Raheel

Here is the breakdown on the comparison.

Both projectors being shown. Stock on the left. Color and foreground modded on the right.
http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL...d/P1010030.jpg

Stock
http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL...d/P1010032.jpg
http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL...d/P1010035.jpg
http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL...d/P1010037.jpg
http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL...d/P1010042.jpg
http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL.../widestock.jpg

Modded
http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL...d/P1010031.jpg
http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL...d/P1010033.jpg
http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL...d/P1010036.jpg
http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL...d/P1010043.jpg
http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL...widemodded.jpg


I'll keep you posted when the bulbs come in. Along with the demon eyes.

Raheel

Look at 42 and 43, Thats a MAJOR DIFF

http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL...d/P1010042.jpg

http://www.haknslash.com/pictures/TL...d/P1010043.jpg

chieuxuan

how do you remove the limiter?

Raheel

I dont exactly know, but I know someone that does Headlight Work, Retrofits Projectors and stuff and he was telling me, I should tell him to come on here and explain how it is done

chieuxuan

i know it's a pain in the...to uninstall the headlights out of a 3G

aznbo187

iTrader: (1)

I did it while blacking out the headlights. To do the color mod, and the foreground mod, you need to dissassemble the projector holder, very easy once you have the headlight opened. From there you just pop out the small black plastic spacer for the color mod, and to do the foreground mod, you need to dremel the shield. If you go to hidplanet.com, you can look up instructions.

voigt

I know this is an old thread but I did the color mod without opening up my headlights. It looks awesome. The blue line in the pictures above light up street signs blue before going white. I love driving at night now and I am always looking at the reflections. BTW to do the mod you need to take out your HID bulb and then with a long screwdriver you can break the little black piece. Once it is broken turn the light upside down and shake out the broken pieces. Just a warning. I did the mod and it seemed like my lights were cutting off a lot sooner. I properly re-aimed my lights and they are fine. I don't know if I messed it up when I was doing the color mod.
all-in-all I really like it.

THTL

iTrader: (2)

I really want to do this but i am too chicken.

ililillilillilil

i modded my headlights twice already and this is news to me.

ililillilillilil

does this effect or enhance the fogs at all???

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

These mods reduce the intensity of the projector.

You wanna improve the already great TL projector, find a set of ZKW lenses from a 2002-2004 BMW e46

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

No... only the HID projector.

I'm in the process of setting up a serious headlight project.

I'm having the headlight guts proffesionally painted and coated (still deciding on color), installing ZKW lenses (prefectly clear and exceptionally sharp), and 85122+ Philips bulbs (4300K pure white NOT BLUE - at 4300 lumens). My headlights will be the the brightest and sharpest thing on the street.

The TL projector with a BMW ZKW clear lens is the MOST COVETED mod for all those retrofitters on hidplanet.

I'm actually doing a retrofit for my Harley I like it so much!

PeteThaPitbull

can anyone post some pictures of this? im interesting in seeing this.. i tried the OP's links but im guessing the tread is to old and those links have moved

PeteThaPitbull

nevermind, it works, but if someone can do a DIY would be awesome

aznbo187

iTrader: (1)

I'm glad you are going with the ZKW clears on the TL projectors...it as to be one, if not THE best combination you can opt for. I would invest into it in a heartbeat, but just the thought of opening up the headlights is what's keeping me from doing it! Although not necessary, you can always go with a modified denso/kioto ballast at 50watts.

ChicagoBurbs

Hey I think these headlight mods are incredible! The output looks really good.

<<<BUT>>>Every time I get on a dark road I get oncoming cars flashing at me already...So my TL's lights are blinding drivers as they came from the factory (and no, they are not aimed too high, had them checked twice). Also I think they're incredibly clear and bright already.
As much as I'd love to go even brighter (hey, you can never see too well at night), I just can't justify all the work and expense.

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

I think you do have an aiming problem... I too am on dark roads regularly and have never been flashed.

None of these mods make the light brighter, but they better aim the existing light, in the existing field of view, and create a sharper light cutoff... Think of it as a "better focus" more than brighter.

Here's what those ZKW lenses do fo you (from haknslash, moderator at hidplanet):






Unfortanely, these lenses used to cost about $50. Because they're kinda rare now (2004 BMW 5 XI), and HIDPlanet folks ahve recognized how great these go with TL projectors, you pay out the nose for them. Mine were $300...

Another things folks do that's bad... Install 6000K or even 8000K bulbs. Although these bulbs offer that "cool blue" output, you loose about 1/5 to 1/4 of the light output (or lumens) the higher up the K you go. Also, did you know, at about 100+ hours of use, most Xenon bulbs "colorshift", and slip to a higher Kelvin rating? In doing so, they loose output.
The BEST bulb out there is the philips 85122+ - They offer the HIGHEST lumen output at 4300 lumens, at the whitest light at 4300K, and are specially designed to NOT colorshift until near end of life (at 1000+ hours).

I've read about folks hacking the ballasts on certain HID ballasts allowing them to push 50+ watts of power. You need speciifc ballasts, mod risk, and higher wattage off-road hid bulbs. That's a no-no in my book. I do drive in traffic regularly, and feel that is a bit inconsiderate whne the SUN pull sup behind them.
They also produce more heat, and that's just too much risk. Not like I need more light with this combo anyway.

