The Truth of "JDM Style" and Halogen Projectors

[xplode]

Aight, back on another little comparison/rant here in my fav 4th gen f0rum.

I first want to touch on "JDM Style", many people today are going for anything that says "JDM" and it is very over-rated.. Number one JDM is not standard for DOT, therefore the Cutoff is on the left hand side which is the opposite of the DOT standards, which we drive on the right hand side.. and they the left. (obviously) by using real JDM headlamps you will cause glare because the major spread of the beam is now on the left hand side facing all the oncoming cars. JDM is more for looks because of the nice 1 piece and even the favorite black inserts. These new breed of "JMD Style" car apparel is advertised to trick the everyday person into thinking its JDM.. which its clearly not its just USDM (United States domestic Market) but designed to look like the JDM models and not performing or even having the quality of them.

My next base to touch on is Halogen reflectors, many are easily found on eBay for 150-200 dollars a pair.. These Gunmetal/smoke/ion or whatever types they have are meant purely for looks.. The light output is not good at all rather it is worse than a standard reflector... They use a h3 sized bulb which is meant for foglights, my friends pair of halogen projectors not only made it worse, but it looked like crap head on... some pairs might be good aslong as they not h3 sized bulbs for low beam.. my friends output'ed about as much light as a flashlight with almost dead batteries, it was like driving with only fog lights.

[chrome19s]

XPLODE I AGREE WITH U TOTALY. THE LIGHTS SUCK AND I HAVE THEM.BUT WITH ALITTLE PATIENCE AND CREATIVE THINKING YOU CAN FIX THE THE LIGHTS.

FIRST:U WOULD NEED TO GO TO A JUNK YARD AND FIND A BMW X5s HEADLIGHTS

SECOND:WITH PATIENCE OPEN THE HEADLIGHTS BOTH THE X5s AND URS
YOU WILL NOTICE THAT BOTH PROJECTOR SYSTEMS R SOMEWHAT THE SAME

THIRD:TAKE THE PROJECTOR LENS OUT AND REPLACE IT WITH THE X5s LENS

IF U CAN GET THE HIDs IT WILL LOOK NICE BUT WITH THE H3 IT LOOKS BRIGHTER

I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I DID IT TO MY LIGHTS

[chrome19s]

Sorry i got used to it because my kids play with the keyboard

[xplode]

yeah, im saying the projector based units they sell on ebay, custom retrofits are always good =)

[97Lude]

Originally posted by xplode
yeah, im saying the projector based units they sell on ebay, custom retrofits are always good =)

yeah man, you hit the nail right on the head. The aftermarket crappy projector headlights are complelty horrible. Seeing those things on any car on the streets just makes me laugh.
The only mod i really put money into on my car is the HID's i got. Got brand new set of BMW E46/Audi TT projectors(best projector made out today, well maybe not the s2k to some..)
But retro and real is the way to go, dont go cheap and get projectors meant to be foglights

[nirvoUSAccord]

projector headlights...ahhh i learned the hard way with those pieces of shit. bought em for like 280 bux and spent like 10 hours putting those in with my grandpa, and the light output was HORRRRRRIIIIIIBLLLLEEE. the lowbeams shined straight fucking down and the right side would always fucking go out...i probly put 400 bux into those headlights with all the fuckin repairs i did and takin it to the shop. dont ever get those headlights, they will fuck you over more than u would ever believe.

(i'm talking about shitty ebay headlights, if ya didnt know)

[xplode]

my article was about the cheap eBay made projector lights like the ones pictured below.. They were meant for style and not performance.. Although i know one person who did have luck with them so thats one success story..

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/10055307/Images/HLAP90CB_F1.jpg

http://auction4.comton.com/member/liveonspeed//HL1_HAC9093SPC5.jpg

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30056283/Images/hp-acc90-bb.jpg

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30056283/Images/hp-acc90-cb.jpg

http://www.1128.net/pic/headlights/02-KS-HA90-PBB.jpg

[xplode]

Originally posted by 97Lude

Got brand new set of BMW E46/Audi TT projectors(best projector made out today, well maybe not the s2k to some..)


