Ranger007

hi guys, this is my first post here. I own a 2008 Civic and find its headlights to be inadequate for my needs. I would like to upgrade to full HID / LEDs. As I understand the LED bulbs currently available even though plug and play, do not provide as much brightness and range as halogens, or do they? I'm also looking at switching to full projector type set up with HIDs. What's your consensus guys? Thanks in advance.

DaveSi677

If you want to do it right you need to get a retrofit done to your headlights.

So you could use like a TSX complete swap into your headlights.

If you need someone to do it for you or purchase an already done set contact woot woot on here. He can help you with that.

integra15

Just get the Morimoto mini projectors and the Denso ballasts from TRS. It is the most popular combo for a reason. Extremely reliable and bright. Not sure if Honda themselves could do much better.

vtecnique69

X3 on retrofit. I have PnP HIDs and they're garbage. Do it right, even if its a little more expensive.

vladd

Anybody here use LEDs for the regular headlight bulbs? Something like this: http://gtlightingusa.com/html/produc...-show-165.html

B serious

iTrader: (1)

Its refreshing to see people who prefer to not use PNP HID's. These days, you can pick up a set of busted TSX or S2000 lights for cheap. The retrofit is expensive, though.

OP....are your housings clean? My 8G has been sold...but I don't remember the lights being dim or anything. They were decent. I refinished my housings with sand paper. Looked crystal clear.

Ranger007

Thanks for the replies. The housing looks okay. It's just that I feel the light itself is not bright enough. I searched retrofit source. It is quite expensive, as you guys said the mini with morimoto should fit inside correctly. Would a used TSX light with projectors fit inside perfectly?
I understand there are newer LED bulbs which are bright. I put one in my fog light but they scatter too much to be really effective as a good headlight. The reflector housings are not made for the LEDs and their light I believe goes in different direction than regular filament bulbs.

vladd

I don't think you can compare foglight light distribution with headlight light distribution. They're supposed to be different.

Ranger007

So Vladd, you are saying that if I put LED light bulbs in the existing housing it will shine exactly like my original (I mean the range and focus, not the color or brightness)? If yes, then that might be a viable and cheaper option.

vladd

The pattern will be different than with standard halogen bulbs, but the feedback on them seems to be mostly positive on 8thcivic. I read through a long thread after I made my post here asking about them. Seems like a good compromise between $$$ for an HID retrofit and stock. I'm debating picking up a set.

The main issue seems to be that they're too right, so people having been aiming them down a little. My car is lowered (headlights already shine lower than they should), so that shouldn't be an issue.

Ranger007

Thanks. I would like to see some pictures of the light pattern (both before and after). Can you also post a link to the discussion which you mentioned?
I am actually more interested in the ability see better in darkness rather than cool looks (even though it wouldn't hurt to look better). Thanks.

B serious

iTrader: (1)

Retrofitting TSX/S2000 projectors is really the way you want to do it. I wouldn't bother putting LEDs or HIDs in the stock housing.

You'll lose twice. Too much light scatter to be an effective upgrade for you. Oncoming traffic won't think your car looks very good as it blinds them.

I used to keep a 30million candle power (not a typo) spotlight in my car for ******** and their shitty PNP HIDs. But...an eye for eye makes the world go blind.

Jk. The real reason I don't keep it in my car anymore is because the battery ruptured/leaked after it laid on its side too long. Brb with a new battery.

vladd

Hey, if you can't beat them, join them, right? I too hate people with plug and play hids, which is the main reason I'm hesitant to try the LEDs. I don't want shitty light output while blinding oncoming traffic. No way I'm paying for retrofits though; simply not worth it imo. I'd rather just keep the lights stock.

vladd

Look in the lighting forum on 8thcivic. I'm not doing ALL the work for you.

Ranger007

I appreciate what you're saying but I thought this was the forum for 8th civic. Are you saying some other website? I tried a website called lighting forum (as you mentioned, but it doesn't even mention auto headlights). Just point me in the right direction man. I'll do all the work myself. Cheers.

Ranger007

I think I got the website 8thcivic.com. Thanks for the information.

Ranger007

I looked at those LED upgrades. The only really good one was done on the Accord with projector headlamps. All others had quite a bit of glare and poor cut off lines. I'm thinking if I have to do projectors to get a decent output even with LEDs then why don't go all the way and do HIDs?

DaveSi677

ya just got some info on them at 8thcivic and from what I got as a response they are worst then stock.

Like I said earlier retrofit is the only way to go. TSX retrofit into 8th gen headlight!

vladd

Of course you're not going to get HID-quality lighting without using an HID projector. Even using a projector designed for halogen lights won't be as good. The idea with the LEDs is to have a stock (or similar) light pattern, but brighter.

Ranger007

Wait..You are saying that projector designed for halogen is different than that for HID...?
If so I have to take care to buy the projector set up designed only for HID.
I understand the use and appeal of LEDs in stock halogen housing, like I said before I have it in my fogs but I really want something better for the headlights (besides, the police in our place love to stop those headlamps with glare quickly).
For now I will keep looking for TSX projectors in the civic headlight.

vladd

Yes, halogen and HID projectors are different. For example, Integras have projectors, and plug and play HIDs still suck in them.

As for the LEDs, yeah, after doing more reading, they don't sound too great (at least the current bulbs out there). Maybe they'd get better if they added more LEDs along the "bulb", but smaller, or maybe just better positioning along the "bulb".

DaveSi677

Ya from what I've read too they have major flare issues... Just not worth it!

Ranger007

For LEDs to get the best light output, either the reflectors should be designed for them (such as in some MBs) or use a custom projector setup. In that case it might be even hard to distinguish them from HIDs. Without these they look just like ... well .... Rice.

vtecnique69

Theres a guy on the 8th civic fb page that does the morimoto mini projector conversions for under $500, which includes new (aftermarket) headlights. Its actually a pretty good deal considering the amount of work he puts into them. Even adds LEDs to the inside of the projector to give it a demon-eye look.

vladd

Got a link?