Xeon Headlight Conversion?

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123c
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Xeon Headlight Conversion?

Post by 123c »

I was just wondering if anyone has done a Xeon Headlight conversion. I have this idea in the back of my mind to do a Xeon Headlight conversion sometime in the Future. I already have a source for a Hella Conversion kit, for those who don't know, the same OE supplier for Audi, MB, and BMW, ect...
[color=red][b]1993 Subaru BC Turbo Legacy (193k miles)
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Post by vrg3 »

You mean by installing some Hella 90mm HID projectors? That could work well if you can find them and fit them in.

There are a lot of ways to retrofit HIDs to your car but very, very few good ways. Don't settle for anything that uses your stock optics at all (reflector or lens). You will get a bad beam pattern which will increase glare to yourself and to others, because the HID capsules do not place the light source in the correct place for the design.

Also be wary not to lose flashable high beams.
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Post by Legacy777 »

ditto what vrg3 said. The "conversion" kits that basically put a bulb in the existing lens/reflector setup just skatter light.....there are a couple HID complete sets...basically like driving lights
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123c
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Post by 123c »

Sounds good to me, I will probally just skip doing this then, sounds like more work than I was really planning on.

The conversion kit's that I found are mostly meant for MB's, but I found them listed for Subaru.
[color=red][b]1993 Subaru BC Turbo Legacy (193k miles)
1971 VW Super Beetle
1989 Honda Elite 50
[/color][/b]
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Post by vrg3 »

Where did you see them listed?
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Post by 123c »

Actually I saw them at several places, but most recently at Performance Products. Here is the link: http://performanceproducts.com/ProductP ... ucttype=10
[color=red][b]1993 Subaru BC Turbo Legacy (193k miles)
1971 VW Super Beetle
1989 Honda Elite 50
[/color][/b]
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Post by vrg3 »

Aaah! Stick to your instinct of skipping this over, and stay away!

The only part of that "system" that fits is the base. They've attached an HID capsule to a halogen bulb's base, with no regard to what it does to the optics, and it looks like you lose high beams completely.
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Post by 123c »

I'd only loose the high beam with the 9004's (H5), but I have the 9003's (H4). At least this isn't one of those cheaply made in China kits selling for $700, that would probally cause a fire :shock:
[color=red][b]1993 Subaru BC Turbo Legacy (193k miles)
1971 VW Super Beetle
1989 Honda Elite 50
[/color][/b]
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Post by vrg3 »

Hmm, they do claim that you'll get to keep your high beams with H4s. The problem is that there's no way to accomplish that reasonably, since there's no such thing as an HID capsule with two arcs in it.

They also claim that with this kit you'd probably never need high beams again. Anybody who knows anything about automotive lighting has to see that this is pure nonsense.
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Post by 123c »

vrg3 wrote:They also claim that with this kit you'd probably never need high beams again. Anybody who knows anything about automotive lighting has to see that this is pure nonsense.
That's what I was thinking too, I was riding around in a friends 2003 Range Rover with HID's a while back, and there was a huge difference between not having the high beam on. The high beam would really light up the road...
[color=red][b]1993 Subaru BC Turbo Legacy (193k miles)
1971 VW Super Beetle
1989 Honda Elite 50
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Post by vrg3 »

Yeah; the primary difference between high and low beams is not brightness. It's the beam pattern. There are a few systems out there that legitimately use HIDs for high beams by using the same capsule as for low beams but physically moving the reflector. In that case the high and low beams have the exact same light source. It's kind of nifty.
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Post by 91White-T »

500$ for lights! Thats crazy... Hell thats almost enough for a bigger turbo!
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Post by vrg3 »

Well, $500 for a good set of lights could be worth it. Especially if you plan to go fast at night you need to be able to see where you're going. Just like you need to upgrade your brakes if you really soup up your engine.
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Post by totech »

My JDM Headlights in my 91 are excellent

Actually better than the lights in my USDM 2003 Legacy.
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Post by vrg3 »

USDM Subaru Legacy and Impreza headlights from 1992 through 1997 are all quite good. In fact, the beam pattern is pretty much the same as on the JDM lights except they're correct for LHD, which JDM lights are not.

For some reason they decided to go back to a really crappy beam pattern in 1998.
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