Just ordered some new HIDs

[davecoyne]

Well, a week ago I purchased my 2008 Sport 2wd. Yes, it is a bare bones model. No options at all. However, I am coming from a 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT with every option including HIDs, navi, moonroof, Sirius, etc.
Anyway, I miss having HIDs. Mainly, I miss the cool look, but I also miss the brightness. So, I just ordered a H11 55w 6000k HID kit from Gremlyn Garage. I've done a HID install before on my old regular 6 (car before the Speed 6) and it was fairly straightforward. Given the amount of space underhood, this should be just as straightforward.

I also purchased a used headlight to do a bit of experimenting on as far as running lights lighting options. I'll post up some more information once I get that headlight apart.

 

[Spankyzbt13]

will the HID conversion give u the ablility to lift/lower your headlights from the dashboard? Or will they just be straight replacements to stock bulbs?

Good luck

 

[davecoyne]

will the HID conversion give u the ablility to lift/lower your headlights from the dashboard? Or will they just be straight replacements to stock bulbs?

Good luck

No, it will not give me that ability. I would have to replace the housings with stock HID housings, install the appropriate wiring harness(es) and install a new switch in the dash. That is pretty $.

The route I am going is the cheaper alternative. I have done this kind of swap before with my old 6. As the CX-9, like the 6 has a low beam projector-style lens and it is a pretty decent choice. However, it is not the best choice. The projector is not set up for a HID bulb so I will have to manually adjust the lights to ensure I redirect the light output away from oncoming traffic.

I have recently won on eBay a used headlight housing I will dissect. I have a set of HID projectors from my old Speed 6 (I replaced those projectors with Acura RDX projectors) and I will see if they will fit in the housing. If they will and I can easily take apart the housing without damage, I will probably look into doing a retrofit on both of housings with either a TSX projector set (usually pretty cheap) or find another RDX projector set (not so cheap). The light output, light cutoff and light color is so much better with Acura projectors than Mazda projectors.

 

[cxgreat]

Ordered some 12k bulbs yesterday - thought they would go good with black. since thier output is 2100 lumens do you think I will have to adjust the aim much?

 

[davecoyne]

wow, 12k is pretty darn purple and low on the useful light output.
Do you have factory HIDs? If you do, then you shouldn't have to adjust anything so long as you did not previously adjust the aim. If you do not, you may wish to adjust the aim down slightly. The main factor, IMO, will be once you install and take it for a road test.

 

[cxgreat]

wow, 12k is pretty darn purple and low on the useful light output.
Do you have factory HIDs? If you do, then you shouldn't have to adjust anything so long as you did not previously adjust the aim. If you do not, you may wish to adjust the aim down slightly. The main factor, IMO, will be once you install and take it for a road test.

2100 lumens is supposed to be twice the stock halogen output, the 5-6ks put out close to 3000 so I figure it will still be pretty good.