JDM Headligts/HID Kit required?

[EvanW]

Hello All,

My name is Evan and I live in Canada in the Toronto GTA area and have just purchased a black 1990 300ZX. Automatic with 123K on it. Needs a good cleaning and some mechanical to get it ready for the road. Also needed a Front bumper, Center trim, and headlights from what seemed to be a minor collision. After searching around for hours on this subject I came across this post:

about-to-get-an-hid-kit-need-some-advice-t395988.html

And this quote from a member here NolimitZ32

http://www.vvme.com Ive ordered 3 times from these guys and am very happy about it, they are the company that actually makes like 60% of the ebay HID kits,these are also pretty decent kits, its really hard to distinguish the nice ones from the crap ones until you've held a crap one. 35W is enough, if you want extreme brightness and dont mind paying the littlebit extra then 55W FTW as far as color thats just personal preference, I like 6000k myself.

Like Sgt, I am also in Canada and just purchased a front clip with JDM headlights to replace the front end on a 1990 Z32 that I just picked up. The bulbs have had me stumped and the whole set up for RHD lighting has me completely confused. If I understand correctly, the HID conversion will solve the bulb availability and the aiming issue? I followed the link provided here and came up with 2 candidates based on NolomitZ32 recommendations.

http://www.vvme.com/hid-headlights/sing ... lights-kit

http://www.vvme.com/hid-headlights/sing ... ersion-kit

Can anyone take a look at these and see if they are right for my application? This is my first 300ZX, although I have driven Nissan's most of my life (2 Pulsar's and a NX1600) always wanted the top of the line but could never afford it until now. JDM Toronto had the parts in stock and gave me a good deal.

Thanks for any help you can give me,

Evan

[BlackWidowZ]

I see what your trying to do. Just convert the JDM headlights to HID with a HID kit. Then they would work the same as any north American Z32 HID converted headlight. I cant really comment on that, in theory that would solve your problem but in practice maybe someone else can answer. BTW i don't know what the difference is between slim H3 and the other one with normal H3C. I would get the one that just says Standard H3C to avoid any problems with the "slim" one got no idea what the slim part means. Cuz my understanding is the JDM headlights are just Standard H3C. Not slim H3 those are different.

hid-low-beam-bulbs-conversion-on-my-or- ... 47752.html

[itsa300zx]

Just get the second kit you listed, (H3C) the first one "H3" will fit the fog lights.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Slim refers to the ballast size

[Ace2cool]

Slim usually runs at a higher temperature, which an lead to premature failure if it can't bleed the heat off efficiently. I always get full size ballasts.

[BlackWidowZ]

I read somewhere that the H3 and H3C bulbs are compatible but they are different. H3Cs are brighter and H3 is not bright enough. They shine different.

H3 is smaller heres the linky. they are fog bulbs while H3C are normal bulbs.

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/116615-hids/
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthr ... s-H3-HIDS-!

[EvanW]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for taking the time to give me some good info. I am still a little confused though on the application. I guess my big concern is do I need them? I am using JDM headlights out of a RHD vehicle and putting them into a LHD vehicle. Are the Jap 12V55W bulbs okay to use? The prongs are wider so I would have to cut into the wiring harness to make them work. If I go with a HID kit then I can continue to use my stock connectors right? This would be the main reason for converting IMO. Are there any issues with the JDM headlights to start with? I have been reading that RHD headlights are different in beam direction then compared to LHD vehicles and cannot be adjusted unless you convert to a HID kit? I have honestly sat the headlights side by side and I can't tell the difference. Maybe I am reading this all wrong? I know, lots of questions. This is my first Z and I just want her to be right, but don't want to go out and buy North American headlights after investing in the JDM ones (they won't refund), but if a $40 HID kit will solve the issue then I can spend that and be happier.

Thanks again for any help,

Evan

[Ace2cool]

The H3's will plug in with no hassle. They will fit into the bulb socket, and the harness provides both power and ground, so no worries about grounding.

Why did you buy JDM lights, just curious? Are you actually referring to the chrome lined '99 J-spec headlights?

