Firebird projector retrofit help.
Firebird projector retrofit help. Hey there, im in the process of putting projector headlights on my 02 Formula. I got some custom bracket plates from a forum member here. I would just ask him but in the event he doesn't know, someone here may. I've searched and not found anything on this, There's lots of info for camaro's but not for the birds.
My question is, will the Morimoto mini H1's fit in the firebirds flip up headlights. I already have to remove the buckets to make room, and the brackets I got are made for this. Theses brackets bolt in the same place the normal headlights go and have a hole and screw holes in place so that a Hella 60mm projector will bolt right in. I however want to use HID's and would prefer a projector made for them. Plus the mini H1's are Bixenon so I get hi beams as well.
Before I go and order these has anyone done this retro in a firebird/TA before or know if it will fit without having to do any cutting or fab work? I'm sure I can mod the brackets to take the mini H1 if this will work. With it being about $105 for 2 Hella 60mm's vs $120 for a pair of the Mini H1 6.0's, i'd rather have a better projector.
My question is, will the Morimoto mini H1's fit in the firebirds flip up headlights. I already have to remove the buckets to make room, and the brackets I got are made for this. Theses brackets bolt in the same place the normal headlights go and have a hole and screw holes in place so that a Hella 60mm projector will bolt right in. I however want to use HID's and would prefer a projector made for them. Plus the mini H1's are Bixenon so I get hi beams as well.
Before I go and order these has anyone done this retro in a firebird/TA before or know if it will fit without having to do any cutting or fab work? I'm sure I can mod the brackets to take the mini H1 if this will work. With it being about $105 for 2 Hella 60mm's vs $120 for a pair of the Mini H1 6.0's, i'd rather have a better projector.
those brackets are designed specifically for the Hella's, the Morimotos WON'T bolt up to them.
the morimotos are also not a SEALED projector like the Hella's so you would then have to find a way to weather proof and cover the projector.
for what it's worth, the ORIGINAL BLS kit used the Hella's for low beams and there V2 kits use the Morimoto Mini D2S 2.0 because they are a better fit, but like the mini h1's they aren't sealed, and sealing the projectors from moisture will be the biggest part, which is why before BLS came out with there V2 kit virtually EVERYONE who retrofited projectors into a 98+ Firebird/TA used the Hella's. I've actually got a set of the plates and Hella 60mm from a BLS V1 kit (I bought the kit for the high beams and covers from a user who had them on his car) but the low beam projectors are roached out, the reflective coating inside got water damaged somehow, but I can tell you even those are a tight fit (infact they only fit if you run HID in the low beams), so you could look into the dimensional differences between the 2 but your probably better off in the long run getting the BLS v2 kit.
the morimotos are also not a SEALED projector like the Hella's so you would then have to find a way to weather proof and cover the projector.
for what it's worth, the ORIGINAL BLS kit used the Hella's for low beams and there V2 kits use the Morimoto Mini D2S 2.0 because they are a better fit, but like the mini h1's they aren't sealed, and sealing the projectors from moisture will be the biggest part, which is why before BLS came out with there V2 kit virtually EVERYONE who retrofited projectors into a 98+ Firebird/TA used the Hella's. I've actually got a set of the plates and Hella 60mm from a BLS V1 kit (I bought the kit for the high beams and covers from a user who had them on his car) but the low beam projectors are roached out, the reflective coating inside got water damaged somehow, but I can tell you even those are a tight fit (infact they only fit if you run HID in the low beams), so you could look into the dimensional differences between the 2 but your probably better off in the long run getting the BLS v2 kit.
Last edited by Daniel Richards; Jan 21, 2014 at 01:22 PM.
Daniel Richards - Very good input.
The MH1 and even Mini D2S projectors are not completely sealed like the 60mm Hella modules. If you have any questions regarding our V2 kit offering, let me know. The Lighting FAQ provides examples of other one-off projector setups but the challenge is always sealing the unit to avoid issues down the road.
