Hopefully this will make up from my thread yesterday about dipping my wheels neon yellow At least it's contributing to the positive side of forum use, lol

After hitting a raccoon last week in the C5 (very minor damage, all things considering), I decided I needed to do something about these horrible ACA projectors. The idea had been stirring around in my head for a while, but this pushed me to actually do it. I ordered a set of brackets from LightWerks after confirming the description on the site was wrong and they were indeed for ACA headlights. I already had a set of Acme H1 projectors on hand along with H1 HID bulbs.

First off, these brackets are for Morimoto MH1 projectors. I knew the mounting holes were likely the same, but either the brackets aren’t right or the projectors (compared to 7.0s) are different. I’m unsure, although I did have my 7.0’s out of my Hayabusa headlight in my hands last week and didn’t notice any major differences. I’ll have to see if I can find a cut sheet of the 7.0’s to see any differences, just because I’m curious. There’s only one way to fit the bracket on these Acme projectors due to opening being too small and with the shroud being shallow mounted.

The brackets fit nicely on Acme projectors and I used #8, 1/2” long, SS screws and nuts to secure them. I put some blue lock-tite on the length of the screw and put it through each projector mounting hole and attached a nut on the backside. Then I added the bracket and another nut on backside of it and tightened using a cross pattern to ensure everything was even. The reason for this is to stand the bracket off evenly from the projector due to the “*****” on it you can see in the pictures. A single nut allows it to clear them.

Using #8, 5/8” long nylon spacers (my local hardware store didn’t have this size so I used a combo of 1/2” & 1/8”) and secured it using #8, 1-1/4” hex-head screws. Using the same process as before, cross pattern the screws to evenly snug everything down.

To best protect them from the elements I used aluminum tape. There’s not many options to do, but I think it was the best option. I’ve retrofitted several lights before this, but first time I used the tape. I daily drive the car, so I’ll find out firsthand how well it works after all the rain that happened yesterday and this morning. I triple checked all the seams and used a little silicone for where the high beam solenoid wire comes out.

For what it’s worth, I also removed the H1 brackets and replaced with Morimoto Motoho1ders to securely hold the bulbs. I put them on the busa’s retrofit the other week while it was apart getting dipped. These things are overpriced IMO, but they do securely hold the bulbs considerably better than the regular H1 clips.

For anyone on the fence, do it....you won't regret it. I didn't realize how horrible the ACA's were until I saw them side-by-side. Basically $100 for brackets and projectors plus maybe 30min total to remove both ACA projectors and install new H1s (not counting removing headlights themselves)

 

My Pixel 2 skews the color temp, they're pure white light, 5000K

 

Crap I forgot to show the color "flicker" of the projectors. They're pretty aligned maybe a little high as I've gotten flashed 1x in 2 days. I need to spend a few more minutes with them when the rain stops. The hi beams are finally useful, the projector go into hi beam AND the regular high beams come on.

 

 

Nice job....if you're happy, that's all that matters. I took a short cut: Put in four LED's with a 5000 heat range, high beams. Also have the "high four" hook up. Have never been flashed while driving at night.

 

looks pretty good, do you have a link to the parts needed to do this?... I've been happy with my standard aca's but for not a whole lot of money this might be worth doing

 

looks like you have the black plastic housing/back plate ACAs. I have the light grey ones. I have read you can not easily retrofit the grey housings but that the black ones are pretty straight forward. Not sure I want to try with mine and end up with busted ACAs. Looks good OP...nice work.

 

Now it time for you to upgrade those fogs!.......this coming from a guy with stock lighting.

 

I also was content on the ACA's original projectors at first, they are better than the stock lights.... But having retrofits before, ACA's horrible cutoff, funky looking step (if you can actually see/call it) and not really having much width and distance, always bugged me and had been disappointed in them since day 1. I regret not doing this a long time ago.

After figuring out size and length of the bolts & spacers needed, installation can't be any easier. No permanent modification done to the light either. I'd be glad to answer any questions if anyone does it.

Out of curiosity, anyone have a picture of the rear of the gray plastic ACA's?

I believe it should be okay to post links since no sponsor sells the brackets or projectors. I used Acme projectors from TRS only because I got them on clearance a year or 2 ago and had them on hand, but these have the same mounting spots. I'd be willing to bet good money they're the exact same generic projectors, just re-branded by Acme. I've seen the cutoff on the Amazon projectors they're equally as good as Acme.

https://www.lightwerkz.net/index.php...1-bracket.html

 

I have found some from China that match the specs/dimensions to the Hella fogs. Just haven't taken the time to purchase.

 

I did the HID drop-in conversion kit on my factory fogs/driving lights and it did make a HUGE improvement over the normal halogen bulbs. It would be nice to improve the fogs to a point where you might be able to use them as alternate headlights. I don't know if that would be possible.

 

I'v wanted to do this since I put mine on, you're right the stock ACA suck, I have no idea why people rave about them.

 

I originally did and while it made them at leas some what useful, I ended up putting LEDs in there because for whatever reason I wanted orange. They're for decoration now.

I wish I could figure out a way like I did on my WS6 where I was able to retrofit some Harley Davidson auxiliary LED lights to replace it's fogs. They were awesome and like you said could almost get away with driving with only them, granted they were 4.5" as well. Had a nice cutoff too.

Exactly my thoughts. I had high hopes when I installed them originally after reading about them, but was disappointed. I think people rave about them because they are better than stock and for most part don't blind oncoming traffic.....and basically only option to keep pop-ups without spending alot of money. If these ACA's could be opened, I'd attempted to figure out a way to fit a 2nd set of bi-xenon projectors for a true quad-beam setup.

 

I don't really care about thr highbeams, I don't think I've ever actually used them. But the light pattern for the projectors is so sloppy and the hot spots are crazy.

 

Very nice job on the retrofit and it sure looks like there is plenty of light output now.

 

I typically use my hi beams daily on the way to work on back roads. It's a nice feeling I can give trucks with level/lift (and didn't re-adjust their headlights), a taste of some brightness back at them. It really is a horrible, horrible beam pattern. I honestly didn't expect such a bad projector to come in these lights.

 

I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on a set of ACA lights but without the bulbs. So do you guys that have them recommend them or should I just stick with the stock housings with the 9012 bulbs I have in now? I really don't have an issue with the now.

Very nice upgrade to your housing also. Looks great with more light.

 

They're a significant improvement over stock but not worth what they're sold for. Best bet is buy the cheapest set off ebay you can find and change the projectors first thing. You'll absolutely want to change to HID though.

 

The retrofit looks great, I like how you did yours, I used FX-R projectors for mine.

 

Totally agree with this. Especially since you can easily swap in better projectors. Even if don't want to do the retrofit, definitely install HIDs.