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DIY: HID Retrofit in an EK
Hello all,
I decided to do a HID retrofit because besides the cool look I also do a lot of backroad driving and I hate my ****ty aftermarket headlights. I had bought them because I wanted projectors (stock output blows). The output on those headlights were OK, but the housing was way too flashy. Anyways, hope you guys find this helpful. What you'll need: - D2S bulbs - D2S projectors (I used a pair from a TL) - Wiring harness - Shrouds (or you can make your own) - Ballasts (I used a pair from a TL) - LED rings (optional) - Flat head and philips screwdrivers and 10mm socket wrench - Primer and paint (optional) - Adhesive/glue - About 7 hours http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...o/Retrofit.jpg 1) I had to start off with some splicing so my TL projectors can plug into the ballasts without any trouble. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2.../Retrofit1.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2.../Retrofit3.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2.../Retrofit2.jpg 2) I took my stock headlights apart (by putting them in the oven at 375 degrees for 4min each). I had to cut the stock housing to fit the projectors. I used a jigsaw to cut the housing and a drill press to drill a 3.25" hold in the reflector. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2.../Retrofit5.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2.../Retrofit6.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2.../Retrofit7.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2.../Retrofit8.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2.../Retrofit9.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit10.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit12.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit13.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit16.jpg 3) Then I tested the projectors in my basement http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit18.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit19.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit20.jpg 4) As you can see in this pic, the projectors stuck out too much and wouldn't fit into the car. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit17.jpg 5) To fix this, I had to cut into the reflector more which kinda sucked because I didn't want to make a shroud. No, biggie though. Eventually I got it to fit, then I mounted the reflector back to the headlight housing. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit21.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit22.jpg 6) Now to cover the projector, I had to make a shroud. I used a top piece from those lawn lamps that you can put infront of your house. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit23.jpg 7) I used a drill press to drill a hole into it http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit24.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit25.jpg 8) After some more cutting, it fit nicely into the reflector http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit26.jpg 9) Here's what it'll look like with the LED ring around it http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit28.jpg |
10) I primed the shroud and painted it with chrome spray paint to match with the reflector
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit36.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit30.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit31.jpg 11) For fun, I also decided to mount these red LED's into the shroud. I quickly drilled some holes into the shorud and mounted them. I ended up applying another layer of paint after I drilled the holes. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit32.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit34.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit35.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit38.jpg 12) Next I mounted the LED ring to the shroud http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit40.jpg 13) Then I mounted the shourd to the headlight reflector http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit41.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit48.jpg 14) Next you have to disassemble your front bumper. There is a screw in each wheel well, 7 plastic screws around the grill and 2 bolts under the bumper. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit49.jpg 15) Remove the headlights. Each headlight has 4 bolts holding it. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit50.jpg 16) I mounted the HID's to make sure they fit okay (and they did) http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit51.jpg 17) Then I took my aftermarket headlights apart by putting them in the oven for 375 degrees for 4 min. My reason for doing so was because I wanted to use their cover since it was cleaner and more clear than my stock ones. So I just swapped them from the aftermarket headlights to my stock headlights. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit52.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit53.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit54.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit55.jpg 18) Here you can see the difference between both covers. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit56.jpg |
19) Mounting it is easy, there's only 1 secrew required for the aftermarket cover
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit57.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit58.jpg 20) Then I mounted it on to the headlights. Use any strong adhesive/glue to do this. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit59.jpg 21) After I mounted the retrofitted headlights I had to do all the wiring which took a bit of time. I wired the red LEDs and the LED rings to the ignition wire that way they light up as soon as I start the car instead of the day time running lights (which are required in Canada) http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit62.jpg 22) Put the bumper back on and then you're all done! This DIY might make this project seem easy, but its quite time consuming. It took me a little over 6 hours. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit69.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit63.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit64.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit65.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit66.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit67.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit68.jpg I dont have any pics of output yet... I still need to do some alignment when it gets dark. It was way too hard to do during the day. I'll post pics up when I'm done, though. Hope you guys enjoyed this! I really like the way it turned out becuase the stock headlights are so much nice than the POS ones I had on. Before: http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...IMGP1270_2.jpg After: http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit69.jpg |
Some night time pics. I only had time to adjust the left headlight. I'll have to leave the right one until tomorrow.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit71.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit72.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit73.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit74.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit75.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit76.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit77.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit78.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Retrofit80.jpg |
looks good minus your front grille, nice write-up
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so the headlights are open in the back? if so, your bulb will quickly get contaminated and fail.
