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
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 =)
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