PDA

View Full Version : Miata barndoor Headlight projector retrofit



richterat83
09-18-2012, 07:03 AM
Started on my next project


Keeping the barn door headlights but upgrading to bixenon HID projectors.


I'll be using Morimoto Mini H1 bixenon projectors along with the Morimoto 3Five HID kit and vacu-forming a shroud


This is a work in progress thread as i'm currently working in progress


Thoughts please share!


And this is not a "Is it worth it" thread


Yes, bang for the buck is E-codes or bosch lights. So please keep that discussion out of this thread.


Post 2 has the work in progress, current pics of progress in 1st post

current status

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/IMG_2462.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/IMG_2456.jpg


per request: costs

$33 - Pilot headlights from Amazon
$270 - Mini H1 projector kit from The Retrofit Source (projectors, bulbs, ballasts, wiring harness)
For the projector setup, it CAN be done cheaper though ("value" projectors from TRS and DDM HID's which should be right around $100 total for projector/HID components)

the only other parts not accounted for is paint, new headlight sealant, and JB Weld

richterat83
09-18-2012, 07:03 AM
I'll be doing an all black look, so the projectors had to reflect that as well.

Painted the shield black one the projector on the right, the left side hasn't been painted yet
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/IMG_2450.jpg

Starting with Pilot clear lens housings from Amazon (Plastic lens instead of a glass lens)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/670FC79F-71C5-4736-BE58-C473DCF655A1-9260-000003AA6C06ECF3.jpg

Test fit of parts (Shroud needs a lot of cutting as does the housing)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/858BC020-2B61-4EF6-A9F7-4C35B7EC9904-2494-000001019BDB2965.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/C77A64B0-D9D7-49C0-B3C7-2D710F18EFA5-2494-000001019EF66028.jpg


Time to break out the dremel
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/8815C63D-BC7C-4D14-85F8-A1014758A207-9260-000003A8451BF2C6.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/6A58C90C-895D-4B32-8434-E293204BA612-9260-000003A848204E54.jpg

What i started with and what i've got left
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/593FE727-99E3-4395-BBD8-E62665BE3353-9260-000003A84B43FDEF.jpg

For rear clearnce i need to trim for MAYBE another 1/8" is all
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/7128F6A0-AC61-4E47-BACD-F36356B64F94-9260-000003A851FCB033.jpg

and in (but just test fitting)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/BD5E4027-29BC-4B87-9237-53B496AEB7A9-9260-000003A855197BC2.jpg

maharaj
09-18-2012, 07:49 AM
Great idea. Make sure that you post what the final cost is.

richterat83
09-18-2012, 07:55 AM
OP updated with costs

richterat83
09-21-2012, 07:26 AM
final cuts that needed made to get the lens to fit
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/1BA48FAB-EF09-41CB-8A44-78C3DF786950-14469-0000069542570352_zps38c3a1c7.jpg


i have maybe 1/16" clearance now between the lenses

Also painted it black as well as the face of the bowl so no chrome is visible now

richterat83
09-22-2012, 01:45 PM
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/1C85A344-104C-44E8-BFEC-1E7F96929D81-14469-0000086E39F00707_zps5ecaa0f5.jpg

Demon I Am
09-22-2012, 02:57 PM
good progress, tylor

richterat83
09-22-2012, 03:29 PM
Thanks

Waiting for the shrouds to arrive to take photos of each option, then paint the chrome light and install

ctrench
09-22-2012, 03:51 PM
damn, with the money you spent you could of almost done a low-pro conversion!

looks good though!!

richterat83
09-22-2012, 04:50 PM
The low pro is for looks, not or lighting performance

I've had a low pro, I like the full size pop-ups now

These will outperform any low pro setup though

drkknt05
09-23-2012, 09:15 PM
Good stuff. You've inspire me to now to get off my ass and finish my retrofit project.

richterat83
09-24-2012, 09:22 PM
Debating if I like the e55 shrouds for the miata in chrome or blacked out
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/908C0FE8-BEFE-438E-A388-360C5614EA9A-17732-00000A643927DE83.jpg

Or the mini graphite
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/82CCB091-79A7-4A6B-8DB5-5C54E5C279B4-17732-00000A643EE337E1.jpg

Or satin nickel
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/8FF9A93A-D210-4413-81E4-69C8775F59CD-17732-00000A6646F05A2F.jpg

richterat83
10-01-2012, 06:08 AM
Finished the lights for my miata
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/IMG_2479.jpg

Installed pics later today

Demon I Am
10-01-2012, 09:21 AM
looks really good, man

richterat83
10-01-2012, 09:23 AM
and installed

Dont mind the filthy car, it'll be getting a bath this week as well as proper pics
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/C083959C-383E-4857-A644-05799CDE3C48-600-000000A37ABDA20B.jpg

The Driver
10-01-2012, 09:44 AM
Awesome write up, thanks!

CarbonMiata
10-03-2012, 01:32 AM
This looks awesome!!! Very well done sir.

richterat83
10-12-2012, 07:34 AM
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/434911ae38afd74c8d0f9541ecce4391.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/9615bac807f478f1c85d2b288602be8f.jpg

richterat83
11-05-2012, 02:53 PM
3000k hid's replaced the 5000k hid's in the fogs
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/richterat83/20121028_204227_zps83551e40.jpg

blurry driving pics time

low beam
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/richterat83/20121028_203749_zps6dba1dcf.jpg

high beam
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/richterat83/20121028_203751_zps36861af1.jpg

and low beam and fogs
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/richterat83/20121028_203709_zpseb4a8c49.jpg

morr
11-05-2012, 04:22 PM
Holy crap, those turned out great! They seriously look like an OEM+ option they're that nice.

CarbonMiata
11-15-2012, 07:52 AM
Make some sets for everyone! :)

richterat83
11-15-2012, 09:03 AM
i'm up for it if anyone wants them

roy obanion
11-15-2012, 11:37 AM
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/34A09973-7A3B-4CD9-9B03-62F6F19739A9-9726-000004A1B2B31561.jpg



I like these so much, I am glad you did them. I will eventually make a set..

richterat83
11-15-2012, 12:27 PM
i should have a night time driving video soon now that i got a gopro so stay tuned

richterat83
11-16-2012, 11:22 AM
http://youtu.be/HVdGod3YLGQ

treeafodo
11-16-2012, 05:58 PM
The light output on this is really nice.

xjdesertfox
11-25-2012, 12:47 PM
Any reason aside from cost that you did the retro instead of getting a dapper lighting kit, which uses the MH1's? I was planning a retrofit soon, but was also considering just buying the pre-made dapper lighting kit.

richterat83
12-01-2012, 10:33 AM
I wanted to build these myself. I don't care the look of the dapper kit.

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/richterat83/20121130_170736_zps62344238.jpg

atank
08-04-2013, 09:16 AM
Very nice setup man!

richterat83
08-06-2013, 08:10 AM
Thank ya

I'm very happy with the setup

iKhanh
12-14-2013, 07:56 PM
i'd be down to buy a set if you're still okay with that =)