HID Lights
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
From: NYC NY
Ok, I just called and it DOES come with EVERYTHING you need. That means ballast, bulbs, and headlights!! The headlights are 35W and are 8K HIDs. He mentioned that the manufacturer was called "XXX." I don't know if the headlights come seperately.
So there ya go, for 1500 bones you can have a complete REAL HID kit.
-N
So there ya go, for 1500 bones you can have a complete REAL HID kit.
-N
Last edited by Nabbs; Aug 25, 2005 at 11:10 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by SFengineer
pics as promised. So far, lights have been 100% trouble free for a year. Don't have pics of the high beams, completely forgot. They're just as bright, but doesn't use the cutoff, so there's light everywhere
Inside Car
Outside car
Under cutoff
Projector
Cutoff (reflections above cutoff)
Behind car
Inside Car
Outside car
Under cutoff
Projector
Cutoff (reflections above cutoff)
Behind car
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
From: NYC NY
HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!!!!!!
I JUST TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE KIT, THE KIT INCLUDES EVERYTHING AND COSTS $851.51 PER KIT!!!! THAT MEANS YOU GET A TURN KEY HID SETUP FOR UNDER A GRAND!!!
Now that bad news: they need a MINIMUM of 25 orders! I'm trying to get one kit for testing
Hopefully I'll be able to report back.
-N
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!!!!!!
I JUST TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE KIT, THE KIT INCLUDES EVERYTHING AND COSTS $851.51 PER KIT!!!! THAT MEANS YOU GET A TURN KEY HID SETUP FOR UNDER A GRAND!!!
Now that bad news: they need a MINIMUM of 25 orders! I'm trying to get one kit for testing
Hopefully I'll be able to report back.-N
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
From: NYC NY
Originally Posted by SFengineer
Good find, i've never seen those before. I see color coming off that reflector though...unless they're shining a colored light into it, it's probably plastic (lense). Does it say what type of bulb it uses? D2s or D1s is the only type worth considering. If it uses a halogen based number, ie H1, H4, 9006, H7, H9, H11, then it's a standard projector that they've deemed "HID" and the focus and glare will be off. Let us know! I've learned a thing about overseas manufacturing in the past few weeks...
I'm sure that the quality is nothing compared to your setup. But, it is a turnkey true projector setup! Until now you had to hand build a projector headlight.
The best quality is going to come from retrofit kits, of which this could be a starting point for.
-N
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Alameda Ca
Originally Posted by MARK's_C5TT
Very nice but I also think they are too bright. JMO
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
From: NYC NY
Originally Posted by SFengineer
I'm looking forward to your review of this light! I'll pm you with my experience of hid lights in halogen projectors...
Regardless, this would be a great kit to start with for retrofits. Hit me up on AIM already
-N
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
From: NYC NY
Not trying to steal SFEngineer's thunder at all. As I've said in the past -- I am sure that his product, quality-wise, is vastly superior to some off-the-shelf product. However, it's becoming a question of what is available.
We just need to find somebody to bring this to market at a reasonable price.
-N
We just need to find somebody to bring this to market at a reasonable price.
-N
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by SFengineer
They pretty much have to be seen in person - the camera adjusts the shutter and focus and makes it look different than it really is. I met with Ron (1KLRTOY) and compared them to the Ecodes, and i was rather impressed on how much more light the projectors put out. I'm not sure what bulbs he was running, hopefully he can chime in here.
I've tried different bulbs before I bought my HID's and balasts from revExtreme for my C5R non-popups. I would have to say that even the cheap white-light bulbs were an improvement over the stock halogens. The stock halogens suk big time. I actually hit a median because I did not see the road merging on a very dark 2 lane highway until the very last minute. I was fortunate that I only bent my wheel and nothing serious happeend. Its disgusting what GM put in these C5's.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 717
Likes: 11
From: Pleasanton CA
Luke.. I have PIAA xtreem whites in the e-codes I think they are rated @4000k,they looked pretty good until you pulled alongside and turned your HIDs on, wow what a difference, you just can't compare HID and halogen, that was pretty evident last night. Ron 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Lake In The Hills IL
hids
Well if you can get a set to take a look at and examine the quality, maybe we could get a group purchase going... would they take some more off the price if we can get 50 people? 75? 100? I know if we posterd this in the for sale section there would be a ton of response...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: GA
Originally Posted by Nabbs
Ok first off, there is NOTHING to sign up for.
Secondly, what is needed is a C5 housing either with a projector or a bucket with a lexan cover NOT attached. I have spoken with mnfr of the OEM and ECode lights, and had no luck. If anyone is going to do it, it would be them, since they already have the molds.
-N
Secondly, what is needed is a C5 housing either with a projector or a bucket with a lexan cover NOT attached. I have spoken with mnfr of the OEM and ECode lights, and had no luck. If anyone is going to do it, it would be them, since they already have the molds.
