DIY: Bluer Low-Beam HID Bulbs
#1
DIY: Bluer Low-Beam HID Bulbs
I have been wanting to put new (8000k bulbs) since I bought my RX8 last year and the DIY section of this site has helped me tremendously with various projects, i noticed however there was no DIY Hid Upgrade. I decided to write one. This step-by-step guide w/pictures that will show you exactly what to do. The total time for this project with average mechanical skills, myself, including two beers was 24min.
Project: DIY Low-Beam HID Bulb Replacement/Upgrades
Time to complete: 24min, including two beers.
Tools Needed: Small Phillips screw driver, towel if you don't want to get dirty.
Step 1 (see pic, 4797)
Pick somewhere on level surface you would like to work. Either use a jack, as I did and jack one wheel at a time, or put your car on a lift.
Step 2 (see pic, 4798)
Using a screw driver turn the black plastic screws 1/8 or so counter clock wise to release them. You might have to place your hand on the back of it to get it to unlock. There are 8 that need to be taken off of each wheel wells.
Step 3 (see pic, 4805)
Gently pull down the black plastic wheel well piece so it hangs and gently lays on top the tire.
Step 4 (see pic, 4803)
Turn the cover to the left to open it up and expose the back of the connection which connects to the xenon headlight bulb.
Step 5 (see pic, 4804)
Remove the connector. Turn the connector to the left (counter-clock wise) and it will release and expose the light bulb) [drink 1st beer]
Step 6 (see pic, 4807)
Gently pull both the left and right locks in and then down, releasing the bulb.
Remove the bulb and place it in the box where your new bulbs are.
Step 7
Insert the new bulb the same way you took your old bulb out.
If you are looking at the bulb there is a square cut out, if you will and then a notch to the right (d2s). If you buy the wrong bulbs there will be the same square cut and then a notch to the left (d2r). d2c bulbs have both a notch on the left and right of the square one, make sure you line it up so your using the square in the middle and the notch on the right to lock in the bulb or else it isn't going to fit properly.
Repeat steps 1-6 in reverse order to seal eevrything back up. [Drink 2nd beer]
Do the other side.
Project: DIY Low-Beam HID Bulb Replacement/Upgrades
Time to complete: 24min, including two beers.
Tools Needed: Small Phillips screw driver, towel if you don't want to get dirty.
Step 1 (see pic, 4797)
Pick somewhere on level surface you would like to work. Either use a jack, as I did and jack one wheel at a time, or put your car on a lift.
Step 2 (see pic, 4798)
Using a screw driver turn the black plastic screws 1/8 or so counter clock wise to release them. You might have to place your hand on the back of it to get it to unlock. There are 8 that need to be taken off of each wheel wells.
Step 3 (see pic, 4805)
Gently pull down the black plastic wheel well piece so it hangs and gently lays on top the tire.
Step 4 (see pic, 4803)
Turn the cover to the left to open it up and expose the back of the connection which connects to the xenon headlight bulb.
Step 5 (see pic, 4804)
Remove the connector. Turn the connector to the left (counter-clock wise) and it will release and expose the light bulb) [drink 1st beer]
Step 6 (see pic, 4807)
Gently pull both the left and right locks in and then down, releasing the bulb.
Remove the bulb and place it in the box where your new bulbs are.
Step 7
Insert the new bulb the same way you took your old bulb out.
If you are looking at the bulb there is a square cut out, if you will and then a notch to the right (d2s). If you buy the wrong bulbs there will be the same square cut and then a notch to the left (d2r). d2c bulbs have both a notch on the left and right of the square one, make sure you line it up so your using the square in the middle and the notch on the right to lock in the bulb or else it isn't going to fit properly.
Repeat steps 1-6 in reverse order to seal eevrything back up. [Drink 2nd beer]
Do the other side.
Last edited by LivinLrge; 01-22-2007 at 02:16 PM.
#3
IstanbulNotConstantinople
Nice write-up. Very simple to do.
I'm going to update the "DIY Section – by Category and Alphabetically" thread today or tomorrow and I'll be sure to add this.
Now for some newbie questions.
I have the Xenon bulbs in my car. Are these brighter? Do they shine white or blue-ish?
And, approx. what should someone expect to pay for these?
Thanks.
