InfiniteReality

iTrader: (6)

Anyone tried to cut a hole through the stock sealed beam housings to mount a Hella 90mm projector? It seems feasible judging by the pictures I've seen people retrofitting the 90mm's in place of the sealed beams. Just curious if it's been tried and with any sucess on a LS1 Trans Am...

THANKS!

johnpr

i saw a write up some what recently where the guy took a piece of plexiglass and mounted a projector in that and mounted it in place of the sealed beam headlamp, it looked pretty good, i dont remember enough of the details to really walk you through it, but i think it was pretty simple/ straight forward install. i wouldnt know about actually modifying the housing although im pretty sure i read something about modifying the sealed beam housing (with a dremel) to accept a standard halogen bulb, not sure about a projector though.

just a couple thoughts, i hope it helps a little
john

VIP1

Its listed in the Lighting FAQ:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearance-detailing/710357-lighting-faq.html

Here is the specific thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearance-detailing/714676-projectors-trans-am.html

VIP1

InfiniteReality,

I just remembered that this thread was in the Lighting FAQ and is basically a projector inside the sealed beam housing. Its probably not what you had in mind, but worth a look:
http://www.ls2.com/forums/showthread...5&pagenumber=1
(Its an old thread and the pics on the first few pages dont work, but they appear to be re-hosted at the end)
Some other pics of it are in this thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ight=projector

DirtyBird222

iTrader: (7)

dude you could get a piece of lexan/metal cut it to fit were the sealed beam went. cut holes in it to slide your projector through and mount the projector to the lexan/metal and still be able to aim it like the sealed beam and so on

johnpr

thanks VIP1, thats pretty much what i was thinking about, it sure has been a while since i read that. lol

VIP1

Thats if you can get it to fit that way.
Not all projectors will fit mounted like that.

DirtyBird222

iTrader: (7)

i believe the 90mm will

VIP1

I have the Hella 90mm H9 projectors on my car. I thought of installing them that way, but I think it put them 1/4" too far forward. Maybe someone else can take a look at it and make it work. Either way, the headlight frame behind the adjuster will still need to be clearanced to fit the back of the projector and the new bulb and wires.

Tram

iTrader: (14)

Guys-

I am thinking about putting some HID's in the TA..

I am going to use the Hella H9 projectors, as they seem to be the most popular choice..

I am currently trying to decide whether to modify the light bucket or do something like the lexan mounting plate..

I like VIP1's install, but also saw another install where a guy just mounted the projector to the bucket.. What I don't like about the bucket idea is that it would be harder to aim, I would think..

Jeff

9silverbird8

iTrader: (19)

VIP is there a thread someplace about your HID setup? I've been thinking of doing this.

VIP1

If you are thinking of SCRWS6, links to both his setups are in the Lighting FAQ which I put together. If you are thinking of his setup, it shouldn't be any more difficult than stock to aim (as long as the projectors are installed with their cut-offs parallel to the ground).

Yes. Its in the Lighting FAQ which is the first link in post #3 above.

Admittedly, their light output isn't as good as some projectors (ex: TSX & E46) but they are the easiest to install and best packaged. I'm not saying they are bad. I have them and I am happy. Its just that there are better projectors out there (ex: TSX & E46) but they require more custom work in mounting and sealing. Check out the Lighting FAQ for more info. I have not installed HID in them yet, but I am considering it.


Here is a link to the Lighting FAQ again:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=710357
Its in the "Hall of Fame" sticky at the top of this section.


I also modified the headlight shroud so they now look like they belong there.


FYI, these pictures were taken before the shroud was completed, although you can't tell that from those pics. I've only done the driver's side shroud so far. It took a long time. I want to see how durable it is first before I do the passenger shroud. Unfortunately, I haven't driven the car much lately due to the nature of my current work (normally its my daily driver).


EDIT. Added images.

Tram

iTrader: (14)

TSX? From an Acura TSX? What are the E46's?

I like your shroud.. Is that fiberglass?

VIP1

TSX -- Acura TSX
E46 -- BMW 5-Series (if I remember correctly)

No fiberglass there (I don't know how). Its the stock plastic shroud with bent thin aluminum flashing for the main area secured with rivets and molded in around the edges with plastic epoxy and a small amount of body filler over the epoxy to get the contour just right (filled in minor highs/lows/pits). That was followed by the normal painting process. On the back-side, the rivets are coated with silicone to prevent water getting past them. I should take some more pictures of the back and my process when I make the second one. A friend of my brother's has access to a vacuform machine which is something I'm considering. I'm thinking about getting the H9 high beam units, but I need to take some more measurements to see if/how they would fit. If I do that , I'll have to modify the shroud again. At which point, I may just call my brother's friend. Sanding/shaping the epoxy took too long.

Tram

iTrader: (14)

Yeh, I could do a fiberglass setup pretty quickly on this..

I am semi-thinking about trying to work up a "kit" for people who are interested in this and selling them.. Not very sure how well that would work, so I may not.. Just an idea..

Some laser cut lexan sheets, yadda yadda.. who knows...

SCRWS6

InfiniteReality, unless you get a sealed beam housing with a plastic lens that you can cut into, instead of breaking out the glass( I tried it....sucks) I even tried flipping the chrome plated part of the housing around and installing a projector in it(looked like ***) not saying it can`t be done, but I found it easier to just use lexan, as long as the projectors inner workings is sealed, you only have to worry bout the outer lense....same as a regular headlight, of course I haven`t had the misfortune to meet up with a gravel truck at night yet(hate those things)

VIP1

Check this out:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearance-detailing/491749-ls1-firebird-headlight-upgrades-general-guide.html

SCRWS6

Damn, he did a good job on that. (glad I said: "I`m not saying it can`t be done...)
Almost stuck my foot in my mouth on that one!

slow

iTrader: (7)

It sure would be nice if the "non sponsor links" weren't removed.
can anybody post a link to a sponsor kit for this application? I haven't ever seen one.

I'll find the pics of my conversion and post them soon.

Ryan

SCRWS6

I think there was an actual "projector headlight" that directly replaced the sealed beam part, but it really wasn`t a projector at all, I believe LS1_SS is working on an aftermarket replacement part.....