-N
Not sure you interpreted my response as to the friend that works for Hella. Luke stated in an earlier thread that he was not having much luck finding an affordable source for name brand projectors. Since the guy I know works for Hella, he might have an inside track for a particular assembly number, etc. and might could then get them at a reasonable price...
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
From: NYC NY
Originally Posted by TOOGECKO
Nabbs:
Not sure you interpreted my response as to the friend that works for Hella. Luke stated in an earlier thread that he was not having much luck finding an affordable source for name brand projectors. Since the guy I know works for Hella, he might have an inside track for a particular assembly number, etc. and might could then get them at a reasonable price...
Not sure you interpreted my response as to the friend that works for Hella. Luke stated in an earlier thread that he was not having much luck finding an affordable source for name brand projectors. Since the guy I know works for Hella, he might have an inside track for a particular assembly number, etc. and might could then get them at a reasonable price...
After all that, I found a manufacturer that makes projector housings for the C5.
-N
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Alameda Ca
No thunder stolen from anybody, I think the whole point of this topic is to get better lights for our cars. Nabbs has been one of my greatest assets.
I was hoping i could get something manufactured that could do it for us...but hit a few roadblocks. It seems several of us posting here are rather mechanical, so with our ideas put together, i'm sure we'll have a set that can be manufactured soon. At our meeting yesterday, Ron gave me some great ideas, i'll implement them and have another set in a few days. Nabbs and i both agree the set he posted earlier is questionable, i really don't like the looks of the projector unit at all, the projector lenses look like plastic
. I'm not bashing the new light out of spite, it's just the overseas manufacturer offered a similiar setup with "their projectors" (which look very similiar) for a build cost under $100. Knowing a glass projector by itself usually goes for more than that... 
I was hoping i could get something manufactured that could do it for us...but hit a few roadblocks. It seems several of us posting here are rather mechanical, so with our ideas put together, i'm sure we'll have a set that can be manufactured soon. At our meeting yesterday, Ron gave me some great ideas, i'll implement them and have another set in a few days. Nabbs and i both agree the set he posted earlier is questionable, i really don't like the looks of the projector unit at all, the projector lenses look like plastic
. I'm not bashing the new light out of spite, it's just the overseas manufacturer offered a similiar setup with "their projectors" (which look very similiar) for a build cost under $100. Knowing a glass projector by itself usually goes for more than that...
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
From: NYC NY
Originally Posted by SFengineer
No thunder stolen from anybody, I think the whole point of this topic is to get better lights for our cars. Nabbs has been one of my greatest assets.
I was hoping i could get something manufactured that could do it for us...but hit a few roadblocks. It seems several of us posting here are rather mechanical, so with our ideas put together, i'm sure we'll have a set that can be manufactured soon. At our meeting yesterday, Ron gave me some great ideas, i'll implement them and have another set in a few days. Nabbs and i both agree the set he posted earlier is questionable, i really don't like the looks of the projector unit at all, the projector lenses look like plastic . I'm not bashing the new light out of spite, it's just the overseas manufacturer offered a similiar setup with "their projectors" (which look very similiar) for a build cost under $100. Knowing a glass projector by itself usually goes for more than that...
I was hoping i could get something manufactured that could do it for us...but hit a few roadblocks. It seems several of us posting here are rather mechanical, so with our ideas put together, i'm sure we'll have a set that can be manufactured soon. At our meeting yesterday, Ron gave me some great ideas, i'll implement them and have another set in a few days. Nabbs and i both agree the set he posted earlier is questionable, i really don't like the looks of the projector unit at all, the projector lenses look like plastic
. I'm not bashing the new light out of spite, it's just the overseas manufacturer offered a similiar setup with "their projectors" (which look very similiar) for a build cost under $100. Knowing a glass projector by itself usually goes for more than that... -N
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,002
Likes: 0
From: Surrey BC
SF i love your hid setup....with the clear lense 
but the problem is im a complete idiot and can't do anything right myself....is it very hard to do??? how long does it take and is it just a direct bolt on or a bunch of other stuff too??
