Automotive

Which cars are popular with HID-retrofits?

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  • Aug 13th, 2009 12:47 pm
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Sr. Member
Sep 18, 2006
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Which cars are popular with HID-retrofits?

Hello gearheads,

I'm trying to figure out whether or not to sell OEM-retrofit components, and I'm trying to crunch the numbers to see whether or not its worth the hassle.

Anyways, if you have a moment to squeeze your brain for any models/brands that are easy to retrofit, and thus, have a large backing and need for retrofitting parts.


Thanks for the help!

Best regards,
-G
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Jan 19, 2009
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Check out hidplanet

But it's mainly Honda enthusiast that retrofit
most common items used I would say

1. Tsx projector clear lense or s2000 projectors
2. Denso ballast and ignitors with Phillips 4300k bulbs
3. E46 or 43 shrouds
4. Custom harnesses
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Sep 2, 2006
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Dina_E wrote: Check out hidplanet

But it's mainly Honda enthusiast that retrofit
most common items used I would say

1. Tsx projector clear lense or s2000 projectors
2. Denso ballast and ignitors with Phillips 4300k bulbs
3. E46 or 43 shrouds
4. Custom harnesses
Honda civic and accord owners think it makes their cars look gerat. THe headlights look great, the rest of their junk cars (for the most part, some are beautiful) look crappy!

TSX projectors for sure, Scion tCs are very popular using the TSX projector.
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I like detailing cars!
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Jan 11, 2009
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BMWWW wrote: Hello gearheads,

I'm trying to figure out whether or not to sell OEM-retrofit components, and I'm trying to crunch the numbers to see whether or not its worth the hassle.

Anyways, if you have a moment to squeeze your brain for any models/brands that are easy to retrofit, and thus, have a large backing and need for retrofitting parts.


Thanks for the help!

Best regards,
-G
you got really big competition from "theretrofitsource" if u do decide to go down this path...they are already designing/making s2k replica projectors...i think ur pretty far behind in this race...but if u choose to do so then look at hidplanet...

everything u need to know is there...just check out the videos/pics thread there and u'll see the cars that are most retrofitted
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Jun 12, 2007
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BMWWW wrote: ....I'm trying to figure out whether or not to sell OEM-retrofit components, and I'm trying to crunch the numbers to see whether or not its worth the hassle....
The Chinese factories are starting to clone the popular OEM HID projectors, so I'm guessing that there will be very little future profit in supplying parts. The big dollars will be in doing the actual retrofits
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May 27, 2005
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you can get zkw for like 30 usd now.
Sr. Member
Sep 18, 2006
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boredstudent3 wrote: you got really big competition from "theretrofitsource" if u do decide to go down this path...they are already designing/making s2k replica projectors...i think ur pretty far behind in this race...but if u choose to do so then look at hidplanet...

everything u need to know is there...just check out the videos/pics thread there and u'll see the cars that are most retrofitted
Pricing should/could/would be lower then them.
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MATHEMATICS wrote: Bimmers + angel eyes.
it's not about the angel eyes anymore, those are so fugly...it's all about the audi led light bar now, that is so much better looking than the angel eye...
Deal Guru
Sep 2, 2008
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boredstudent3 wrote: it's not about the angel eyes anymore, those are so fugly...it's all about the audi led light bar now, that is so much better looking than the angel eye...

In a couple years that LED bar will look just as tacky as the angel eyes do now. Just wait till you start seeing them on 94 accords and 91 celica's. I'm sure theres some guy in his garage right now sticking on christmas lights to his headlights.
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May 5, 2005
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Everyone had lights, but BMW pioneered the "ancillary" look then Audi copied them.
Joe Zawinul
1932 - 2007
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Don't forget FX projectors. especially with clear lens/tsx lens. Bi-xenon plus a nice wide beam.

hey if you do sell i'm interested in a pair of OEM ballast and d2s 4300k bulbs
Sr. Member
Sep 18, 2006
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Look for me on maxbimmer and torontomazda3!



