Gen 1 HID brainstorming suggestions/thoughts.....

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

Ok I have silverstars all round (heads + fogs). Over the course of this year i want to start accumulating parts and setting up something that looks nice of my solara. Yes we have a nice search section. But what i ask are unique and i wanted to know ur all opinions -
Option 1: Buy s2000 bixenon projectors (or similar), and make a decent shroud and have a light output w/o having too many hotspots...not to much glare and have nice cut off off line.... with this would a blacked reflector be nice along with blackened shroud...or leaving it as is (and then hoping that the shroud could be chromed when all fits to mate well with the existing reflectors).
Option 2: Blacken the OEM reflectors...taking reflectors off either Lexus is300 or equivalent - and then with high temp adhesive, glue them on top our blackened reflector...and then just going the regular d2r's (to "HOPEFULLY") prevent glare..... this would be cheaper as i won't be dealing with bmer or s2000 bixenons.
Option 3: just buy a plug and play kit (cheapest)...and just plug it in and glare all around other motorist ( like some of you have done already).

Your all thouhts and comments appreicated....help me brainstorn which would work well with our headlights...again this is for 2001 solara (gen 1 - and not gen 1.5).

edit - Cliff notes: Option 1 - make hid projectors (like bmers, audi's, etc) Option 2 - make hid reflectors (like IS300). Option 3 - ebay hid kits with decent hella/phillips badging (not knock off brands)

[Jon11582]

I like the fact that your worried about glare, since most people dont consider it. I dont know the technicality behind it, but if they were behind a store window, Id want projectors. They seem to work the best with HIDs, and prevent a lot of glare.

I think either 1 or 2 would be good projects though, since I dont know many solara owners who have modified thier headlights. I've wanted projectors for years and the lack of availibility is one of the things holding me back from getting HIDs.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

I dont know the technicality behind it, but if they were behind a store window, Id want projectors. They seem to work the best with HIDs, and prevent a lot of glare.

..the regular projectors would do too....but i again don't want to loose my high beams (hence e55 or similar bixenons). One thing i forgot to mention is that Option 1 & 2 i still have hi&lo. Option 3 is only lo. I like the idea of projectors myself...but i think the aiming issue and my 'not so surgon hands' in aiming it STRAIGHT prevent me from venturing there....I personally am inclined towards option2 (cheaper and seems possible).

[Jon11582]

..the regular projectors would do too....but i again don't want to loose my high beams (hence e55 or similar bixenons). One thing i forgot to mention is that Option 1 & 2 i still have hi&lo. Option 3 is only lo.

And thats the other reason thats keeping me away from HIDs. I still want my highbeams, since they are undoubtedly useful once in a while. I would def. go for a hi/lo solution.

If 1 is alot harder and more expensive than 2 to do properly, go with 2. If you think, with ample time, you can get 1 to work well, definitly go for 1. When you custom do a project like this, you want perfection, and 1 seems like the best solution. If you go 2 when 1 would have just taken a bit more time and money, youll alway wished you went with 1. If it might not be possible for you to get 1 working the way you want it, go for the second one.

BTW, just out of curiousity, what is the estimated costs of each of theses?

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

Option ONE:
Two Bixenons projectors - ~400-OR LESS (depending on who made them, new or used)
tp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=33710&item=2471818918&sspagename=STRK%3AMESSE%3AIT

two d2s's for projectors - 80 bucks

shroud - this local guy used some $5 (a pair) cups from walmart - if that works good - if not then sy at most $60

ballasts - at most 200

Other parts - harness + stuff - 40-80 at most

OPTION TWO:

ballast, bulbs + screws (fitting into h4) = 360
Then lexus reflectors - depending on your luck at junk yards

OPTION THREE
Option three: i've seen them as low as 250 for asian no name kits and decent ones for 300

LABOR - free...guess if u go to hid retrofitters they eat up 300 at times (example www.hidtech.com)

[geminimouse]

I was talkin to my brother about this yesterday...
I'll be using the mcculloch's that i have already and do what u said in option #2.

[Jon11582]

Is this a huge project? I might try #2 out too (#1 seems like its way beyond my scope ). I got some eletrical skills but not much else. I just really want a set of HIDs where I dont have to ditch my highs.

[krawzyazn]

i got some ballast for sale if you want $180 shipped d2s/d2r