My upcoming final projekts...
My upcoming final projekts...
Now that I'm a second semester senior, I'm taking the minimum # of credits which is 12, and my schedule has allowed me to spend more time on my car. 
SO, there are a couple of projects that will permit me to "finalize" my car and "be done with it..."
So you guys know me by now, I'm a headlight maniac--along with rockyfeller--and have decided to invest in a brand new set of type s headlights with all internal parts upgraded..
1. Headlights
-Oznium CCFLx4
-Oznium "Thin LED Strips, Audi style"
-Genuine BMW E46 ZKW Lenses
-Cleared headlights with diffuser retained
-"Color Mod"
-04-06 to 07-08 Sidemarker socket & connector compatibility
Oznium CCFLx4
So if not all, most of the AZ members with halos are running lightwurkz or Umnitza. Both are reputable companies but I decided to go with a more reliable company--Oznium. They have a wide array of led/CCFL products and they are known to last. My front sidemarkers are from Oznium and I have done two sets of oznium front white sidemarkers for members, one of them being BLACKURA_NY.
I researched their angel eye rings, and the only downside is that they appear to be made of glass, which didn't really bug me, since nothing will be exerting pressure or force--it's inside the headlight. The upside, is that they are slightly thicker (thicker rings when lit), and they are more of a complete circle. Instead of a "U" shaped design, they are more closed, making it look more like an "O". The more enclosed they are, the more aggressive, take a look at BMW for example.
Instead of the lazy look, you get the glaring look.
Here is a comparison of the lightwurkz and oznium rings. (I bought both in case the ozniums are too big, will touch up on that) Oznium is on the right.
Another issue was size, I called several buddies and they confirmed that the original halo size was exactly 3 inches. This would fit snug on the inner side of the bezel. The smallest size oznium had was 80mm, which is approximately 4mm wider in diameter but upon close scrutiny they are basically the same size.
I will have a completely separate switch for the angel eyes, on my current set of headlights they were wire to my parking lights. I will use this switch.
On a tangent, I wanted to point out something about the construction of BMW DRL angel eyes.. I can say that Germans know how to do it right, lol. Their angel eye is comprised of plastic, and a bulb. That simple. Here's how it works (I recently purchased a set of 535i angel eyes on the BM just to test fit them but realized there is no way in hell they are fitting inside the 3G TL headlight, even the smaller ring).
The BMW drl halos use a bulb that emits light into a black wire, and at the tip of this wire shines the light into a meticulously made plastic ring with striations.
Here is me simply shining an led flashlight into the tube on top:
Here's how they look lit up, notice the bulb ejecting light into the black wires, and the tip of these are connected to the plastic rings. JUST PLASTIC! Nothing inside; light is just traveling inside it.
Not sure if you guys knew this but I just found out how they worked, lol.
This is why they are so efficient and last a long time... if the bulb goes out, you simply change the bulb, not the rings--the rings are just plastic. The bulb is outside of the headlight so there would be no need to open the headlight. SO SMART!
Anyway, onward..
The "Audi style LED strip".
JnC uses the same company, Oznium, for his led strips but I didn't like the continuous and endless amount of LEDs.. to closely mimic the Audi look, I bought the "Thin LED strips" as they are more spaced out, and the strip itself is black which blends very well (inside or outside the headlight, not sure where I want to mount them yet...) with the headlight color. Only the LEDs themselves are slightly yellow.
I realized that only one strip (1 ft) is too short to extend throughout the headlight, so I bought 3 strips, and planned on using 1.5 ft for each, here is how I extended the strips.. the strips come with 4 pronged connectors:
Oznium placed pre-made marks where you can cut the LED without damaging it.
And because this isn't meant for automobile vehicles, the 12V cable wasn't compatible so I just cut it off, and separate the two wires as such:
So this will run on the bottom of the headlight all the way to the sidemarker, either inside the headlight, or outside, right under the headlight between the bumper, still contemplating where.
Again, I will be using a completely separate switch, same as the halos.
Next up will be the Authentic BMW E46 ZKW lens swap.
I snagged a set on ebay for a very good price through the best offer system and got them for $160 shipped.
They are CRYSTAL CLEAR!
Miscellaneous
I will be removing only the amber parts, no dremeling, nothing. The headlight will be cleared and the diffuser will still be there. I also pulled out the plastic tabs so that there will be a fuzzy blue line above the razor sharp light cut off, otherwise known as the "color mod."
As for the sidemarker socket, the difference in years (04-06 and 07-08) has caused the sidemarker bulb socket size to be different.. the newer years are 1157 and so I bought two of those size sockets from www.acuraoemparts.com and also the plastic connector to go behind it. Now all I need to do is rewire them so they will fit inside the housing.
