DIY: hid retrofit on a budget! (for halogen lights)

I am so ready to do this DIY! I have ordered the retro kit and will be ordering the HID's as soon as I find the one's I want (any recommedations?). Can anyone recommend a retro kit or what needs to be done to my fog's to match?

5000k XB35s w/ Morimoto 3Five.1 ballasts from TRS.

Halfway through my retro I decided to snap a comparison shot. New vs old. New frosted angel eyes too.





The difference between the halogens and MH1s is mind-blowing.

Originally Posted by deadwood83

I would suggest some 5000K XB35s from TRS. I have a DDM 6k kit and the difference is unbelievable. Brighter, sharper, no bulb spacing issues.

Compare my picture from earlier up this page with the DDM prism to this one with the XB35s.

Very nice light out put. Can I ask you what bulb you're using here, OSRAM?

There are no European nor North American H1 bulbs available in the states. Those are TRS's XB35 bulbs. They're a Philip's knockoff from China. 5000K color temperature.

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=235

That blue cut off line is amazing. I was SET on buying the projector housings from umnitza, but I think I'll do this instead, save a few bucks.. AND have the satisfaction that I did it myself.
Thanks!
I'll post pictures when I finish this on mine!

Originally Posted by mattfarrington

That blue cut off line is amazing. I was SET on buying the projector housings from umnitza, but I think I'll do this instead, save a few bucks.. AND have the satisfaction that I did it myself.
Thanks!
I'll post pictures when I finish this on mine!

Definitely AVOID P46s. Their output is terrible. Coming from OEM halogens, the MH1 retrofit is amazing. Heck even compared to most cars on the road using pnp HID kits or halogen reflectors the MH1 is ballin.

Definitely get quality bulbs though. Ballasts are so-so (a.k.a. get cheap ones) but bulbs can have HUGE differences in output. I had DDM 6000K bulbs and they were only about 60% as bright as the 5000K XB35s I have now.

Originally Posted by deadwood83

Definitely AVOID P46s. Their output is terrible. Coming from OEM halogens, the MH1 retrofit is amazing. Heck even compared to most cars on the road using pnp HID kits or halogen reflectors the MH1 is ballin.

Definitely get quality bulbs though. Ballasts are so-so (a.k.a. get cheap ones) but bulbs can have HUGE differences in output. I had DDM 6000K bulbs and they were only about 60% as bright as the 5000K XB35s I have now.

I'm new to the HID thing here, and sizes. But...
I know I want 6k bulbs. My mind has been made up. I love the white, and blue tint.

So should I get the bulbs off TRS? Or go somewhere else?
I don't know what I want.. I know I want 6k and preferably 55W (or 70W if possible?)

Damn, those XB35s are fkn sick!

Originally Posted by mattfarrington

I'm new to the HID thing here, and sizes. But...
I know I want 6k bulbs. My mind has been made up. I love the white, and blue tint.

So should I get the bulbs off TRS? Or go somewhere else?
I don't know what I want.. I know I want 6k and preferably 55W (or 70W if possible?)

Definitely get the bulbs off of TRS. 55w is too high for MH1s. People have burned the bowls and bubbled the chrome with 55w kits. MH1s with 35w ballasts will still be easily twice to three times the light output of halogens.

Oh and cool story. When my lights flicker, they flicker through the entire spectrum. It is entirely badass when you see it on glass buildings or the backs of white cars.

Originally Posted by deadwood83

Definitely get the bulbs off of TRS. 55w is too high for MH1s. People have burned the bowls and bubbled the chrome with 55w kits. MH1s with 35w ballasts will still be easily twice to three times the light output of halogens.

Oh and cool story. When my lights flicker, they flicker through the entire spectrum. It is entirely badass when you see it on glass buildings or the backs of white cars.

That blows chunks.. I really wanted the 55W kit for the max light possible. But I mean, saving a ton of money.. yeah this will be sweet. and if it's only 35W, then I'll do the 5k bulbs, to get more white.

The 6k would look good as a 55W, less blue. but at 35W.. too much blue for me.

I tried to capture the full prism flicker, but I kinda failed. Even only showing half the flicker that other people see, it's an awesome flicker. Also, notable intake rumble and wind noise, so watch your volume.

Hmm, if those are 5k bulbs going at 35W, I'll definitely take them, hands down. Maybe down the road in the future I'll get a different projector or something, that'll handle 55W, but those looks sweet as is, with the flicker!

Also I noticed you said the ballast is okay to go cheap? Unless I misunderstood?

I'm not good with the HID department just yet, I know I'll get the 5k XB35's. But which ballast should I get? Any links? or names? I don't know who's good, and who's Chinese ****.

I have DDM tuning slim ballasts and they seem fine. Over on HIDPlanet member StupidPig did a ballast comparison and the cheap ones came out surprisingly favorably. Pretty much any ballast you get will be Chinese (Matsuhashita aside) and they all seem to perform similarly. If you want quality guarantees then go with the TRS Morimoto 3Five.1 ballasts, but from all the reading I've done, others seem to hold up fine.

WAAHH! I'm having an issue here.
I don't see "5000K XB35" or anything to do with XB35 on TRS...
Anyone have a link?
or is that the bulb I can get with the Projector for $25?

Originally Posted by mattfarrington

WAAHH! I'm having an issue here.
I don't see "5000K XB35" or anything to do with XB35 on TRS...
Anyone have a link?
or is that the bulb I can get with the Projector for $25?

link in post #505

Originally Posted by deadwood83

link in post #505

I feel so stupid right now...
thank you man.

I seriously can't wait to have a spare.. $300 on me to do this!
I might just have to sell my subs and amp to some sap for $300.

(old and not what I really want anyways)

ALSO!!

Would it be a good idea to call them and get the FX-R lens as well? or is the lens that's in it, good enough?

I just want the BEST light output I can get, without breaking the bank. and for another $35, to get better light, seems like I'd be dumb not to..

the lens on the MH1s is clear, no need for a new lens. It has some speckles but nothing that affects output. The best light on the road would be OEM projectors for distance or an FX-R retro for balance. But the cost of the former and the effort of the latter makes the MH1s perfect neutral ground IMO.

Sounds like that's the answer I'm looking for!
Thanks so much!
I can't wait until I get this done!

I just start this project. hope nothing will stop me.