DIY: HID Conversion (BE/BH demo)

[SilentRacer]

Something to consider
If you plan to do an HID conversion, theres a few things you should know first. HIDs work best in a split housing where there are seperate bulbs for Low beam and HI beam (BE GTs have the H1 for low). Also the higher the burning temperature of the bulbs you buy (blue,purple), the less light output they provide. In this demonstration I have 4300k (White) bulbs.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/12/hidkit-1.jpg
Preparation
To prolong the life of your HID bulbs and wires, there is a few steps you can take before hand. First thing to do is disable the daytime runnning lights. This will be where the HIDs will go and you definitly don't want them on all day. ALSO, DON'T TOUCH HID BULBS WITH YOUR HANDS....the oil from your skin ruins them.

1) Take off the cover under the steering wheel. Its held on with two pop screws on the left and one underneath.
2) After thats done you should be able to stick you head underneath and look up. You will see a small black box with a white and blue plug stuck into it . Remove the white plug to turn off daytime running lights.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/12/whiteplug-1.jpg

Next you will need to find a location to mount your ballasts. This has to be close to your headlights and away from water and movement. I found a nice spot underneath the headlights with some holes I can tie it down through. You can use double sided tape or velcroe if you want to.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/12/ballast-1.jpg

Finally, you will need to drill a hole through you plastic bulb covers. This will allow the new thicker wire to come through to your HID bulb. I'm not sure on the size but I started with a small drill bit and worked my way up till it fit. The HIDs come with a rubber plug that you can put in the hole and stick the plastic cover sides between (rubber/plastic/rubber).
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/12/wires-1.jpg

Now just connect your normal headlight connectors and enjoy.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/12/hid_pattern-1.jpg

[GrassyKnoll]

Good start, many people have a much harder set up in terms of wiring, but if you get a kit that has everything pre-configured as in the example car's kit, you should be fine :smile:

Also, Important to remember to always turn your lights off when your car is off when you have HIDs. If you start the car with the lights on, insufficent power to the ballasts can cause damage.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I'm sure they make relays that have a delay in them or some sort of voltage meter that will only turn on once the proper voltage range has been released. It'd be an inexpensive protection feature.

[SilentRacer]

Also, Important to remember to always turn your lights off when your car is off when you have HIDs. If you start the car with the lights on, insufficent power to the ballasts can cause damage.

Right, turn them on after the engines on and turn them off before the engine is off. Also don't idle with them on.

[badbasser98]

ancient thread bump...

How do you like the light output? Is the spread any better than stock? I've been looking into this conversion and want more than just bling factor.

Thanks,
-BB98

[SilentRacer]

The light output is so much better that I really hate driving other cars at night...and im not joking. Go with the closest color temp to natural light lik and you will not be dissapointed in output. I'll tape a little vid if i get a chance of them igniting...its the best part.

[badbasser98]

how bad is the glare? I realize it probably not as bad as the L lights, but there has to be some...

[RadeOn]

Got a pic of light output from driver's seat?

[SilentRacer]

I'm waiting for a set of tires to come in, in a few days, as soon as they do I can drive the car to a dark area and take pics for you guys.

[badbasser98]

nice, thanks :smile:

[ProdriveDreams]

The only thing im wondering here is did you change the wiring to the fuse box? or did you just change the fuses?

If you just changed the fuses, i would reccomend you consider ploppin those ol' 15ers back in there. The reason being that wiring is designed with current flow in mind, and fuses are designed with the wiring in mind. If you didnt replace the wires then your wiring will melt before your fuses blow.

Glad to see you had good results with the HID conversion tho, as i have ordered a Kit for my JDM projectors... ooo the anticipation

[SilentRacer]

The only thing im wondering here is did you change the wiring to the fuse box? or did you just change the fuses?

If you just changed the fuses, i would reccomend you consider ploppin those ol' 15ers back in there. The reason being that wiring is designed with current flow in mind, and fuses are designed with the wiring in mind. If you didnt replace the wires then your wiring will melt before your fuses blow.



Conversion kits are designed to be used with stock wiring. I didn't have to change to higher fuses eather, I just did it on a recommendation.

[SilentRacer]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/04/hid1-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/04/hid3-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/04/hid2-1.jpg

[Payback45]

What do you think of this kit?

eBay link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H1-Xenon-HID-Headlights-Kit-00-04-Subaru-Legacy-GT_W0QQitemZ180195889941QQihZ008QQcategoryZ33710QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

It looks similar to me.

[SilentRacer]

Ye there are alot of similar kits, personally id suggest at least getting the ballast from a known company like hella or philips. However its your choice.

[N3M3S1S]

Wondering if anyone can help me? I got HID kit installed fine, but im trying to disable the DRL and ran into a problem.
I located the black box with the black and white plugs, and I unplugged the white one, but it totally disabled the HID lights altogether, whether they are on or on DRL. My high beam halogens will still work though. If I reverse it and unplug the black one, my halogen highbeams do not work, but my HIDs both on DRL and on will work again.
Any ideas how to get the DRL to go off, but be able to turn on the HID lights when I turn the lights on?

Also, I think this may have something to do with it. When installed, a relay was connected to my battery because they were flickering without it on DRL. Maybe if I disconnect the relay to the battery, this will resolve my issue???