[gmendoza]

As we all know, there really isnt a true HID projector on the market that fits the Esprit. So we decided to build our own. The projectors have a shutter that set the cutoff for low beam and raise for high beam.

Here are pics of our prototype:

Here's a pic of the same projector used on another car:
shutter down, low beam:

Shutter up, high beam.

cutoff

I'm still undecided if I want to use two projectors with HID for low/high beam and two sealed beams for high beams, or two projectors with HID for low/high beam and two projectors with halogen for high beam or four projectors with HID for low/high beams.

We should have the final versions done in a few days

What do you guys think?

 

[roadtalontsi]

sweet, i likes.

 

[aztec1382]

That **** looks crazy


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[lotusespritman]

Do you have a patent on that? There will be a big market for that...
It looks sick... love it! Keep us posted :bow:

JR

 

[MidLifeZ]

when available and $?

 

[carbuff]

Not to discount gmendoza's work,


But why not go to LED headlamps? (Just curious)



There are kits made for motorcycles (Harley$),

Daymaker LED Headlamp-67700145 | Headlights | Official Harley-Davidson Online Store


and what look like Conversion Kits using H4 H2 sockets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RcrnMzbJik

Mustang Project - Product Display

The latter systems are 1" deeper in back, would that be a problem for the Esprit pods? (I'm thinking not)


++++++++

This was a result of just a few minutes of Googling.

 

[EspritNOOB]

I almost crapped myself when you texted me. great stuff! !!!
On another note is that a 928 in your garage? I know you have an Aston Martin but didn't know you have a 928.

 

[bri3d]

Not to discount gmendoza's work,


But why not go to LED headlamps? (Just curious)

I know that AutomationLED (jjdrivesajazz) sells Phillips 22W LED headlight bulbs like the Mustang ones but with active (fan) cooling that doesn't stick out quite as far.

The Harley kit looks right - application-specific projectors which probably produce a decent cut-off.

I don't think I'd put LED headlamps in a stock reflector-style headlight housing like what's shown on that Mustang site. People say LEDs don't glare/reflect back as badly as HIDs, but they're still brighter than almost any stock bulb and I wouldn't want to be shining that into people's eyes. Plus without a proper cutoff the bulbs actually look dimmer and don't let you see as far, since with more brightness there isn't as much contrast between the road and the surroundings anymore.

If I were to set out on the "ultimate lighting" route I'd combine a bi-xenon projector like what gmendoza put in with LED bulbs. That way you still get the shutters/high beams, adjustment, and cutoff of a bi-xenon projector but with the longevity, color, and "newness" of an LED. Plus LED drivers are simpler and should theoretically be more reliable than HID ballasts, although the technology is new enough that only time will tell...

 

[carbuff]

I don't think I'd put LED headlamps in a stock reflector-style headlight housing like what's shown on that Mustang site...

Yup, being a rainy Sunday, I'm educating myself about the LED conversions.

CandlePowerForums

Coming up with the same reasons NOT to convert (at least, with drop-in bulb units) as with HIDS. :sad:


Maybe in a few years...

 

[gmendoza]

Thanks guys!!

when available and $?

Pricing info will be available next week or so when the kit is finalized. For those interested, PM me and I'll send you info when available.

I almost crapped myself when you texted me. great stuff! !!!
On another note is that a 928 in your garage? I know you have an Aston Martin but didn't know you have a 928.

Good eye. Yup thats a 1989 928 S4

...If I were to set out on the "ultimate lighting" route I'd combine a bi-xenon projector like what gmendoza put in with LED bulbs. That way you still get the shutters/high beams, adjustment, and cutoff of a bi-xenon projector but with the longevity, color, and "newness" of an LED. Plus LED drivers are simpler and should theoretically be more reliable than HID ballasts, although the technology is new enough that only time will tell...

LED bulbs are also something we are considering. The problem with LEDs is that a LED bulb that puts out simillar light than a HID bulb usually require cooling. Cooling fans require space, something the Esprit pods dont have.

 

[MidLifeZ]

Thanks guys!!



Pricing info will be available next week or so when the kit is finalized. For those interested, PM me and I'll send you info when available.



