Xenon/HID retrofitting, G50 (1995) Q45

[arnage]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum, and I apologize for the length of this post; I conducted a search on "HID" and "q45" and found 2-3 pretty good threads featuring the topic (thanks kimrober). It is my pet project --bear in mind, i am not very mechanically inclined-- to install HID lights (real ones, complete w/ ballast, etc.) into a 1995 Q45. I imagine many of you would probably advise against this..but I would still like some input. As I travel substantially for work (via airplane..), I don't think the car will see a whole lot of use, so I think the headlight project would be more of a "curiosity" in me actually completing a technical project than anything else. It's not so much my intention to "make the car look cool," and blind oncoming drivers as a result. Just figured it would be a neat DIY project.

A few things to consider...

- Purchasing just the conversion kit, complete with ballast/igniter, xenon bulbs (4800 or max 6000k) and installing these straight into the halogen housing. I'm aware that this is not an optimal setup, as the halogen reflectors are not designed for HID's lumen output. This could/would cause problems with glare for opposing drivers.

- Purchasing OEM set that would have appropriate HID projector lenses (e.g. assemblies from '99-'02 maxima?..) Does anyone know if there is any crossover ability between HIDs used in the Nissan lineup and a 1995 Q45?.. I say this only because the Q45 and the prior generation Maxima seem to share somewhat similarly-shaped headlight housings. or perhaps with newer Infinitis like the I35, etc. I imagine this can get very expensive, and may require more cutting/fabrication than the above option. Has anyone tried this type of retrofit? I also viewed the thread that talked about using a BMW E39's OEM HID assembly. They're rather expensive, however.

- Or perhaps a combination of the two. The most cost-effective being the purchase of an aftermarket set of HID lights/ballasts and coupling this with an HID projector lens of some sort.. and create a frankenstein HID assembly.

- An issue that's been bugging me is how the low-beam/high-beam setup would work. In one of the other posts, it seemed to imply that w/ conversion of HID inside the halogen housings, you lose high-beam functionality? Why is this the case (I assume it has something to do with voltage reqs?), if you are not touching the high-beam lights that are sitting next to the low-beams? Similarly, will one of those "H4 Dual System" kits with the light that moves back and forth be a worthwhile consideration?

something like this (notice it has the shield for hopefully blocking a bit of glare):Thank you for any input or suggestions you may be able to provide.

[maxnix]

Look at http://www.gohid.com

Not an endorsement.

The problem with the G50 headlight configuration is two fold:

1:) The glass lens is the focus mechanism. While cleared out lenses seem to be available in Japan, they are rare here. JDM reflectors will be wrong any way as they are designed for driving on the left.

2:) Space behind the lens assembly is not that deep. Maybe a Valeo or newer Bosch projector unit would fit.

HID are seldom used in high beams as they do not light up instantly like halogen. I think the FX uses a mirror to change the beam focus on high. Not sure what Porsches do.

Interesting but challenging project.

Oh, and welcome to the board. We love well documented and illustrated new projects!

[elwesso]

Brian is right, when you put the HIDs in, it will just spray light everywhere..... Thats not to say you couldnt adjust the headlights to make it look nice... I seem to remember that MB used the halogen lights with HIDs... maybe im wrong..

honestly, i have silver stars in my Q and I readjusted the headlights, and they are more than adequate..... Ive found after 10 years or so, the lights tend to be out of adjustment.

[arnage]

Brian and Joe,

Thank you for the welcome and the quick responses. I can't say that I feel very encouraged to embark on the project after finding out more about the difficulties. I spent a few hours earlier this morning doing more substantial research. It seems that there are more complications than I was originally aware of.

Brian: I am aware that many vehicles (typically, the older ones w/ OEM HID) used a halogen bulb for high-beam, as the reaction time is much quicker. To your point, many of the late-model vehicles w/ OEM HID are using a bixenon setup, using mirrors or movable lenses that redirect some of the lighting at an angle slightly higher up from the ground. I think such a setup may be cost-prohibitive.. and besides that, I don't think I am "handy" enough to really try my hand at cutting apart the preexisting headlamp units for the purpose of installing true projectors. I'd probably wind up messing up the stock lamps as well as any retrofit projectors.