Have fun!
Here's a comparison of a Replica FX and an Oem S2000. Keeping the same environment with my other posts. Car is parked about 45ft from wall. Projectors used 35w D2S 85122+ (no Hg) bulb and matsushita ballast. Nikon D60 camera manual setting with ISO800, Aperture 1/4', and F6.3

In this comparison, both projectors are shown on the same wall at the same time. This gives a better comparison output than having each projector on at one time. Also, each projector will be tilted sideway so that it will not give advantage over the other, eg. as in the case of top vs bottom. Enjoy.

Here's the top-and-bottom comparison. The bottom projector always appear better and brighter. I swapped position on each projector so there's no advantage of one over the other.

Replica FX (top) vs. Oem S2K (bottom)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1961h.jpg[/IMG]

Replica FX (bottom) vs. Oem S2K (top)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1952h.jpg[/IMG]

Replica FX (top) vs. Oem S2K (bottom)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1965h.jpg[/IMG]

Replica FX (bottom) vs. Oem S2K (top)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1955h.jpg[/IMG]

Replica FX (top) vs. Oem S2K (bottom)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1967h.jpg[/IMG]

Replica FX (bottom) vs. Oem S2K (top)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1957h.jpg[/IMG]


Here are the Side-By-Side comparison. This method is a better comparsion.

Replica FX (left) vs. Oem S2K (right)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1935h.jpg[/IMG]

Replica FX (bottom) vs. Oem S2K (top)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1943h.jpg[/IMG]

Replica FX (left) vs. Oem S2K (right)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1939h.jpg[/IMG]

Replica FX (bottom) vs. Oem S2K (top)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1946h.jpg[/IMG]
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continued!
Replica FX (left) vs. Oem S2K (right)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1940h.jpg[/IMG]

Replica FX (bottom) vs. Oem S2K (top)

[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1947h.jpg[/IMG]

The oem S2K is a lot wider than the replica FX. It also has more intensity along the sides. However, the replica has an even intensity along the side from top to bottom whereas the S2K is intense just below the cutoff line. Personally, I like that thin intense streak of light on the S2K. Both projectors are equally sharp. The S2K has a better intense spread in the center. The replica FX has more blue in the center. The s2k softened on the upper left side, a common signature.

Please, do not rely on these pics to come to any conclusion. When you deal with mods, lens swapping, and custom shields, the results will be different for different retrofitters. S2Ks are different from year to year. I have my own preferences and not promoting any projector over the other. Lastly, do you own testing to come to your final answer. More to come (modded s2k vs ...)
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Big thanks to JVX!
Here's a comparison of a replica FX clear lens against an Oem TL with ZKW clear lens. Keeping the same environment with my other posts. Car is parked about 45ft from wall. Projectors used 35w D2S 85122+ (no Hg) bulb and matsushita ballast. Nikon D60 camera manual setting with ISO800, Aperture 1/4', and F6.3

In this comparison, both projectors are shown on the same wall at the same time. This gives a better comparison output than having each projector on at one time. Also, each projector will be tilted sideway so that it will not give advantage over the other, eg. as in the case of top vs bottom. Enjoy.

R-FX (top) vs. TL+zkw (bottom)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1921h.jpg[/IMG]

R-FX (bottom) vs. TL+zkw (top)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1930h.jpg[/IMG]

R-FX (top) vs. TL+zkw (bottom)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1922h.jpg[/IMG]

R-FX (bottom) vs. TL+zkw (top)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1931h.jpg[/IMG]

R-FX (top) vs. TL+zkw (bottom)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1923h.jpg[/IMG]

R-FX (bottom) vs. TL+zkw (top)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1932h.jpg[/IMG]

Now onto the Side-By-Side Comparison

R-FX (left) vs. TL+zkw (right)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1906h.jpg[/IMG]

R-FX (right) vs. TL+zkw (left)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1916h.jpg[/IMG]

R-FX (left) vs. TL+zkw (right)
[IMG]http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ ... _1909h.jpg[/IMG]

JVX's Note. In person, the TL+zkw is sharper but bow downward on the side. The replica FX is evenly straight across and has better intensity below the cutoff along sides. Both projectors are equally wide. Also, do not rely on these pics to come to any conclusion. When you deal with mods, lens swapping, and custom shields, the results will be different for different retrofitters. I have my own preferences and not promoting any projector over the other. I'm doing this for the love of HID.
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