Advanced HID question (I've used the search)

[MJK]

Autolamps / Advanced HID question (I've used the search)

OK,

So the HID group buy got me really looking into this. I've decided not to participate because I want 'brand name' components and 4100K color temperature.

From what I can determine, HID-Online = Autolamps = all Philips.

So, my questions are:

Re Autolamps/HID Online:
1. The HID Online 9006 bulbs are rebased D2 bulbs. Does this cause a beam pattern issue? The JDM 97+ NSX's had HID, did they switch projector shape or just re-bulb? Google failed me, as I do not speak/read Japanese.

2. Has anyone recently installed the HID-Online / Autolamps kit? How plug and play is it? Do all the components fit into the headlight housing and plug together leaving an OEM look finished product that only requires dust cap modification?

3. I can't seem to find an NSX specific kit, just a 9006 kit. I am I missing something?

Re other solutions:
1. Does anyone have alternate suggestions for Bosch/Hella/Philips based solutions? I really am looking for maximum light output (~4100K) not the bling factor.

2. Does anyone have an alternate suggestion (including alternate bulbs or projectors)?

3. Bi-Xenon solutions seem almost completely unknown at this point. Anyone tried them?

Has anyone been in similar shoes? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[mikec]

Re: Autolamps / Advanced HID question (I've used the search)

I have the autolamps kit, and I recommended it to another who bought another kit and kept it installed a short time because he didn't like it. He loved the Autolamps kit.

1. The lamps are 'beam corrected'. That means they have the HID capsule in the same exact spot as the filiment in the origional halogen lamp.

2. They used to sell an NSX specific kit. I think they still will if you ask them. SuperGREENAGE recently bought the Autolamps kit.
It is plug n play to an extent, but you must spend some time installing it. You do not drill the dust caps, but you must thread a wire through the weather grommet between the two lights.

A great DIY write-up is in the FAQ. http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/DIY/hid_install.htm

3. I believe you must ask them for the kit.

My 4100K low beams integrate well with the OEM High beams. I don't see a need to go to HID highs.

I think you would be very happy with the Philips 4100K kit.

OK,

So the HID group buy got me really looking into this. I've decided not to participate because I want 'brand name' components and 4100K color temperature.

From what I can determine, HID-Online = Autolamps = all Philips.

So, my questions are:

Re Autolamps/HID Online:
1. The HID Online 9006 bulbs are rebased D2 bulbs. Does this cause a beam pattern issue? The JDM 97+ NSX's had HID, did they switch projector shape or just re-bulb? Google failed me, as I do not speak/read Japanese.

2. Has anyone recently installed the HID-Online / Autolamps kit? How plug and play is it? Do all the components fit into the headlight housing and plug together leaving an OEM look finished product that only requires dust cap modification?

3. I can't seem to find an NSX specific kit, just a 9006 kit. I am I missing something?

Re other solutions:
1. Does anyone have alternate suggestions for Bosch/Hella/Philips based solutions? I really am looking for maximum light output (~4100K) not the bling factor.

2. Does anyone have an alternate suggestion (including alternate bulbs or projectors)?

3. Bi-Xenon solutions seem almost completely unknown at this point. Anyone tried them?

Has anyone been in similar shoes? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[MJK]

Thanks Mike!

Any recommendation on who to contact at Autolamps?

 

[fangtl]

If you're after maximum light output, forget the plug and play kits and get yourself a set of OEM HID projectors and modify them into your car's headlight housing. It will not be plug and play, and probably will require a lot of manhours and dremeling but it'll definitely outperform aftermarket kits if done correctly.

 

[MJK]

If you're after maximum light output, forget the plug and play kits and get yourself a set of OEM HID projectors and modify them into your car's headlight housing. It will not be plug and play, and probably will require a lot of manhours and dremeling but it'll definitely outperform aftermarket kits if done correctly.

I noticed in my search that S2000 lights are quite popular for this purpose. Has anyone done this? I don't know how I could maintain an OEM look or the high beams within such a confined space. I want more light output and a correct beam, and am willing to buy another set of NSX lights to give it a try - if I can find someone who has done this before with reasonable success.

At a certain point, it just becomes more 'reasonable' to get the 02+ front conversion, MH/BYS, or otherwise highly different than stock 91-01 front end. I like the NSX the way it is, and am not willing to go that far. If on the other hand there is some sort of 'plug in basket' that can work, I am certainly game for a little DIY project.

As an example, can the JDM 97+ innards be put into a USDM light housing? Anyone tried something like this? Surely I am not the only anal freak who asked wondered.