That being said, I would still consider that H4 dualbeam setup (as it doesn't require any cutting/modification of preexisting components, while retaining the highbeam functionality) if anyone has tried applying it and could offer input.

Wes: That is one of my concerns -- I know what it's like being bombarded by overpowering HIDs in the opposing lane, and it's not fun. If I were to go ahead with this, I'd try my utmost to properly aim and focus the beams, so as to minimize glare and scatter.

My parents have an Acura 3.2TL (MY 2000, so it was before the clear lamps on the Type-S were introduced). It has the "foggy" looking translucent covering, which leads me to believe that it could have been based on a halogen unit of some sort. I haven't taken it apart (nor do I plan to), so I am as of yet unsure as to whether it has HID-specific projector lenses.

The other car they have is a 2000 LS400, also with OEM HIDs. This car has the clear coverings, which allows you to see the setup of the projectors.

I've noticed that the LS400 has self-leveling beams, whereas the Acura 3.2TL does not (and both of these came w/ the HIDs as OEM). When the LS is sitting at a gradient in the driveway and you start it up, you can see the cutoff actually move to level in an almost "motorized" fashion. The Acura stays as is.

Is it a fair assumption that installing an HID conversion (i.e. - swap out of halogen bulbs w/ HID bulbs and ballast, retaining original lenses) straight into a G50 Q45 would be akin to what Acura had on the 3.2TL? I don't know if a "clear" headlight covering is required for HID projectors, but it seems that it's the trend.

Lastly, having read so much about people settling for silver stars, this has become a consideration. Could you offer any info on whether the lumen output is truly higher than stock halogen on the G50? Similarly, could you show me some sample pictures of them on a G50 Q45?

Thank you so much!

[RobertsnewQ]

Also go here:http://faqlight.carpassion.info/

I looked into this a while back and it seemed like the obstacles to having a safe, inexpensive and reliable system are just too great.

The JDM housings might be a good start, but as Maxnix said, they would have to be used with a HID projector unit or two.

The JDM headlight lenses are two pieces - a clear outer lens and a textured inner lens that you can discard.

The H4-type setups are unsafe. Period. There is no way to make them safe (or legal in many states).

Good luck whatever you find out.

[arnage]

Robert,

Thank you for that link. Does anyone know if the G50 Q45's headlight unit has much space to really work with, relatively speaking? If I buy a set of OEM HIDs (say, from an Audi or a BMW or something), can I effectively integrate the projector into the preexisting housing without running out of room? It seems that this may be the only plausible way to go the route of installing HID on the car.

Going the way with JDM clear housings does not seem to be very cost-effective, if all it provides is clear glass on the front. I guess I can say that I don't really care whether you can "see" the projector from outside, which seems to be the main reason why auto manufacturers are going by way of the clear housings?.. On the Acura RL, the projector unit looks like a bazooka... much like how the F50 Q45 has that Gatling gun unit.

Anyway, it would be nice if kimrober or someone who did the HID w/ halogen reflector setup could provide some honest input on how bad the glare issue is, as this clearly would be the cheapest and most efficient method towards implementing true HID.

[q45VIP]

I have the same problem .Switch to JDM g50 headlights(clear) and light output was horrible.Soon Im going HID (h4) but Im switching the rear reflector to an HID one.

The reflector from the JDM lights is smooth , the HID reflector I got is design to work with clear lenses.

Here's a pic of the current set up.

[maxnix]

I have the same problem .Switch to JDM g50 headlights(clear) and light output was horrible.

Especially for oncoming drivers, I am sure!

[q45VIP]

Especially for oncoming drivers, I am sure!

Not really, just not enough out put.