but a pretty nice writeup of the basics. |
Originally Posted by bbarbulo
(Post 124317)
so the headlights are open in the back? if so, your bulb will quickly get contaminated and fail.
but a pretty nice writeup of the basics. |
looks nice. I like the round led effect but not the 4 red ones. good D.I.Y
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Originally Posted by bbarbulo
(Post 124317)
so the headlights are open in the back? if so, your bulb will quickly get contaminated and fail.
but a pretty nice writeup of the basics. |
Originally Posted by weezybaby
(Post 124360)
wrong, it wont as the bulbs are in the projectors, but your headlight will fog up
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I spend a **** load of time Sunday night aligning them. I also unplugged the red LED's but and left just the rings on. With the red, it looked like too much was going on... plus I'm pretty sure that was illegal anyways. I took pics but I don't know where the hell I put my camera :(
I'll post a pic when I find it. |
great write-up and great work, I'm glad that you decided to do without the LEDs ;)
I retrofitted rx330 projectors into my camry, and I'll probably end up retrofitting my gf's EK stock lights too, now that I see how similar it is, thanks |
Originally Posted by bbarbulo
(Post 124317)
so the headlights are open in the back? if so, your bulb will quickly get contaminated and fail.
but a pretty nice writeup of the basics. I sealed them from both the inside and outside. I used a lot of aluminum foil, adhesive, tape and a cottage cheese container. http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...etrofit003.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...etrofit002.jpg |
Very Good DIY
when i did this i hated when the glue from the head light got on my clothing or skin.. pain in the ass to remove |
hi everyone
Nice to find great informative place with lot of useful information... Thanks for the very nice DIY.... Keep posting Take care :) |
Thanks guys!
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u wanna sell ur aftermarket headlights???
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Wow, impressive!
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Very nice, but it does get a little hot in the back.
Try using plumber seal's, thats what I used on my retro. It'll withstand the heat much more. But overall nice. |
if any1 is selling retrofit hids for a 99civic; or want to do mine; please pm me with your price.
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question:
the HID the produce a lot of heat, is there a chance that the light enclosure/reflector start melting from the heat if its all sealed up? |
Originally Posted by Bymer
(Post 1375104)
question:
the HID the produce a lot of heat, is there a chance that the light enclosure/reflector start melting from the heat if its all sealed up? Not as much as the D2S blubs, but none of my fellow HID retro friends have had this problem. So no worries. |
TL projectors are probably the best out there. I also have a TL setup but I added ZKW replica lenses. Light output is wide and sharp.
My projectors do stick out like yours and have not come across any issues so far. I've had it for a year and a half and it's fine. My only problem was the location of my ballasts, they're just sitting around the engine bay. Where did you mount yours? Post some pics of your light output against a flat wall. I'd like to see how yours turned out. |
Originally Posted by chozenone
(Post 1375434)
S2K projectors are the best out there.
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the s2k projectors are the best low beam projectors and the TL w/zkws & LS430 projectors = top a bi-xenon (low and high beam) setup.
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3 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by Bymer
(Post 1375104)
question:
the HID the produce a lot of heat, is there a chance that the light enclosure/reflector start melting from the heat if its all sealed up?
Originally Posted by chozenone
(Post 1375434)
TL projectors are probably the best out there. I also have a TL setup but I added ZKW replica lenses. Light output is wide and sharp.
My projectors do stick out like yours and have not come across any issues so far. I've had it for a year and a half and it's fine. My only problem was the location of my ballasts, they're just sitting around the engine bay. Where did you mount yours? Post some pics of your light output against a flat wall. I'd like to see how yours turned out. Here are some more pics I found on my computer: Attachment 36533 Attachment 36534 Attachment 36535 |
Nice light output! Once you go HID (oem HID retrofit that is), you'll never go back to halogens again!
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Originally Posted by chozenone
(Post 1378862)
Nice light output! Once you go HID (oem HID retrofit that is), you'll never go back to halogens again!
here's mine...http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5031/dsc00245gs1.jpg |
Looking good!
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anyone selling one for 96-98 civic ?
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Originally Posted by eksedan
(Post 1381544)
anyone selling one for 96-98 civic ?
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10 Attachment(s)
Update. changed shroud yesterday...
Attachment 35401 Attachment 35402 Attachment 35403 Attachment 35404 Attachment 35405 Attachment 35406 Attachment 35407 Attachment 35408 Attachment 35409 Attachment 35410 |
1 Attachment(s)
new night shot:
Attachment 35232 |
where you get the shrouds?
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ebay
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how did you attach the shroud? did you use adhesive or bolt it on?
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It had clips. You could also use adhesive, though.
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