Replacement/Conversion fog lights 06 M45

[DeanM45]

Hi all,
Had my M for just over a month now and have added a catch can, LED side mirror covers, Eibach springs, Megan exhaust, new stock Start/Stop button, and other little nick nacks. I have been unhappy with the fog light out put and ran across some metal housing, glass lens hallo fogs on EBAY that looked like they would work. Fabbed up some brackets today and threw them in even though my DDM HID kit has not come in yet. I like the look and will turn the halos into always on in the near future once the hid kit arrives. I can only guess that the output will be significantly better than the stock fog setup. The fogs do have a HID cutoff plate built into them so I ** shouldn't ** have to worry about the glare. I'll update as I progress. Just so you know-I was a little off center when I took the pictures so the direver's side fog light looks like it is not centered in the fascia opening but it is.








Let me know what you think!

-Dean

[wingFeather]

Not bad. Were the brackets hard to make? I might be interested in this mod.

[DeanM45]

Not bad. Were the brackets hard to make? I might be interested in this mod.

Pretty easy. I just use some 28 gauge aluminum to mock up the L brackets, test fit the lights (the lite gauge metal is easy to form/bend) and then use them as a pattern to make rigid mounts. I used a slot where the bracket mounts to the foglight so that I can adjust the angle of the fog and move the fog in and out.

[cruzad3r]

interested in seeing pics of these mods: the fog light halo new setup and the catch can. if you can post your source, where you get your parts, a quick how to/instructions on putting these things together and in the car; that would be awesome.

edit> didnt realize you posted the pix of the fog light (i'm at work so i cant see pix) but is there a way that you can post source of these parts and instructions?

[wingFeather]

I don't see a spec of road rash on your car. Do you have a clear bra or super low miles???

[DeanM45]

I don't see a spec of road rash on your car. Do you have a clear bra or super low miles???

Almost 70K and LOTS of touch up paint, 2000 grit sand paper and Porter Cable buffer

[BEZ]

Hey Dean
Ive had my m45 for like two months now and looking to do some of the mods you've done. So far I jus tinted the windows n changed the interior lights to LEd. I like what u did wit the fogs. That's a nice look something different. I wanted to ask u when u put in the eibach springs did u have to do anything else like a camber kit or spacers? How does the car sit? I wanna dropp my car and I want to make sure I do it right

[DeanM45]

Thanks.
I've had the springs on for only a week so I am still waiting for them to settle before getting an alignment done. The rear looks fine, it should be able to be brought back to spec. The front has a good amount of camber now but the cam was on the far end of adjustment so it **may** be able to be brought back to spec without a camber kit. Worst case, the front camber kits are not that expensive and fairly easy to install. We'll see in about two weeks. I did the LED interior as well, made a HUGE difference in the car appearance wise. One of the few cheap, easy and quick upgrades.

[donnieb83]

Wow, I love the stance. I really want a pro kit also from eibach but dont want it to be too low. Has the comfort of your ride changed much after the springs? Also, could you please update the specs from your alignment when you get it done? Thank you! She looks great!

[DeanM45]

Ride is very comfortable and the handling improvement is phenomenal. The Eibachs are progressive as opposed to the linear stock springs which helps in the comfort department quite a bit. I'll let you know on the alignment.

[DeanM45]

interested in seeing pics of these mods: the fog light halo new setup and the catch can. if you can post your source, where you get your parts, a quick how to/instructions on putting these things together and in the car; that would be awesome.

edit> didnt realize you posted the pix of the fog light (i'm at work so i cant see pix) but is there a way that you can post source of these parts and instructions?

Yep, I'll put something together this weekend.

[donnieb83]

I wanted to ask also, where you purchased the LED side mirrors? Was the install pretty straight forward. Thank you again.

[DeanM45]

Mirrors were from EBAY ~$100. Painting was a pain because of the metal flake in the pain. Install was easyPull the mirror off (inside panel has three bolts and then the mirror has three nuts and one electrical connector). Pop the mirror out (held on with clips -- pull from the bottom. Remove the three screws that hold the mount (part that bolts to the car) and the mirror housing together (the screws are covered with little pieces of black plastic). The mirror cover is held to the housing by tabs -- when you get your lighted covers you will see where the tabs are. Stick a screwdriver in and pop the cover off. Reverse to install. Not difficult at all and once you get into it, it is pretty straight forward.

