First off, I apologize if this is posted in the incorrect forum, as I couldn't post anywhere that I felt it was more relevant.

I have had this setup for a looooong time now, and I'm ready to do a "half-retro" swap. I have aftermarket double projector housings, and an X5 HID conversion kit with H3 bulbs. What I would like to do is swap true HID projectors into the housings, and fit the X5 kit ballasts to some D2S adapters so I can use the D2S bulbs. I am also curious whether I could modify my halogen projectors to work like an HID projector. The issues with that would be placement of the bulb in the projector, the type of lense in my existing projector, and the sheild, which is the step type cut-off. The fog light projectors in the housings have a nice flat cut-off, but I would prefer to use the original low-beam projectors for the HIDs.

Here's some pics to show you what I'm dealing with.

Double Projector housing. The larger projector is the low-beam.



Back of the housing.



The lense which is obviously removeable, but is it of the soft type? Could I swap it for a clear one?



Low-beam projector cut-off. The arrows show the step cut-off.



Rear of the projector with H3 bulb holder.



Here's my X5 ballast. It supposedly has an "intelligent" igniter built in. I am researching this further at this time.



That's about all i have for now. I will get the projector dimensions tonight to see what will swap in there. Please let me know any suggestions that you have, or any extra info that you could use to help me out.

 

why not swap out the whole projector? no use in goin half way if you're prolly gonna wanna do it right later on

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zidek_accord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why not swap out the whole projector? no use in goin half way if you're prolly gonna wanna do it right later on</TD></TR></TABLE>


Right, that's what I'm considering. But once I've fitted a new HID projector for D2S bulbs, I need the harness to connect the bulbs and ballasts. I also need to find out if my ballasts will work. And I AM willing to splice wires.

 

sorry but this is a little off topic but i was checking out your ardomain site and i was wondering how you got the yellow refloctors out of the sides of the tyc headlights? and also what k are you hid's? they look very good by the way.

 

You have like a million questions at once.

You can swap lenses i.e from blue to clear.

So you are going to run H3 HID? Why?

What kind of projector is that? Not a S2000 or TSX for sure.

 

My housings didn't have any amber lenses. The corner bulb is amber, but is covered by a clear textured plastic cap that hides it until it lights up. The kit I have is 8K. It looks nice but doesn't put out much light compared to a 4K HID.

I guess I haven't been very clear. The projector you see is the "stock" halogen projector from these aftermarket housings. I want to swap it with a TSX/S2000/E46, HID projector. I need to know which actual projector I need to fit my housing. The lense that I have is around 60mm in diameter.

Here's the deal. I want to retro fit a true HID projector into my existing housing, getting rid of this halogen projector. True HID projectors use D2S bulbs, not H3's like my halogen projector. I already have ballasts, so I want to know if it's possible to splice a D2S harness onto my ballasts to fit the D2S bulbs in the HID projectors I will be buying.

Some side questions...

Would it be easier to mod my halogen projector to accept D2S bulbs, or will the bulb placement be off?

Lastly, if it is possible to mod my existing projector, could I replace the lenses to a clear lens that would have a cleaner output?

Hope that clears up some of my questions.

 

It will be easier to sell your HID kit that you have now. Ive never heard of X5 HID kit and it looks like garbage so sell that and start over. Converting that projector to accept D2S will be kinda hard to do since it has its own bulb holders. Splicing the the HID ballasts is something I wouldnt play with personally. A HID kit is not to be toyed as it should say "DANGER TO LIFE" and not just Danger". It can kill you with all that voltage coming through.

If you want that nice color from HIDS just get REAL projectors and a 4300k HID kit. The color comes from the light dispersion from the projector itself. You as the driver will never see that blue purple on the road like you would with a 8000k kit or 12000k.

Seems like you want to dissect everything and IMO it would be easier to just start fresh with OEM components. Those cheap HID kits tend to fail fast.