Yes, actually the best "HID" projectors are S2000 projectors, the audi ones are about second best, S2000 has a extremely nice cutoff and amazing for DOT pattern.

[hybrid90accord]

yeah i agree i have stanley jdm 1-piece headlights and the output is great, but i have a couple of friend that have those cheap 1-piece projectors and man the light output suck, the light looks like a doo doo brown color

[xplode]

well, i heard that from head on the lights on the aftermarket projectors look cool, but ive never heard of a doo doo brown il keep that in mind next time i see the projectors. il have a good laugh at that.. who would want brown light. :lol:

[xplode]

This is a picture of a JDM vs Ecode headlamp..
As you can tell the JDM flares up to the left which provides no lighting for road signs and causes alot of glare for oncoming drivers.. Ecode is closer to DOT and is safer..

http://www.zukko.com/julian/images/lighting_rhdvslhd.jpg

A JDM headlamp With Halogens (watch the angle of the flare)
http://www.zukko.com/julian/images/lighting_jdmhalogen.jpg

[Importkitz]

I totally agree...ebay projectors are sh!t...and for those who believe the hype...:idiots:

The only projectors I would get is the APC "non-1 piece" projectors and do a retrofit with HID projectors off Audi or BMW headlights.

I'm thinking about retrofitting those HID projectors into the jdm headlights but alot of people are telling me it would be hard to line up the projectors in the headlight. At least with the APC projectors, the housing is already made to accomidate projectors.

[90_accord_dx]

i dunno.. but i like the ebay projectors.. a friend of mine has them and they kick ass.. lighting is accually better then stock

[90accordman]

Originally posted by 90_accord_dx
i dunno.. but i like the ebay projectors.. a friend of mine has them and they kick ass.. lighting is accually better then stock

Yeah im thinking about getting some, as long as they look better then stock and last a while i wont mind if they arent "the best"

[7thsign]

i got those ebay projectors and there great i get great light output but i want the hids so im getting a h3 8000k kit for the blue light out put looks awesome i guess i lucked out cuz they work awesome for me

[sACCLUDEd]

I have a set of the one piece black housing headlights and i am wanting to put an HID conversion kit into it? the lighting is very dim right now. i have to keep making sure my lights are on when it rains at night time. SUCKS!!!!!!!! anyway, where do i find something to work well for my car. i am not really interested in ripping apart the headlamp if i dont have to!!!! let me know what you guys think.

[EXR-Boi]

General Consensus is that these lights suck. I'm thinking instead of retrofitting why not changing the harness to accept a better bulb, like use a H4 harness or something. Would that work?

[ObieWanCoyote]

So, anybody have any ideas for good quality headlamp replacements. Maybe as an entry stage. I don't really care if they're wannabe JDM design, but I would prefer a darker color housing like gun metal gray or black. One piece or OEM design I don't care. Also anyone have any gripes about SAE/DOT marked amber turnsignal assemblies. Anyone know about any amber front bumper turn signals that will mount in a OEM `91 front bumper? How hard would it be to swap from a later 4th gen accord (`92-93).

Mahalo -Coyote :confused:

[Sthrnba711]

What about the APC Projectors? one person mentioned them but didnt say much. Has anyone tried them or now if they are anygood?

[dwf137]

So, anybody have any ideas for good quality headlamp replacements. Maybe as an entry stage. I don't really care if they're wannabe JDM design, but I would prefer a darker color housing like gun metal gray or black. One piece or OEM design I don't care. Also anyone have any gripes about SAE/DOT marked amber turnsignal assemblies. Anyone know about any amber front bumper turn signals that will mount in a OEM `91 front bumper? How hard would it be to swap from a later 4th gen accord (`92-93).

