For you guys with the base model:

I was debating for a long time whether or not I should do an HID conversion on my base Z. There wasn't many resources on the Z conversion so I had to contact a couple folks who've done it...and winged it myself.

I'd like to thank Tim and John from Importhookup for promptly sending me this Brightstar 5000k kit. I was literally reading the email receipt when I heard the diesel sound of the UPS truck pull up!

I also want to thank one of our members: dave079 for giving so many helpful tips and reccomendations on the installation process.

I spent a few hours installing it last night (took my sweet time). Heres some quick and rough pics of the color diff. between halogen and 5000k. The pics definitely don't do the intensity ANY justice but i'm sure it's a worthy color comparison.

I'll post more pics of the HID's when I get the chance to re-adjust the level. Hope I help you guys some...and if anyone needs any help on install...PM me...
dave079 knows alot too...he's more than happy to offer his experience! Once again thanks dave.

Now I need some sleep!

 

Nice work man!

It's too bad that my kit is just a tad bit more difficult to install than yours (that is after reviewing importhookup's Web site). I have to connect one of my wires to a 12V battery and the other to ground. It's just as well since I haven't had the time to go and install them yet.

Did you have to drill holes into the caps that go behind the headlight?

 

I recall reading about someone connecting theirs to a 12v battery and to ground awhile back. All the mixed methods and procedures sort of discouraged me from doing the install but importhookup's site insisted that their kit was straight "plug and play".

I ended up drilling a small hole and letting the wires run through the cap and sealed the gaps up with some 3m weatherstrip adhesive.

Good luck on your install...and tip: get all your tools together BEFORE operating! My impatient *** spent a ridiculous amount of time looking for the right bits and wrenches to mount the ballasts.

 

How much would a set of the stock headlights off an enthusiast go for? They have damaged outershells but they should still be worth something. I need to get an idea on how much they are worth. ( I actually have 2 passenger side and 1 drivers side light. All of them have scraped outer plastic shells )

I do not mean to take the thread, just thought it was a good time to ask.

 

Check your PM.

 

 

Hi Tuan,

Thanks for posting the great review and pictures, we are glad that you really like your kit

Tim

 

Can you post a picture of the beam pattern against a wall? TIA!

 

Will do...as soon as I can find a 14 inch philips screw driver to adjust the level against the wall I'll post up the pic too. Theres too much high relief on my garage door so i have to find a decent flat/smooth wall to do this.

 

So what can us base model owners expect to pay roughly during this conversion?

 

PM sent

 

base model doesnt come with HID stock? rather an optional?!?! that sux!!! i never knew that, i thought they all comes with HID... hmmm!!!

 

Hahah tell me about! You get what you pay for though....you definitely don't get what you don't pay for!

 

ditto?

 

around $400

 

I am not that mechanically adept. Are there any shops any of you guys can recommend that would install these in southern California?

 

Seriously bro,

I was in the same mindstate as you...looking for a place that could do this for me because I didn't want to have anything to do with the car's lighting system.
But it is VERY easy to do since the kit plugs up with corresponding female/male plugs. Even if you WANTED to plug this thing up wrong and have something screw up ..the way the kit is setup, you couldn't do it. It's very hard to screw up.

The only major part is jacking your car up (like fixing a flat) with the jack that comes with your car...and taking out the screws (aprrox 5 big screws) in your wheel well. (something you'll have to eventually do when your Halogens burn out in the future anyway)

The rest is plug in ...the HID bulb goes exactly where the Halogen bulb would go, the whole kit plugs up according to instructions, and you use the wire/ power source that was connected to the halogen. Turn on your lights and there you go.

You just have to find out where you want to mount your ballasts and ignitors. When you get inside your car you'll see random metal brackets ..as if the there was already a home for the HID kit. Then you mount it on anyway you want as long as it's stable and relatively suspended from hot spots or heated panels.

 

So the kit comes with petty detailed instructions?