1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

HID install on the SE - HIDextra.com

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Old 12-05-09 | 01:30 AM
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HID install on the SE - HIDextra.com

Thanks to HIDextra for the great pricing for rx7club members. I picked up the H4 kit with the xenon lows and halogen highs. I figured how often do I use the highs? Not enough...I can save some cash...why not. I picked the 6000K bulbs.

The kit is pretty self explanatory and pretty much PnP. You may have to fiddle around a bit with is a couple times but it all worked out.





almost done...testing and re testing..and test one more time...



DONE!



I am pleased...but man they are BRIGHT! Maybe too bright? Who knows....but yes I am happy. Def not "period correct" but a nice upgrade and hey I can say it was done for safety sake right?



Old 12-05-09 | 01:41 AM
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you might want to rewire those through a relay and not the stock wiring. a lot of people have problems burning up there headlight harnesses since the ballast's require a higher current. i like the look of the hid's, but they blind the hell out of oncoming traffic, so i'm kind of against them if they aren't retrofitted into projectors.
Old 12-05-09 | 01:44 AM
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Done for safety's sake? You're about to blind any and all oncoming traffic You may want a cut off and some type of relay to tone that down.
Old 12-05-09 | 01:46 AM
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so what all did you buy to use them?
Old 12-05-09 | 01:58 AM
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i need these now!
Old 12-05-09 | 02:18 AM
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Well...as for the blinding I had to adjust the beams because yes they were pointed a little high. So I have them cranked as low as possible but I can see where they may still be blinding.

Also my car is lowered too...so that will help in not offending most peeps.

My buddy that did the install said the kit was pretty clean and easy and "should not" need an extra relay. The only other safety thing is maybe extra insulation on the wire...but so far so good.
Old 12-05-09 | 02:22 AM
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Originally Posted by thunkrd
so what all did you buy to use them?
You just have to replace your sealed beams with the HELLA H4 conversion lenses.

Then you pick up the H4 kit from HIDExtra and pick the type you want and color bulb. That is pretty much it.
Old 12-05-09 | 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by AsianImage
I am pleased...but man they are BRIGHT! Maybe too bright? Who knows....but yes I am happy. Def not "period correct" but a nice upgrade and hey I can say it was done for safety sake right?
Just wanted to say thanks on behalf of all the other motorists on the road for blinding us.
Old 12-05-09 | 10:53 AM
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HIDs look nice my friend has them in his mini van he had so many problems and had to replace them 5 times i was thinking of it but i rather run something better that i know will not cost me alot if they dont work.
Old 12-05-09 | 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Sgt Fox
Just wanted to say thanks on behalf of all the other motorists on the road for blinding us.
Well I am not going to argue or justify the HID install...and I will admit they MAY blind some "other motorists" but I truly believe I did my best to help the situation. I have aimed the beams down as low as the adjustment screw will allow and as I said my car is LOWER than most vehicles on the road as it is. So what else can I do as a good motorist? I made sure I re-aimed my lights as low as possible and my car is already low.

Truth be told, driving a lowered car I have had more than my fair share of being blinded by other people.

Who you should be pissed off at are the jack holes that drive super lifted trucks or escalades etc that have even BRIGHTER lights...Xenon headlights AND foglights those blind about 90% of motorists compared to mine.
Old 12-05-09 | 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by AsianImage
Who you should be pissed off at are the jack holes that drive super lifted trucks or escalades etc that have even BRIGHTER lights...Xenon headlights AND foglights those blind about 90% of motorists compared to mine.
We don't descriminate. We hate them too. But being lower only helps on a perfectly flat road...
Old 12-05-09 | 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by AsianImage
Well I am not going to argue or justify the HID install...and I will admit they MAY blind some "other motorists" but I truly believe I did my best to help the situation. I have aimed the beams down as low as the adjustment screw will allow and as I said my car is LOWER than most vehicles on the road as it is. So what else can I do as a good motorist? I made sure I re-aimed my lights as low as possible and my car is already low.
Its not so much how low you have your lights aimed, but more the beam pattern that is cast. Putting a HID bulb in a housing that is not designed for one creates a significantly different beam of light than that of a halogen bulb. Factory HID projectors focus the light and cast it in such a way to minimize glare to oncoming traffic. Even with Hella E-code housings, which have a cutoff very effective for a halogen bulb are no good. You will still get massive amounts of glare.

The best solution to old sealed beams are a Cibie or Hella e-code housing, along with a high quality halogen bulb. A high output relay harness can also help with voltage drops due to old dirty stock headlamp switches.

If someone wants to read more, Daniel Stern has written some technical articles on HIDs and HID retrofit kits.

Daniel Stern on HID retrofit kits


Daniel Stern on disadvantages of HID

Remember, even though you can now see them, do you really want a blind oncoming driver near you? I know I personally wouldn't trust another driver to be competent enough to avoid me.
Old 12-06-09 | 12:51 AM
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has anyone had experience with either of these retro fits.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983-...item2c50c62123


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-...item335817be59
Old 12-06-09 | 01:50 AM
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Originally Posted by teenwolf1393
Those cheap eBay lenses are rubbish. Plastic lens and reflector with poor paint on the reflective surface. Back in the day I bought a set of eBay lenses, horrid light pattern. Those "projector" style ones are not designed to work as HID projectors, if that is what you are thinking.