 

[MJK]

I sent a note to HID-Online:

To: [email protected]
Subject: Question_from_the_HID_Website


Hello,


Do you still sell an NSX specific kit as described here: http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/DIY/hid_install.htm
I went through the vehicle selection process on your website, but could not tell if your 'standard' 9006 kit was the same as the NSX kit mentioned in the URL above.

Are the 'custom molded bases' indeed NSX specific? Does this base provide for a correct beam output with the stock 1994 projector housing? If they are still available, could you please send me your pricing for a 4100K kit?

Thanks and best regards,
Mark



I'll post the response when I get it.

 

[fangtl]

The fact of the matter is halogen projectors do not output HID light very well. HID projectors have optical lenses and reflectors that work specifically with HID lighting to provide a sharper cutoff and better available output of light when compared w/ halogen projectors. A search on eBay yielded a few Audi and BMW HID projectors (with bulbs and ballasts) on the auction block right now, most of them are less expensive than an aftermarket rebased kit.

The only things I see that might be difficult for this project would be the headlight disassembly/reassembly and the housing modifications. If you do decide to give this a shot please let us know how it turns out. Who knows, maybe certain projectors will fit with minimal modifications. I just don't have the cajones to find out, especially considering the cost of replacement NSX headlights/housings.

 

[MJK]

The fact of the matter is halogen projectors do not output HID light very well. HID projectors have optical lenses and reflectors that work specifically with HID lighting to provide a sharper cutoff and better available output of light when compared w/ halogen projectors. A search on eBay yielded a few Audi and BMW HID projectors (with bulbs and ballasts) on the auction block right now, most of them are less expensive than an aftermarket rebased kit.

I agree, but the question then becomes "Can you properly fit one of the projectors + bulb into the NSX housing, and secure it?"

To do it right, it should stay behind the glass for the OEM look, have some machined mounting mechanism, be weather proofed, have the ballast/ignitor mounted inside the headlight basket and also have the OEM face glass polished on the inside to be perfectly smooth.

There so many projector/ballasts combinations to try at a couple hundred each (s2000, E46, M/B, 350Z to name a few on ebay), not to mention the used NSX headlights at about $400/ea used, the machining, weather proofing, glass polishing and OEM clips/wiring.

I would absolutely LOVE to see a solution like that, but that this point I am not sure I have the time, facilities or money to devote to the development process.

I just don't have the cajones to find out, especially considering the cost of replacement NSX headlights/housings.

Ditto. That being said, I have money waiting on whomever gets to such a solution. If I didn't live in the middle of BFE, I think this would make a fairly interesting project with a few fellow freaks to help split the time and $$.

 

[mikec]

I disagree with you completly. The projectors on the NSX output HID light EXTREMELY well. How do I know? because my NSX with autolamps HID is every bit as bright with correct beam pattern as my 01 CL with factory HID. Please don't state your opinion as FACT. IT IS NOT!!!!

The fact of the matter is halogen projectors do not output HID light very well. HID projectors have optical lenses and reflectors that work specifically with HID lighting to provide a sharper cutoff and better available output of light when compared w/ halogen projectors. A search on eBay yielded a few Audi and BMW HID projectors (with bulbs and ballasts) on the auction block right now, most of them are less expensive than an aftermarket rebased kit.

The only things I see that might be difficult for this project would be the headlight disassembly/reassembly and the housing modifications. If you do decide to give this a shot please let us know how it turns out. Who knows, maybe certain projectors will fit with minimal modifications. I just don't have the cajones to find out, especially considering the cost of replacement NSX headlights/housings.

 

[MJK]

FYI, here is the Autolamps / HID-Online reponse:

Hello Mark
We do still offer a kit for the NSX there are a couple of differences
but essentially they are the same price as the standard kits, so if you
are interested you just need to order a standard kit and we will make
the necessary adjustments.


Thank you for choosing to visit HID-Online.com

Janet
Sales
HID-Online.com
Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 881961

Not a very detailed, but at least prompt.

I disagree with you completly. The projectors on the NSX output HID light EXTREMELY well. How do I know? because my NSX with autolamps HID is every bit as bright with correct beam pattern as my 01 CL with factory HID. Please don't state your opinion as FACT. IT IS NOT!!!!

We'll see. I am probably going to order an Autolamps kit. I'll try and post some pics of it installed vs my OEM HIDs on my 330Ci.

 

[fangtl]

I disagree with you completly. The projectors on the NSX output HID light EXTREMELY well. How do I know? because my NSX with autolamps HID is every bit as bright with correct beam pattern as my 01 CL with factory HID. Please don't state your opinion as FACT. IT IS NOT!!!!