[jamesmost]

i have custom installed (by myself) HID which i purchased from a junk yard they came out of a 02 BMW 745 they are made by hella and the balast and ignitor are combined. took 2 hours real easy low beams only kept the stock high beams. far superior to stock but nothing like it would be w/ a non refracted lense.drop me an e-mail and we will chat, if i read correctly u r in NJ, i work near the meadowlands u can check them out

[midnightsliding]

q45vip i love those lights. do they make any like that for older Q's jsut wondering.

[jamesmost]

q45vip i love those lights. do they make any like that for older Q's jsut wondering.

that is an older Q JDM most unatainble

[midnightsliding]

well i suck at life.

[BlackBirdVQ]

I've had some retrofited HIDs in my Maxima previously, and the light output was just crazy. Problem was that the light was spread ALL over the place, it put out sooo much light I was affraid I would get pulled over by cops so I switched back after a week to just normal bulbs, aka SilverStars. I used a D2S bulb- which is designed for projector style headlight, and I should have used a D2R bulb which is designed for a reflector style headlight. I have never tried a D2R bulb in the 00-01 headlights that my car came with so I dont know if it would affect the light pattern in any way- but I think it would. I switched to 02-03 Maxima headlights which are OEM HID units with D2R bulbs, and when driving the Q it feels like I just have my fog lights on thats how big the diff is.

I am going to put D2R bulbs into my G50 as soon as its runing, I am using 01 TL igniter/ballast and D2R bulbs that I got a hold off from work. I will let you know if the light output is going to be a problem... but the HID retrofit won't happen for atleast a month.

[q45VIP]

q45vip i love those lights. do they make any like that for older Q's jsut wondering.

I have'nt seen anything similar.All the older Q's Ive seen have stock headlights.

[jimmys G50]

i talked to an Acura mechanic who had a 1990 Q45 about xenonshe said that putting Acura OEM xenons would spray light all over the place and there wouldn't be a direct beamand then about retrofitting projectors in the headlight, he said it would work but you have to fiberglass the back of the headlightbasically it's not worth it if you ask me.get silverstar or, like i have, philips hyper-whitesi level the lights higer than usual so it looks like HIDs, no one is the wiser

[RobertsnewQ]

Yes, the biggest problem to me is the lens. You cannot use HIDs behind a refractory lens. The cloudiness/pattern in the lens is NOT there to just hide the light. It's part of the focusing mechanism.

[zinkie13]

I prefer the 100% custom job over any alternative for this. Bi-function projectors.

[texasoil]

I put a set (H&L) of Silver Stars in my wifes 92 Q45a and am very favorable impressed with the improvement. The light pattern still sucks compared to later bulb types---blame our Department of Transportation--they are the ones who specify the pattern allowed and total light output--and they BLEW IT for the 9006&9005 series lights. No way to change the light pattern without changing the entire headlight assembly (with what?)

My 94 Q45a has excellent OEM lights, (both pattern and output) but is getting SilverStar bulbs before next winter. The improvement is very noticeable over standard or long-life bulbs.

I had thought/researched a lot about putting HID's in the 92, but could not solve the light pattern problem--all th eHID blbs I researched would have given an illegal (and dangerous to oncoming cars) light pattern. The light source HAS to be located in the correct spot with very small tolerances, and the 9006 and 9005 reflector is set up with a horrible filament orientation for light output.

[Q45denver]

I have an HID setup for my 1995. The headlight beam was definately brighter and whiter. However they kept cutting out so I reinstalled the Silverstar bulbs. I haven't had a chance to try to figure out why they were cutting out. Possibly overloading a relay? If anyone wants them I'd sell them cheap.

[maxnix]

I level the lights higer than usual so it looks like HIDs, no one is the wiser

Very easy to do correctly on level ground with bubble levels and rotation indicator.

In Texas, they adjust the headliths as partof annual inspection. Always seem to point down to the right agout 15' infornt of the car. I align them just like old H4 standards so cutoff is 75' down the road on low beam.