Making custom Tail lights. need suggestions on design!
 

Hi guys, I've been browsing rx8club for over a year now but I haven't made any posts yet until i had something helpful to add. Well one year later I finally have enough experience and knowledge to finally contribute.

Anyways my tail light recently died, and I mean the light bulb came loose and while leaning on the socket it melted and dis-formed the plastic around it so I couldn't even remove the bulb from the housing. This is my second pair of tails as the original had the common splits/cracks on the edge of the lens and also were water logged.
I was considering purchasing used '09 up tails from ebay because i got to admit they look absolutely awesome but ebay only had after market ones for $550 and to me they looked cheap and ugly... So i decided I will make completely custom ones from Carbon Fiber!

Now I would love to get some ideas on what design I should make it since I will be keeping the original shape of the tail light so it will be a plug and play design but I wanted to make switch-back LEDs (red-yellow) instead of light bulbs.

I am currently torn between plasma Halos and Lambo style Arrows :wiggle: (see pics)



https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...17c2188c25.jpg



dual halo



https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...beb5d8e0bc.jpg


Lambo style tail lights


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...eee3e0f326.jpg


beautiful comparison on a rx7

Any suggestions are appreciated :)
(Also after i successfully make a set for my 8 and then my lady's 8 i am thinking of offering them to you guys as well if there is demand)

i would vote for the circular design- PLASMA HALOS - and i would DEFINITELY be interested in purchasing a pair based on what the pics of your final result look like

i have bought custom led clear corners form forum member rotary rasp many years ago and they are still doing well and look awesome- he since moved on to a bmw...

Great to hear back
 

Thanks for your interest Karstman7! I have been doing some designs and measurements and it looks like it wont be that hard to do.
I have also made some new friends and I found a company that can make me red COB halo lights which is great news since they are offering bulk pricing.
I also finally decided that instead of making the CF plug out of clay it would be easier to use spray foam and hot wire cutter to shape it. It will probably take me a little over a month to get a few pairs out but I might need some help "Beta testing" hint hint :lol:
So i guess I would like to offer you a "sponsored" pair when they are ready

I also love the circular halo look! I'd definitely be interested for the right price!

Sounds good! Keep me updated - Id love to see progress pics along the way if possible. Good luck sounds like a great start!

Btw - u and your woman have 8s! Nice. I was happy mine knew how to drive manual but she loves SUVs unfortunately lol.

I would say halos but the OEM tails are already circular. Lambo/Audi style lights would be sick. Sort of a euro feel to the 8.

Agree with this. The stock s2 lights are already circular and I believe there are already quite a few conversion kits for the s1 tails out there. It'd be nice to see something new like the lambo style.

I suggest you design some tail lights with a trunk-width led brake light between the tails - sort of a nod to the FD. Keep it all dark until illuminated.

i think a halo ring (single LED style, not multiple ones making up the ring) where the normal s1 brake light is with just a clean LED bar along each of the "strakes" would look incredible.

i've been wanting to pull mine apart and try that, along with some super bright reverse lights, but that is low on the of possible custom mods i want to do.

rzetek - any progress?

The halos look great. These things could defentily be something I would love to put on my 8. Very interested to see where this ends up