MiniStiGuy Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 (edited) So as many of you have been adding HID kits into our stock headlights as I did I finally decided to pull the trigger on a retro. The retro that is the easiest and by far probably *imo* the best for its price is the Rx330 swap. So in doing so I took many pictures but choose a few to post up here to help any of you that may be thinking about doing this aswell. All I can say is that this is definently 100% better then the stock projector's put out. The pictures do not do any justice to the quality of light that is spread evenly. So first things first you'll want to obtain the parts needed for this setup which are as follows: - Rx330 non-afs projectors - D2s Bulbs (I have the Phillips 5000k 85122+, they are pure white but if you want color I'd go with some Osram 66040's(stock BMW bulbs)) - D2s HID Ballast's Now you'll need to know how to take your headlights apart and you can find out how if you don't know allready in the clearing your headlights thread. Ok first things first here's some of the parts I got for my setup. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/BulbsandHarness.jpg Once you get your headlights you'll be doing this to them. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/Cooking.jpg Now here's the stock headlamp with a hid kit installed. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/IMG_0289.jpg And here's the stock Rx330's before all the swapping. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/IMG_0291.jpg Some comparison shots of the 2 projector bowls. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/IMG_0329.jpg http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/IMG_0330.jpg http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/IMG_0331.jpg http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/IMG_0332.jpg And some Lens holder comparisons. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/IMG_0337.jpg http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/IMG_0336.jpg Here's me screwing around after an hour of work or so allready. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/IMG_0339.jpg Now for those of you that want to do the washer mod here's a shot that will explain a little bit better of where you want to install your washer's (#6 washer's) Also for those that will be doing the Rx330 swap you'll need to grind down the nipples on the bowl of the Rx330 which I have circled what they look like. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/Washersandgrinding.jpg Here's the completed swap done before you screw it back into the headlight housings. NOTE: Test out your washer mod and see if you like the pattern and color before you put the lamps fully back together. You may do this by simply putting the builb in the projector and pointing it towards a wall to see what it currently is at. Its trial and error as far as decided how many washers you prefer so testing is essential before you reassemble the projectors back into the housings. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/IMG_0338.jpg Now here's the picture I'm sure EVERYONE!!!will want to save off for future reference for HORIZONTAL AIMING of the headlights. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/IMG_0343.jpg Now here is some comparison pictures of the 2 outputs stock vs Rx330. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/stock2.jpg http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/Rx330.jpg As you can see the Rx330's spread way better and project further then the stock setup ever is capable of. I hope this was a help to some of you guys and if you need to know how to aim your headlights you can check out my other thread on aiming headlights in the exterior section of the forums sticky'd at the top or you can look at some of my other topics. Edited August 12, 2008 by MiniStiGuy OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edmundu Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 Nice writeup! I actually have the same setup...Well almost. I used the Legacy lens & holder, and only used the projector bowl from the RX330. I also needed to trim a little plastic nub, on the inside of the housing. Without trimming it, the reflector woudln't seat properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fweasel Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 looks good! ignore him, he'll go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWDxBOOST Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 looks good i have the rx330 setup as well (edmundu bought spare ones i had off me actually) but i didnt swap out projectors or anything. yours looks better than mine, but i dont think it will bother me enough to warrant a change Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lookslikeanevo Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 very nice Current:MY05 SWP wagon - 253/290 UP, AEM CAI, Invidia Q300, tuned@yimisport OLD: MY06 GRP - 274/314 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSiWRX Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 Nice! <-- I love Winky, my "periwinkle" (ABP) LGT! - Allen / Usual Suspect "DumboRAT" / One of the Three Stooges '16 Outback, '16 WRX, 7th Subaru Family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jingjing Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 nice job, looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racerdave Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 What does this setup run $$-wise? Also, why use the Legacy lens and not the RX330? