Ebay HID Projector headlights
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
Ebay HID Projector headlights
Well the days are getting shorter, and I'll soon be using my crap stock headlights regularly again. I tried drop in LEDs, and they're crap. Wasn't impressed with the higher output halogens either. What's the general opinion on the relatively cheap (~$225) headlight housings that include HID kits on ebay? I assume the housings are all the same, but the included HID kits all look different. Is there a preferred one? I know Radioflyer has a tricked out version, but at 3x the cost, it's just not for me.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Ebay projectors use cheap halogen projectors. While they won't glare that badly, their light distribution will still be subpar.
The cheapest option that only requires minor assembly is an Ebay ACA headlight kit, Lightwerkz C5 brackets, and a generic mini H1 HID projector with a generic H1 HID kit. Or you can try your hand at making a bracket yourself.
The cheapest option that only requires minor assembly is an Ebay ACA headlight kit, Lightwerkz C5 brackets, and a generic mini H1 HID projector with a generic H1 HID kit. Or you can try your hand at making a bracket yourself.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
Yeah, I kind of figured the projectors would be less than great since they don't list a name brand or anything. I'm a little bummed they're not even proper HID projectors though. I'm not a huge lighting snob, I wonder if it would be 'good enough' for my purposes.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Then you can keep throwing money at cheap half-assed solutions that you never come out happy with. And in the long run spend a lot more.
Cheap low quality Chinese ebay projectors ACA projectors (JWM, Radioflyer uses higher quality Taiwan projectors at almost double cost): $170
Lightwerkz bracket: $70 (about $50 with their sales, or make your own).
Generic H1 projectors (Radioflyer uses name brand at more than double cost): $30
Generic 55 watt H1 HID kit (Radioflyer uses name brand at more than double cost, 55 watt may damage generic projectors): $40
At bare minimum, you can get a halfway decent HID projector setup for about $300 with questionable quality. Make your own bracket and it'll be under $250.
Cheap low quality Chinese ebay projectors ACA projectors (JWM, Radioflyer uses higher quality Taiwan projectors at almost double cost): $170
Lightwerkz bracket: $70 (about $50 with their sales, or make your own).
Generic H1 projectors (Radioflyer uses name brand at more than double cost): $30
Generic 55 watt H1 HID kit (Radioflyer uses name brand at more than double cost, 55 watt may damage generic projectors): $40
At bare minimum, you can get a halfway decent HID projector setup for about $300 with questionable quality. Make your own bracket and it'll be under $250.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
most are halogen projectors - even the Taiwanese ACA versions (with the H9 low beam), however, they're a lot better than stock regardless, and even putting your own HID kit in them won't be the worst thing in the world. not good enough to satisfy lighting snobs by any means, but not dangerously blinding either.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
This basically sounds like what I'm looking for. I use my headlights maybe 1/3 of the year, and only on my 15 minute drive back from work. Basically I just want something bright and attractive that's not going to blind other drivers, I don't feel the need to get the best (plus $250 is a lot easier to justify to the boss than $600+). I might consider shelling out another hundred for one of JW's kits. It sounds like they're using better stuff. I kind of like the halo look on the ebay ones though. In a perfect world, I'd get the Radioflyer flush mount headlights (the flip ups are the 1 thing I hate about the c5), but I definitely can't afford $1200 for lights.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Does your C5 have factory fog lights?
If your main concern is getting better light on the road when driving at night I would suggest you convert your stock fog lights over to 55watt HIDs. You can get a bunch of bright white light with a sharp cut off at the top. Just aim them higher than stock so their cut off is just below the stock headlights. Then run the HID fogs along with your stock headlights
If your main concern is getting better light on the road when driving at night I would suggest you convert your stock fog lights over to 55watt HIDs. You can get a bunch of bright white light with a sharp cut off at the top. Just aim them higher than stock so their cut off is just below the stock headlights. Then run the HID fogs along with your stock headlights
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
Does your C5 have factory fog lights?
If your main concern is getting better light on the road when driving at night I would suggest you convert your stock fog lights over to 55watt HIDs. You can get a bunch of bright white light with a sharp cut off at the top. Just aim them higher than stock so their cut off is just below the stock headlights. Then run the HID fogs along with your stock headlights
If your main concern is getting better light on the road when driving at night I would suggest you convert your stock fog lights over to 55watt HIDs. You can get a bunch of bright white light with a sharp cut off at the top. Just aim them higher than stock so their cut off is just below the stock headlights. Then run the HID fogs along with your stock headlights
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ights&_sacat=0
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
Then there should be stock wiring in place. You can find used sets, but ask for a close up of the front of the lenses before you buy.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ights&_sacat=0
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ights&_sacat=0
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
Have you tried the MOSTPLUS LED bulbs? Most here on this forum are happy with those, myself included. Do a search on "MOSTPLUS" in this forum and you'll see all the feedback on them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,429
Likes: 973
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Ebay HID bulbs are terrible in both fog housings and headlights. They are very unreliable, don’t waste your money.
Simply installing a bright bulb in the fog will not get you much more light. The lens controls the light pattern not the bulb. If you can put a complete HID light assembly in place of the fogs, you might get something. No led or HID bulb is compatible with the stock C5 lens. I’ve tried it and discussed same with Daniel Stern, the online lighting expert.
I’ve tried enough combos over the years, ignoring what I read on Daniel’s site and been disappointed every time, which is why I contacted him directly.
I’m convinced that Radioflyer’s kit is the best available and might be worth the price. I don’t want to waste any more money on junk, tho’ JWM’s kit might be a reasonable compromise. Otherwise, you are just playing games trying to save money that will eventually get close to what you might spend if you saved and bought quality.
Simply installing a bright bulb in the fog will not get you much more light. The lens controls the light pattern not the bulb. If you can put a complete HID light assembly in place of the fogs, you might get something. No led or HID bulb is compatible with the stock C5 lens. I’ve tried it and discussed same with Daniel Stern, the online lighting expert.
I’ve tried enough combos over the years, ignoring what I read on Daniel’s site and been disappointed every time, which is why I contacted him directly.
I’m convinced that Radioflyer’s kit is the best available and might be worth the price. I don’t want to waste any more money on junk, tho’ JWM’s kit might be a reasonable compromise. Otherwise, you are just playing games trying to save money that will eventually get close to what you might spend if you saved and bought quality.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I have a set of the Chinese ACA headlights. I took them over to the Lightwerkz shop and had them look at them. Once I get the low beam receptacles removed from the assemblies, I will go back to their shop and purchase the parts I need to complete the conversion. It will be their adapters and a set of bi-xenon Morimotos. The final assembly should duplicate the best on the market at half the cost. I too can't justify the super expense of other products. I have too many things going on. I'm in the middle of a restoration and working on two vehicles at once is not easy. Lightwerkz is less than an hour's ride from my home.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,429
Likes: 973
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Only an hour or less from me, tho’ this is the first time hearing about them. if you’re thinking Morimotos that’s a whole different animal, especially since they are bi-xenon. I’ve been looking at Morimotos for years on ‘theretrofitsource.com’.
Keep me posted!!
Keep me posted!!