2001 trans am HID headlight conversion
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 525
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From: Saint Joseph, MO
2001 trans am HID headlight conversion So Ive been researching and trying to find a HID headlight conversion kit for my car. Ive tried contacting blackbirdlighting.com but I am not getting any responses. Are there any vendors selling a complete kit I can purchase for my car? Or am I pretty much going to have to throw everything together myself? I want to upgrade from OEM headlights but dont want to spend a ton of money or a ton of work if possible. Let me know what you all think.
Thanks
Thanks
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
Take a look in the Lighting FAQ at what others have done.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...hting-faq.html
I've also gone through two versions of an upgrade.
Here is my current setup:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...rojectors.html
The cheapest/easiest option for projectors is the Hella 60mm projectors and brackets with an HID kit. Many have done that. That is basically what the BLS kit is (minus the covers that he has).
However, if you want bi-xenon and a shorter step to the cut-off, you can get projectors like the Sinolyn projectors that I have. Keep in mind though that the car's shrouds around the headlights won't fit without trimming on these larger projectors. Mine aren't on the car because they hit the bumper opening and closing the headlights anyway (even before I swapped headlights). Since the headlights are only up at night with the headlights on, it doesn't bother me much.
Breakdown of the Hella 60mm option:
* Hella 60mm lowbeam projectors $46/ea @ Amazon ($136/pair)
* ACME HID Ballasts $60/pair @ The Retrofit Source
* Morimoto XB 9005 HID Bulbs $50/pair @ The Retrofit Source
* Mounting Brackets $50/pair on ebay
Total: $296 for Low Beam Only
You can also get connectors and wire to plug into the car's harness or splice it in. In my case, I cut off the headlight connectors and replaced them with different/modern headlight connectors. These ballasts typically use 9005 headlight connectors so you can replace the car's stock H4703 headlight connector with a 9005 headlight connector. I also made a relay harness.
For my current setup, I'm using Sinolyn bi-xenon projectors and Morimoto XB D2S bulbs and modified Hella 90mm brackets (not 60mm) that I already had on the car from an earlier setup. I am using that ACME HID Ballasts listed above.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...hting-faq.html
I've also gone through two versions of an upgrade.
Here is my current setup:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...rojectors.html
The cheapest/easiest option for projectors is the Hella 60mm projectors and brackets with an HID kit. Many have done that. That is basically what the BLS kit is (minus the covers that he has).
However, if you want bi-xenon and a shorter step to the cut-off, you can get projectors like the Sinolyn projectors that I have. Keep in mind though that the car's shrouds around the headlights won't fit without trimming on these larger projectors. Mine aren't on the car because they hit the bumper opening and closing the headlights anyway (even before I swapped headlights). Since the headlights are only up at night with the headlights on, it doesn't bother me much.
Breakdown of the Hella 60mm option:
* Hella 60mm lowbeam projectors $46/ea @ Amazon ($136/pair)
* ACME HID Ballasts $60/pair @ The Retrofit Source
* Morimoto XB 9005 HID Bulbs $50/pair @ The Retrofit Source
* Mounting Brackets $50/pair on ebay
Total: $296 for Low Beam Only
You can also get connectors and wire to plug into the car's harness or splice it in. In my case, I cut off the headlight connectors and replaced them with different/modern headlight connectors. These ballasts typically use 9005 headlight connectors so you can replace the car's stock H4703 headlight connector with a 9005 headlight connector. I also made a relay harness.
For my current setup, I'm using Sinolyn bi-xenon projectors and Morimoto XB D2S bulbs and modified Hella 90mm brackets (not 60mm) that I already had on the car from an earlier setup. I am using that ACME HID Ballasts listed above.
Last edited by VIP1; Jun 30, 2020 at 11:00 AM.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
No current drop-in LED setup can outperform or even match HID bulbs in those Hella 60mm projectors. You can certainly try some different sets and see which you find "good enough". However, make sure whatever you buy has the LEDs arranged in a thin line shaped/positioned like the original bulb filament for best results.
On the other hand, maybe someone has finally made some good sealed small LED headlight projectors. Let me know if you find anything. So far all I find are larger open projectors (meaning, not sealed so need to install inside a housing).
EDIT:
Looks like there is an LED version of the sealed 3" projectors that I have:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...263e4484QXoMeQ
But these are flat cut-off and not stepped. Stepped is preferred for headlights. No clue how they compare in output. Pictures make them look like HID with the streaks. That high beam pattern doesn't look that great either, but we have separate high beams so its not much of an issue.
On the other hand, maybe someone has finally made some good sealed small LED headlight projectors. Let me know if you find anything. So far all I find are larger open projectors (meaning, not sealed so need to install inside a housing).
EDIT:
Looks like there is an LED version of the sealed 3" projectors that I have:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...263e4484QXoMeQ
But these are flat cut-off and not stepped. Stepped is preferred for headlights. No clue how they compare in output. Pictures make them look like HID with the streaks. That high beam pattern doesn't look that great either, but we have separate high beams so its not much of an issue.
Last edited by VIP1; Jun 30, 2020 at 11:10 AM.
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 22
No current drop-in LED setup can outperform or even match HID bulbs in those Hella 60mm projectors. You can certainly try some different sets and see which you find "good enough". However, make sure whatever you buy has the LEDs arranged in a thin line shaped/positioned like the original bulb filament for best results.