Wheels
New wheels have arrived at the UPS center near Cornell, will be picking them up tomorrow, the teaser will kill you guys
Here are the lugs that are going on them.
And the BBK to accompany them
So I will keep updating once the headlight work begins, and once the tires are mounted on the wheels, stay tuned!
After all this, I will let the car be for a long long time
SO, there are a couple of projects that will permit me to "finalize" my car and "be done with it..."So you guys know me by now, I'm a headlight maniac--along with rockyfeller--and have decided to invest in a brand new set of type s headlights with all internal parts upgraded..
1. Headlights
-Oznium CCFLx4
-Oznium "Thin LED Strips, Audi style"
-Genuine BMW E46 ZKW Lenses
-Cleared headlights with diffuser retained
-"Color Mod"
-04-06 to 07-08 Sidemarker socket & connector compatibility
Oznium CCFLx4
So if not all, most of the AZ members with halos are running lightwurkz or Umnitza. Both are reputable companies but I decided to go with a more reliable company--Oznium. They have a wide array of led/CCFL products and they are known to last. My front sidemarkers are from Oznium and I have done two sets of oznium front white sidemarkers for members, one of them being BLACKURA_NY.
I researched their angel eye rings, and the only downside is that they appear to be made of glass, which didn't really bug me, since nothing will be exerting pressure or force--it's inside the headlight. The upside, is that they are slightly thicker (thicker rings when lit), and they are more of a complete circle. Instead of a "U" shaped design, they are more closed, making it look more like an "O". The more enclosed they are, the more aggressive, take a look at BMW for example.
Instead of the lazy look, you get the glaring look.
Here is a comparison of the lightwurkz and oznium rings. (I bought both in case the ozniums are too big, will touch up on that) Oznium is on the right.
Another issue was size, I called several buddies and they confirmed that the original halo size was exactly 3 inches. This would fit snug on the inner side of the bezel. The smallest size oznium had was 80mm, which is approximately 4mm wider in diameter but upon close scrutiny they are basically the same size.
I will have a completely separate switch for the angel eyes, on my current set of headlights they were wire to my parking lights. I will use this switch.
On a tangent, I wanted to point out something about the construction of BMW DRL angel eyes.. I can say that Germans know how to do it right, lol. Their angel eye is comprised of plastic, and a bulb. That simple. Here's how it works (I recently purchased a set of 535i angel eyes on the BM just to test fit them but realized there is no way in hell they are fitting inside the 3G TL headlight, even the smaller ring).
The BMW drl halos use a bulb that emits light into a black wire, and at the tip of this wire shines the light into a meticulously made plastic ring with striations.
Here is me simply shining an led flashlight into the tube on top:
Here's how they look lit up, notice the bulb ejecting light into the black wires, and the tip of these are connected to the plastic rings. JUST PLASTIC! Nothing inside; light is just traveling inside it.
Not sure if you guys knew this but I just found out how they worked, lol.
This is why they are so efficient and last a long time... if the bulb goes out, you simply change the bulb, not the rings--the rings are just plastic. The bulb is outside of the headlight so there would be no need to open the headlight. SO SMART!
Anyway, onward..
The "Audi style LED strip".
JnC uses the same company, Oznium, for his led strips but I didn't like the continuous and endless amount of LEDs.. to closely mimic the Audi look, I bought the "Thin LED strips" as they are more spaced out, and the strip itself is black which blends very well (inside or outside the headlight, not sure where I want to mount them yet...) with the headlight color. Only the LEDs themselves are slightly yellow.
I realized that only one strip (1 ft) is too short to extend throughout the headlight, so I bought 3 strips, and planned on using 1.5 ft for each, here is how I extended the strips.. the strips come with 4 pronged connectors:
Oznium placed pre-made marks where you can cut the LED without damaging it.
And because this isn't meant for automobile vehicles, the 12V cable wasn't compatible so I just cut it off, and separate the two wires as such:
So this will run on the bottom of the headlight all the way to the sidemarker, either inside the headlight, or outside, right under the headlight between the bumper, still contemplating where.
Again, I will be using a completely separate switch, same as the halos.
Next up will be the Authentic BMW E46 ZKW lens swap.
I snagged a set on ebay for a very good price through the best offer system and got them for $160 shipped.
They are CRYSTAL CLEAR!
Miscellaneous
I will be removing only the amber parts, no dremeling, nothing. The headlight will be cleared and the diffuser will still be there. I also pulled out the plastic tabs so that there will be a fuzzy blue line above the razor sharp light cut off, otherwise known as the "color mod."
As for the sidemarker socket, the difference in years (04-06 and 07-08) has caused the sidemarker bulb socket size to be different.. the newer years are 1157 and so I bought two of those size sockets from www.acuraoemparts.com and also the plastic connector to go behind it. Now all I need to do is rewire them so they will fit inside the housing.
