About to Start HID Project, Got Some Questions

[KO7]

Did a search and couldn't find any threads or posts regarding this combo:

I'm planning to do it "properly" and getting Bi-Xenon projectors, either Morimoto Mini H1 or FX-R as well as DRL replacement from here: 9005 LED Bulbs | Acura TSX TL Honda Civic Accord Daytime Running Light

Wondering if anyone could answer these questions for a newbie:
1. Is this going to be easy for the shop to install? Would the shop charge me much more to install the FX-R as opposed to the Mini H1? On the retrofitsource, the FX-R is classified as more difficult to install and requires more permanent modification. If the difference in labor cost is huge, I may just go with the Mini H1.

2. Personal preference, but which Shrouds do you like?

3. For the highbeam function, should I disable the DRL LED from aiming up or have both the Bi-Xenon and LED go up?

4. Are Halo lights "lame" and "ricey" or would you get CCFL Halo or LED Halos? If you'd opt for them, would you rather have them on the Bi-Xenon reflector or the DRL light?

Thanks in advance!

[joon joon]

the fxrs are much harder to install than the minis.. as far as the led drl, you cant use it as a high beam.. its not a dual filament bulb so it could only be used as a drl.. if you want to keep it just as a drl, you need to make a harness so that it just stays a drl and the bixenon from the mini h1 or the fx-r is the new high beam only..

[devani]

i have murano projectors in my retro...it's 3" projector....bigger than FX and mini...I have dual high beams and love it....you will need alot of cutting with trials and errors....

not my first retro so that helps too...

[StupidPig]

1. The MH1 is a lot easier to install than FX-R. Well, depends on what retrofitter you deal with, but usually the labor will be cheaper when you choose the MH1 route, likely $100+ difference.

2. Personally I think E46-R look pretty well with our 8th gen. We don't have a lot of choices when compare with some other cars with larger headlight. Be prepared if you turn out going to retrofit yourself, as there will be quite a lot of shroud trimming needed unless you are using either mini gatling or mini graphite.

3. Since you are going to use PnP 9005 LED bulb, if you keep factory DRL, the LED bulb will not run at it's full brightness during DRL mode (unless you install a module to smooth out the PWMed DRL power), then full brightness when you switch on the high beam. Well, PnP LED bulb is pretty weak, so even at full brightness, it is not going to be bright enough to use as high beam. So, make sure you get the bi-xenon harness hooked up on your projector for a real high beam usage. Also, as mentioned by Joon, you will need a custom made relay harness for hook up the bi-xenon feature on your projector to the OEM high beam harness if you need to keep the DRL function. Whether to have both the LED and bi-xenon high on together when you switch on high beam is really a personal preference, if I have this setup, I'll have both on for high beam.

4. I don't think Halo is racey. If possible, go with both locations. TRS's XB LED ring is pretty cool.

[KO7]

Thanks for all the info guys.

Is it possible for the installer to set it up so that the DRL LED lights flash when I flash the highbeams (pulling the stalk towards me), and for the Bi-Xenon highbeam to engage only when I turn on the highbeams by pushing the stalk away to lock the highbeams on?

Sorry if I didn't word it right.

I like the Iris shroud as it looks the cleanest, will this add much to the labour if trimming is required for all shrouds other than the Mini Gatling and Mini Graphite?

[joon joon]

Having the stalk set up like that is way too complicated and probably not doable with the stock wiring..

As far as trimming, i wouldnt charge more but it all depends on the retrofitter

[StupidPig]

Originally Posted by KO7

Is it possible for the installer to set it up so that the DRL LED lights flash when I flash the highbeams (pulling the stalk towards me), and for the Bi-Xenon highbeam to engage only when I turn on the highbeams by pushing the stalk away to lock the highbeams on?

It can be done, and actually I setup mine in similar fashion (using regular halogen high beam bulb, not LED). Yes, it will be a bit complicated on the circuit, and I don't think there are going to be many retrofitter want to do that.

[KO7]

So the simplest way or the way I should expect is to have the flash and the highbeams be the highbeam function of the Bi-Xenon, and the LED DRL is strictly just DRL?

Thanks guys, I think I'm almost ready to make my order. I'll probably go with one of the non-standard shrouds as I think the mini ones look too small in our headlight housings.

[StupidPig]

Originally Posted by KO7

So the simplest way or the way I should expect is to have the flash and the highbeams be the highbeam function of the Bi-Xenon, and the LED DRL is strictly just DRL?

Since you want the DRL function, the simplest way is make a custom bi-xenon harness which work with DRL, then get use to not flashing in day time. As long as you want DRL and bi-xenon high beam, you need a custom harness.