[luckymichael]

I'm looking into installing HIDs on my car, but I don't think I want to do it myself. Does anyone know good place where this could be done in SF?
Thanks. Wait for your comments.

 

[Fireblade6]

Installing HIDS

Lucky Mike-

If you want for me to show you how to install HIDs lighting system in your MDX, please let me know.

No need to pay for a local auto shop to do it for you.

 

[DaleB]

I found a lot of places with kits. What are the best recommendations for where to buy them?
I am still undecided about 'color'. I think 6000K would suit me fine.

 

[rflagg]

I'm looking into installing HIDs on my car, but I don't think I want to do it myself. Does anyone know good place where this could be done in SF?
Thanks. Wait for your comments.

Dude,

First buy them. (I love my Stage 1's. They are the brightest thing on the road.)

Second, take them to your auto mechanic. It should take them about 15 minutes to 30 minutes to install.

Third, adjust them. While the mechanic can install them, you need to wait for nightfall inorder to get the beam pattern set right. I'll that takes is a 8mm socket wrench. (I think!)

As to where to buy them, check this site. I bought mine from Supreme Power Parts I give them an 'A' for using 100% Phillips components and customer support.

rflagg

 

[rflagg]

I found a lot of places with kits. What are the best recommendations for where to buy them?
I am still undecided about 'color'. I think 6000K would suit me fine.

Dale,

You need to ask yourself what you want to get out of your HIDs. If you want the brightest light on the road, then Stage 1's are for you. If you want your lights to be noticed by having a blue tone to them, the 5000K - 6000Ks (AKA Stage 2's) are for you.

Just remember that the higher color temperature, (xxxK's) don't equate to brightness. See Sylvania's Site for more information.


Concerning where to buy, you cannot go wrong with

Supreme Power Parts They now carry Stage 2's. See my Stage 1 group buy page for installation instructions.

rflagg

 

[Drew]

Just remember that the higher color temperature, (xxxK's) don't equate to brightness. See Sylvania's Site for more information.

Not to mention that 6K ones are actually not legal. I would go with Stage 1 as well.

 

[DaleB]

Not to mention that 6K ones are actually not legal. I would go with Stage 1 as well.

No HIDs that fit standard reflector assemblies are legal, right?
I like the Philips 5000K. Seems to be the right combination of improved illumination and a noticeable color change from stock.
I am not into the bluer than blue. Although plan to see one in action (8000K) soon on a friend's car.

 

[Drew]

No HIDs that fit standard reflector assemblies are legal, right?
I like the Philips 5000K. Seems to be the right combination of improved illumination and a noticeable color change from stock.
I am not into the bluer than blue. Although plan to see one in action (8000K) soon on a friend's car.

All HID retrofit kits, whether fitted into reflector or projector assemblies are legal. The only legal way to do it is to buy an entirely new factory designed OEM Xeon lamp assembly; of course in the MDX's case this is not possible since it is not a factory option. The reason why they're illegal is because HID bulbs are totally unlike regular halogen bulbs and require specialised lamp assemblies to control the light output. A lot of NHTSA complaints about HIDs are actually coming from people who have these retrofit kits, or the cheap blue tinted halogen bulbs.

See this article for more details (it's definitely worth the read)i:
http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/info/bulbs/HID/conversion/

I believe that the Phillips Ultinon bulbs are 6K. I haven't heard of 5K ones myself. The 8K ones are apparently all crap...just blue tinted (yes!!) HID bulbs from Japan or Korea. When you go that high up the colour spectrum, you actually approach black!

 

[DaleB]

I haven't heard of 5K ones myself.

just follow the link:

http://www.supremepowerparts.com/

 

[Drew]

Heh, now we know the truth. The bulbs are actually 4200K ones that have some sort of dichoric filter on them to filter out certain frequencies. Of course with any filter, you will experience loss in lumens. Not good!!

 

[mact3333]

All HID retrofit kits, whether fitted into reflector or projector assemblies are legal. The only legal way to do it is to buy an entirely new factory designed OEM Xeon lamp assembly; of course in the MDX's case this is not possible since it is not a factory option. The reason why they're illegal is because HID bulbs are totally unlike regular halogen bulbs and require specialised lamp assemblies to control the light output. A lot of NHTSA complaints about HIDs are actually coming from people who have these retrofit kits, or the cheap blue tinted halogen bulbs.

See this article for more details (it's definitely worth the read)i:
http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/info/bulbs/HID/conversion/

I believe that the Phillips Ultinon bulbs are 6K. I haven't heard of 5K ones myself. The 8K ones are apparently all crap...just blue tinted (yes!!) HID bulbs from Japan or Korea. When you go that high up the colour spectrum, you actually approach black!

Drew, i think you are wrong when you say that all retrofits are legal...they are all illegal!(but doesnt really matter cause i have done 4 retros already and have never been pulled over let alone flashed)...i even bought a bosch headlight assembly with hella ballast and osram 4300K bulbs from the BMW dealership themselves and they are not legal technically..its cause the autolevelers do not work unless your car was prewired for xenons from the factory..also, your are wrong about the 8000K bulbs all being painted or sleeved...i personally have a 7500K system from SPP and it look sgood...the 7500K temp scale is done from different mixtures of halides within xenon filled chamber.

 

[mact3333]

I'm looking into installing HIDs on my car, but I don't think I want to do it myself. Does anyone know good place where this could be done in SF?
Thanks. Wait for your comments.

Michael, i am one of the most inept people on the planet when it comes to manual handywork and even i did the retorfit on a MDX in 15 minutes...it is so easy you wont believe it...its as simple as plugging in a bulb and attaching the wire from ballast to it and attaching low beam adapter to ballast and its as simple as that...email me if you want pics and directions.

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