Mike, it is a fact. Firstly, there's something fundamentally wrong with your comparison, you are comparing a projector setup on your NSX with a reflective setup on the TL/CL, two completely different optical properties.

Second, while I agree with you that the NSX projectors do an above average job as far as a halogen projectors go, they are not as good as an OEM HID projector. Visually, it may appear as bright as true HIDs, but the coverage output will be different. With a halogen projector and an aftermarket kit, you are getting roughly the same amount of coverage but with brighter/whiter light. With an OEM HID projector, you are getting additional coverage with more width and depth.

 

[MJK]

I've been digging a little more into this, mostly just for the sake of curiousity.

There is a very interesting ITR Projector retrofit here.

Also, an HID donor comparison list here

 

[supra2nv]

I have the Autolamps kit in my car and am very pleased with the results. I also had HID's on my Supra and was pleased with the kit. Most importantly, they back the product, and they have excellent customer service. I have dealt with Janet Beaven at Autolamps for a while now and I have not one complaint.

I will gladly post pictures of the beam pattern if you like. The beam pattern is not as sharp at BMW or Audi, but pretty darn close. You also get the cool color flicker similiar to BWM and Audi since the glass lens on our headlamps act like a prism. Let me know if you have any questions, and feel free to call me.

Jack


By the way, installation on the NSX is quite cumbersome, but very clean. No need the modify the dust cap. The only thing that gives away the non-stock look is the ballast which sits behind the headlights, but doesnt look bad at all.

 

[fangtl]

White94: If you are still interetsed, I found a place that would do custom retrofits for any headlight housing, the URL's http://www.hidtech.com/

For textured lenses, they charge $275 to retrofit a pair of HID projectors.

 

[MJK]

Thanks for the info! I think I am going to go with the Autolamps kit for now.

If I am not happy with the finished product, I'll probably try to build my own S2000 solution if I can find the parts at a decent cost. I have been doing some thinking, and have come up with a tentative plan that I think will probably work if I am not happy with round 1.

 

[odoyle]

I have also been considering a HID kit. After reading this thread and a few others I have decided against it. I then thought of replacing the stock halogen bulbs with a higher wattage hella bulb. Maybe up to 80/100. Has anyone done this? Will I have to be concerned about the stock wiring? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mikec]

I've gone that route before and been disappointed. With high wattage bulbs, don't expect to see more light that makes a difference. The most you will see is a color change depending on the bulb you use. Blue bulbs will actually put out less light and will NOT look like HID.... not even close. I've heard of stories about burned wiring, fried lamp sockets, and failed relays because of high wattage bulbs. I put 80/100 watt in my 928 and Subaru for a short time and did not have any trouble, but I didn't keep them in long. IMHO, the NSX has good light to start with. If you want the HID look and more importantly more useable light, then you won't be disappointed with a QUALITY HID kit. But, not all HID kits are equal. I know what the Autolamps kit is and how it performs and I recommend it without reservation. I'm sure there are other good kits out there as well. When looking at color temperature, you need to decide if you want blue color, or more light.... you can't have both. My priority was for more light and for that you want a 4100K bulb. As the color temperature goes up, the light gets more blue and then violet, but your eyes can see less of the available light.

I personally would never consider bastardizing my lights to retrofit a different mechanism. The factory HID lights offered in Japan are NOT an option because their beam pattern is for a right hand drive car that is meant to drive on the left side of the road.

Sorry for the ramble, but my advice is to let your lights stock if you don't install HID.

I have also been considering a HID kit. After reading this thread and a few others I have decided against it. I then thought of replacing the stock halogen bulbs with a higher wattage hella bulb. Maybe up to 80/100. Has anyone done this? Will I have to be concerned about the stock wiring? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[odoyle]

Mike
Thanks for the advice. I wasn't after a HID look. I wanted more visible light to see that deer lurking on the side of the road a little sooner. I don't want to risk wiring damage but was hoping for a little better performance from the stock halogen setup. Thanks.
Owen

 

[dawggpie]

if you want to run 100watt bulbs safely why don't you put together a relay setup similar to what a lot of the HID kits use? That way you can power the bulbs through a more capable wire connect to your battery. I had 100watts super white bulbs in my celica and they definitely produced more light than the regular non super white halogens. If you could find non blue tinted 100watt bulbs i'm sure u'd see an even more noticable improvement in light output.

 

[odoyle]

I think I am going to go with relays just to play it safe. Hopefully I'll end up with a noticable improvement over stock for alot less than the cost of an HID system. Thanks for the advice.

Owen