Mahalo -Coyote :confused:
Blackhouse your USDM headlights.
As long as your shop isn't real stringent at checking for shit, non DOT marked signals are fine, I pass.
Noone makes amber bumper lights for a 90-91 front bumper. It's impossible to find them. You can do what I did, and get Testors Stained Glass Spray Paint and spray away till they're the amber color you're looking for. Or you could do what I'm going to be doing soon, which is retrofitting a 92-93 front bumper so that you can get the factory amber front bumper lights.

[ObieWanCoyote]

Blackhouse? I'm assuming you mean pulling the lens off and triming the inside of the light housing in a prefered color? :confused:

And yes, I was thinking of swiping a `92-93 4dr and swapping parts off it. My local college has plenty of rustic cars that are bordering on the roadworthy issue.

(sorry for going off topic but) Speaking of parting out other cars Does anyone know if `92-93 accords run rear discs? What models... etc? And the trouble one would go through in swapping, rear assemblies and brake master cylinder. (I did post in a proper forum, it must have been old and no one has replied. Once again sorry)

[shawn.hayden]

I totally agree...ebay projectors are sh!t...and for those who believe the hype...:idiots:

The only projectors I would get is the APC "non-1 piece" projectors and do a retrofit with HID projectors off Audi or BMW headlights.

I'm thinking about retrofitting those HID projectors into the jdm headlights but alot of people are telling me it would be hard to line up the projectors in the headlight. At least with the APC projectors, the housing is already made to accomidate projectors.



Thats what carlos has ;) :thumbsup:

[bigjoe53]

I have a set of the one piece black housing headlights and i am wanting to put an HID conversion kit into it? the lighting is very dim right now. i have to keep making sure my lights are on when it rains at night time. SUCKS!!!!!!!! anyway, where do i find something to work well for my car. i am not really interested in ripping apart the headlamp if i dont have to!!!! let me know what you guys think.


A friend of mind gave me a good idea. but dont know if it will work.. he said i should just change the connection from the low beam to the high beam so the h4 that are in the high's will be your lows. but i think it would be stupid cause then you lose the projector effect. what do you think..

[i_love_cb7]

Theres this guy on vancouveraccords taht did a 99 integra retrofit, I think he's on here too.

I got those projector and the low beam suck!!! but I found that the high beam is not too bad!!!

go to my members ride to check out it compare to stock (my mom)

[The_Great_Pretender]

A friend of mind gave me a good idea. but dont know if it will work.. he said i should just change the connection from the low beam to the high beam so the h4 that are in the high's will be your lows. but i think it would be stupid cause then you lose the projector effect. what do you think..
I have those EXPENSIVE but cheap 1 pc jdm blackhoused headlights and as evryone else already said the light output SUCKS!!!. What I did is try adjusting the beams using a phillips to turn the screws(didnt make a big difference) so I then disconnected the parks lights in the middle of the headlight and drive with my high beam on all the time. I havent got a ticket yet and it still doesnt show that bright because the low beams dont give a bright output..

[XStrategicDeath]

The only problem ive had with my projector headlights is when i press on the gas they get brighter, sure thats more with my alternator :tu:

[Raceboy]

if you can't find the amber bumpers you can allways go to a hobby store and buy some transparent amber spray paint and just spray your clear ones it works like a charm. (thats what i did) :tu:

[91accordwagon]

I've got a set of those wonderful JDM style projectors, went with the black, they work perfectly, much better than the stockers and bolted in without a prob and no modding, personnally I love the look of them on my cb7 and regret nothing.

[Nocturnal CB7]

see my picture then....and now.....yeah they suck. i wasted my money on projectors. Too many lights. like a sideways stoplight or something. sold it to a dude for 70 bucks.

[sandman61377]

Hmmm. My latest Accord had the one piece projectors on it when I bought it. The only thing wrong with them was that they weren't lined up right. I lined them up better myself and bought a pair of h3 hyperwhite bulbs from a local store for $30 and they look great, they're just as good as stock now. I don't know what everyone is complaining about, they work fine, or maybe I'm the exception in this case. :shrug:

[tommyhonda92]

What bulbs are used in the low beams, and high beams in these "ebay prejector headlights"? Are bulbs for both high and low available in the Sylvania Silverstar or CoolBlue line? Maybe these bulbs in there would help light output. Let me know if anybody has these bulbs in their projectors. Thanks.

