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Retro Fit or get Projector TCs w/ HID

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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 11:39 PM
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Default Retro Fit or get Projector TCs w/ HID

So i was doing some research and i can get the 09 TC projector headlights and HIDs for about 500.00, or i can send my headlights in and get them retrofitted w/ TSX projectors for 865.00 plus shipping...

Is the retrofit really that much better or if i get the OEM TC projector headlights would those look just as good w/ a nice HID kit in them?

please shed some "light" on this ...(pun intended) haha
Old Nov 30, 2009 | 11:51 PM
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if you have the money to spend, i would say go for retrofit!
Old Nov 30, 2009 | 11:54 PM
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Retro fit is custom, always better!
Old Nov 30, 2009 | 11:54 PM
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I have heard that the tC's projectors are meant halogens not hids. But the TSX projectors on the other hand are made for hids. So you will get a better light output. Should be cleaner and crisper than the tC's hids. So if you want the better hid look then go with the retrofit. I plan on getting the 09 projectors for my 07. Then going HID. But thats only because I dont want to spend the 800+ on the retrofit. But if you can and want to spend the money then do it. You will probably like the results much better. My .02 cents.

Last edited by kyledye25; Nov 30, 2009 at 11:55 PM. Reason: forgot a word
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 12:03 AM
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Another option is getting the 08s and putting TSX projectors in.
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 01:18 AM
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retro!

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=147363
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 01:39 AM
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honestly the 08+ headlights do an ok job of working with HIDs...........but if you want something better please go for the retro.

For the cost I saw you posted I am guessing Izintrbl if making them for you.......he does great work and I have seen it in person on Cynce's car and the output of the lights was awsome and the work even better.
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 02:13 AM
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900 dollars for headlightss? i think thats a little to much soo i say stick with tc projectorss, im maybe selling my 08 projectorss im taking offerss =)
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 02:53 AM
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Originally Posted by diego_demarco1025
900 dollars for headlightss? i think thats a little to much soo i say stick with tc projectorss, im maybe selling my 08 projectorss im taking offerss =)
you gotta pay to play, well worth the money. ive been with my retro for over a year now and love it!
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 03:55 AM
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900 for a retro done by someone else is prolly the cheapest your will get it done for! hell for that price i may have to get with him to do my xD!

and to Yanki, its not so much paying to play as it is life and death! (being able to see and not glaring the ____ outta other people = priceless)
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 04:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Luc1f3r
900 for a retro done by someone else is prolly the cheapest your will get it done for! hell for that price i may have to get with him to do my xD!

and to Yanki, its not so much paying to play as it is life and death! (being able to see and not glaring the ____ outta other people = priceless)
well said. i was ridding in my moms car and sisters tC this past weekend at night. god i missed my retro.
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 09:23 PM
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go retro..

i bought used 08' headlights and tsx projectors and did it myself for $350
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Boardspinna
So i was doing some research and i can get the 09 TC projector headlights and HIDs for about 500.00, or i can send my headlights in and get them retrofitted w/ TSX projectors for 865.00 plus shipping...

Is the retrofit really that much better or if i get the OEM TC projector headlights would those look just as good w/ a nice HID kit in them?

please shed some "light" on this ...(pun intended) haha
That's really high for a retro.
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 02:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Phanon_TC
go retro..

i bought used 08' headlights and tsx projectors and did it myself for $350
ill pay you to make mine if you got em that cheap!!!
Old Dec 3, 2009 | 03:16 AM
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The retro guts themself are sometimes over $1k just for parts w/o labor. Depending on what kind of HID setup they use ..... could turn our REALLY nice
Old Dec 3, 2009 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Boardspinna
So i was doing some research and i can get the 09 TC projector headlights and HIDs for about 500.00, or i can send my headlights in and get them retrofitted w/ TSX projectors for 865.00 plus shipping...

Is the retrofit really that much better or if i get the OEM TC projector headlights would those look just as good w/ a nice HID kit in them?

please shed some "light" on this ...(pun intended) haha
If you want projectors, i say get the 09Tc Headlights:
1) they are Cheaper than the Retro's and you know they will fit w/o out issues.
2) the stock non-projectors TC headlights handle HIDs very well, so i would think the 08+ projectors would be better if not equal, i would also recommend getting the relay harness for the HIDs (you can find that online for 30-40 bucks now).


Just Because something is custom made does not mean it is better, it just could be a custom piece of crap.


IMO I'm staying with my stock 05 headlights and getting the harness w/ 6k HIDS, would only cost me about 120.00 (after everything).
Old Dec 3, 2009 | 02:42 PM
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^^^ lol the difference is that 08 projectors have 5 times better output then 05-07 stocks and retrofit projectors have 10 times better output than 08's
Old Dec 3, 2009 | 03:56 PM
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^For some reason I doubt that. I swapped in OEM halogen projectors in my old car and they put out less light than the reflector version.
Old Dec 3, 2009 | 03:58 PM
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^^yea maybe because they dont shoot glare everywhere like the 05-07s do. they keep it more concentrated in one area
Old Dec 3, 2009 | 04:01 PM
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Even putting glare aside there was less light on the ground. I'm betting it was because the light was being stretched over a wider area.



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