I'm going to update the "DIY Section – by Category and Alphabetically" thread today or tomorrow and I'll be sure to add this.
Now for some newbie questions.
I have the Xenon bulbs in my car. Are these brighter? Do they shine white or blue-ish?
And, approx. what should someone expect to pay for these?
Thanks.
#5
Originally Posted by cesaralaniz
Nice write-up. Very simple to do.
I'm going to update the "DIY Section – by Category and Alphabetically" thread today or tomorrow and I'll be sure to add this.
Now for some newbie questions.
I have the Xenon bulbs in my car. Are these brighter? Do they shine white or blue-ish?
And, approx. what should someone expect to pay for these?
Thanks.
I'm going to update the "DIY Section – by Category and Alphabetically" thread today or tomorrow and I'll be sure to add this.
Now for some newbie questions.
I have the Xenon bulbs in my car. Are these brighter? Do they shine white or blue-ish?
And, approx. what should someone expect to pay for these?
Thanks.
Problem is even though eBay sellers, im talking about the ones that ship the bulbs from japan. There is a slight difference in the depth of the socket, where the connector from the car locks onto the back of the bulb. I had to return the ones I bought of eBay to get a pair that were made locally (in the states, and they work great).
The xenon bulbs in your car are the 4300k philips oem, they emit a yellowish/bright white looking color light. It looks white or sometimes blue, depending on elevation and level of the beams to oncoming traffic. These emit a lot of light (lumens, i want to say 32xx something)
The higher you move up on the kelvin scale, the less visible light your eyes can see. So 8k is about 2x brighter, more blue and cool looking but they rank in at 2489 lumens, about 1/3 less visible light. The plus side is you get cool looking lights and they are much easier on your eyes at night. I wear contacts and I can see just fine, I dont plan on changing the high beams just in case I need to see far away, there is a reasonable amount of distance loss with upgrading. If I had to do it over again, I would probably get the 6000k bulbs; best of the two worlds in my opinion.
I paid 89.00 on ebay +10 for shipping= 99.00, and i had to return them so. -20.00 for shipping and then my refund back so I ended up throwing $20 away.
The new ones are from http://www.plasmagarage.com I paid $159 and got free next day shipping~ good for me since I had just bought bulbs and had to return them
#6
I will take a shot tonight of what the bulbs from that website look like @ night for you guys, so couple of hours if you are unsure of upgrading but considering it. I have a great camera, because I like photography so the pics will be good.
Last edited by LivinLrge; 01-22-2007 at 02:11 PM.
#8
Denifon, I am assuming you are referring to how my first set of bulbs did not fit and lock in correctly. Yes they were D2S bulbs but I guess the manufacturing style of those particular ones from that particular source were not being made correctly which is why I went with the ones from plasmagarage.com
I am extremely happy with the amount of light output and the performance form these bulbs.
I am extremely happy with the amount of light output and the performance form these bulbs.
#9
Registered
Originally Posted by LivinLrge
The xenon bulbs in your car are the 4300k philips oem...These emit a lot of light (lumens, i want to say 32xx something)
The higher you move up on the kelvin scale, the less visible light your eyes can see. So 8k is about 2x brighter, more blue and cool looking but they rank in at 2489 lumens, about 1/3 less visible light. The plus side is you get cool looking lights and they are much easier on your eyes at night....there is a reasonable amount of distance loss with upgrading.
The higher you move up on the kelvin scale, the less visible light your eyes can see. So 8k is about 2x brighter, more blue and cool looking but they rank in at 2489 lumens, about 1/3 less visible light. The plus side is you get cool looking lights and they are much easier on your eyes at night....there is a reasonable amount of distance loss with upgrading.
With the references you made above, I unfortunetly fail to see where this qualifies as an 'upgrade'? Besides the new lights being, 'cool' & 'more blue' you mention that 'reasonable amount of distance loss with upgrading'.
I was under the impression that an upgrade would offer better visibility?
Nice DIY write up, nonetheless!
Laters!
Edgardo 'Confused how this is an upgrade'
#10
Originally Posted by grinn253
Another newbie question regaring this topic:
With the references you made above, I unfortunetly fail to see where this qualifies as an 'upgrade'? Besides the new lights being, 'cool' & 'more blue' you mention that 'reasonable amount of distance loss with upgrading'.