[sandman61377]

I haven't tried any of the Silverstars, but I've never really liked the CoolBlue line of bulbs. Both brands are available for the low beams, at least, don't know about for the highs. I know Silverstars a bit more expensive than the CoolBlue's, but IMO, you should just go for the hyperwhite's like I have, they are better than the CoolBlue's at least.

[tommyhonda92]

Does anybody know that if I completely pull out the "middle" turn signal bulb(the one that is between the low and high beams), will the turn signals still function normally or will they "fast blink" thinking that a bulb is burned out? I am asuming that this bulb is an aditional turn signal bulb, or is it a parking light? The reason I am asking, is I don't yet have my projectors, have ordered them and will be here in a few days, and once they come, my car will be going into the shop to be repaired from the front damage. I want to know this before I go to the shop because I will just pull the bulbs out before they install them, as it appears that they will be hard to get at once the lenses are installed. The reason I don't want these bulbs in there, is because they produce a yellowy-ish light as compared to the superwhite bulbs that I have for the lows already, and I think that having this extra bulb in there would look to busy at night. Or, does anyone know if an 1156 LED bulb(white color) would fit in there, as I havn't been able to find a superwhite bulb that matches up with what's in there already.

Let me know asap. Thanks.

D

[sandman61377]

The center lights aren't turn signals, they're parking lights or whatever, they come on with the first click on the light switch. My projections came on my car, and the bulbs that were in the centers weren't standard-colored bulbs, they looked kinda like superblues, but the color on the bulbs was silverish. They were both burned out, though, so I never saw what they looked like turned on, and all I could find to replace them were standard clear bulbs, don't remember what number they are though.

[F22-GURU]

Just like to put my money's worth in fellas.
I put some JDM 1 Piece Projectors (From F1 Sports) in my 4GEN and replaced the standard Low Beam Globes with Narva 60/55W "Plus 50's" and Narva 100W High Beam Globes. The headlight aim was way out when I installed them, so I re-Aimed them correctly and they perform as well as the OEM Head Lights. Don't know if our globes in Australia are different to the US versions but I am happy with my Projectors, but then again I haven't experienced the "BMW X5" change over yet. By the sounds of it you fellas over in "The United States of George Bush" have had a lot more experience with these lights.
BTW: 10 Hours to install the Projector Lights with help???
I had mine swapped, re-wired & aimed in under 2 hours by myself. That included drilling a dozen holes in the Intake Air Box behind the Front bumper for my CAI Mod.

[jtek24]

Did anyone switch the H1 with the H3 to get a better light output? Is that possible? Oh yeah the yellow H1 high beam bulb looks tight at night riding with them and the projectors on!!

[KillerCam282]

I got one piece projectors and i think the light output is awesome. Check the sig.

[91accordwagon]

I've got a pair of the black Ebay projectors and I've been satisfied with them so far, It took a slight bit of shaving on the mounting brackes to get them to aim perfectly straight, and I just cut and spiced 9005 for low beems in the projector casing and put 9006 in the brights works great and bright as fuck :) So in the end I"m happy cause I got all my bulbs for free and the headlights for 135 shipped off ebay works for me ;)

[LOGICx420x]

I have them and the lighting sucks but the look great on the car, what kind of bulbs should I get I saw the post about bmw lights. I just need better lighting..

[Neriah06]

Yes, actually the best "HID" projectors are S2000 projectors, the audi ones are about second best, S2000 has a extremely nice cutoff and amazing for DOT pattern.

what are these HID is it the light bulb itself or the hole thing, and how do you retrofit this too yoru cars? any DIY i should know about ? thanks

[mondojackal]

HID is high intensity discharge lighting
essentially-xenon
this is retrofitted to our cars by installing either an aftermarket xenon kit, such as can be found at www.xenondepot.com, or by finding xenon projectors online, such as ebay, or at a junkyard around where yo ulive if you are that lucky.
it isn't a drop in affair, it takes custom work, which means cutting up what you have, although, if the price is right, and you can do the work, by all means, go for it!
here are some good threads to look at:
TSX projectors into JDM headlights (http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=29416&highlight=xenon)

if you want, install a kit, it is easier, but more expensive than if you look around...
guy who installed a kit he bought (http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=29746&highlight=xenon)

someone looking to buy a kit from xenon depot (http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=31357&highlight=xenon)
hope this helps..

