I just finished my HID bi-xenon light install just tonight at about 11:30 PM.

Okay, I apologize for not having a "How To" to go with this but I wasn't sure it would even turn out. I was a little scared to to this type of change to my car but took the plunge.

This is a full retrofit install with projector, ballasts, ignitors, and HID bulbs. This then allows for a nice cutoff line and reduces the glare for oncoming drivers. The setup came from a E46 BMW with Bosch ballasts. I also purchased a wire harness off ebay for $40 which hooks into the 9008 bulb plug on the car. Made life A LOT easier.

I painted the part of the cutoff shield that faces out, a high temp RED. So when in the sunlight during the day if the angle is right, the car will look like it has red eyes. Nice affect and not cheesey, like one might think.

I also painted the inside of the lights a satin black, trying to match the front grill. turned out nice. I painted the reflector as well as I didn't need it with the HID lights. I basically left the turn signals but I did use some window tint on the yellow lens part to darken them.

I am EXTREMELY happy with the finished product.

Here are some pics. All pics are un-doctored.

Picture of old light output.

Old light looking at the front.


Now for the new lights:

Picture of new light output. (Picture does not do it justice, very bright).

New light looking at the front.

There must have been some haze in the air but it shows you the cutoff line real nice.

Blurry, but with fogs on.

This is with the car off, but taking the picture with the flash on. You can really see the red "eyes"

I need to clean them up a bit.

Shows the detail a little better.


Thanks for looking. Let me know if you are interested, I would help with my minimal knowledge as I can.

A great source is HIDPlanet.com

Total (calendar) time - start to finish: 2 weeks
Total $$$ amount: $450
All work done myself. I work in an office for my full time job so it's not like I am a auto body specialist. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined you could probably do it too!

 

very sweet. Great job bro! That looks hot! i cant wait to see a full how-to on it.

 

Looks like the light output greatly improved.

I wonder what the "eliminate red eye" function in photo software would do?

 

Hotness! Something I would seriously consider!

 

I actually did not take pictures along the way, more because I wasn't sure where the true milestones were.

I can do a write up but it would be text only.

I almost forgot that I got A LOT of information from 1Panel2NV and their post on painting their headlights here:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...int+headlights

Thanks

 

Can you explain more about the projectors? How did you do this?

 

Here is a pic of a projector.


Basically the projector focuses the light so you are not blinding on coming traffic. You get the problem of glare when you put the HID kit into the halogen reflector. Not legal or safe. But a retrofit is 100% safe and legal.

The light get's flipped upside down through the projector like how your eyes work...
Like so:


So the shield to give the "cut-off" line is on the bottom but actually block the light that is on top when out on the road. If that makes any sense.


The way that I got the projector to fit the back of the assembly is basically to use a dremel and cut away the areas I didn't need, then test fit, cut some more. Worked great. Drill holes for mounting and then actually mount the projectors. Easy peasy.

 

Thanks for the feedback. This was the part I was interested in... incorporating the projector into the oem housing.

Don't suppose you took any pictures along the way?
Like, what the housing looked like before and after all the dremel work.

Thx.

 

Unfortuntely, I didn't but I might be able describe it later or make a diagram or something. We are about to leave so it will have to wait until later.

 

Looks real good! Wish someone would produce a set of HID's for the HHR.

Wish i had the time to do this Mod.