Get yourself a set of Cibie or Hella e-code lenses. Glass lens with a proper metal reflector. http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=739
Old 12-06-09 | 02:42 AM
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Can you post more pictures as to where you sat the HID connector near the headlight housings? Wanna see if yours is like mine (: .. I just purchased a new kit from the same company but haven't installed them yet. My current kit which is 8000k does work perfectly fine with the stock wiring, no relay was needed. I do have an upgraded alternator though.
Old 12-06-09 | 04:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Kerebrus
Can you post more pictures as to where you sat the HID connector near the headlight housings? Wanna see if yours is like mine (: .. I just purchased a new kit from the same company but haven't installed them yet. My current kit which is 8000k does work perfectly fine with the stock wiring, no relay was needed. I do have an upgraded alternator though.
I did not take pics of the install...but I need to adjust it...so I will snap some. On the pass side we ran the ballast through and mounted on the firewall. On the driver side, it is in the light housing, I think we are going to move it as well.
Old 12-06-09 | 04:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Sgt Fox
Its not so much how low you have your lights aimed, but more the beam pattern that is cast. Putting a HID bulb in a housing that is not designed for one creates a significantly different beam of light than that of a halogen bulb. Factory HID projectors focus the light and cast it in such a way to minimize glare to oncoming traffic. Even with Hella E-code housings, which have a cutoff very effective for a halogen bulb are no good. You will still get massive amounts of glare.

The best solution to old sealed beams are a Cibie or Hella e-code housing, along with a high quality halogen bulb. A high output relay harness can also help with voltage drops due to old dirty stock headlamp switches.

If someone wants to read more, Daniel Stern has written some technical articles on HIDs and HID retrofit kits.

Daniel Stern on HID retrofit kits


Daniel Stern on disadvantages of HID

Remember, even though you can now see them, do you really want a blind oncoming driver near you? I know I personally wouldn't trust another driver to be competent enough to avoid me.


Fox...I know what you are saying is true. All I am saying I tried to minimize the "offensiveness' of the HIDs.

But tonight..I was convinced this was a GREAT MOD. Those familiar with So Cal...I live in Pasadena and I had dinner with friends out in Santa Clarita...so I took the 210 West to the 14 North. Tonight driving home around 1AM...the long clean stretch of DARK freeway was perfectly lit. It was a literal night and day difference from my old H4 halogens. I also tried to pay attention to whatever car I was behind to see if my lights were indeed blinding them or even hitting the mirror...i would say it was NOT. Oncoming traffic I could care less about as I was not driving in the fast lane and there was a significant cement wall between us..so too bad for them. All I can say is the long drive tonight on the long open and usually dark freeway convinced me...the HIDs were a good mod. Everything was crystal clear on the road. IMO..it was totally worth it.
Old 12-06-09 | 11:35 AM
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I hate it when trucks/SUVs get right on your *** at a light and their headlights are right in your eyes.

Makes me want this kit.
Old 12-06-09 | 11:52 AM
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^I just aim my rearview mirror up. they usually back off...
Old 12-06-09 | 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeezus
I hate it when trucks/SUVs get right on your *** at a light and their headlights are right in your eyes.

Makes me want this kit.
Yeah, but, that's true of ANY vehicle coming up behind you while you are driving an FB. I have an 2003 Silverado, stock height, with aftermarket HID's ADJUSTED PROPERLY and I have been in front of it while driving my FB and I was not blinded any more than any other vehicle. When they are behind you, flip your mirror to the dim position like you are suppose to do, and while I was approching my truck from the opposite direction I noticed the brightness compared to other vehicles, but, neither I, nor anyone around me appeared to be bothered by the lights on my vehicle while it was coming toward us.

I agree that is is a good mod when done properly.
Old 12-06-09 | 06:28 PM
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with over 20 years of law enforcement experience, what you have is illegal. If I ever see you in my neighborhood, I will give you a ticket and search your car immediately

Originally Posted by AsianImage
Fox...I know what you are saying is true. All I am saying I tried to minimize the "offensiveness' of the HIDs.

But tonight..I was convinced this was a GREAT MOD. Those familiar with So Cal...I live in Pasadena and I had dinner with friends out in Santa Clarita...so I took the 210 West to the 14 North. Tonight driving home around 1AM...the long clean stretch of DARK freeway was perfectly lit. It was a literal night and day difference from my old H4 halogens. I also tried to pay attention to whatever car I was behind to see if my lights were indeed blinding them or even hitting the mirror...i would say it was NOT. Oncoming traffic I could care less about as I was not driving in the fast lane and there was a significant cement wall between us..so too bad for them. All I can say is the long drive tonight on the long open and usually dark freeway convinced me...the HIDs were a good mod. Everything was crystal clear on the road. IMO..it was totally worth it.
Old 12-06-09 | 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by wackyracer
with over 20 years of law enforcement experience, what you have is illegal. If I ever see you in my neighborhood, I will give you a ticket and search your car immediately
Me too wacky! See if you can catch me (:
Old 12-06-09 | 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Kerebrus
Me too wacky! See if you can catch me (:

its not hard to catch up to your slow *** FB
Old 12-07-09 | 12:30 AM
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Originally Posted by wackyracer
its not hard to catch up to your slow *** FB
Old 12-07-09 | 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by wackyracer
with over 20 years of law enforcement experience, what you have is illegal. If I ever see you in my neighborhood, I will give you a ticket and search your car immediately
Where do you live? I will make a drive by!


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