 

exactly. head to http://www.hidplanet.com and read the forums for atleast a week. then se how you almost messed yourself up by spending more money than you need to

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Legendaryyaj &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...Converting that projector to accept D2S will be kinda hard to do since it has its own bulb holders. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with that. I know the bulb's position in the projector is critical.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Legendaryyaj &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...Splicing the the HID ballasts is something I wouldn't play with personally. A HID kit is not to be toyed as it should say "DANGER TO LIFE" and not just Danger". It can kill you with all that voltage coming through.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I do understand your concern. BUT, I do hold a degree in electronics systems, and have years of experience in home and mobile audio/video, including electrician experience. I'm not trying to flex, just explaining why I'm really exploring the possibilities of doing this myself with mostly the parts that I already have.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Legendaryyaj &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...If you want that nice color from HIDS just get REAL projectors and a 4300k HID kit. The color comes from the light dispersion from the projector itself. You as the driver will never see that blue purple on the road like you would with a 8000k kit or 12000k.[/QOUTE]

I'm kinda over the whole just wanting to be colorful idea. I have done my homework, and understand the basics of HIDs. As I said, I'm trying to do this right this time. Functionality over cosmetics.


[QUOTE=Legendaryyaj]...Seems like you want to dissect everything and IMO it would be easier to just start fresh with OEM components. Those cheap HID kits tend to fail fast.</TD></TR></TABLE>

As I said, I've had this 'rigged' setup longer than most of you have been able to spell HID. No problems and nothing has failed. I'm just looking to convert what I have to what I WANT. If it's necessary to replace some components (projectors, bulbs) I'm willing to do that. But I don't want to go all out with another $300-$400 setup if I don't have to.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AFAccord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Would it be easier to mod my halogen projector to accept D2S bulbs, or will the bulb placement be off?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

It will not be easier, and the the bulb placement will be way off. Assuming you know what a D2S bulb looks like, I wouldn't be surprised of the bulb would actually touch the lens.

Basically, don't even play with the idea that you can use a D2S bulb with the H3 projector.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AFAccord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">could I replace the lenses to a clear lens that would have a cleaner output?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes you can replace the lens.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AFAccord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I guess I haven't been very clear. The projector you see is the "stock" halogen projector from these aftermarket housings. I want to swap it with a TSX/S2000/E46, HID projector. I need to know which actual projector I need to fit my housing. The lens that I have is around 60mm in diameter.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you want to, you can fit pretty much anything. Nobody is preventing you from increasing the diameter.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AFAccord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I want to know if it's possible to splice a D2S harness onto my ballasts to fit the D2S bulbs in the HID projectors I will be buying.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I am sure it could be done, but why? It's not like you will cover up the solder with electrical tape. You would need to buy that cable that goes from the ballast to the bulb. I haven't seen it sold separately, though, I am sure you could find it.

Hope this helps.

 

hidplanet.com has the measurements for most stock projectors, you can find one that fits and all you'd have to do is put in a complete retrofit. They offer all OEM replacement from the projectors to the ballasts for very nice prices. Or you can just buy the projectors. Under their OEM section you can find all the measurements for the HID projectors.

AJ, the 'X5' kit is actually for the BMW X5, so it's not garbage, just German

AF, can you explain EXACTLY what you want to do?

Are you saying you have OEM projectors that you want to place in an aftermarket headlight and power them with aftermarket wiring, ballasts, and bulbs?

Or do you have all OEM and you're putting them into an aftermarket headlight?

 

Thanks for sticking with me so far.

I want to do a true retro fit.

-I already have aftermarket housings but they have halogen projectors. I want to swap the projectors out for OEM HID projectors.

-I already have X5 ballasts with built-in ignitors. I want to splice D2S harnesses onto the X5 ballasts.

So I would assume that I need the OEM projectors, D2S bulbs, and D2S harnesses. Right?

And will or should this work? Is there any secret ballast/bulb combo I need to be aware of? Anything concerning the igniters? Just buying those parts and having it work seems a little too easy.

 

Accordselux,

I dont think thats a BMW X5 kit. If it is it should already have the D2S connector on it and not like how its pictured. He said thats the one he had so Im assuming its not a BMW X5 kit. I thought at first but it isnt.

AFAccord,

I cant really say if its that easy for swapping to the D2S connector but that seems logical and should work. Best of luck to you. I think sourcing a D2S connector might be hard.

That "rigged" setup on TYC projectors have been done since they've came out so I doubt your the only one.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Legendaryyaj &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...I cant really say if its that easy for swapping to the D2S connector but that seems logical and should work. Best of luck to you. I think sourcing a D2S connector might be hard.

That "rigged" setup on TYC projectors have been done since they've came out so I doubt your the only one.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I figured it would be tough to find just the D2S harness which I need. I've seen others who have retro fitted TYC's but they aren't trying to use an existing ballast.

I guess that's my only question now. Whether my ballasts will work correctly with some D2S bulbsif I DO manage to wire up some D2S harnesses.

 

Any other HID guru's out there take a stab?