alms_lefko

STANDARD DISCLAMER: I am not responsible for any damage caused to you/others/your headlights/car while cutting into your enclosures as new ones cost $$$$ and also damage to your car.

Ok so the HID install. Here is my `quick' write up.

I purchased the kit from www.vvme.com ($99 +s/h) Total came to like $135... Sure seemed to cheap to me and I was very skeptical on buying this. I was basically the guinea pig here and I know a lot of you are interested in my FULL review. So here is it:

I ordered the 6000k kit, they shipped the 4300k. I emailed them and am waiting for a response.

Kit includes:
2x HID bulbs
2x Mounting Ballasts
2x Power Cables
4x Zip Ties
Installation Manual

1) Disconnect battery terminal

2) Then you do the `normal' headlight removal. 3 screws on each. Simple.

3) Next I was trying to decide where I wanted to mount the ballast. I was debating mounting these on the underside of the metal bracket below each headlight (with the supplied bracket/hardware) or on the underside of the headlight as I've seen done in other HID installs. I decided to mount on the underside of the headlight after I noticed ONE key thing... the ballast nearly fits without modification!

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4) I lined the ballast up and marked 4 spots where I needed to trim away some of the plastic. I don't have a dremel so I carefully used a drill and decent sized bit and started trimming. Here is a picture after all four `guide' rails were done.

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5) Next was to decide how to run the wires. I again opted out of the traditional drill into the bottom of the headlight and make a large hole (as I was concerned with condensation) so I decided to make a hole in the headlight cap.
This is the starts of the hole... Used a drill and made a fairly large hole.

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6) You then need to install the bulb. Easy enough. I had to remove the metal clip, hold the bulb, then reinstall (as it would not install and then get the metal over the wires)

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7) Then run the wires coming from the headlight through the headlight cap and work the rubber into place to prevent any condensation from getting in.

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lefko/DSCN5699.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

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8) Now connect the other end to the ballast and install in the ballast into the guides you made in the plastic. Mine went in and was a very tight fit. I did not use any Velcro at the bottom (because I did not have any) I do not for see them going anywhere as mine are hard to get out and the metal bracket in the car under the headlight is under about a half of it. However, I do plan on picking up some Velcro this week and securing a little better (for my own piece of mind).

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9) Hook up the other ballast wires (2) and connect the two lose wires into the former Halogen bulb wires.

10) Reinstall the headlight, make sure everything is connected and all caps on. Power em up and go drive ?
Below are some pictures of before/after. Sorry my camera sucks so it kinda doesn't do the new lights justice.

Before:
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lefko/DSCN5673.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lefko/DSCN5676.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lefko/DSCN5679.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lefko/DSCN5687.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

AFTER
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lefko/DSCN5704.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lefko/DSCN5707.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>


I would say these two below show the best difference

BEFORE
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lefko/DSCN5687.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

AFTER
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lefko/DSCN5707.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>


My final thoughts, AMAZING. Best $99 you could spend. The 4300k are WHITE...bright *** white. No yellow, but I wanted that `hint' of blue. Awaiting their reply to see if my 6000k kit will get to me like I ordered. We shall see. But all in all I would say order from these guys. The kit is amazing, you wont be disappointed.



AND THEN LATER THAT NIGHT THIS HAPPENED (MY HIT AND RUN) FVCKING A** HOLE

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lefko/DSCN5712.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lefko/DSCN5713.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE ABOVE TWO... I PUT SOME WAX ON IT... MOST BUFFED OUT... THE CIRCLE DAMAGE PART AND STUFF DIDN'T, SOME SCRATCHES, SHOULDN'T COST TO MUCH. JUST AGGREVATING AS HELL. AND THE GUY WHO HIT ME CANT CLAIM HE DIDN'T SEE ME! I HAD GREAT LIGHTS!!!!!!! :-p

Kep

Awesome! Going to order some 6k's...

alms_lefko

the plastic container the bulb was in said 4300

Silver Streakin'

that rubber gromet for the wires?

I think you'll be happier with the 4300k since that's the mount light output.

what bulbs are they using? just curious how difficult it would be to get replacement bulbs, or are Xenon H7 bulbs generic and found almost anywhere?

Solaris

<center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Lefko/DSCN5699.jpg"></center><p>You can clean up a lot of that bumper damage with some compounding. It might not look bad enough to have to replace after you put a little elbow grease into cleaning it.

WJM

power for the ballast... you plug those into the factory H7 socket

alms_lefko

Yes, plug and play. Everything included

Rubber came on the wires

Not sure what kind of bulb it is.

Warranty is 14 month. I kinda figure if a bulb goes it's prob cheaper/easier to buy a new kit

alms_lefko

shop guy that might not charge me more then the cost to mix paint and he can fix that... fix some other marks, and maybe re-paint my lowers...

Gotta do the timing belt in a few weeks so i dont have the cash for a HUGE repair bill

Solaris

where there are scratches that polishing compound won't clean up. Then wax the entire area you compounded. Luckily, silver hides a lot on cars. Plus, it's a bumper on a street car. I'd wait until somebody else's insurance is going to pay for everything. My rear bumper was hit in a church parking lot and you can still see a spot where the bumper support pressed against the back of the bumper. It just doesn't look bad enough to pay for a new bumper. I live in NJ, somebody else will hit it eventually.

Solaris

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/42525/aug14005.jpg"></center><p>and that light spot to the right of it is a reflection of something on the ground.