Ok...Ok....I know I'm going to get abused for bringing up this topic...but I HAVE read through previous threads, researched online and I am STILL confused. Here is what I would like to know. I recently purchased the "angel-eye" replacement headlight housing for my 2000 (as pictured here):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2440714600

Before putting them on, I want to purchase a HID conversion kit. I am looking at getting a "Bi-Xenon" kit which would allow me to maintain Hi/Lo beam functions. Now...to my questions....

1) Which bulb is the correct fit for the 2000 I30? I have seen 9004 and 9006 in different places.

2) Does anyone have a specific recommendation on a brand? (I have been told that Philips and Hella kits are top of the line)

3) I also want to do a fog light conversion to HID...anyone know where I can find the right kit? From what I can find online....the fog light is a H3 bulb (not sure how right that is...anyone know for sure?).

Sorry for ressurecting this topic.....Thanks in advance for the help!

 

There are a lot of things you need to know here.

First, I'm going to assume your I30 is just and I30, and not a 't' model, thus you have halogen headlamps already.

If you're going to purchase a HID retrofit kit, then you're going to need to get a 9006 kit. That is the size of the bulb for the low-beam on that headlamp, and thus the retrofit kit size you'll need. You do NOT need a Bi-Xenon kit - the headlamp already has high beams (that would be the 9005 bulbs - they reside in the reflectors closest to the middle of the car).

Now, to answer your questions:

1) Well, as stated above, the low-beam is a 9006, so get the 9006 kit.
2) Hella nor Phillips make HID "kits." They only sell HID components such as bulbs and ballasts. In a kit, the only unmodified part you'd get from one of these companies would be the ballasts. The bulbs bases HAVE to be modified from D2S or D2R to your 9006 size. Also note - HID kits are now illegal to sell in the United States, so that will limit your options on where to get them from. I *highly* recommend http://www.autolamps-online.com. They use genuine phillips bulbs, create specifically molded bases for their retrofits, and include proper wiring harnesses for setup. The customer service is also top notch.
3) Personally, I think unless you want it just for looks, a HID foglight conversion is lunacy. Foglights aren't meant to shoot light very far - also - the H3 bulb setup makes it very hard to get a good beam pattern out of a HID retro. If I can recall correctly I believe the H3 bulb has a transverse filament which makes arc placement of the HID retrofit capsule not exactly perfect. In addition, the blue/white light from the HID isn't ideal for the weather foglights are meant to be used in - notably, fog, rain, and snow. The blue-shifted light promotes light scatter.

Finally, if you're going the HID retrofit route, I HIGHLY recommend you look through this site, particularly the "Headlamp HID Upgrade> General FAQ" section:

http://faq.auto.light.tripod.com/

 

I did a HID retrofit to my SAAB using a kit from proxenon.com. They have kits from Boehman who makes kits speceficaly for retrofit applications instead of using components from various makers. The bulbs they use are not modified from D2S, they are actually assembled with the correct base. Instalation was literally 10-15 minutes. Their product looks and feels quality and I will be purchasing another kit soon for my I30.