I was under the impression that an upgrade would offer better visibility?
Nice DIY write up, nonetheless!
Laters!
Edgardo 'Confused how this is an upgrade'
With the references you made above, I unfortunetly fail to see where this qualifies as an 'upgrade'? Besides the new lights being, 'cool' & 'more blue' you mention that 'reasonable amount of distance loss with upgrading'.
I was under the impression that an upgrade would offer better visibility?
Nice DIY write up, nonetheless!
Laters!
Edgardo 'Confused how this is an upgrade'
#11
Registered
iTrader: (2)
Thanks LivinLrge for the DIY and pics of the color of the 8000K light. Very nice.
I have thought about changing mine also but I am still undecided as to the fact of lose of light, as in distance. Whether that would be a good thing. There's not a lot of street lights here in AZ (where I live) and I do like the brightness of the stock bulbs. But the blue color is very attractive. Decisions ,decisions.
Again thank's for the DIY.
I have thought about changing mine also but I am still undecided as to the fact of lose of light, as in distance. Whether that would be a good thing. There's not a lot of street lights here in AZ (where I live) and I do like the brightness of the stock bulbs. But the blue color is very attractive. Decisions ,decisions.
Again thank's for the DIY.
#13
the shit starter
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I installed some 10000K low-beam HID bulbs. Cost me 60 bucks shipped from ebay, and took me less than an hour to install. Ya, I agree with Sephiroth that compared to the stock HID's (which I think were 6400K), my blue HID's barely put out as much light. But since the light is so different, you can easily tell who's headlights is who's
My 10000K HID's work great when their are no other light sources around me
My 10000K HID's work great when their are no other light sources around me
#14
Originally Posted by Keef
I installed some 10000K low-beam HID bulbs. Cost me 60 bucks shipped from ebay, and took me less than an hour to install. Ya, I agree with Sephiroth that compared to the stock HID's (which I think were 6400K), my blue HID's barely put out as much light. But since the light is so different, you can easily tell who's headlights is who's
My 10000K HID's work great when their are no other light sources around me
My 10000K HID's work great when their are no other light sources around me
Here are some more pics I just took, its overcast with some rain here in Florida, and also some night shots are included.
Also regarding whoever said about the stock, stock is 4300k not 6400k and also everyone knows that the stock bulbs put out more lumens because of the lower kelvin temperature. Lower kelvin temperature does not mean that they are brighter however. Higher kelvin, increases brightness of the light.color and decreases the light output of the color ect.
Also in one of those pics there is that yellowish light, that is not from the car lights ...it is my security light and since its daylight out right now i cant retake the picture... sorry.
#17
WLED-x5 LED Wedge Base Bulbs from www.superbrightleds.com They are the super whites.
#19
Originally Posted by LivinLrge
WLED-x5 LED Wedge Base Bulbs from www.superbrightleds.com They are the super whites.
^^^^
#21
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Originally Posted by LivinLrge
WLED-x5 LED Wedge Base Bulbs from www.superbrightleds.com They are the super whites.
On top of that it's 5 LED that spin round for sidemarker, 6 LED for license plate
9 red LED for interior door, and 6 straight for the front map lights... Today I'm actually installing red footlamp LED's! haha... I'm addicted...
#22
Well...the passenger side led light just went out tonight...2 weeks old..and the passenger side is a bitch to put in. I ended up just removing the drivers side and turning them both off all together, until i get some time to take apart the whole bumper ect to install new ones, but it definitely isnt a priority.
#23
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Originally Posted by LivinLrge
Well...the passenger side led light just went out tonight...2 weeks old..and the passenger side is a bitch to put in. I ended up just removing the drivers side and turning them both off all together, until i get some time to take apart the whole bumper ect to install new ones, but it definitely isnt a priority.
PCM removal by Zoom44
Last edited by RoyalPain; 02-24-2007 at 11:31 AM.
#25
I got my D2S HID bulbs from a guy on ebay. His ebay ID is MotoringMax and he sells HID bulbs and LED bulbs.
his ebay store is http://stores.ebay.com/MotoringMax. He has pretty good price with really fast shipping.
Hope this helps on everybody.
his ebay store is http://stores.ebay.com/MotoringMax. He has pretty good price with really fast shipping.
Hope this helps on everybody.