Fully legal HID install in 2.5i

[arrow224]

Hello all,

All this recent discussion on HID and legalities and whatnot else has got me wondering.

My 2.5i has standard halogen globes in a projector housing for low beam, and standard halogen globes in a reflector housing for high beams.

If I was to change these to HID, I understand that all the conversion kits are technically illegal (washing, self levelling), but there is nothing to stop me from using them.

If I was to procure a set of GT-B, GT-B STI, or 3.0R/B headlights, that have HID as standard low beam, and have self levelling and washers, would I simply be able to take out current lights, and pop in new lights (whole assembly)?

Would this now be legal?

Is it also possible to (if the above mentioned options don't come with HID high beam standard) fit projector housing and appropriate HID globes to make both low and high beam HID fully legal?

[Kekotic]

You would also need the little bracket for the control arm that allows for the auto levelling. I think that crazy kiks guy made one himself, or maybe I'm imagining things.

To be honest as long as you are putting a HID kit in the low beam no cop will ever realise it's not standard because you have a projector lense. It's only when you start putting them in reflective housings that it can cause trouble by blinding other drivers and being noticeable. Of course don't go getting 10000k HID's either as that will be a give away.

[cruisn]

The infrastructure to wire up the self levelling and plumb up the washers is simply not worth it.

Fit HID's to your low beams and be done with it. No cop will ever realise theyre not standard and DONT go anymore than 6000K. I prefer 5300K.

Make sure headlights are adjusted to the correct level.

[kiks]

I played around with it.

Came to a very sudden realisation that It was easier to just paint the bulbs up until the low beam cut off was right, and set the cars rake to an acceptable level. Never had an issue and done a lot of KM at night around police etc. Dont go with blue/purple colours etc.

[mynameisdaniel]

Considered doing a retrofit? In my last car which used reflectors I mounted a set of proper HID bixenon projectors and used those. While still not legal the light output was aimed perfectly and had a sharp cutoff with lots of colour (modded). While I haven't driven with HIDs in halogen projectors the light output from proper HID projectors is simply amazing!

[Kekotic]

Daniel his car already has projector lenses....

[mynameisdaniel]

There's a difference between halogen projectors and HID projectors. Because the light source is in a different spot the light isn't aimed properly. I've seen a few people take out the halogen projectors and replace them with HID ones, plus if you do that you can get the bixenon function.

EDIT: HID (FX-R) projectors up top, Halogen projectors with HID bulbs down the bottom. Huge improvement, no glare blinding people in the middle and a much wider and more even light distribution

[alessandro132]

But would the HID projectors retrofit to a pre-facelift? And what's the cost? I wouldn't mind doing this to get a more even beam scatter (particularly LHS low beam)

[mynameisdaniel]

But would the HID projectors retrofit to a pre-facelift? And what's the cost? I wouldn't mind doing this to get a more even beam scatter (particularly LHS low beam)

Seems pretty straight forward http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.p ... 78274.html

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/ is a great site to source information/parts. Incredible customer service

[alessandro132]

Great post Daniel! the perfectionist in me wants to do this sooner than I want to

[AlpineRaven]

Ive done it about 3 months ago - fitted 4300k HID lows...
If you're gonna put it in full beam - there is a warm up delay so its really PIA.
Cheers
AP

[arrow224]

Many thanks people, lots of information.

Lets say for the moment, I do put in a HID conversion kit, so technically illegal.

When it comes time to sell the car and get a roadworthy done, it would fail correct, as the headlights do not meet the requirements?

Or is it just a matter of putting standard globes back in (taking out all HID equipment), and getting the roadworthy that way?

[zch91]

Many thanks people, lots of information.

Lets say for the moment, I do put in a HID conversion kit, so technically illegal.

When it comes time to sell the car and get a roadworthy done, it would fail correct, as the headlights do not meet the requirements?

Or is it just a matter of putting standard globes back in (taking out all HID equipment), and getting the roadworthy that way?

Depends on the mechanic (if they notice etc)

I would imagine it would fail a RWC. Swapping to halogens is pretty simple though.

[Kekotic]

It takes me about 5 minutes to take out my HID fog kit. So yes you just put the stock globes back in when it comes time to sell.

[cruisn]

A mechanic doing a RWC will turn the lights on and see if they work. Thats about it......