thanks and great setup once again
but the problem is im a complete idiot and can't do anything right myself....is it very hard to do??? how long does it take and is it just a direct bolt on or a bunch of other stuff too?? thanks and great setup once again
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett TX
I found this link that lists the lights that Nabbs is talking about:
XGL Headlamps
The description is listed as:
XGL Headlamps Chevrolet (Chevy) C5 Corvette 97-04 Chromed HID Projector Headlamp upgrade Kit (Set) ACAHIDXP3031C-SY $1,499.18
It doesn't give very much information about the "KIT"
XGL Headlamps
The description is listed as:
XGL Headlamps Chevrolet (Chevy) C5 Corvette 97-04 Chromed HID Projector Headlamp upgrade Kit (Set) ACAHIDXP3031C-SY $1,499.18
It doesn't give very much information about the "KIT"
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
From: NYC NY
Originally Posted by Vette-Pilot
I found this link that lists the lights that Nabbs is talking about:
XGL Headlamps
The description is listed as:
XGL Headlamps Chevrolet (Chevy) C5 Corvette 97-04 Chromed HID Projector Headlamp upgrade Kit (Set) ACAHIDXP3031C-SY $1,499.18
It doesn't give very much information about the "KIT"
XGL Headlamps
The description is listed as:
XGL Headlamps Chevrolet (Chevy) C5 Corvette 97-04 Chromed HID Projector Headlamp upgrade Kit (Set) ACAHIDXP3031C-SY $1,499.18
It doesn't give very much information about the "KIT"
Please DO NOT buy from a non-Vendor just yet. I can tell you that the price that was quote to me by the mnfr was ~900 bones -- a
very good price.
I am starting another post shortly.
You can also read details on Z06Vette http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showthread.php?p=959121
-N
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Issaquah Wa
Originally Posted by Nabbs
Luke -- this is why Mray (an others who develop custom one-off) products face a steep up front investment. It is also why most of these great ideas never make it to the consumer. Getting enough people to front the cash up front in order to fill the manufacturers requirements is next to impossible. The only way to do so is to get some real investors or vulture capital (aka venture capital) to front the cash up front. In which case you would be well advised to contact vendors and see if they would be interested in buying bulk units. In which case, essentially, what you'd become is an importer or a middleman. You would seel a kit which mnfr Y charges you 10 cents for 15 cents, making 5 cents per unit. The end result, is that your margins would be next tiny. Not to mention that your 10 cent kit will end up costing the end user a grand or so
There is, of course, another way: become a retroffiter. What you do is make custom setups per customer. So an individual would contact you and say "Luke I want an HID projector setup." You would then buy a housing from the mnfr and the associated parts per the customers order. Then you would fabricate it all together and ship it off to the customer. Nobody cares about DOT certs or any of that bs, they just want a plug-and-play setup. You know per Mray's pricing the delta for most here is 1-1,500K for a "kit." As such a turn key made to order setup for $800 that you hand build, would leave you with a nice profit, and others with a good product. You should research HID retrofiters on other car boards, but I can assure you it is a striving niche market. It is no different than a skilled artisan, and people are willing to pay the bucks for it.
So in sum, forget trying to get a kit made. Share the info, and get into the retrofit busines. Heck, I could be your first customer.
Like I said, I have looked at this problem from top to bottom for many months now, hit me up on AIM and we can go into further details.
-N
There is, of course, another way: become a retroffiter. What you do is make custom setups per customer. So an individual would contact you and say "Luke I want an HID projector setup." You would then buy a housing from the mnfr and the associated parts per the customers order. Then you would fabricate it all together and ship it off to the customer. Nobody cares about DOT certs or any of that bs, they just want a plug-and-play setup. You know per Mray's pricing the delta for most here is 1-1,500K for a "kit." As such a turn key made to order setup for $800 that you hand build, would leave you with a nice profit, and others with a good product. You should research HID retrofiters on other car boards, but I can assure you it is a striving niche market. It is no different than a skilled artisan, and people are willing to pay the bucks for it.
So in sum, forget trying to get a kit made. Share the info, and get into the retrofit busines. Heck, I could be your first customer.
Like I said, I have looked at this problem from top to bottom for many months now, hit me up on AIM and we can go into further details.
-N
Guys, I want you to know a couple of things.
First, my delay has nothing to do with investment. As I have mentioned before I have been through this process and that isn't going to be an issue. Yes we would all like to have new headlights and I will make them, and you will have them available. The manufacturer whom my company will be a distributor for shortly (Hella), will have the product I need available soon. That has been my hold up. These will be made right here in good old USA--which I figured we would all want.
Last edited by mray; Aug 25, 2005 at 10:50 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett TX
Originally Posted by mray
Guys, I want you to know a couple of things.
First, my delay has nothing to do with investment. As I have mentioned before I have been through this process and that isn't going to be an issue. Yes we would all like to have new headlights and I will make them, and you will have them available. The manufacturer whom my company will be a distributor for shortly (Hella), will have the product I need available soon. That has been my hold up. These will be made right here in good old USA--which I figured we would all want.
First, my delay has nothing to do with investment. As I have mentioned before I have been through this process and that isn't going to be an issue. Yes we would all like to have new headlights and I will make them, and you will have them available. The manufacturer whom my company will be a distributor for shortly (Hella), will have the product I need available soon. That has been my hold up. These will be made right here in good old USA--which I figured we would all want.
Can hardly wait 