Wheels
New wheels have arrived at the UPS center near Cornell, will be picking them up tomorrow, the teaser will kill you guys
Here are the lugs that are going on them.
And the BBK to accompany them
So I will keep updating once the headlight work begins, and once the tires are mounted on the wheels, stay tuned!
After all this, I will let the car be for a long long time
Last edited by bforbrian; Jan 30, 2009 at 07:38 PM.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 21,393
Likes: 2,181
From: Space Coast, FL
what are you going to be doing with your old lights? I might pick them up since my lights are starting to haze over on the outside, or get a replacement set from JNC that's modded. regarding the angel eyes, I remember a getto DIY on it where the guy used a clear blind's rod, heated it and bent it, put in the notches, then drilled .25 inch in the top and put in a white super bright LED in there on both sides.
Trending Topics
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,096
Likes: 414
From: Scarborough, Ontario
Hmn... Looks like the BMW angel eyes didn't work after all.
Love what your doing to the lights.
Were the ZKW lens a one time listing? You got a great deal on them!
Love what your doing to the lights.
Were the ZKW lens a one time listing? You got a great deal on them!
by the way, you're moddin your TL like no tomorrow!!! you're one crazy kid!
finally someone is putting in the real angel eyes.
What color are your pads that came with the BBK?
The pads that came in mine where the Gold Colored ones which are the ceramic race pads.
If yours are gold do not install them unless you wanna have loud squeeling brakes.
Let me know and ill get you the PN for the right pads.
The pads that came in mine where the Gold Colored ones which are the ceramic race pads.
If yours are gold do not install them unless you wanna have loud squeeling brakes.
Let me know and ill get you the PN for the right pads.
Holy crap lol yeah you got some projects going alright. Should be awesome when its done though, I love how you are settin up the individual switches for everything that is exactly what I would do.
what are you going to be doing with your old lights? I might pick them up since my lights are starting to haze over on the outside, or get a replacement set from JNC that's modded. regarding the angel eyes, I remember a getto DIY on it where the guy used a clear blind's rod, heated it and bent it, put in the notches, then drilled .25 inch in the top and put in a white super bright LED in there on both sides.
Thanks, always love the nitty gritty mods to work on
I think I'm going to open up the headlights today at my friends apt.bbk ftw, it's about time I got on that huh?
Will keep you updated
gracias
haha, im a mod whore, you're a smilies whore
What color are your pads that came with the BBK?
The pads that came in mine where the Gold Colored ones which are the ceramic race pads.
If yours are gold do not install them unless you wanna have loud squeeling brakes.
Let me know and ill get you the PN for the right pads.
The pads that came in mine where the Gold Colored ones which are the ceramic race pads.
If yours are gold do not install them unless you wanna have loud squeeling brakes.
Let me know and ill get you the PN for the right pads.
I'm gonna sell em! Ya, they're type s with angel eyes, black corner, with the diffuser.
damn. and damn. and damn, and damn, and damn! you've got to be pulling all the babes at cornell with a ride like this. you big stud.
i've never seen a cleaner NBP TL, keep up the great work!
i've never seen a cleaner NBP TL, keep up the great work!
About time you joined the bbk crew..The metallic blue is gonna be sick with NBP. Good choice in not getting red. Please don't create a new thread on the wheel teasers. This thread is already teasing enuff. 
How much you want for the headlights? I love your old ones, i'll throw down a deposit right now!
As for the new ones...wow, you never fail to impress! And I'm really liking the matching calipers and lugs. It's the details that matter!
As for the new ones...wow, you never fail to impress! And I'm really liking the matching calipers and lugs. It's the details that matter!
Nice!!!!!. Major mods. You coming to the March Meet up in LI??
Some pics of Oznium 80mm CCFL Angel eyes. had them for a while but too cold to install without a garage.
Some pics of Oznium 80mm CCFL Angel eyes. had them for a while but too cold to install without a garage.
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 88,888
Likes: 11,846
From: Waffles, BU
lol.. I was tripping over the Jabbawockeez' gear.. Halloween? Nagsasalita ba kayo ng Tagalog? What are you majoring in? Whatever it is.. go to grad school.. being in school right now is a good choice. btw.. can't wait to see the new headlights.
edit: saw the buried in mcat books headline.. well good luck bro. Med school is a good choice. I should say good luck on the o-chem section..lol.. you'll do well.. as long as you shed the mod bug before you take the test.. ha.
edit: saw the buried in mcat books headline.. well good luck bro. Med school is a good choice. I should say good luck on the o-chem section..lol.. you'll do well.. as long as you shed the mod bug before you take the test.. ha.