headlights need upgrading!
 

I had the sylvania bulbs in my car for almost a year before they burned out...which I expected as I had this problem in a past vehicle. I didn't realize how much of a difference they made until now that I'm back to stock. I can't see anything in front of me when it's dark out and raining. I'm thinking of converting over to HID's and just calling it a day. I had them on my BMW and loved them. The problem is I want to get the whole headlight and just install it, but I can only find one up to 2005, and I have a 07 SE 4-door. Please point me in the right direction...thanks in advance!

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

a.) It's normal to not see anything when the roads are wet. Instead of the light being reflected back at your eye, it hits the water and bounces forward and up.

b.) You can't buy projector lamp assemblies with HID already in them.

c.) General consensus says, light output from projectors other than OEM is not good and scatters too much light. If you must go the projector route TYC and Anzo make the best. Major difference here is that OE projectors are glass and aftermarket ones are polyurethane.

d.) You can get a DDM Tuning HID kit for $40 now with a lifetime warranty.

e.) You can also retrofit, say, Acura TSX stock projectors into your headlamp, but it's pricey.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

1. TYC DOES sell a projector lamp assembly and HID combination for just a little bit more money than just the lamp themselves.

2. If you're a little mechanically inclined, a decent retro can be done for about the same price as buying the TYC/HID combo. You can get TSX Projectors for about $150 for a pair, then you just need a D2S HID kit ($75-$300 Depending on quality. I have a $75 kit that has worked flawlessly), some bolts ($5), some JB weld ($10), shrouds of your choice (not needed, but will make it look better), and some time.

A retrofit is obviously the prefered method, however, if it isn't something you think you can do yourself, you're looking at spending at least $600 for someone to do it for you.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

Easiest method by far is to mod HIR bulbs, slap them in and be on you way with a bulb setup that will outlast the sylvanias and give twice as much light as stock.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

QF, most people don't know about the HIR bulbs. They are bright as hell. Definitely the best bang for the buck.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

^ May get them for mah high beams when I blackhouse and paint the high beam reflectors yellow.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

Holy crap, you guys are quick with the info. Everything I needed to know in a matter of hours. So just do a bulb swap with the HIR bulbs? Anybody know where I can get these? What is the DDM Tuning kit for $40? Is that "better?"

BTW, I know you cannot see anything in the dark/rain, but with a brighter bulb, at least I can see further ahead. Last night some lady was crossing the street with her dog, and ever though she had a beige jacket, I did not see until I was pretty damn close...freaked me out a little. Also, with the stronger lights you can at least see reflectors, lines, and other things easier to guide you.

Lastly, I'm not very mechanically inclined, I can do some simple things, but don't know too much.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

The DDM Tuning kit is a HID kit. If you go HID get a color temp of 6000k or below. Anything above that, you begin to sacrifice functionality for looks. Hid kits are plug and play. VERY easy to install.

You can get the HIR bulbs at the auto parts store, or a place like Tractor Supply Co., you just have to modify the plug on the bulb a little bit.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

Lookie here!!!

https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/m_138708/tm.htm

https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/m_137689/tm.htm

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

Is this what I'm looking at? Do I want the 55W upconversion for an additional $15? So does this kit just go right into where my existing bulbs are? Or will I need someone to help me install it, etc.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/hidkihidbuhi.html

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

thanks for the great links...now I'm just torn between the HIR or the DDM HID's...

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

You will want to stick with the 35w kits, 55w is extremely bright and puts more stress on the system.

I personally have 3 sets of the DDM HIDs and couldnt be happier.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

HIR is going to need modification to fit where your existing bulbs are. Trimming bulb bases isn't too difficult, I've done it before to fit high beam bulbs in my low beams.

If you go with any HIDs, I (we) strongly recommend spending the $20 on the relay harness, as this will save your electrical system in the long run.

I also have a set of DDM 6000K HIDs in the stock housings and couldnt be happier as well.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

Thanks boys, I think you have sold me on the DDM 6000k kit with the 35w kit and relay harness. Is the website I posted previously where I should be ordering these? I can't seem to find the relay harness on that website...should I be looking somewhere else?

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

Yeah, thats their site. They are pretty quick about shipping, although their shipping rates are a little high[:@]

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

Thanks man, I don't see the relay harness anywhere though, should I call them for this?

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

its on there, they just dont call it a relay harness, its the "HID Accessory Harness"

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

While I agree a relay harness is better, the only thing it is protecting is the OEM relay for the headlight circuit. That and the wiring is the only thing that sees current to the headlights. I use a relay to keep my circuit external, so if anything was to go wrong I can diagnose it very simply. But protecting that circuit it is not. If the extra current form the ignition can even hurt the relay, it will damage an aftermarket relay as easily as an OEM relay if they are rated about the same. 35w HIDs draw 2.5 amps constantly and 5 amps at ignition for a fraction of a second. 55w HIDs draw 4.6 amps constantly and 9 amps for a fraction of a second at ignition. 5 or 10 amps held forever would not even hurt a relay. And relays are rated high as there entire purpose is to switch a current without putting that load on the actual switch, protecting the switch. So the relay kit is definitely better, the relay may even be rated higher and the system is external and not hidden the OEM harnesses. I'm going to look and find out the rating of the stock relay today. I'm sure it's over 10amps.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

got it, thanks. So the DDM 35 and 55 Watt Slim Ballast HID Kit and the HID Accessory Harness . Bulb 9006, color 6000k, and 35w. Did I miss anything?

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

that should be everything you need.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

ordered, $90 shipped...not bad. I believe the sylvania's were like $40. Thanks for all your help guys! I'll let you know how they look once I get them and install them.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

And die in a few months. Silver stars/ultra brights are the biggest rip off EVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRR!

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

x2 my dad had them and went thru like 3-4 sets in less than a year before he switched back to regular POS.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

x3...that's exactly what happened to me...except, my brother in law bought them for me this time...but now I'm back to the regular POS [:@] Can't wait til I get my HID's!

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

I'm thinking about getting my dad a pair of 6000k for xmass, or maybe just some of these. He says he hates the amount of light he gets from his new ridgeline.

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

Well the weakpoint I see with my Accord is that it doesn't have fog lights...which most Honda's do not come with. They really add some light in areas where needed, but the HID's are so much better. I remember I only used the fog lights when I didn't feel like turning on the xenon lights in my BMW. HID's provide excellent light...the next best thing would be night vision :D

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

Could get factory option foglights

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

Oh I know I've had HIDs for about four years now, they were very expensive when I got my first kit. Not to mention the full size HIDs I get to play with everyday, now those are BRIGHT!

RE: headlights need upgrading!
 

I know, but I just spend $90 on HID's, also need new tires and new front brakes, so I'm going to hold up on that right now...