Just when I thought that I'm never going to mess with my lights anymore, I figure it's time to try and increase the output of the HIDs. And no, this is not putting in 1200000K bulbs.

Before:


After:


Same camera. I believe F is 5.0 and shutter is 1/15 in both pictures.

In case anyone isn't familiar with these lights, it's TSX projectors in the low beam, TL + clear lenses in the fog/high.

Here's a pic with all 4 on:

 

god have mercy on the oncoming traffic

 

Looks great!

Nice work.

 

They have mercy alright, his projectors seem perfectly straight and aligned, he aint blinding anyone. Maybe the lil guy in his little Miata, now that could be a diff story . I cant imagine the output of those bad boys after a ballast mod putting out 50+ watts, now thats deff blinding to anyone who comes into that cutoff

 

so increasiong the wattage in the ballast make it more brighter? Im intrested as well as making my projectors a tad more clearer. Not blinding but just a bit more.

 

lol

looks good!!!

 

Sweet project. Did you have E46 single projectors before? I got a few TSX projectors laying around but just haven't found the time for this mod. I keep telling myself one day but that's months ago.

 

My first projector retrofit was with X5s. Then this one is with TSX and TLs.

I have done retrofits with E46 projectors, they're not bad for the price.

What I changed was the stock ballasts for 50W ballasts. Then I switched out the stock bulbs for Philips 50W DL50 bulbs.

Other than going with a very good quality projector, increasing the watts on the ballast is the only other way to get a noticeable increase in brightness.

Fortunately for the guy in the Miata, the lights are aimed pretty well at this point. But when I go up and over hills, I do feel sorry for those in front of me.

 

awesome E_K, I might have to reserve this mod for my car as well.

 

looks awesome! super bright!

 

I think you'll be happy with the results. I don't think the DL50 bulbs are mandatory, but there's a good deal for them on ebay. I bought 4 of them for the heck of it.



I mounted the new ballast where the old low beam ballast went. I also potted them to make them water and shockproof.


I can barely fit the headlights in the car now. Each light also weighs about 15 lbs. You can see the 50W ballast, fog/high ballast, CCFL inverter, connector for the high beam solenoid.

 

I'm all for better lighting, but you'll find that better optics are key. Regardless of how those lights are aimed, they are excessive for on-road use and will be a nuisance to many drivers. Theres no reason to run such powerful lamps on a street-car.

Funny, one of the cars I own is a Miata too.

 

The optics on TSX projectors are pretty good. 50W isn't a huge difference in my case, it gave me the intensity of an S2000 or LS430 projector, and those are everywhere on the streets. I rarely use the TL projectors. The drop in HID kits are much more of a nuisance.

 

HEY E_K Can you post DIY instructions for this mod. Also did u change the projector or just the ballasts? I have a 06 Coupe and I am very intered in upgrading the lighting as I have a night vision problem.

 

I'll try and do this later. My car was hit today, and my passenger light is messed up among other things. Argh. The internals are ok, I think, but the black plastic housing's mounting tabs are now cracked. Good thing I have two extra passenger side lights. There goes another weekend...