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33bits · Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:55 pm Post subject: Headlight Upgrade

I've just fitted a xenon HID upgrade kit to the red 33 of Lorraine's, amazing results. i know a few guys have been thinking about doing this but had reservations. Well the kit i used keeps the original beam pattern & also works on mian beam (thanks to our H4 bulbs doing both headlight & main beam). There is no wiring to mess around with either, the kit simply plugs in using the original 3 pin plug from the back of the bulb. I took a picture after fitting one side, just look at the difference.....

The n/s light is on headlight even though it looks like side light. To be honest this picture does not do the result justice.
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155 sportpack
33 16v Sportwagon
33 Permanent 4
33 16v (for sale)
156 JTS sportwagon
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2990 Location: U.K Surrey

Where's the pic Alex? lol
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33bits · Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 11:07 pm Post subject:

Mounting these boxes is all the work needed. Very Happy

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156 JTS sportwagon
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2990 Location: U.K Surrey

Thats better, sweeeet Smile

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john 33_16v · Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 8:40 am Post subject:

Cool.

I very rarely use the 33 at night but when I have the lights have been woeful.

Where's the kit from? How much? Mot friendly?

Cheers,

John
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lee16v · Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 11:39 pm Post subject:

They wont fail an MOT John but that's not to say they wont do in future. If you read into these kits (I nearly fitted some to mine) they are illegal unless you have self levelling projector lights ie modern headlamps specifically designed for HID. Decided not to go down that route in case of falling foul of the law or giving my insurance comp a get out clause if I need them.

lee16v · Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 11:43 pm Post subject:

http://www.phoenixautobulbs.co.uk/tp/hid-kits-new-legislation-2012

john 33_16v · Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:02 am Post subject:

gritsop · Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 11:28 am Post subject:

A nice "upgrade" I have done is using Philips H4 blue lamps. They are stated Xenon effect and the light they emmit is clear white and not orange like, as the standard ones are.

I ahve been usng them for almost a decade and they are really a nice upgrade.
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lee16v · Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 12:46 pm Post subject:

Re-read my post and it seems as if I'm coming across as a boring old fart, not my intention! I do like the look of these (hence wanting to do it myself) but I have to admit they do dazzle on the road as they throw the wrong beam pattern. With more and more people doing this to their cars it wont be long before they stamp on it.

Than. Have purchased some philips ultra bright bulbs myself but haven't been out to fit them yet. Hope it will be some improvement!

Ian M · Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 2:24 pm Post subject:

Just admit it Lee, you are a boring old fart. Laughing

I find my lights are perfectly adequate for driving at night.
I also get really pissed off at being constantly dazzled by oncoming vehicles Evil or Very Mad

I always thought the purpose of the dipped beam was not to dazzle people travelling towards you, then you have the brighter main beam for when there is nothing coming towards you.
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lee16v · Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:01 pm Post subject:

Ian M · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:28 pm Post subject:

Everyone say a big "WELL DONE LEE"

The first step to recovery is to admit your problem and face it head on.
Now for step two.....
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33bits · Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 11:22 pm Post subject:

Yep i do 100% agree with Lee's comments & these were also my initial reservations too. but..... these kits are new & they do keep the original headlight pattern, also the fact we do not have projector headlights is an issue, if you fit the 6000k kit then this problem is avoided, the 8000 & 10,000k kits require the newer design headlights. These kits when 1st available were selling for £180, but they have dropped a lot now, the guy i get them off almost makes a living out of supplying & fitting them, his supplyers are now listing this H4 kit on ebay, have a look guys, it's item number 281015375993 Very Happy

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Sudmeister · Alfasud Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 55 Location: London, UK

Thanks Alex (and all),

My headlights, or lack of, was an MOT advisory last year, there's little difference between side light and main beam. Oddly the nearside is much worse though the lens is fine and I can't find any lack of power going to the bulb.