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayMitch2.5i Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 looks good, im actualy using the acura tsx lens on my headlights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suds2250 Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 What does this setup run $$-wise? Also, why use the Legacy lens and not the RX330? +1 Looks like a nice set-up! 335HP/360Tq VF-22/1820 clone with Meth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lookslikeanevo Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 non afs projectors can run from 60-100$ depending on where you get it, condition and other things.. after that a d2s hid kit and done 2-400 to get it right and have a pretty much OEM type projector output Current:MY05 SWP wagon - 253/290 UP, AEM CAI, Invidia Q300, tuned@yimisport OLD: MY06 GRP - 274/314 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundwave Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 damn nice. how about you sell your kit to me and do another retro? i don't have the time to do this but i would gladly pay for someone else's... lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnoDork Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 Very nice write-up Garette!! ~Sucka-Duck~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_luv Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 Nice I think I will try that, oops already did good job welcome to team retro!!! Mr.350 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyan Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 non afs projectors can run from 60-100$ depending on where you get it, condition and other things.. after that a d2s hid kit and done 2-400 to get it right and have a pretty much OEM type projector output what is the difference between AFS and non AFS projectors? Thanks! Mike SoCal Duck Hunters Club - Unit 52 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted March 5, 2007 Author Share Posted March 5, 2007 It would have been interesting to see the stock setup at the same spot you took the RX330 setup pic... kinda hard to tell distance with stuff in front of you I tried to go to that same spot but the guy who lives next to the road was out on his porch with some buddies and I felt odd stopping to take a bunch of pictures. I'll get one up this weekend for you guys though from the same spot and some wall shots. OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted March 5, 2007 Author Share Posted March 5, 2007 Very nice write-up Garette!! Damnit... people never get my name right.... GARRETT !!!!! OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted March 5, 2007 Author Share Posted March 5, 2007 what is the difference between AFS and non AFS projectors? Thanks! Mike The afs projector's have motor's which allow movement for when you turn on corner's they turn aswell. They are also enclosed all the way and will not fit onto the legacy shield setup without modification. The non-afs projector's are a perfect swap out for the stock units with the only modification being that you need to sand down the little knub's for a flush mount to the shield. OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyan Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 The afs projector's have motor's which allow movement for when you turn on corner's they turn aswell. They are also enclosed all the way and will not fit onto the legacy shield setup without modification. The non-afs projector's are a perfect swap out for the stock units with the only modification being that you need to sand down the little knub's for a flush mount to the shield. Cool, thanks man... will keep this in mind for way in the future mods Mike SoCal Duck Hunters Club - Unit 52 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted March 5, 2007 Author Share Posted March 5, 2007 Thanks for the reply's guys. This is something I was thinking about for awhile and something I have been bugging Lookslikeanevo and a few other member's about. I'm very particular when it comes to the lighting setups on my cars and have done retro's on my other cars but didn't feel like going through the hastle with the legacy but after much disappointment in the output of the stock lens with HID I decided to bite the bullet and do it. I think the total cost for my whole setup from the kit to the retro is like this: h7 HID Kit - $185 D2s Ballast Adapter's - $30 D2s Bulbs - $80 (85122+ bulbs) Rx330 Projector's - $80 (thanks to a hookup from Lookslikeanevo) Time ~ 8-10 hours total from my original clearing the headlights to reopening them to do the washer mod and fill the shield hole up to the full retro. Total is about $375 to $400 bucks in the end. Time to aim headlights ~ 1 hour each time because I'm a picky bastard. I'll take some wall shots where I took my color modded stock ones at so that way you guys can have a complete comparision to judge for yourselves. My g/f tonight drove in the car for the first time since the retro and she said word for word "Wow your lights look so nice, they light up like everything and even the lanes next to us. you can see them even way down there off the bushes and stuff" OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnoDork Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 Damnit... people never get my name right.... GFARRETT !!!!! Sorry...i'll get it right one of these days!! Promise!! ~Sucka-Duck~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted March 5, 2007 Author Share Posted March 5, 2007 :spin: OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
power_getter Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Looks great, and thanks for the write up I thought you will use clear lenses ? Search for BMW E30 clear lenses, it's work well for RX330 projectors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted March 7, 2007 Author Share Posted March 7, 2007 the legacy lens is clear just beveled thats all. I was kinda disappointed with the color output of the rx330's with the legacy lens because even with it being washer modded it still doesn't put off much color. OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gitster Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 i like it, subscribe for later maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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