My custom headlights: Quad Bi-X Projector, Horseshoe Orions, Frosted Fins
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My custom headlights: Quad Bi-X Projector, Horseshoe Orions, Frosted Fins
I couldn't resist cutting my headlights open. The oem light output is terrible, the angel eyes are a joke, and who likes cookie-cutter chrome?
I sourced most of the parts from TherRetrofitSource.com, I used them for an FX-R retrofit in my E39 a few years back with great results, the company has expanded their product range and refined experience for their customers. Also if you are a sucker for deals make sure to check out their clearance section, both my STI-R lenses and Mini H1s were "b-stock".
Here are the goods:
- OEM Bi-X Projector. lens swapped with STI-R spaced 8.7mm
- MH1 Projector
- 9006 HD Relay
- Morimoto 35w DSP ballast
- Morimoto 5Five 5k bulbs
- DDM 55w ballast, 5k bulbs
- E9X Orion V2s Customized: circuit boards cut, wiring flipped.
- High Temp Black and Aluminum paint
Notes:
- I don't think the STI-R lenses are absolutely to best for this application, TRS recommended using D2S 3.0 lenses which are usually sold as a whole projector not individual lenses. The optic details could not be shared so I can't confirm their performance but if anyone goes this route, get the D2S lenses and report back, I am led to believe they will NOT require spacing.
- The STI-Rs have a dissipating beam cutoff at greater widths BUT my setup does create quiet a bit of blue/intensity light at the cutoff. Although it does not serve a functional purpose it is widely known for being cool by everyone from high-school kids running 8k hid bulbs in halogen housings to automotive lighting aficionados.
- Since the MH1s are located in a fixed housing, my headlights are now adjusted by tilting the actual housings themselves, thankfully the adaptive headlights will compensate with auto-leveling.
- I wanted to wire my MH1s into my fog light wiring so I could run the projectors individually if desired, since I have an oem M5 front end I think some of my wiring harness may have left with my regular bumper, I will look into this further.
- There is not a lot of info out there about headlight retrofits since most people don't cut open their oem E6X headlights and the companies who do this service for a fee were not helpful, they either never responded or said they were not willing to divulge information so be prepared to research a ton and spend a few days to creep your way through this project.
- Light output is insane, I can't wait to get some better bulbs into the equation.
Hope this inspires someone,
Evan
Here we go...
I can't imagine to the poor German that designed this...
Workspace.
Tuning the oem projector.
STI-R left oem right
Chrome stripped off the shrouds.
Painted Aluminum
The original design. I didn't like how the inner shroud looks so large when painted a solid color (non-black). It visually weighs the headlight in an odd way.
V1
Love this photo
Frosty!
The spacer that saves the day.
MH1 in angel eye bowl.
Orion V2s after I got my hands on them.
Getting there...
All butyled up for resealing. This is the color combo I ended up with.
Sealed up.
Make sure to polish your headlights, before:
After:
Completed:
Cars and Coffee SF
With some white on white
Orions at night
Beam shot
I sourced most of the parts from TherRetrofitSource.com, I used them for an FX-R retrofit in my E39 a few years back with great results, the company has expanded their product range and refined experience for their customers. Also if you are a sucker for deals make sure to check out their clearance section, both my STI-R lenses and Mini H1s were "b-stock".
Here are the goods:
- OEM Bi-X Projector. lens swapped with STI-R spaced 8.7mm
- MH1 Projector
- 9006 HD Relay
- Morimoto 35w DSP ballast
- Morimoto 5Five 5k bulbs
- DDM 55w ballast, 5k bulbs
- E9X Orion V2s Customized: circuit boards cut, wiring flipped.
- High Temp Black and Aluminum paint
Notes:
- I don't think the STI-R lenses are absolutely to best for this application, TRS recommended using D2S 3.0 lenses which are usually sold as a whole projector not individual lenses. The optic details could not be shared so I can't confirm their performance but if anyone goes this route, get the D2S lenses and report back, I am led to believe they will NOT require spacing.
- The STI-Rs have a dissipating beam cutoff at greater widths BUT my setup does create quiet a bit of blue/intensity light at the cutoff. Although it does not serve a functional purpose it is widely known for being cool by everyone from high-school kids running 8k hid bulbs in halogen housings to automotive lighting aficionados.
- Since the MH1s are located in a fixed housing, my headlights are now adjusted by tilting the actual housings themselves, thankfully the adaptive headlights will compensate with auto-leveling.
- I wanted to wire my MH1s into my fog light wiring so I could run the projectors individually if desired, since I have an oem M5 front end I think some of my wiring harness may have left with my regular bumper, I will look into this further.
- There is not a lot of info out there about headlight retrofits since most people don't cut open their oem E6X headlights and the companies who do this service for a fee were not helpful, they either never responded or said they were not willing to divulge information so be prepared to research a ton and spend a few days to creep your way through this project.
- Light output is insane, I can't wait to get some better bulbs into the equation.
Hope this inspires someone,
Evan
Here we go...
I can't imagine to the poor German that designed this...
Workspace.
Tuning the oem projector.
STI-R left oem right
Chrome stripped off the shrouds.
Painted Aluminum
The original design. I didn't like how the inner shroud looks so large when painted a solid color (non-black). It visually weighs the headlight in an odd way.
V1
Love this photo
Frosty!
The spacer that saves the day.
MH1 in angel eye bowl.
Orion V2s after I got my hands on them.
Getting there...
All butyled up for resealing. This is the color combo I ended up with.
Sealed up.
Make sure to polish your headlights, before:
After:
Completed:
Cars and Coffee SF
With some white on white
Orions at night
Beam shot
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UpState SC
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My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
Very nice!
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It is actually an intercooler and an aftermarket one. It is meant for a 335i but I retrofitted it to my E61. It is not PNP and it is much better than stock, almost x2 efficient.
Here is how I fit it: How To: Fit a 7" VRSF Intercooler to your E6X N54 chassis - N54Tech.com - Your Source for International Turbo BMW Racing Discussion
Evan