[SiMpLyMoDiFiEd]

link to mirrors?

[DeanM45]

link to mirrors?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350023826066?ss ... 1439.l2649

[DeanM45]

These are the lights:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170794281760?ss ... 1439.l2649

Brackets are just 2 "L" brackets, one for each side of the light (4 total). You then have to get a L3 HID or halogen kit.

The catch can is just a small $5 compressor filter from Harbor Freight. I'll take some pictures this weekend.

[jhuerto23]

Did you go with a full megan racing exhaust system? I would love to hear a sound clip of your car.

[DeanM45]

Yes, full exhaust. Running an Ingen intake as well. Only have my phone to record and I would guess it will not come out well but I'll see what I can do. I get a LOT of compliments from people on the sound of the car. Very quiet other than startup and when you get on it.

[DeanM45]

HID kit came in today and is installed:



What was installed. The small box is the inverter for the halo ring. 12 volts off of the HID auto leveling feed (12 volts ACC, RUN). Same ground as the fog connector. The big box is the HID ballast. 12 volt feed and ground from the stock fog connector.



Installed. I mounted the ballast and inverter to the inside of the front bumper with 3M double sided tape. Never had one fall off yet and if it does it will just fall onto the engine under cover. You can see the inverter's white wires running over to the halo. All hidden when the lower grills are installed.



Halos only (engine running, lights on or off, fogs on or off)



Fogs and halos on (lights on, fogs on)

Really am surprised and how bright the halos are. They are very noticeable during the day. The fogs are infinitely brighter than the stock setup. Very good lower coverage now. I went with the 35 watt, 5K kit. I may bump it up to the 50 watt kit but these are fine for now.



For those who asked: Catch can installed. That is about how much oil I get per 1K miles. It is just a simple compressor water separator/filter from Harbor freight, about $5.



Another shot of the catch can. Mounted it here so that when the engine cover is on you can not see it.

[DeanM45]

Forgot to update this thread. People were asking about the additional output with the foglights.

Headlights only:



Headlights and fogs:



The foglights are not as "bright" as the headlights but the give an incredible amount of fill in lights. Because they are so low other drivers have no issues with them.

[M35xPA]

Fog lights looks great!

[mexillis]

Looks like you're collecting a lot of oil if that's what you get every 1k miles. I haven't had to drain mine in over 5k miles yet. What kind of oil do you use?

[DeanM45]

I use Mobil 1 0W30. That is less than a tablespoon of oil in the "can".

[GQM45s]

nice set up, only wish the side mirrors come in 5-6k lights, not a big fan of the amber since i converted everything on my car to 6k already

[Twizz]

Dean,
Are these halos covered by glass or are they exposed ? And would that make them susceptible to braking ? I am very interested in having these. Also, would you happen to have that mold that you made with the aluminum ?

[DeanM45]

Dean,
Are these halos covered by glass or are they exposed ? And would that make them susceptible to braking ? I am very interested in having these. Also, would you happen to have that mold that you made with the aluminum ?

They are exposed, sealed units (like the fogs) and on for over 5 months and 10K miles with no issues. Don't have the mold--just need some aluminum bar, a saw, vise, drill and hammer to make them. Not hard at all.

[Twizz]

Dean,
Are these halos covered by glass or are they exposed ? And would that make them susceptible to braking ? I am very interested in having these. Also, would you happen to have that mold that you made with the aluminum ?

They are exposed, sealed units (like the fogs) and on for over 5 months and 10K miles with no issues. Don't have the mold--just need some aluminum bar, a saw, vise, drill and hammer to make them. Not hard at all.

Hmmmm. I live in NY and the streets here are pretty bad to say the least. I am just wondering if they will get a chip or something from pebbles and other road debris.

[DeanM45]

The potential for damage is the same with these as the stock foglights. No more, no less.

[cruzad3r]

Which hose and port are you using to hook up your catch can?

For the lights, did you buy their complete kit or only the housing and buy the hid kit separately?

Thanks -looks good btw

Jake

[Twizz]

The potential for damage is the same with these as the stock foglights. No more, no less.

Makes sense. Just one more question..... I am planning to order a new HID kit from TheRetrofitSource.com Originally, I was planning on getting some 3k bulbs. If I do the halos however, I was thinking would those look good ? Would a pair of 6k look better because of the way the light is being projected as opposed to the factory fogs with a HID kit ? Thanks for your help and your opinion.