Just as the title says, I wanted to hear opinions from others as to whether you guys think that the OEM EM1 Civic Type R EK9 Headlamps worth the cost for styling points vs copies.

These vs These

OEM runs between $7-900/pair whereas the copies run in the $1-200 range. I'm doing a facelift conversion on my 98 EK coupe to make everything 99-00 + new milano red paint. Thx guys!

 

Good stuff ain't cheap... and Cheap stuff ain't good. Genuine CTR headlights are pricey but the quality is vastly superior to the cheap copies.

 

Wouldn't the ek9 beam pattern be for rhd roads?

 

Beam pattern is adjustable from the back of the headlamp housings... no? If they're not the proper headlamps for LHD, if someone has any ideas for helping guide me to the right items for purchase. I'd love to avoid an expensive and non returnable situation!

@JRCivic1 This helps my decision. If anyone knows any sources for these better than eBay LMK. Thx!

This is the look I'm going for:

 

Alternative is to follow the 'diy ek9 headlamp' tutorial that is (or used to be) on here

Basically, you'll trim and remove the shield

Drill a hole and add the 'city light'

paint the chrome housing with a smoke grey paint that matches the OE look

put it all back together and end up with the same thing, but LHD due to the reflector lenses and a lot cheaper.

 

OP, the photo that you posted above appears to have new OEM chrome housing headlights and not smoked housing JDM headlights. You can purchase new OEM USDM Civic Si headlights at your local Honda Dealership Parts Department.

 

I've personally never seen a replica EK9 headlight that can pass for the real thing in person. When you see legit ones, they jump out at you because they look that friggin' good.

I've also never experienced an aftermarket headlight that doesn't have some quality issue... poor fitment, loose reflector bowl that vibrates when you're sitting at a light, poor optics, water leaks, impossible to aim, etc. Aftermarket lenses also just don't hold up to the sun and debris like OE ones do.

RHD lenses are in fact reverse of LHD ones. Even for halogen housings, this will cause you to throw light into oncoming cars' eyes and will also diminish your usable light on the right side. Been there, done that, do not recommend. Unfortunately EK9s were only factory available in RHD markets, so there are no such things as LHD EK9 lamps.

My current aftermarket (Depo) housings are nearing the end of their life. I'm on the fence about getting a pair of OE USDM housings or OE EK9 housings to move my HID/projector conversion over to. This is the only way you can really make a RHD headlight work in a LHD car. Ultimately, the EK9 lamps will add ~$400 to the project, unless I can get a better price on USDM lamps through work. When you put it in those terms, it makes a little more sense to do the upgrade.

If you do go EK9, have them professionally coated with PPF and they'll stay pretty fresh.