350z4realz

iTrader: (8)

Hello,

I was just getting tired of my sorry so called stock HID headlights on the 350z. They are barely any brighter then other car's halogen lights, so I set fourth to find a better solution. I recently read up on HID projector reftro-fits. I figured I would give it a try and here is my accomplishment. Take a look and let me know what you all think.

Thanks

VN_350z

iTrader: (3)

what's wrong with you hood?
how come there is a big hole in the middle?

350z4realz

iTrader: (8)

it's a carbon fiber hoold. Seibon made it like that. The hole is for better air flow I guess...

mr. sparco

iTrader: (13)

Looks good, probably performs 10xs better. Only thing I don't like is the black shroud.

350z4realz

iTrader: (8)

I was going to blackout the inside housing, but changed my mind as I was putting back together. It does perform much, much better.

ZKansasZ

iTrader: (10)

it could have done better. If up to me I would rather rock the stock OEM. This retro is out of place unless you get some good shroud to cover the projector and do something more...
But then again, to each his own!

350z4realz

iTrader: (8)

That's the whole reason to do the retro-fit, because the stock semi projector/reflector style HID headlights that I had were not bright at all... These new ones are like 4 times brighter and way wider too.
I just need some feedback on the looks. I want to get ideas on making them look a little better.
Thanks

Biochem7

iTrader: (8)

what kind of projectors?

mw9

iTrader: (51)

Yeah, can you give us a DIY and a part list. I really need to do this to my 03

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

It's hard to tell from your pics how much (if any) better the HIDs you have are over the OEM ones. Perhaps some nighttime comparison shots with another Z would be the best way to show this.

350z4realz

iTrader: (8)

These are Bi-Xenon (Hi and Low Beam in one) projectors from an E46 BMW.
They are not the best ones, but definitely much better than before.

350z4realz

iTrader: (8)

If you have factory HID headlights already, they will be much easier to retro-fit and all you really need are:

1- Bi-xenon projectors (I recommend these as you might not be able to perfectly level the low beams with your factory high beams, so an all in one will be much easier)
2- Dremel with those sideways wood cutting drill bits (not sure what they are really called)
3- A bag of #10-32 x 1" screws and bolts
4- #10 lock washers
5- Thread lock liquid

Of course each application is different depending on which projectors you choose.

I started by removing the headlights off of the car and removing all screws, wires, plugs, etc. Then baked them in the oven (refer to the oven baking method of taking the headlights apart). Once they were taken apart, here is where the fun began. I removed the factory projector lens (held on by two screws), one will need a phillips tip on a 6mm socket because of the tight space. You will notice there are two mounting holes where the factory projector was mounted. Once the lens is removed, use the dremel and start cutting away the reflective part where the d2r bulb used to sit between the two mounting holes I mentioned earlier down to the part where the highbeam bulbs. Of course this cutting might differ from the projector lens you will use. Hopefully you do not cut off too much and make everything look neat and clean to place the new HID projector lens in it's new resting place.
The reason I chose the E46 BMW projectors were because they mount straight up to the mounting holes of the factory projectors. Use the mentioned screws, bolts, and lock washers to secure the new HID projectors in place. Use some of thread lock liquid to make sure the bolts do not come loose in the future. Once in place, you can make sure the high beam solenoids have enough room to operate.
I could not find any shrouds that I liked so I make some of my own. I did this by cutting two pieces of copper sheets to (not sure of the exact measurement) 3" x 7" and painted both sides black. You have to put the shrouds because these HID projectors are not completely enclosed so light will be bouncing around everywhere.
At this time you have the choice of taking the HID projectors out and blacking out the housing or put the projectors back together using the baking method and silicone.
Test them and hopefully everything works fine. By the way, they should be adjustable with the factory adjusters if you did everything right.
I hope this helps and unfortunately I didn't have my camera that day. It would've been much easier to understand what I am talking about.
Don't be scared and you will love the outcome of your new project.
I do...

350z4realz

iTrader: (8)

If anyone is in the Delray Beach area with 03-05 factory HID to do a night comparison shot. I be glad to post up some pictures to help out.

redlude97

iTrader: (11)

Ehh, the shroud/bezel could def. use alot of work, and I wouldn't have used e46 projectors which are near the bottom rung in terms of OEM HID projectors

350z4realz

iTrader: (8)

which HID projectors do you recommend?

redlude97

iTrader: (11)

For bixenon, TL/G35/FX/Porsches/E55's/muranos, all these are superior to the e46's

ZKansasZ

iTrader: (10)

even the TSX single xenon projector would be better choice for the money. adding a washer mod would definitely create a blue cut off line! The E46 projector is an ok one.

Since you would like feedback on the the look, it definitely need a nice pair of bezels to the touch. E46 bixenon bezel would be a nice choice. You can even do a home make bezel, too!

mw9

iTrader: (51)

what about the wiring? Is this a plug n play or do have to figure out the wires. Thanks for all the info. I was also wondering if I could buy some non-hid headlights off ebay and retro-fit the projectors in there, just so I could leave my lights on while I worked on this project.

kinetikz

iTrader: (1)

Any pics of the cut-off?

350z4realz

iTrader: (8)

I might have to look into those bi-xenon projectors and see how much of a difference they are.