On the other hand, maybe someone has finally made some good sealed small LED headlight projectors. Let me know if you find anything. So far all I find are larger open projectors (meaning, not sealed so need to install inside a housing).
EDIT:
Looks like there is an LED version of the sealed 3" projectors that I have:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...263e4484QXoMeQ
But these are flat cut-off and not stepped. Stepped is preferred for headlights. No clue how they compare in output. Pictures make them look like HID with the streaks. That high beam pattern doesn't look that great either, but we have separate high beams so its not much of an issue.
On the other hand, maybe someone has finally made some good sealed small LED headlight projectors. Let me know if you find anything. So far all I find are larger open projectors (meaning, not sealed so need to install inside a housing).
EDIT:
Looks like there is an LED version of the sealed 3" projectors that I have:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...263e4484QXoMeQ
But these are flat cut-off and not stepped. Stepped is preferred for headlights. No clue how they compare in output. Pictures make them look like HID with the streaks. That high beam pattern doesn't look that great either, but we have separate high beams so its not much of an issue.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
I forgot to add that I did try two different LED bulbs in the Hella 60mm and HID was still brighter and smoother.
I was just thinking..... since I have the Hella 60mm projectors... Halogen bulbs.... HID bulbs.... LED bulbs..... maybe I could do a new round of pics comparing output. I'll have to find a good place to do it and on a dry day (its been raining here).
I was just thinking..... since I have the Hella 60mm projectors... Halogen bulbs.... HID bulbs.... LED bulbs..... maybe I could do a new round of pics comparing output. I'll have to find a good place to do it and on a dry day (its been raining here).
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Teching In
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: East Coast; Lowcountry
After reading you post and scrolling down the thread, I took a gamble and bought a pair of LED lights from Amazon for about $40. At the same time, I gambled again with the connector and bought 9005 connectors (to cut my harness and splice), without buying a CANBUS, and the gamble couldn't have paid off any better. I bought a pair of Hella's, the LED's, and the connectors. The first time I switched them on, to test, I felt like I was in a scene from the Book of Genesis. The lights came on and produced enough light to be visible at the brink of the eve. I performed a test when it became darker and I was amazed at the quality of light it produced. The cutoff from the Hella's is going to take some getting used too, but the light output is more than worth it. Altogether, I spend $120 on housings, $40 on lights, $10 on 9005 connectors, and $60 for the brackets (that haven't arrived yet). $230 for low beams, plus $40 for LED fog lights with built in halo. I can provide pictures and video upon request. My install isn't complete, but I'll send what I have. Will be on Youtube in a couple weeks lol.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 22
After reading you post and scrolling down the thread, I took a gamble and bought a pair of LED lights from Amazon for about $40. At the same time, I gambled again with the connector and bought 9005 connectors (to cut my harness and splice), without buying a CANBUS, and the gamble couldn't have paid off any better. I bought a pair of Hella's, the LED's, and the connectors. The first time I switched them on, to test, I felt like I was in a scene from the Book of Genesis. The lights came on and produced enough light to be visible at the brink of the eve. I performed a test when it became darker and I was amazed at the quality of light it produced. The cutoff from the Hella's is going to take some getting used too, but the light output is more than worth it. Altogether, I spend $120 on housings, $40 on lights, $10 on 9005 connectors, and $60 for the brackets (that haven't arrived yet). $230 for low beams, plus $40 for LED fog lights with built in halo. I can provide pictures and video upon request. My install isn't complete, but I'll send what I have. Will be on Youtube in a couple weeks lol.
So Ive been researching and trying to find a HID headlight conversion kit for my car. Ive tried contacting blackbirdlighting.com but I am not getting any responses. Are there any vendors selling a complete kit I can purchase for my car? Or am I pretty much going to have to throw everything together myself? I want to upgrade from OEM headlights but dont want to spend a ton of money or a ton of work if possible. Let me know what you all think.
Thanks
Thanks
Yes I contacted Brian through email and he responded. We traded emails back and forth to finalize the design I wanted. I am surprised he did not respond to you.
This is the email I used to contact him blackbirdlightingsolutions@gmail.com
This is the email I used to contact him blackbirdlightingsolutions@gmail.com
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 22
Yes I contacted Brian through email and he responded. We traded emails back and forth to finalize the design I wanted. I am surprised he did not respond to you.
This is the email I used to contact him blackbirdlightingsolutions@gmail.com
This is the email I used to contact him blackbirdlightingsolutions@gmail.com
After reading you post and scrolling down the thread, I took a gamble and bought a pair of LED lights from Amazon for about $40. At the same time, I gambled again with the connector and bought 9005 connectors (to cut my harness and splice), without buying a CANBUS, and the gamble couldn't have paid off any better. I bought a pair of Hella's, the LED's, and the connectors. The first time I switched them on, to test, I felt like I was in a scene from the Book of Genesis. The lights came on and produced enough light to be visible at the brink of the eve. I performed a test when it became darker and I was amazed at the quality of light it produced. The cutoff from the Hella's is going to take some getting used too, but the light output is more than worth it. Altogether, I spend $120 on housings, $40 on lights, $10 on 9005 connectors, and $60 for the brackets (that haven't arrived yet). $230 for low beams, plus $40 for LED fog lights with built in halo. I can provide pictures and video upon request. My install isn't complete, but I'll send what I have. Will be on Youtube in a couple weeks lol.
Thx