1st gen IMP headlights on BD??

[superu]

has anyone tried swapping impreza headlights onto a BD (2nd gen legacy)?

I think it would improve illumination, and i do recognize the IMP light is a touch smaller, so there's be some grill/adornment fitment issues..
BUT the IMP lights are GLASS (i.i. no fading/fogging) and brighter, so it is worth considering IMO... . .

:smt017 :smt017

[harrymaneuvers]

If all you are after is the glass headlamp that is brighter... they made a glass non-projector headlamp for our cars in Europe... I looked for the thread that was on here from someone selling a set... I think he wanted like $400 for them.


Maybe one of the mods can point you in the right direction.


I swear they were called E-Spec or E-Type... they are a factory part somewhere in Europe or Austrailia.

[superu]

If all you are after is the glass headlamp that is brighter... they made a glass non-projector headlamp for our cars in Europe... I looked for the thread that was on here from someone selling a set... I think he wanted like $400 for them.


Maybe one of the mods can point you in the right direction.


I swear they were called E-Spec or E-Type... they are a factory part somewhere in Europe or Austrailia.

Hmm, didn't know that. Cool!
It's worth a look though, I have an aussie deal working right now, maybe he could find me some glass ones and put in the box too . .
thanx for the info



BUT $400 vs, like $30, and a little custom fitment and grill work . . . . . . . :smt016

:grin:

[StatGSR]

its going to be a lot more than just a "little customization".... its fenders, hood, core support, grille you name it would have to be modified to make it look alright....

of you want to do something to improve lighting just gut them and install some hella projectors, or just buy jdms like everyone else...

[superu]

its going to be a lot more than just a "little customization".... its fenders, hood, core support, grille you name it would have to be modified to make it look alright....

of you want to do something to improve lighting just gut them and install some hella projectors, or just buy jdms like everyone else...

Yeah, I guess looking all right vs. functional are totally different animals. And RE: JDM projectors.. I did look into them when someone here offered them to me, but yeah I wasn't too excited on their going rate... :smt012 thus $50 or so for IMPs from a JY vs $400 or so for JDM projectors. . .

I'm shopping for some KCs and had some hellas, but one came with a shattered lense...lame! But Yeah, I want to put a set of driving lights on the bumper for extended highway illumination, but I wouldn't mind a little better brightness from the headlights too.

still in mental research mode though. . .
But I like the Euro/Aussie glass gen 2 legacy headlight idea! :smt026

[StatGSR]

you should be able to get JDM projectors for less than 300 easily... ebay it up!

[Huffer]

FWIW, I considered this a couple of years ago.
The payoff isn't as big as it used to be, not with all the retro projector kits coming out now.

The benefit of glass lenses is largely negated if you sand down your stock housings, polish them up really well, and then hit them with a clear lacquer or clear coat. You could also use Lamin-X or similar.

Cost of sanding your lenses smooth = $20 if you have the sander, or if you do it by hand
Cost of retro'ng projector lenses = $200 if you buy a kit from someplace like retrofitsource.com or similar
Cost of lacquering or clear coating your lenses = $5 spray can

Benefits? You have lighting that is comparable to a late model Acura, with the correct LHD cutoff and aiming, and there's no messing with fabrication.

:)

[Baddog]

All this talk about retro fit headlights has me wondering. How easy is it really to convert to a projector light that is Bi-Xenon.

Also what kit would you get? That would be affordable but yet give a great light output.

[Reason]

Someone did try that on here. He actually tried to swap a front on and failed.

[httrdd]

^ yep! xXGTBspecXx. I stole his hood scoop idea.

[Okin DaVanh]

Someone did try that on here. He actually tried to swap a front on and failed.
And I tried to warn him of the amount of work, but :smt009 He knew WAY more than me....

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9823&start=300 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9823&start=300)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/07/CIMG00291-1.jpg


I too had contemplated it, but found the measurements were extremely off and would've required extensive modding of the Imp parts. Definitely not worth it. Everything is too short and narrow-er. Hood/fenders etc would require adding metal etc... The hood itself, leaves a huge gap near the windshield. Better off customizing your front end (hood/fenders etc...) with use of the Imp bumper, if that's the look you want.