another projector retrofit
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Toh-rensa,Ahteesia,Ahcadia,Montree Pak, Longa Beacha
Originally Posted by malx
And you used the stock bulbs for that? Where do you live BTW?
Actually for this retrofit, we were using alnk52's aftermarket bulbs. I forget whether they were 8000K or something else.
Here's a pic of the retrofit on my car using 4100K and X5 projectors. I like the 4100K bulbs the best (brightest), but that's just my preference.
Edit: If you want to use stock bulbs, you can but you'll need to do two things. One is to scrape the black sheilding off the bulb, which essentially converts it into a D2s bulb. The other is to dremel out a notch on the bulb plastic for fitment into projectors. Both are about 5 minute jobs. Easy DIY.
Last edited by E_K; May 31, 2005 at 02:03 PM.
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Toh-rensa,Ahteesia,Ahcadia,Montree Pak, Longa Beacha
Originally Posted by RashMan1450
hey can u get us a show of how much light shows on the road. I see you put it on the wall but honestly i wanna see how efective the retrofit will be.
If it helps, here's a shot of the beam pattern on my car with the X5s. The 3 series should be very similar.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Hoboken,NJ
EK,
Would you say that output with stock bulbs is significantly better than stock lighting? I want to do this mod but only if it really makes a difference in lighting. I could care less for the chi-chi effect.
Also, when you say clear off the black shielding on the stock bulb. What do you mean? How would one do that? Thanks for the help!
Would you say that output with stock bulbs is significantly better than stock lighting? I want to do this mod but only if it really makes a difference in lighting. I could care less for the chi-chi effect.
Also, when you say clear off the black shielding on the stock bulb. What do you mean? How would one do that? Thanks for the help!
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Toh-rensa,Ahteesia,Ahcadia,Montree Pak, Longa Beacha
The immediate foreground illumination is slightly better, but not super dramatic. The width of the beam is definitely better, and stays more intense on either side.
The stock bulbs are D2R, and they have the black shielding on the bulb. D2S bulbs don't, so you'll either want to get D2s bulbs, or effectively change the D2R stocks to D2S's. The shielding can be scraped off with a good scalpel, and then the bulb can be cleaned up with some rubbing alcohol.
Also keep in mind, D2S 4100K bulbs have about 3200 lumens, with D2R bulbs with the same color temp, have about 2700 lumens. So D2s bulbs are brighter than D2rs.
The stock bulbs are D2R, and they have the black shielding on the bulb. D2S bulbs don't, so you'll either want to get D2s bulbs, or effectively change the D2R stocks to D2S's. The shielding can be scraped off with a good scalpel, and then the bulb can be cleaned up with some rubbing alcohol.
Also keep in mind, D2S 4100K bulbs have about 3200 lumens, with D2R bulbs with the same color temp, have about 2700 lumens. So D2s bulbs are brighter than D2rs.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,846
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From: Toh-rensa,Ahteesia,Ahcadia,Montree Pak, Longa Beacha
Gee3Five, your car looks great with the dual projector setup, it goes well with the style. Post some beam pattern pics if you can.
petenj, the bezel is a combination of a shroud from hidplanet and aluminum cans. I cut the cans open, polished them, and cut them to fit around the projector. You can also use thin sheet metal. The aluminum is held on with 3M double side tape. The front shroud is JB welded on, and it also holds the aluminum in place. I'm considering posting a DIY, but things are kinda busy for me right now. Maybe this weekend I'll do it if I can find the time. There's many ways to do the retrofit, and it's very much based on your own style.
xkrnam310x, I PMed you.
petenj, the bezel is a combination of a shroud from hidplanet and aluminum cans. I cut the cans open, polished them, and cut them to fit around the projector. You can also use thin sheet metal. The aluminum is held on with 3M double side tape. The front shroud is JB welded on, and it also holds the aluminum in place. I'm considering posting a DIY, but things are kinda busy for me right now. Maybe this weekend I'll do it if I can find the time. There's many ways to do the retrofit, and it's very much based on your own style.
xkrnam310x, I PMed you.
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Toh-rensa,Ahteesia,Ahcadia,Montree Pak, Longa Beacha
The shroud I made myself. It's just an aluminum can that has the paint stripped, and then polished.
The lights are aimed the same way as stock, via the adjustment screw. What I did was to put the lights on the car before sealing them with the outer cover, and do the aiming on the car. I wanted to make sure that the projectors were level, and that the high beam/fogs were level and symmetric as well.
The lights are aimed the same way as stock, via the adjustment screw. What I did was to put the lights on the car before sealing them with the outer cover, and do the aiming on the car. I wanted to make sure that the projectors were level, and that the high beam/fogs were level and symmetric as well.
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Originally Posted by E_K
Malx, I replied to your PM.
Actually for this retrofit, we were using alnk52's aftermarket bulbs. I forget whether they were 8000K or something else.
Here's a pic of the retrofit on my car using 4100K and X5 projectors. I like the 4100K bulbs the best (brightest), but that's just my preference.
Edit: If you want to use stock bulbs, you can but you'll need to do two things. One is to scrape the black sheilding off the bulb, which essentially converts it into a D2s bulb. The other is to dremel out a notch on the bulb plastic for fitment into projectors. Both are about 5 minute jobs. Easy DIY.
Actually for this retrofit, we were using alnk52's aftermarket bulbs. I forget whether they were 8000K or something else.
Here's a pic of the retrofit on my car using 4100K and X5 projectors. I like the 4100K bulbs the best (brightest), but that's just my preference.
Edit: If you want to use stock bulbs, you can but you'll need to do two things. One is to scrape the black sheilding off the bulb, which essentially converts it into a D2s bulb. The other is to dremel out a notch on the bulb plastic for fitment into projectors. Both are about 5 minute jobs. Easy DIY.
MAKES THE FRONT OF THE CAR LOOK TOTAL DIFFERENT...
OOO YA HE IS RUNNING 10,000K BULBS... IM WAITING ON ANDRA TO SEND THE WEB SITE TO ME,,, HELL I JUST MIGHT POP UP AT HIS HOUSE... COME ON ANDRA,, GET WITH THE PROGRAM.LOLOLOL
E K --- IM GOING TO GIVE YOU A CALL.