HID for less than $400 Part 2

[quaz]

So last fall I had assembled these:

Which looked OK, but the lighting pattern was really poor. The light provided was better than the H4s, but not what I would call acceptable. Over the winter the car has gone nowhere, so I didn't even get a chance to blind any other drivers ;-) Anyway, there were several other HID builds I followed and was impressed with the results. There are here:

My HID projector build up
Got Lights? New Custom HID Headlights Arrived
HID build,..

Great work everyone I think we have quite a few options on how to retrofit HIDs in our cars. So after studying those builds I was going to do the same with a set of bi-xenon HIDs. After searching "the retrofit source" I found the Morimoto Mini H4 drop in headlights. You can get them here: Bi-xenon: Morimoto Mini (D2S) - HID Projectors from The Retrofit Source Inc

The great thing is they are only 5 inches long and from base to top only 4 inches. Not to mention they drop right into an existing H4 socket. See where this is going yet? So I ordered them with a set of GTI shrouds (there are other choices).



Then I grabbed my old H4 buckets and disassembled them. You need to take them apart and remove the old internal shield. Like this:





Next remove all the fasteners from the HIDs, feed the shutter control wires through the city light hole and then fasten in the HID. Remember to put back all the gaskets where they were originally.






Once the HID is secure just reassemble the H4 bucket with the clear lens. No cutting, no painting, no sealer and at any time you can go back to original. :-)






Last I need to order ballasts and install them. Aiming should be exactly like stock and provide a perfect OE cutoff and pattern. Give me a week and I will post pictures of that.

Kevin

[quaz]

Couple more pics:

[GaryR]

Looks great Kevin, please assemble a list of all parts used and pricing for the rest of us when done!

[quaz]

So far if you already have H4 assemblies you would just need the following:
2x VW beetle/356 clear H4 lenses from web $8 each
1x Morimoto Mini D2S H4 kit with shrouds, ballasts and relays from TRS for $330
Total cost so far
$346

As I look at the pictures and think about this I am going to paint the H4 buckets with some fresh silver, but if your buckets are nice and clean you probably don't need to do this. I also just ordered my ballasts and bulbs with a relay kit. Should have it early next week and I can do the install and testing.

[81 911 SC]

Looks great. I wonder if there are some options for the later style I have in the 88 Carrera.

[lateapex911]

I wish those Morimotos were available a couple of years ago when I did my HID conversion. I fabbed it up in the same basic way with Audi bi zenon units. These look way slicker. less modding.

[quaz]

Tyler, I think you actually may be on to something. I was looking at the sealed H5 unit on the Carrera and it looks familiar. I suspect that may be the bucket Singer used on their HID conversion or at least what they used to make it. I bet if you remove the glass (heat it and separate it), mount a projector in the bucket, and then combine it with the H4 outer ring and glass it would look very similar to the Singer HID. If someone has one laying around they could take some measurements on I could tell you if it is possible.

[quaz]

I took the assemblies apart today and painted the buckets with a bright silver. I have to say I am really pleased with how they turned out. For the simplicity and cost this has to be the easiest solution.

I should have the ballasts and bulbs tomorrow.

[AlfonsoR]

Looks really good!!

[quaz]

Here are the last pics. I got them all wired up and working today. I am really happy with how they look and the pattern. I just need to set the height of them in the driveway sometime this week. Hope this helps someone out :-)

Low Beams


High Beams


Finished product

[mnewport]

So were these done with Porsche H4's or the VW H4 shells and Porsche trim rings?

[quaz]

Those were the porshe h4 buckets, but you could do the same with the vw buckets too. For the vw h4 assmbly you would just have to take the glass off of the internal lamp and just use the refector. Probably would look the same.

[paulgtr]

what are the ballasts and bulbs you are talking about? what about the relays?

[tazzieman]

Neat solution! Just don't paint eyelashes on a la Miura

[quaz]

Here is the complete kit with everything minus the clear vw lenses.

Bi-xenon Morimoto Mini Stage III Kit (D2S) - Complete Retrofit Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc

[paulgtr]

more silly questions, what are the ballasts? was the installation of the relays and the ballasts straight forward? I read in GSsmiths thread that the VW clear lenses were a little loose in the H4 shells. did you find that as well?
last question, is that kit the full set bar the clear lenses? that's a great deal! less than $300.00

[mikesride]

Did mine for under $200.00 my buckets already set up for h3 bulbs so it was just plug and play ballasts mounted inside trunk.
No problems with the police yet but in my jurisdiction it is actually illegal to have HID's that are not self leveling.

[quaz]

Paul, the ballasts are the circuitry that run the HID bulbs. If you follow the link I posted above you can see the picture of them. With the relay kit from TRC everything is plug and play. Everything you need is there. You just have to route all the cables and secure everything where you want it. The only modification to the car is the back of the headlight bucket needs to be cut out to clear the back of the bulb connector. I am still thinking through that one to come up with a nice clean solution for it. Follow one of the links of the other HID builds to see pictures of where the ballasts were mounted.

As for the lenses mine were tight and fit perfect. If they are loose they may need a new gasket.

[vulcan300]

I checked out the link on TRC for the retrofit kit but there are quite a few selections for each part of the kit. Which items did you pick from the list? The angel eyes look like they could be useful as running lights. Did you consider using them?

[quaz]

I picked the GTI-R shrouds, 5000K bulbs, and you need the H4/9003 relay kit. I didn't do the angel eyes because I thought it wouldn't look right on the car. The morimoto long D2S ballast cords would be nice, but they were out of stock on them. I used the standard length ones.