[EvanW]

The H3's will plug in with no hassle. They will fit into the bulb socket, and the harness provides both power and ground, so no worries about grounding.

Why did you buy JDM lights, just curious? Are you actually referring to the chrome lined '99 J-spec headlights?

That's good news! So basically installing HID's will retain the original wiring and give me access to more readily available bulbs? I shouldn't be worried about any issues (besides the lack of a DOT stamp) with using these lamps?

The headlights came with the front clip I bought as I needed a new one. The previous owner told me someone backed into him with a trailer hitch. The front bumper was dented, the centre cover cracked, and both headlight housings were broken from shifting. Shopping around and seeing it advertised as a 300zx front end, i was ignorant of the Jap background until I had everything home and was searching for how to remove the various pieces. Plus the bolts under the headlights were so badly rusted that half of them broke off trying to get them out.

Looking at images online my lights are not the j-spec ones. The only chrome I can see is around the high beam housing.

[Ace2cool]

Oh, I understand. There were no visible differences in the '90-'98 model headlights. The '99 version came chromed, which is why some swap to those. I see you're just using the headlights as an OEM replacement. Please be courteous and adjust them properly, as you'll be blinding other drivers with your lights otherwise.

[EvanW]

Thanks Ace2cool! And thanks to everyone else who gave their advice!

[itsa300zx]

Just to confirm you need the H3C bulb to fit the JDM low beams not H3.
FYI, JDM lenses do not have the 3 aiming adapter "nipples" on the glass.

[EvanW]

Just to confirm you need the H3C bulb to fit the JDM low beams not H3.
FYI, JDM lenses do not have the 3 aiming adapter "nipples" on the glass.

Thanks. Yeah, the glass is completely flat and nippleless. So I won't be able to aim them properly? Sorry if I sound stupid. I am on this subject!

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Slim usually runs at a higher temperature, which an lead to premature failure if it can't bleed the heat off efficiently. I always get full size ballasts.

Slim ballasts are fine if you run a relay. If you wire directly to the low beam sockets, they will fail in short order. So would full size ballasts. A relayed harness is recommended.

Also, nothing above 5000K is recommended due to loss of light output.

Be sure to see my Projector Lens Cleaning article before installing lights. Recommended for anyone who's never done it, HIDs or Halogens.

[Ace2cool]

Yeah, that cleaning article is legit.

I ran my full sized ballasts directly to the socket, and they lasted the 5 years I had them installed before I sold the car, and I worked nights, so my lights were pretty much always on. They're still working AFAIK. Jay hasn't told me otherwise.

[itsa300zx]

Just to confirm you need the H3C bulb to fit the JDM low beams not H3.
FYI, JDM lenses do not have the 3 aiming adapter "nipples" on the glass.

Thanks. Yeah, the glass is completely flat and nippleless. So I won't be able to aim them properly? Sorry if I sound stupid. I am on this subject!

You can still aim/adjust them, just not with the North American Nissan dealer aiming tools.
I've also had the regular ballast plugged into the stock lamp harness for over 5 years now, and no problems yet:)

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Be sure that you tie your low beams to ground so that they stay on with your highs as well. This is essential with ANY HID retrofit regardless of type or relay status. There's a write up in the technical forum, I think "HID ground beam" search terms will find it. I'm done with fish for the day

[EvanW]

Hi Guys,

Thaks for all the replies.

I have decided to go with this one:

http://www.vvme.com/hid-headlights/sing ... ersion-kit

Seems about right. Bulb type is H3C to fit into the JDM headlights. Went with a color temp of 5000k as per the advice from above. And I gather that this kit has the shorter HID light types as I read somewhere that the longer bulbs can create a larger scatter pattern while the shorter ones are more focused because they sit further back from the lense. 55W also matches the bulb type that is already in there.

Anymore thoughts before I order?

Thanks,

Evan

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Here's your free fish. Do this when you install that HID kit. Otherwise you'll be sorry.

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/300zx- ... ether.html

[EvanW]

Thanks for the fish! And thanks again to everyone for helping out a newbie!