Good eye. Yup thats a 1989 928 S4

<SNIP>

NICE! I sold my Guards Red 1989 928 S4 a bit over a year ago though still hang out with the local 928 group, met up with them for C&C this last weekend! We probably know the same people. Ever go to the annual conventions? Know Roger or Laura over at 928srus.com?

 

[DaveS4s]

Wow I like that. With my old eyes at night I can use all the light I can get. Keep us updated. Dave

 

[gmendoza]

Well, they are done. Here are a couple options:

Silver housing HID low/high beam with stock sealed high

Quad silver housing HID low/high beam. All 4 on all the time. This is what I went with

Quad black housing HID low/high beam. All 4 on all the time. This would look great on a dark car or with black headlight surround.

Black housing HID low/high beam with stock sealed high

Projectors used are Morimoto Mini from The Retrofit Source. I've sent pricing info to those who expressed interest. PM me if interested.

NICE! I sold my Guards Red 1989 928 S4 a bit over a year ago though still hang out with the local 928 group, met up with them for C&C this last weekend! We probably know the same people. Ever go to the annual conventions? Know Roger or Laura over at 928srus.com?

Thanks! I've only been to a couple of the Sharktober Fests at 928 International. I'm not very active in the 928 community.

 

[gmendoza]

We tried LED bulbs, but even the high end bulbs dont have the output of HID

 

[E5PR1T]

Damn that looks really nice...I'm gonna put in an order for a set!

 

[snowrx]

Nice looking units-

My $.02
Not being able to leave anything unmodified ( my wife is concerned about her status ) I put a set of the TRS 50W moto mini projectors in my WRX. To my eyes, my vehicles with 100W or 130W high beam H-4's put more light on the road than these HID's do. I also have occasional failure-to-fire with the ballasts.
Maybe a larger or OEM grade projector would have given better results.

My driving is rural however, with the primary concern spotting moose, elk and deer at speed with little traffic. The HID's did seem to give a more even spread of bright light in the foreground, so might be a better bet in urban driving where high beam throw might not be as usable. The cutoff pattern is very kind to other traffic as well.

 

[MidLifeZ]

so price is same whether two or four?

 

[gmendoza]

Nice looking units-

My $.02
Not being able to leave anything unmodified ( my wife is concerned about her status ) I put a set of the TRS 50W moto mini projectors in my WRX. To my eyes, my vehicles with 100W or 130W high beam H-4's put more light on the road than these HID's do. I also have occasional failure-to-fire with the ballasts.
Maybe a larger or OEM grade projector would have given better results.

My driving is rural however, with the primary concern spotting moose, elk and deer at speed with little traffic. The HID's did seem to give a more even spread of bright light in the foreground, so might be a better bet in urban driving where high beam throw might not be as usable. The cutoff pattern is very kind to other traffic as well.

What version of the mini did you use? They are up to version 6 now and the bowl has been redesigned for a much better high beam pattern compared to earlier versions.

so price is same whether two or four?

No, It's $400 for two, $800 for four without bulbs or ballasts.

Now I realize that may seem pricy, but there's very little profit in. 1st, we are making small batches at a time. Second, we are not a machine shop nor a parts house.

The housings are machined and anodized aluminum, both not cheap. The lenses are made by me at home, takes time. I don't get a discount from TRS, so I pay full price plus shipping on the projectors. It all adds up. That's why we are not including bulbs nor ballasts. You guys could probably get them cheaper.

Sure I could have these made overseas in larger batches, plastic housings, get a resellers license and buy wholesale equipment and pass the savings on to you guys. Unfortunately I'm not in the auto parts business nor do I have the time do do all of that.

I started this project for myself. I made a few pieces for some local guys and me. If others want, I can make more, unfortunately, there isnt much room in the price.

Hope you guys understand.

 

[EspritNOOB]

Gonzo, put me down for a pair with Black housing please. Let me know when and where to meet. Thanks for doing this!

 

[Turbo R]

Wow...those should look positively WICKED on your black Esprit, EspritNOOB!
Be sure to post pics when they're in

Roy