HID upgrade

[jack&mle]

Hello

I am thinking about upgrading my headlight with HID for dip and main beam.
I had a look on e-bay and there are plenty of kit.
I have also look on the web for some info and according to my finds, the bulbs are 35W but not much less.

What are the pros and cons of an HID headlight?
What should I avoid?
Would it be possible to go to my local scrapyard and get the right bits?

Thanks for your help

Jack

[tribbles]

I believe that if you have HID lights, then you need to have:

1) A washer system for the lens cover

2) A self-levelling device for the beams

This is to prevent the beams from straying into people's eyes (they're very bright).

[jack&mle]

You don't need any of them as it will be an aftermarket fitting.

I will just have to make sure the headlight are well adjusted and as my car is so low, I don't think the beams straying into people's eyes, will be much of a problem

Jack

[RichardD]

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=9&t=308006

Interesting thread on a TVR that has been changed over

[ricola]

I converted my libra to Jaguar XJ bi-xenons and am currently rebuilding a Phantom GTR with BMW E46 bi-xenons. It is a lot of work and the electrics are a bit tricky to sort out. Running power is 35W but start up is a LOT higher so relays are needed as well as finding sources that keep the power feed on while switching between main/dipped otherwise they have to restat leaving you temporarily blind if drivign at night!
There are a few retro conversion HID forums that go into the detail and help a lot, pics of my conversions are on my site. Personally, I don't like the aftermarket stuff as the lenses are designed for HID and there is the question mark of ability to get spares down the line. Then there's quality..

Libra:



Phantom:


Rich

[jack&mle]

Thank you very much for the link Richard

Thanks for the pics Rich, very interesting indeed.
Unfortunately, I haven't got a Plexiglas cover, like you have on your Lybra or Phantom, so I cannot use them.

Any other ideas of which OEM could work?

Cheers

Jack

[ricola]

the only option I can think of is to use some Hella sealed units that you can buy aftermarket, all others are bulb swaps. TVR use them in the Tuscan, I saw a pair go for reasonable money on ebay too
Rich

[jack&mle]

RicH

Could you point me towards a picture of the unit you are talking about?
I had a look on TVR's website and I am not sure what I need to look @

Cheers

Jack

[ricola]

page 13 on this link:
www.hella.com/produktion/HellaCOM/WebSite/MiscContent/Download/SpecialOE/Caravan_en.pdf

Rich

[RazMan]

I was looking at this last year as my car uses BMW Mini lights which are available in HID. They come with most of the hardware needed to get them up and running (the power unit & levelling system is integral to the headlight) I was put off by the fact that Mr SVA needed the extra kit mentioned earlier and it would be difficult to install in a kit car.
In the end I settled for conventional headlights with 'HID' lookalike bulbs