Projector Retrofits

[impulseX]

So, I've had these ap1 projectors for quite some time now thinking that I would attempt to do them for my civic. However... the more I think about it, the less confident i am about it, and thus, they still haven't been done.

Anybody on here willing to take some time to help me out in any way? Treat you out to some dinners or something.

Thanks in advance!

[adrnlnrush00]

I've done retrofitted projectors in my EK headlights twice; I'd be willing to give you some advice.

If you'd like to meet up in person, then it'll have to wait until the middle of December when my exam is done.

However, if you shoot me some pictures of your headlights and your projects, then perhaps we can open communication via email. My email address is jimmyletang@gmail.com.

[AVS_Racing]

are ap1's harder to do cuz they aren't direct plug and play, you have to manually cut up your existing housing and use bolts to custom mount them on?

I've done a few sets too but I've only used plug and play screw on kits, so I didnt have to mess with cutting and aiming the projectors. Only custom part was cutting shrouds, adding leds, and painting housing

[adrnlnrush00]

Originally Posted by AVS_Racing

are ap1's harder to do cuz they aren't direct plug and play, you have to manually cut up your existing housing and use bolts to custom mount them on?

I've done a few sets too but I've only used plug and play screw on kits, so I didnt have to mess with cutting and aiming the projectors. Only custom part was cutting shrouds, adding leds, and painting housing

Whenever you're doing a retrofit you should expect to do a bunch of cutting to get the projectors to fit right. And you'll also need to drill some holes to make the mounting points.

It's a full-on custom job with many variables. You're trying to fit projectors into a housing that wasn't originally meant for it; hence, the term "retrofit." But when it's all said and done, the lighting performance and output far outweighs that of any plug n' play kit.

OP, what kind of parts do you have already? You've mentioned that you have the projectors; what about the HID bulbs, ballast, wiring harness and shrouds?

[impulseX]

Originally Posted by adrnlnrush00

I've done retrofitted projectors in my EK headlights twice; I'd be willing to give you some advice.

If you'd like to meet up in person, then it'll have to wait until the middle of December when my exam is done.

However, if you shoot me some pictures of your headlights and your projects, then perhaps we can open communication via email. My email address is jimmyletang@gmail.com.

wow. this may be a lot more easier in terms of helping me than i thought...
i'm hoping to do this retrofit for my ek so, since you've done them twice, it shouldn't be too bad?

Originally Posted by adrnlnrush00

Whenever you're doing a retrofit you should expect to do a bunch of cutting to get the projectors to fit right. And you'll also need to drill some holes to make the mounting points.

It's a full-on custom job with many variables. You're trying to fit projectors into a housing that wasn't originally meant for it; hence, the term "retrofit." But when it's all said and done, the lighting performance and output far outweighs that of any plug n' play kit.

OP, what kind of parts do you have already? You've mentioned that you have the projectors; what about the HID bulbs, ballast, wiring harness and shrouds?

i currently have 2 sets of ek housings (the guy that sold me the projectors was working on them for his ek but had a change of plans so he gave me his set of housings, i have my old set as well, as i'm currently using ebay projectors)

i also have the ap1 projectors, and a set of 4300k d2s bulbs with ballasts.

no shrouds right now, previous owner was making a makeshift shroud with something.. i'll snap a few pics and email to you.

[AVS_Racing]

^^ ek housing should be pretty easy to do since its so big, not sure how you would mount the projectors, the ones I've use are all universal screw on type ie. morimotos so basically you just have to remove all your halogen light shields and just screw the new projector in.

also with morimotos their light outputs are pretty much on par or better than traditional oem projectors without the hassle of drilling and mounting.

[adrnlnrush00]

Originally Posted by impulseX

wow. this may be a lot more easier in terms of helping me than i thought...
i'm hoping to do this retrofit for my ek so, since you've done them twice, it shouldn't be too bad?




i currently have 2 sets of ek housings (the guy that sold me the projectors was working on them for his ek but had a change of plans so he gave me his set of housings, i have my old set as well, as i'm currently using ebay projectors)

i also have the ap1 projectors, and a set of 4300k d2s bulbs with ballasts.

no shrouds right now, previous owner was making a makeshift shroud with something.. i'll snap a few pics and email to you.

Send close-up pics of the AP1 projectors with particular emphasis on the bottom. Would like to see if we can make some mounting points from the bottom of the projector. If there are no natural mounting points from the bottom of the projector, then send pics of where the OEM mounting points are on the AP1s.

As for the EK housings, aiming is very simple because the reflector bowls have convenient lines that run parallel to the beam pattern. We just have to make sure that our mount is level, which can be the tricky part.

The left and right adjustment, as well as the up and down adjustment, can be done through the EK's OEM adjustment knobs.

I would recommend that you get a wiring harness to protect your car's electrical system from overload failure. A wiring harness can be purchased from The Retrofit Source (Google them) for ~$50 USD plus shipping. It's a cheap insurance plan in case your AP1 ballasts draw so much energy that it fries your car's wiring. You'll need the H4 low beam wiring harness. You can get the bi-xenon wiring harness if you choose but the AP1s don't have bi-xenon so if you're getting the bi-xenon wiring harness then it's only for the flexibility of using a bi-xenon projector down the road.

On a side note, the AP1 projectors are low beams only; your EK's H4 bulb is dual low and high beam. Therefore, you're going to lose the use of your high beam.

Pics, pics, pics... send pics.

[impulseX]

Originally Posted by adrnlnrush00

Send close-up pics of the AP1 projectors with particular emphasis on the bottom. Would like to see if we can make some mounting points from the bottom of the projector. If there are no natural mounting points from the bottom of the projector, then send pics of where the OEM mounting points are on the AP1s.

As for the EK housings, aiming is very simple because the reflector bowls have convenient lines that run parallel to the beam pattern. We just have to make sure that our mount is level, which can be the tricky part.

The left and right adjustment, as well as the up and down adjustment, can be done through the EK's OEM adjustment knobs.

I would recommend that you get a wiring harness to protect your car's electrical system from overload failure. A wiring harness can be purchased from The Retrofit Source (Google them) for ~$50 USD plus shipping. It's a cheap insurance plan in case your AP1 ballasts draw so much energy that it fries your car's wiring. You'll need the H4 low beam wiring harness. You can get the bi-xenon wiring harness if you choose but the AP1s don't have bi-xenon so if you're getting the bi-xenon wiring harness then it's only for the flexibility of using a bi-xenon projector down the road.

On a side note, the AP1 projectors are low beams only; your EK's H4 bulb is dual low and high beam. Therefore, you're going to lose the use of your high beam.

Pics, pics, pics... send pics.

just emailed you. lemme know if i need to retake any pictures. thanks!