The MH1 and even Mini D2S projectors are not completely sealed like the 60mm Hella modules. If you have any questions regarding our V2 kit offering, let me know. The Lighting FAQ provides examples of other one-off projector setups but the challenge is always sealing the unit to avoid issues down the road.
Okay, thanks for the info guys. I really like the BLS lights, but I can't justify spending so much on a headlights. I'm sure there worth every penny, being custom built and all. This car is my second F-body and the first (00 Z28) wasa learning experience, as I did just about everything the wrong way since I didn't know any better. This car however is going to be done right and being on a budget means I have to get things one at a time. However, I work nights and the stock headlights are so bad, they might as well be a pair of glow sticks. This Hella mod isn't the best, but it's much better than stock. So I guess I'll go the cheap route for now and maybe get the good stuff later.
I going to run a 35w HID kit, most likely 5000k. I want a nice bright white light that appears bluish from the front and cutoff. I've seen a lot of guys on this forum run the DDM kit, but I've read tons of warnings saying to stay away from cheap kits. Anything below $100 is said to be junk, and that DDM kit is only $30. I don't need the most expensive and badass kit, but if it's a good kit and not Xentec crap im willing to try it out. Thanks again for the info and help!
I going to run a 35w HID kit, most likely 5000k. I want a nice bright white light that appears bluish from the front and cutoff. I've seen a lot of guys on this forum run the DDM kit, but I've read tons of warnings saying to stay away from cheap kits. Anything below $100 is said to be junk, and that DDM kit is only $30. I don't need the most expensive and badass kit, but if it's a good kit and not Xentec crap im willing to try it out. Thanks again for the info and help!
I have a set of Mini H1s that I attempted to seal up for a retrofit project (link), but after less than half a year, the bowls, cutoff, etc still got corroded from moisture. I'm working on sealing them into the stock headlight buckets with some acrylic now.
Like you, I kinda like the idea of having bixenons, but for budget and simplicity, I would go with the Hella units, especially since you already have the brackets.
As for the HID kit, I know a lot of people don't like the DDM kits, but I've not had a problem. They may not warm up as fast, or last as long, as some of the expensive kits, but for $30, I feel like it's a fair compromise.
Like you, I kinda like the idea of having bixenons, but for budget and simplicity, I would go with the Hella units, especially since you already have the brackets.
As for the HID kit, I know a lot of people don't like the DDM kits, but I've not had a problem. They may not warm up as fast, or last as long, as some of the expensive kits, but for $30, I feel like it's a fair compromise.
@brutalis: Yeah, im going to try the Hella's and see how they do. This will be my first set of projectors, so even if they arn't the "best", i wouldn't know and I don't really have the ability to mess with sealing them. This is my dd so I'd like to just throw them in and not have to worry about them.
@Daniel Richards: thanks for the PM. I actually have 4 ballest from my camaro that look just like that without the label. I got them about 3 years ago from one of those mobile auto shops, so I never knew the name. Maybe I'll try them and just get some new bulbs. thanks!
@Daniel Richards: thanks for the PM. I actually have 4 ballest from my camaro that look just like that without the label. I got them about 3 years ago from one of those mobile auto shops, so I never knew the name. Maybe I'll try them and just get some new bulbs. thanks!
Also, for the Hella units, consider not getting HIDs, because the projectors are not made for them. A much better alternative would be to get HIR bulbs, which are many steps above standard halogens.
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Verdad Gallardo One of the main reasons I was looking at the mini H1's was because of the Hellas not being HID projectors. However, it seems my best bet will be sticking with hella. I may run with the halogens they come with for a bit to see how they do but I'm sure I'll swap to the HID's. Im just tired of the old yellow light that halogens put out, so I wanted the HID's for a pure white light. My whole reason for useing a 35w ballast is to not be too bright for on coming traffic. I'm really just ready to get this done with, I've been doing so much research on HID's and reflector vs projector stuff that I'm going nuts. And it doesn't help that there are like a trillion bazillion fake sellers giving false info, and misinformed people with there opinions... It really makes it hard to find the facts. Anyhow, I should be ordering the Hella 60mm's in a few days.
