hi, i'm in the process if getting together everything i need for a retrofit and this is what i have planned:

TSX projectors
e46 shrouds
custom harness
and unknown ballasts/bulbs

what do you guys think so far? one thing i couldn't find an answer to was how to mount the shroud. also, when your done can you sill use the sock adjustment screws to aim the lights? i took a look at the great DIY writeup in the tech section but these are the questions i still have.
i've done many custom works such as interior pannels, sub boxes, electrical... so i'm sure i can do this but if you have any tips please toss em this way, i'm sure it will help others as well.
thanks.

 

depending on what shrouds you got it might be a bit difficult to fit it in there. I had the bi-xenon shroud which is a little bigger than the single xenon shroud and Noodle had to cut some of the bottom of the shroud so i was able to still use the stock adjustment. the bottom of the shroud which is the round part will need to be cut some. Becarefull handling them tho cause any smudges will lead to the chrome comming off.

Ballast you should try Matsu____a, Denso or Hella. If your looking on ebay for this be carefull cause there are some fakes. Philips d2s bulbs should be good too.

 

I have been working on my retrofit, for several months now. Gotta say this is the hardest project I have done so far. I went on the route of creating my own shroud from fiberglass and e46 shrouds, but found out the hard way that having a tight fitment of the shrouds affects the direction of the light.

I did not use screws to adjust the aiming of the lights as i found no way of adjusting them once everything was together. so I just jbweld mine.

One thing about this project is not to underestimate it. It has bitten me in the ___ a few times now. but definitely never give up on it.

The hardest part of retrofitting IMO is fitting the shrouds.
I got all my materials from copying Yanki01 materials list and they all worked get. except one of my Matsu____a ballast fail (after a car wash). so make sure you water proof them. i'll be using zip-lock bags as added protection this time (ghetto but hope it works)

 

thanks you 2 for the for the help. i have heard that the chrome can come off the shrouds but is it really THAT sensitive? damn. i thought about glassing my own shrouds but i want it chrome so thats why i'm going with the e46's.

Yanki: how do you tell the bi-xenon shrouds from the single? do you have any pics of what had to be cut inorder to fit the shrouds?

bembowe: try using silicone to seal it. put it over where the 2 halfs come together and where the wires go in. if you ever have to take it apart it won't be too hard to get the silicone off. a ziplock bag will crumble over time so might as well do it the right way the first time.

 

the last time, I used just plastidip on the ballast. this time I will definitely be using silicone on the ballast then, zip-lock it tight.
it sucks buying extra parts for a retrofit.

 

hey one other question, bi-xenon means hi/lo beams right? if so, do i have to get bulbs and balasts' that have hi and lo beam? how does that work? i don't need hi beams but i'm just asking because i also plan on doing a TL retrofit in my supra and want hi beams in that.

 

bi-xenon is high/low yes, but the bulb will not be different than a single xenon projector. this is what the bi-xenon does...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5h5q1E3h1...elated&search=

the only thing it does is move the shield for the high beam. as for the shrouds, i believe the single xenon is smaller round wise than the bi-x. "Noodle" on here did my retro and the cutting. i know he cut some of the bottom.

 

cool thanks. is there anything thats not on youtube, lol.
anyway, do you if he had to cut the bottom of the shroud or the headlight. also, should i go with the bi-xenon shroud? how do you install it? just jb-weld?

 

cut the bottom of the shroud and i think silicone will be fine.

 

thank you very much for all the help. is there anything else i should know before i get started or any tips that will help me out?

 

take your time.

 

o i will be doing that. i'm working on a spare set of headlights so i have plenty of time.