Bain

I have a JDM STI7 with bugeye lights still on it as they were changed from the origional HID's to pass the SVA and never changed back.
The problem that I have is that I don't know how difficult it will be to convert the wiring back. Is this difficult? what should it cost if i don't do it myself
Thanks in advance
Ian

dr_ming

Do you still have the lights? HID lights draw a much bigger start-up current than normal halogen bulbs - up to 20A for ~20 seconds, depending on the ambient temperature. However, one they are lit, there is little difference in current level. You just need to make sure the wiring, fuses etc. are rated for the start-up current. Do you know if the lights are switched by relay, or an electronic lighting control module. If the switching is via relay, then I suspect that the wiring is the same for HID or halogen, the only difference with 'standard' HID lighting is that the dipped beam does not go off when main beam is selected (main beam usually - but not always - uses an halogen bulb, even if the dipped beam is HID. Although there are systems with motorised beam deflectors etc. used on some BMW and Mercedes cars). Hope this helps.

Autolamps

There are a number of questions to ask here to determine what you need to do.

Was the HID system original fit or were they aftermarket retrofit lamps?. I suspect as the HID was taken out and halogens put in they were retro kit. You should really try to determine which kit you have. The ballast should be easily identifiable and the lamps if you post an image can also be identified. I make this retro assumption because you do not mention that the headlamp system was changed. If it was HID Original equipment then a halogen lamp would not have fitted.

Once you have identified you have a decent kit and not something that is potentially a fire hazard you need to check whether you have a relayed harness to drive the hid electronics. In hot restrike conditions in a cold climate the lamps will draw up to 23kv for up to 11/1000th of a second and (assuming a Philips system) try to strike up to 30 times. NO standard car wiring is designed to handle this current.

Assuming you still have the HID lamps and electronics you either need to buy a wiring harness or use the old one. Fitting time (ask Group buy members) should take about 2-3 hours depending on your electrical competence and how neat you want it.

If you get a shop to do it for you allow 2 hours workshop time, however you may be lucky and find a lot of the hardware still in place. If I was swapping HID out for halogen just for a test I would leave the harness and electronics in situ.

If you need any more help let me know

Nick
Autolamps-online.com

Chelspeed

Nick

Nice to see you're still lurking on our board!!

I don't know the original poster but just to fill you in on some history. The JDM (Japanese domestic market version) of the STi7 came as standard with HID lights, just dip beam probably but could be wrong. Presumably this guy has imported one of these cars to UK and needed to put it thro SVA (small volume type approval) before he could register it. For some reason the HID's won't pass this, probably lack of headlight washers, as I'm sure you're aware OEM HID's in UK need auto alignment and headlight washers. So he's fitted complete headlight units from a UK car, ie reflectors, conventional bulbs etc etc. Now he wants to go back to HID.

Autolamps

I try not to enter in to subjects as I am acutely aware I represent a commercial entity. This is rather specialised so thought I could help. The last thing a forum wants is some industry guy saying 'No sorry thats incorrect or no buy this its better'. I am always pleased to help if requested

Thanks for your input on the exact scooby side of things and if the HID's are still required its no real problem. The wiring therefore is 100% capable as are the electronic ballast. There are two choices depending on whether the original HID headlamp have been kept. Either equipe these with the system that was originally on the car. If you have components missing we can supply these. You are left with something that optically will be very good but as you say will not comply with homologation spec for this country and as such be illegal. If the only headlamps that are available are the halogens we can convert these as well but would need to modify the ballast connectors to fit with our halogen retrofit hid lamps. This option would also be illegal for road use for similar reasons

Bain I am happy to help here via the forum or as its quite singularly specific perhaps you would like to contact us directly.

Either way is good with me , just let me know

Nick
Autolamps-online.com