New HID's installed - awesome!

[darkSol]

First things first - Woohoo!

I purchased ekological's HID kit (see details here) in the 50 watt, 8000k color configuration.

What makes this kit so wonderful is that no wiring has to be cut or spliced - because an adapter harness is included...
The install is a total plug-n-play!

Here's what's in the kit (there are some generic mounting also included - but you don't need any of that!):



I'm not going to go into any specific detail regarding the installation since both Eko and Michael Sands have detailed HID installation notes. Total install time, including taking all these pictures and having a couple of breaks was just under 4 hours... I really took my time. If I did it again I could do it under 2 hours.

The installation went smoothly with the exception of a couple of items that might unexpectedly cause you grief:

1. Pushing the HID wires through the existing rubber grommet is almost impossible with only ten fingers (by yourself). Get a helper!

2. A drill bit extender will come in handy drilling the right hand hole for mounting the passenger side ballast.

3. I noticed (Eko mentions this in a recent thread) that my passenger side wheel liner has no electronics riveted to it. This seems to be a production line change.

4. I replaced the high-beam lamps and corner lamps with SilverStar and LED's at the same time I upgraded the low-beams to HIDs. I found it easier to remove the entire lamp assembly to gain access to the lamp clips and wiring connectors. It's only 3 bolts on the bottom and one side bolt on the top.

5. Go for a test drive down your driveway before replacing the cover - rachet in hand to verify lamp elevation. I set the height to what I thought was correct, then buttoned everything up and saw that the lamps are pointing far too low. Get it right the first time.

6. Finally - say goodbye to ANY AM radio reception. Buzz on all frequencies from 550khz -> 1710khz. FM is fine.

Driver's side ballast mounting location:




Passenger side ballast mounting location (before/after):






Driver side HID, Passenger side stock:






All done - check it out!!!









All in all I'm 100% satisfied. It looks like a 50k+ car now IMHO...

Kudos Eko!

p.s. I'm posting a separate thread regarding the LED / SilverStars

[babak]

There is medication for people like you, . I may hit you up for an assist to do this myself, perhaps as a summer project.

[codymac]

Thanks for the additional photos and details. Coming from a car with HIDs, I suspect I'll have to upgrade (if my car ever gets here).

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by babak

There is medication for people like you, . I may hit you up for an assist to do this myself, perhaps as a summer project.

That's funny, the wife has been telling me that for years.....But Dave does take it to a new level

Nice job Dave.

BTW- I'll get back with you on Evo school. It's 12:15AM and I'm still at work...However, still not too busy for ET

[babak]

Originally Posted by turbophil

It's 12:15AM and I'm still at work...However, still not too busy for ET

Heh, I know the feeling. David, how long did it take?

[Osiris_x11]

Originally Posted by darkSol

First things first - Woohoo!

I purchased ekological's HID kit (see details here) in the 50 watt, 8000k color configuration.

Wow... Normally, 8000k HID's look distinctly purple and have very limited usable white-light. However those look reasonably blue, which is the hallmark of 6000k. Nice look indeed. Also the cut-off line is actually pretty good, sharp and demarcated.

Does the Elise come w/ halogen-projectors or reflectors in terms of headlight housing?

[Ground Loop]

Originally Posted by Osiris_x11

Does the Elise come w/ halogen-projectors or reflectors in terms of headlight housing?

Projectors (lens, shutter) for the low beam.
Reflector for high beam.

The low beams are the ones most in need of HID upgrade.

[JPS]

cool upgrade

are the oil coolers to the L and R of the radiator duct standard with the Sport Pack? they just vent into the wheel well?

thanks

[raggedy1]

hmm, no AM reception?
seems trivial, but is there anything that can be done about this???

[Johnny B]

I noticed a cone shaped shadow in the pic above. Is that from the filament in the HID capsule?

[ekological]

Originally Posted by Johnny B

I noticed a cone shaped shadow in the pic above. Is that from the filament in the HID capsule?

HID capsules don't have a filament, but they do have a return wire and that's the shadow that's cast from that. I wanted to get the return wire installed on the other side, but no manufacturer was interested as this appears to be limited to certain constructions of projectors (more specifically, the Elise). I can check on a spare projector for my E36M3 at home, but the base where the bulb attaches to is probably designed with the bulb twisted 180 degrees from where it is in the Elise. With halogens lacking the return wire, it's not an issue with a shadow cast.

With all that said, I initially though that the shadow cast would bother me, but after several hundred miles at night, I don't even notice it anymore.

Nice writeup, David! So how was it driving home at night last night?

[darkSol]

I still have to raise the headlight levels up a bit - and I agree with you that I should leave the raised shutter on the right lamp up so that street signs will be more readily visible. I'll do that sometime this weekend when I have more time.

I also contemplated (for just a bit) drilling a very small locating hole on the light housing and dremelling a curved section off the HID bulb mounting rim so the bulb would mount upside down, allowing the "V" to point skyward - where it would be never be seen. But then reality set in and I thought... Um. no.

It's BRIGHT - and street signs light up like Christmas trees at least a mile away!

[ekological]

Originally Posted by darkSol

I also contemplated (for just a bit) drilling a very small locating hole on the light housing and dremelling a curved section off the HID bulb mounting rim so the bulb would mount upside down, allowing the "V" to point skyward - where it would be never be seen. But then reality set in and I thought... Um. no.

Reminds me of triumph the dog in this video ("the forces of reality" part):

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...=triumph+conan

...and with your avatar, it's kind of related

I thought of ways to modify the assembly, but I just don't see an option.

Originally Posted by darkSol

It's BRIGHT - and street signs light up like Christmas trees at least a mile away!

Nice!

[darkSol]

Originally Posted by raggedy1

hmm, no AM reception?
seems trivial, but is there anything that can be done about this???

I'm forced to limit my AM radio listening to daylight hours when the lights are off - not a biggie, really.

[Irishfan04]

Did you replace the stock fuses? Mine blew after a week, had to upgrade to 15's...

[darkSol]

Nope - stock fuses have been just fine. I've driven around with them on for over 4 hours so far - with at least 50 on/off cycles.

[ChrisB]

Originally Posted by darkSol

I'm forced to limit my AM radio listening to daylight hours when the lights are off - not a biggie, really.

I believe the radio antenna runs down the front "spine", which is pretty close to where the HID ballasts are being mounted. You might be able to make an RFI shield around them to eliminate the problem.

[ekological]

There were two wires taped to the underside of the clam. I see David had one of the HID wires mounted fairly close to it. Perhaps this is the culprit? I don't recall having any issues, but then again a) I rarely listen to the stereo and b) I more rarely listen to AM in the Elise. David, does this happen with the engine off? So just the HID lights on and the radio on with AM? I'll try it in my car, but since it's sleeping for the winter, I don't want to fire up the engine. If the condition happens with the engine off, I'll throw in the stock battery, fire up the lights and radio and see what I get. I was careful to stay away from those wires taped under the clam.

I would also think about upgrading the fuses...just in case It was an oversight on my part and I'll gladly drop two fuses in the mail to ya Of course, when I had one HID light go out in the M3, with my luck, I was pulled over that very freakin' day!!

O...and no comment about Triumph the dog?!?!

[Irishfan04]

Oh yeah, and watch out...when the headlight fuses blew, they took out the cigarette lighter outlet fuse, too.

[Ground Loop]

Originally Posted by Irishfan04

Did you replace the stock fuses? Mine blew after a week, had to upgrade to 15's...

Mine too.. lasted several weeks before blowing one cold morning.

Remember, there is only a brief spike of power draw at startup, and it's more when the capsules are cold.