Anyway, I think I'm going to do the HID upgrade, if the beam pattern is maintained then increased brightness shouldn't dazzle others and at £35 it's got to be worth a go. My MOT'er won't pass it again this year unless I sort the lights.

Cheers - John
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Oggie · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:25 am Post subject:

After running a very expensive HID kit (very similar design to your kit Alex) for 5 years now I decided to remove them for standard H4 bulbs as the HID kit was giving me issues, after turning them on and using the high beam 4 times the units on both sides of the car would shut down completely!! (not good if moving along a dark road and shit myself at speed). They would come back on if I physically toggled the headlight stalk but in the 2 seconds of darkness anything could happen.
I have spoken to a chap who fits these kits and he recommended a second live wire from the battery to the old headlight positive wire as our old wiring isn't really up for powering the newer tech to prevent the very brief voltage drop that is caused by switching between the low to high beam and back again.
Personally I thought this is not the solution as the ballast would draw current and potentially flatten the battery (I use a lightweight race battery which is only good for 20-30 cycles of the starter motor).

I now have fitted this HID Kit to my shitty work van (newish 2011 pug expert van), as it has blown 2 H4 bulbs in the last year (same side)
and I still have an issue where the high beam shroud will not operate when the units have been on for 20 mins.
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JeremyC · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 1:53 pm Post subject:

I'm going to join Lee in the boring farts lounge.

These are illegal unless you have self levelling suspension though you'll probably be lucky as most MoT stations don't seem to know.

There are too many cars these days with excessively bright headlights pointing in the wrong direction.

The lights on our old i.e. were woeful but I've never had a problem with the ones on the 16v and I drive alot at night.
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paulhide · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 4:08 pm Post subject:

Ford headlights on Mondeo and Focus are worse!
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lee16v · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 4:35 pm Post subject:

JeremyC · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 4:42 pm Post subject:

Trusty me, i can be very grumpy about a very wide portfolio of subjects.
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lee16v · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 4:48 pm Post subject:

Then come on in and pull up a pew.

Oggie · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:47 pm Post subject:

I think that I have to agree with you Jeremy, but I have only come across a few which have been badly set up and point too high, now driving with the front fog lights really gets on my Kittens when there is no fog at all Evil or Very Mad

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33bits · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 11:45 am Post subject:

Well.......after living with these HID's for a few weeks (as you know we sold the car to Wombat) I took the kit off and put the standard H4 bulbs back in. The Ballast boxes were taking just too much power & the poor old 1990's loom wasn't up to the job, I added 2 extra earths which helped a lot but the battery was still suffering. Also if I flashed the main beam twice it would stop working completely like Iain also witnessed. So after putting it all back to standard I bought a pair off 100w H4 bulbs for about £10 and the results are much better than standard 55/60w. TECHNICALLY illegal but it's such a tiny issue it all good. Interestingly I did fit this HID kit onto my 75 and that had a totally different set of results...... The lights worked fine, but all the dash gauges went crazy & the indicator flasher relay died! Just shows that our older wired cars can't handle the newer bolt-ons.
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Admin · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 7:06 pm Post subject:

Hi

Thought the HID lights were meant to draw a lot less power than normal bulbs (even though they are a hell of a lot brighter).

Even quite a few standard fit HID lights are way too bright if they get you from the wrong angle. While they go up to the left to illuminate the side of the road, they tend to be a real pain when they are overtaking and blind you through the side mirror. Mind you there are loads of non HID lights around at the moment with one headlight hideously bright where someone has fitted the bulb incorrectly.

Never found the 33 headlights to be that bad. Maybe not up to the standard of the 156 or the MX5 I have at the moment, but way better than the 155 or the Jaguar X Type my better half has (pathetic lights).

All the best

Keith
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33bits · Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 11:08 am Post subject:

Yes they pull less power when ignited but the initial start up of them needs a lot of juice.
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155 sportpack
33 16v Sportwagon
33 Permanent 4
33 16v (for sale)
156 JTS sportwagon
contact me for any 33 parts. Alex, 07896-327708