcategoryZ33710QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). Nice clear front and amber corners. I'm too lazy for the brasso. Can anyone comment on these?

Can an auto electrician check the wiring? One of my wiring rooms into the left headlight is a bit damp and damaged...


Hey migoreng,
the link that you provided shows a regular reflector housing, not a projector housing, VinnY is on the ball by saying that a retro fit may be your only choice... There aren't too many projector housings for Civic that aren't "ricey" (given that rice is all a matter of perspective). I've read somewhere about a place that retrofitted s2000 projector headlights onto a different make of car (overseas of course), it's big bucks. S2k projectors are the best ones out there though. If you you're really interested I'll try have a dig up of that article.[/IMG]

Thanks dude nice reply.

Oh I see. Well my main concern is to fix my crappy quality headlights because compared my family's car I basically have zero visibility.

So I think I might be the ABOVE clear headlights with amber corners and decent set of globes.

[MWAKU]

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u286/80ban/taymode.jpg
you know those ones ^ .. those work with HID yeh?? atm my ones have normal bulbs i think..

[Sydsyd]

Thanks Nick. I'm seriously considering getting a pair of THESE (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/92-95-HONDA-CIVIC-EG-Si-CLEAR-HEADLIGHT-AMBER-CORNER-94_W0QQitemZ110261441717QQihZ001QQcategoryZ33710QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). Nice clear front and amber corners. I'm too lazy for the brasso. Can anyone comment on these?

i got these, and currently using HIDs too..all i did was lower the light beam much lower than usual, but it still gives the necessary light to the road...

here's how it looks:
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m64/SydEG5/mini-IMG_1192edited.jpg

[Migoreng_Noodles]

Got any more pics bud?

[eg5civic]

arent these just angel eyes?

Yeah but where can you get angel eyes from.... i've seen US ones but aren't they angled differently or something liek that??

*Edit*
I found these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__92-94-95-CIVIC-4D-ANGEL-EYES-PROJECTOR-BLACK-HEADLIGHTS_W0QQitemZ180251764336QQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20 TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQadiZ2865QQcmdZV iewItem?hash=item180251764336&

but they don't shit to australia but they are the halo projector style ones that i want... unless i get them shipped to my aunty who lives in New york then get them shipped to here...hmm

[nd55]

> I'm too lazy for the brasso.

After buffing mine for half an hour, I can hear what your saying.

It's easier than working with wiring looms, though

> Can an auto electrician check the wiring? One of my wiring rooms into the left headlight is a bit damp and damaged...

I really don't think there's nothing wrong with your vehicle.

An auto sparky can definitely check your wiring, but, I doubt there's anything wrong other than no longer being shiny and new.

You can DIY if you wish.

Measure the voltage directly across your battery, then measure the voltage as close to your lamps as possible.

There should not be much of a difference.

The aim is to provide the lamps with as close to the maximum voltage as possible so they run at their hottest and thus brightest.

[eg5civic]

Also is it hard to gt HID's installed, Ie would i be able to do the wiring myself...

Are they worth the 200 odd dollars?

[zel05]

http://www.ozeparts.com.au/

don't know if these would work...

but go to that site, look up eg civic...and there are some with a projector housing.

[kn1ghtm4r3]

http://www.hidtech.com/

cool site =D

[eg5civic]

http://www.ozeparts.com.au/

don't know if these would work...

but go to that site, look up eg civic...and there are some with a projector housing.

YEah but they are ugly, and they are $345...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-93-94-95-CIVIC-2D-3D-HALO-BLACK-PROJECTOR-HEADLIGHTS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713Q2em153Q 2el1262QQcategoryZ33710QQihZ009QQitemZ190229029309 QQtcZphoto
The US ones are only $80 after converting.. which is a worry about quality but
Then postage is $40 and i can get it posted to my relative over there who can then post me them.. so i'd get them here for around... 180 maybe?

Edit- i don't know what up with the inside of the light flashing orange though:confused:

[zco]

HID's were made for prejector housings, not for reflector housings. Reflector housings will create uneven lights dispersion and hot&cold spots. The light pattern is intense in the center of the beam focus and fades as it disperses away from that center of focus.

Projector housings will create even light dispersion and sharp cut-off. The combo of HID's and projectors create a light that is not offensively bright yet is very affective in lighting up roads and highlighting reflectors (road dimples, license plates, taillights and roadsigns). The light travels further and the dropoff is more consistent and linear when compared to a regular bulb in a reflector housing, who's light doesn't travel as far, and the dropoff is exponential, meaning that the light is offensively bright close-up, yet inneffective at a longer range.

Coupling a HID bulb with a reflector housing is like mixing oil and water. The reflector will cause the HID bulb emitted light to behave in a way it was not designed for. This mainly results in very offensive bright hotspots in peoples faces, poor dropoff performance (less covered distance), weak illumination on the focus point of the beam, and unneccassary illumination to the sides of the headlight.

what about the selected cars that have HID's wihtout projectors ?
like the R34gtr's ?

not all HID's are made for projectors

[Migoreng_Noodles]

Hey Nick

Sorry for an old thread bump/question, I was just hoping you could clarify something for me from THIS (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92285) thread I started a while back.


> Can an auto electrician check the wiring? One of my wiring rooms into the left headlight is a bit damp and damaged...

I really don't think there's nothing wrong with your vehicle.
The aim is to provide the lamps with as close to the maximum voltage as possible so they run at their hottest and thus brightest.

So basically, I can confirm that my bulb connector for both my headlights are almost melted from water exposure. My right headlight no longer works and I remember when I replaced my left bulb that it too was severely damaged.

Can this cause bad visibility or low lighting output?

I was thinking, get both the left and right plug/harness/wiring replaced (which is all melted), new decent bulbs and those new projector style headlights I linked in the first post. Which should hopefully get me to almost new night visibility.

And I'll also take your advice and clean up the new 2nd hand headlights I pickup with a bit of elbow grease and brasso.

[Migoreng_Noodles]

Question

So like, if I replace my H4 plug which is melted. If down the track if I go HIDs, will be have to re-do or get rid of this wiring?

In other words, it's costing me like $100 to get both the water melted plugs/harnesses replaced. Could I just get HID's now and save the $100? Or if I get HIDs, will I still need wiring harness working?

[GEG]

you still need the wiring harness, as the hid kit still plugs into it to get the signal from the switch inside the car, of when to turn the kit on and off.

[Boban]

or you could just hard-wire everything together and cover the joints in shrink wrap and electrical tape, looks dodgy though, and probably illegal, i wouldn't recommend it but it is an option