[shelstadCB7]

i have the black ebay projectors and i think they look fine on my car
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/shelstadCB7/c00926df.jpg

[Captident_Chris]

Allllright....I am a total newb on this site and I read this whole thread and I just have no idea if there was a solution to the cheap e-bay projector adjustment problem, I dont want to connect the low-beams to my high beams and use those all the time...is there any way that the lens can be tilted upwards without moving the whole light assembly? or do the HID bulbs make a big difference or enough of a difference that the lens doesnt need to be moved up? I am confused and no one really seemed to give a solid explination...if they cant be adjusted and that was stated earlier then I am sorry for wasting time and space.

[Sthrnba711]

There are little screws on the back of the headlights. Take a small phillips head screw driver and start turning to see which way it moves. The low and high beams have seperate adjusting screws but just dont remember how many each have. Its pretty easy to do once you find the little screws

[chessboxer]

you know, im going to be the first to get some jdm projectors and put them on upside down and backwards, so that the beam hits the right spot.
er, maybe not.

[f22a4bandit]

I have some Silverstar lights installed for my low beams on my Accord. I'm extremely satisfied with them so far. They are waaayyyy better than the stock lights since they are much brighter. Anyway, take it easy.

[bshshondaman06]

i like the looks of my ebay projecotrs... but the light output sucks. ill try to take a pic.. its horrible even with silverstars

[jsinger]

I had the halo projectors on my CD5. The halo was neat for awhile, but the overall performance sucked. I will never get projectors again, unless of course I did a retro fit, but I don't plan on it.

[haccord992h]

i also have the black projectors with HID and i love them.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/2300000-2300999/2300974_41_full.jpg

[Troggie42]

so, if i was to go on ebay, purchase these lights, and then go buy a xenon conversion kit, would i be alright? becasue, that is my overall plan, since the JDM ones arent exactly safe. i am not concerned about legality (disclaimer-although i should), but i do actually give a shit about safety. i know how pissed i get at oncoming brights.
i really want to try to do the kind that aww_shiet has on his.

[slick]

so, if i was to go on ebay, purchase these lights, and then go buy a xenon conversion kit, would i be alright? becasue, that is my overall plan, since the JDM ones arent exactly safe. i am not concerned about legality (disclaimer-although i should), but i do actually give a shit about safety. i know how pissed i get at oncoming brights.
i really want to try to do the kind that aww_shiet has on his.

wow no replies to this :confused: Anyways you can get the JDM headlights and when you buy a HID buy the h4 adapters and that will reduce the glare for oncoming traffic :D

[lonski]

Can I buy the ebay cheapos and just hack it and make use of the existing mould so it's easier to put in the real deal projectors?

[cloudasc]

Light output on the ebay projectors are decent, at least my set puts out equivalent to stock. The center running/parking lights between the low and high beams burned out that came with it, but have been replaced since, the rest of the bulbs are fine. My biggest complaint, would be the crappy non-clipping, cheaply glued connectors. If you want to be trouble free, just replace the connectors from the factory harness, and the ones on the lights, with something better, or just solder the wires together, depends upon how permanant you want it. I plan to retrofit my low and high beams to hid, but I need to confirm what bulbs are currently being used. H3/H4? I'll have to take my bulbs out and check.

[wvcb7]

i used to have those too and like everyone else mine pointed like straight down, so my output sucked, then one day i tightened the adjust screws on the back to adjust projector height and they liked good, then i blackhoused and yellow high beamed my stock ones and never looked back :tu: