n3985's Lighting Evolution Worklog Begins....
12-22-2006, 02:52 PM
#41
Today I started to widen the projector bracket hole to accept the TSX projectors, here is a tip for future retrofitters:
You + Dremel + time needed = gf or wife extremely mad...make sure to do it over break or when they are at work.
You + Dremel + time needed = gf or wife extremely mad...make sure to do it over break or when they are at work.
12-22-2006, 05:52 PM
#42
Originally Posted by nycspudz03
Make sure to do your cutting in a well ventilated area...And where a safety mask along with some goggles. You dont wanna inhale that stuff. Trust me
I know the neighbors had to wonder what the h3ll I was doing to a headlight on the patio wearing swim goggles and a face mask.
12-22-2006, 06:49 PM
#43
One bracket is now done, took about 4 hours of sanding and cutting, time to go buy bolts and nuts to hold everything together!
Here is how I did it, excuse the non-scientific and rudimentary method, but it is my first retrofit
First I copied the stock hole size onto cardboard
Compare it with TSX
New line drawn out for the TSX needed size hole
Copy this to a new piece and cut out
Here is how I did it, excuse the non-scientific and rudimentary method, but it is my first retrofit
First I copied the stock hole size onto cardboard
Compare it with TSX
New line drawn out for the TSX needed size hole
Copy this to a new piece and cut out
12-23-2006, 09:28 AM
#45
What's good all? Here I am with my 99 I30 and looking to retrofit. But of course I'm stupid and don't know where to get any of the products I need. I do know that I am getting the R34 Lamps from EBAY. For the the Projectors, I am also thinking either the TSX or some 9three Saab. Not sure yet. Would any of you have a parts list and a step by step guildline that would help me out?
12-23-2006, 03:17 PM
#46
Originally Posted by I30FlyHigh
What's good all? Here I am with my 99 I30 and looking to retrofit. But of course I'm stupid and don't know where to get any of the products I need. I do know that I am getting the R34 Lamps from EBAY. For the the Projectors, I am also thinking either the TSX or some 9three Saab. Not sure yet. Would any of you have a parts list and a step by step guildline that would help me out?
Best thing I can advise is to do a LOT of reading at www.hidplanet.com/forums (and I mean A LOT OF READING) and then ask questions.
It'll make a lot more sense once you have seen a bunch of retros and have a little bit of background to ask questions from.
12-27-2006, 10:13 AM
#49
Here is one 90% completed headlight, have not sealed it yet
Side shot of the new bolts holding the TSX onto the bracket
Shot of the back
And what it should look like completed
But as you can see, I installed the projector too far back, will need to adjust the bolts
Side shot of the new bolts holding the TSX onto the bracket
Shot of the back
And what it should look like completed
But as you can see, I installed the projector too far back, will need to adjust the bolts
12-27-2006, 02:40 PM
#53
Great work! Lucky for you the design of the bracket allowed for the width of the TSX projector. The bracket for mine would have offset the projector causing it to not fit in the shroud when reassembled. You're going to have the best looking set of headlights among I30/I35s.
12-27-2006, 03:01 PM
#54
Final TSX output pics, no more modding, I am sticking with this result (20ft wall shot):
3 #8 washers per nipple, good amount of color for me and not too much flare or reduced cutoff sharpness.
3 #8 washers per nipple, good amount of color for me and not too much flare or reduced cutoff sharpness.
12-28-2006, 07:26 AM
#56
Awesome light output and cutoff! Whats up with the wave in the cutoff line though? I've noticed that on many other projector lights as well. Is it supposed to be that way? Not trying to be critical...just something I was wondering.
12-28-2006, 01:26 PM
#59
Man, I'm impressed with the progress. I haven't gotten any further than the pics I posted above. Hell, as it is, I'm posting from a Panera outside of St. Louis. I can't wait to get back home 
Have you done your final aiming on the car yet?
Have you done your final aiming on the car yet?
12-28-2006, 01:44 PM
#60
Nope, I am now done mounting both projectors onto the bracket. I will then send the headlight without sealing it back to Indiana, there I will do final aiming on my car and then seal everything.
12-29-2006, 07:37 PM
#61
Here are the last pics I'll have before I go back to Indiana and install them on my car.
Both projectors mounted
Closeup of the newly finished passenger headlight
And to keep it as factory as possible, I soldered on a wire for the projector ground.
Both projectors mounted
Closeup of the newly finished passenger headlight
And to keep it as factory as possible, I soldered on a wire for the projector ground.
01-10-2007, 10:43 PM
#67
Originally Posted by n3985
School has started but a long weekend is coming , just pray for me that the horizontal alignment is right, or else all sorts of more sanding and cutting is going to happen
, just pray for me that the horizontal alignment is right, or else all sorts of more sanding and cutting is going to happen
01-18-2007, 12:24 AM
#73
Rain all last weekend, things to do this weekend. So I'll probably just borrow a friend's garage one of these days. Once I get the horizontal aiming down, everything will be done in a couple of days.
01-18-2007, 09:02 AM
#74
Originally Posted by n3985
Rain all last weekend, things to do this weekend. So I'll probably just borrow a friend's garage one of these days. Once I get the horizontal aiming down, everything will be done in a couple of days.
01-18-2007, 09:12 AM
#75
G37S > I35 > UR Max
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: (P)ure (G)arbage, MD
Posts: 899
Originally Posted by clayman88
So.....what are you planning to charge for this type of work going forward?
01-19-2007, 09:13 AM
#77
Originally Posted by n3985
Step by step? Was the worklog not detailed enough?
As for charging, I'm not experienced enough to handle someone else's headlights. But pro retrofitters charge $400-1200.
As for charging, I'm not experienced enough to handle someone else's headlights. But pro retrofitters charge $400-1200.
01-19-2007, 11:00 AM
#79
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,860
I think 2-3 hours is a bit conservative, especially considering the work shown over the last few pages of this thread.
Anyway, awesome work on the projectors n3985! Everything looks great so far. Good luck with mounting and aiming... And be sure to post LOTS of pics!
Anyway, awesome work on the projectors n3985! Everything looks great so far. Good luck with mounting and aiming... And be sure to post LOTS of pics!
01-19-2007, 01:18 PM
#80
Originally Posted by StL I30
This shouldn't cost anyone more than about $125-200 for a projector swap because that's all it is. This isn't a "real" retrofit. I can't see it taking any longer than 2-3 hours.
The longest/hardest part of this will be putting it on the car (and hoping everything lines up right). And I think he's using some different ballasts, so I'll be interested in seeing where he decides to mount those.