Project begins this weekend. Spare headlights come apart and are off to paint, lenses are installed.

ballinfizzle89

iTrader: (6)

+1

Kennedy..Thats some real good info man, youre a genius! haha. No but really though, you know everything about everything, haah good to have you on here

voigt

The first picture is just catching the blue in the projector creating a half purple halo. The other two were just taken on my crappy camera showing the color mod from about 25ft sitting in the car. A disclaimer, if you are going to do the color mod it is fairly easy, but research it first. I love the mod but if you do it how I did, without taking out your headlight, you are breaking a piece of your projector so you cannot fix it. The OP's links and HID website give excellent information. enjoy

timmahh

Umm... call me blind.. but what the hell is the difference?

You guys aren't removing your bi-xenon mechanism are you?

The projectors already make a clean cut off..

Edit: I guess I see a difference... kinda...

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

- Not true... I'm a jack of all trades, master of none... with strong opinions that demand consideration.

No, these do not affect the bi-xenon shield. Here's a link to the "how to" the color and foreground mod:

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6610

The "colormod" requires you to remove the black grommet inside the projector seen here:



The "foreground mod" requires you to dremel the the cutoff shield, which allows more light to be cast onto the ground directly in front of the car. Seen here:



The concensus on HIDplanet is the colormod is OK using the stock lens, and the foreground mod is a no no... It reduces the overall intensity of the output light as the reflected light from the cutoff lens is reflect back into the projector. The colormod is reversible with another headlight disassembly, the foreground mod is NOT.

Both of these mods are no-nos using the ZKW lenses.

I'm actually considering polishing the backside of the foreground limiter in hopes that add just a few more HP to my light output.

a better pic showing the difference between a stock TL and a colormodded/foreground modded version:

Stock left, Colormod/Foreground right

THTL

iTrader: (2)

where can i get this in done in So cal.

myTaLizaS3.2

Doing the color mod will decrease the cutoff sharpness at a long distance. The pro's at HIDplanet will tell you the same. People put them back on after noticing that it decreased sharpness and made the output a bit dimmer.

myTaLizaS3.2

well, you can't put the foreground limiter back on after you cut if off though.

rbf351

the color mod can be done without taking apart the housings or projectors. i did this over a year ago, just remove the headlight housing from the car, remove the bulbs, and push the black circle with a small screw driver

Raheel

This mod is STILL HOT!

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

It's a form over function mod though...
Reducing headlight intensity for a little color on the edge of the cutoff...

... same reason 8000K bulbs blow. Greatly reduced intensity in exchange for a little more blue.

What's hot is getting tremendous light output from a spectacular headlight.

voigt

For me I love this mod. However I have noticed that the cutoff is not as sharp. The way I look at it is even with the color mod my lights give more output than 95% of the cars on the road, and now they look really cool. HIDplanet gives some excellent advice for those who are sitting on the fence (which will probably move you to not do it). Do plenty of research first (If I had of don't more I would have left it).

donc

Have you ever had a stock 07 TL behind you? I drove my S2000 back from a meeting and my wife was driving the 07 TL S behind me. Never again. I'll follow her next time. I can not imagine having brighter lights as this would cause others problems at night. What are the legal limits for headlights?

timmahh

The US does not have regulations on OEM HID or Xenon systems [as far as self leveling and cleaning system requirements] - it's illegal (in California atleast) to install an aftermarket HID kit into a vehicle and use it on the road.

I too would be blind if I was in an S2000, isn't the roof about as high up as our headlights? =p

spiike

Driving to iowa from chicago, I had so many people high beam me cause they thought I was using my high beams. They really need to implement the auto leveling feature like Lexus has.

I'm not sure if mine are too high, but I light reflects off the speed limit signs on the side of the road to a blinding glare. Also highway signs above the road maybe half a mile away or so.

voigt

It sounds like your headlights are aimed too high. At least in comparison to mine. I thought the headlights were supposed to go down not up. So on a flat road you should not be hitting overpass signs 1/2 mile away. I would check with someone about that though

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

Another point...
Those that are complaining of getting flashed, is your car lowered?

Did you re-aim after lowering?

Typical lowering springs lower the rear a bit more than the front. Although the lowering is not enough to really need an adjustment, the slight angle change of the cars ride with rear a bit lower will have a much larger effect on the headlight position. At 30-50 feet, the difference in the headlight cutoff is a few inches higher...

If you mess with the suspension, properly re-align your headlights.

ililillilillilil

^yes. that's what i had to do.
and I evened them out as well.
they come with a lazy eye from the factory.

voigt

They come with a lazy eye on purpose. Its so oncoming traffic will not be blinded, left is lower than the right

twon_aka_hollaatyaboy

The auto leveling just adjusts for the weight distribution in the car, i.e. you've got a ton of bricks in the trunk, so the front end is now pointed up a couple of degrees. The auto leveller will compensate and lower the beam back down. Or if you are facing uphill it will point them a down a little, but doesn't really do much if you're in the car with no load. Point being - people will still think they are bright.

BUT if you're staring at any cars headlights instead of the road infront of you, it'll look bright regardless.