FX35 HID retrofit - Updated

[anothernord]

So I had E55 projectors in my JDM headlights for a while, and they were ok, but the retrofit bug bit harder and soon I found myself with a pair of FX35 projectors with some clear lenses.


The cutoff once behind the plastic headlight lens is really weird, otherwise, I get decent color, although the pictures don't show as much color as there really is.

One of my bulbs is also getting weird on me, when I turn on the lights at first, the RH projector has nice color and intensity, but after ~30 seconds, the color fades and the bulb dims. I might have a bad bulb on my hands...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3039-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3034-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3038-1.jpg


The incredible purple doesn't show up in this pic:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3069-1.jpg



Also,
HeresMyMind, one of SLi's HID gurus, has a retrofit service to retro your headlights with sweet HID projectors like this. Check it out: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=10271 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=10271)

[HeresMyMind]

Do NOT bend the shield for color. you will cause bowing of the cutoff. cut the front shield off and space the clear lens. u want slight blue at about 20ft. and dont be discouraged if your beam patter is completely different when you put it behind your plastic lenses. Even if you polish them our jdm headlights tend to mess with the cutoff. mine without the lenses are razor sharp. but with the plastic lenses they are slightly blurry.
if you run into any questions give me a call!

-B

[anothernord]

I was stupid and bought the TomTom clear ebay lenses, and they were awful until I cut the front shield with a dremel. Now they have decent color but they lack sharpness at a distance.

Unfortunately the driver's side projector is, for some reason yellower than the passenger side even though the bulbs are white when I pull them out. Its not the cutoff that's yellow but the beam itself. I think I bent the shield when I cut it. I'll try and get pictures sometime.

Yeah I ran into that problem with the housing, I got really nice blue, sharp cuttoff at ~20 feet, then the go blurry in the housings.

[HeresMyMind]

yeah its ok if u cut ur front shield. but the best thing u can do is make the shield as flat as possible. fine tune it with the stock shields, then u take the clear lens and using thin cardboard or rubber gaskets or wire w/e is the right height, you can space the lens to get the best results.

-B

[anothernord]

Hmm, ok. Right now my headlights are all sealed up and in the car, but is there any way to adjust the shield while its still in the headlight? Sounds iffy but could save a lot of time.

[HeresMyMind]

very hard but u can, but then u cant adjust them properly because u cane space the lens....

-B

[anothernord]

Updated - see OP.

[HeresMyMind]

just pick up a pair of 85122+ bulbs. u probably have an older bulb that is fading that's all. talk to matt at the retrofitsource and tell him I sent u. he'll hook you up. they look slightly tipped to the left, is it the drive way?

-B

[anothernord]

The angle of the camera makes it look tilted, the only part of the cutoff that's not level is the edges and that mountain, but that's due to the shield, which I still need to fix. I did polish the plastic lens with plasticx and that helped a little with the blurriness. But the as far as bulbs, they are under warranty from DDM, so I might be able to get a replacement, but I'm not sure if they would think its bad enough to warrant it. I need a good pair of Phillips anyway though.

[HeresMyMind]

looks good then. isn't night driving amazing especially with the high's now? people just don't understand until they get them.

-B

[anothernord]

looks good then. isn't night driving amazing especially with the high's now? people just don't understand until they get them.

-B

Its true. Especially with Hella 500 driving lights + blazers. I'm getting a fiberglass grill that will open up even more lighting possibilities. Blazer driving lights perhaps?

[HeresMyMind]

the fx projectors work well with 55 watt ballasts with the phillips 85122+ bulbs. the pnp 55 watt bulbs burn to hot and burn the chrome. but the phillips bulbs run cooler and are brighter! just a tip for more lighting!!

-B

[anothernord]

Yep, I've long wanted 55w stuff, my money right now is going to replace the squishy bushings in my drivetrain. Someday.