Good HID retrofit to 2013 sedan - possible?

[brfatal]

Please post pictures and cost of retro fit, brand and cost of HID kit and anything pertinent. I also a 12 w/premium.

After searching many hours looking at options to get brighter and whiter lights so I can see at night and have not found a good solution yet. There really is not even good halogen upgrades you can do that will make all 3 sets of lights match.

Thanks for the info.

Kym

You don't want all 3 to match. HIDs in foglights completely kill their use in their intended purpose and reduce your vision in both poor and clear weather, not to mention turn your car into a mobile road hazard. HIDs are also inherently not compatible as high beams either because they require warm up. That's why bi-xenon exists.

 

[radicaltimes]

Most cars have Driving lights now, even thought everybody calls them Fog lights

 

[brfatal]

Most cars have Driving lights now, even thought everybody calls them Fog lights

As someone who has a car with driving lights on it, that is unequivocally wrong. Basically no car on the market does (there might be some model out there that does). Driving lights fulfill the same duty as high beams do, only on steriods. All cars come from the factory with low mounted, wide beam, short range lenses. Fog lights.

 

[scottdk]

As someone who has a car with driving lights on it, that is unequivocally wrong. Basically no car on the market does (there might be some model out there that does). Driving lights fulfill the same duty as high beams do, only on steriods. All cars come from the factory with low mounted, wide beam, short range lenses. Fog lights.

+1

This statement is completely correct.... according to one of the smartest lighting consultants Mr. Daniel Stern.

 

[Epiphany]

Which is what I asked them to do ...

I guess we have a different definition of "retrofit". I meant it (and I believe I said this in the post you're replying to) in the sense that I was willing to pay for whatever it took to install the HID headlight assemblies in my car. No cutting, no grinding, no "I think we can make 'er fit" nonsense. Just put the entire HID headlight system in my car. No fabrication work involved.



Yep, guilty as charged. I put things on my car. And I'll tell you why.

When I bought my first car in 1974 it was also illegal to run unapproved headlights. The only lights we were allowed to run were sealed-beam bulbs. Halogen lamps with replaceable bulbs? Those commie lights that the foreign manufacturers tried to import? Those got swapped at the docks with genuine DOT-approved dim, no-cutoff, catch-a-rock-and-you're-screwed 1920's sealed beams. I won't go through the whole sad history of shitty automotive lighting in the US, but can we agree that good lighting and safety have never exactly been high priorities at the DOT?

I can make a decision about the safety of my car. I don't like blinding oncoming cars any more than I like being blinded. Why would would I want to blind someone who's hurtling toward me at 70 mph wearing two tons of steel?

What I would like to do is see what's coming at me and what I'm approaching in the road. So yes, to that end, I put some illegal things on my car that make me and everyone around me safer.

And by the way, one dude's photos of his bad lights does not, in my mind, constitute anything close to proof that all HID installations don't work. Clearly you feel otherwise. Just the same - I was fully prepared to pull this setup out after testing it and stick with the halogens if this setup hadn't turned out to be as good as it is.

Can you post some pictures of your results? Night time view of the road, as well as cutoff against a wall in the dark?

 

[brfatal]

Can you post some pictures of your results? Night time view of the road, as well as cutoff against a wall in the dark?

See the 1st page.

And by the way, one dude's photos of his bad lights does not, in my mind, constitute anything close to proof that all HID installations don't work. Clearly you feel otherwise. Just the same - I was fully prepared to pull this setup out after testing it and stick with the halogens if this setup hadn't turned out to be as good as it is.

Sorry, I missed this part.

Why does a picture constitute that it doesn't work? Because it's universal for ALL cars, Genesis or not. Optics are build and designed around the bulb that the engineers choose to use. The aiming and focus is based off the position of the source of light within the optic and how the light is emitted. When you change that, it has the same effect as moving a mirror in a telescope, which is a principle you learned when you were little. Rebased HID bulbs are not the same size as the original bulbs, so the light source is moved within the optic. Nor is light emitted in the same way from the bulb (filament on halogen vs arc on HID vs diode on LED are all different). This throws the beam out of focus and changes where the beam is aimed. This is why you get glare, inconsistent spread, and why the beam's focal point is moved.

The picture I posted constitutes proof because it shows exactly what I've stated compared to lenses designed for the bulb type being used on the exact model in question. You have the exact same car. Why would yours magically turn out completely different? It's not like this stuff is a new science or I'm just making stuff up.

 

[sluggo]

See the 1st page.



Sorry, I missed this part.

Why does a picture constitute that it doesn't work? Because it's universal for ALL cars, Genesis or not. Optics are build and designed around the bulb that the engineers choose to use. The aiming and focus is based off the position of the source of light within the optic and how the light is emitted. When you change that, it has the same effect as moving a mirror in a telescope, which is a principle you learned when you were little. Rebased HID bulbs are not the same size as the original bulbs, so the light source is moved within the optic. Nor is light emitted in the same way from the bulb (filament on halogen vs arc on HID vs diode on LED are all different). This throws the beam out of focus and changes where the beam is aimed. This is why you get glare, inconsistent spread, and why the beam's focal point is moved.

The picture I posted constitutes proof because it shows exactly what I've stated compared to lenses designed for the bulb type being used on the exact model in question. You have the exact same car. Why would yours magically turn out completely different? It's not like this stuff is a new science or I'm just making stuff up.

Before I went into this project I read your posts and took them to heart because you clearly know the material. I took a chance in doing the installation only because the light from the factory halogens (and my old eyeballs) are so crummy for night driving.

The picture you posted shows what happened when that car's optics were mated to the particular bulb used in that installation. If all these aftermarket bulbs are indeed re-based, then there are likely to be variables introduced in the rebasing process - variables that would not be present in a bulb/base produced to an OEM spec.

Take two different bulbs from two different remanufacturing outfits. Is the position of the arc referenced to the baseplate identical in both bulbs? Is the angle of the bulb assembly consistent? Are the salts of identical composition? Is the shape and angle of the arc identical? Is the position of the return lead the same?

These are all things that can change from one remanufacturer's product to the next. Not every bulb/base will be the same. I took the chance that buying bulbs from one of the more reputable outfits would yield a part that's closer to the OEM spec, and it seems to have worked out for me. I would caution anyone considering this sort of change to understand these risks of failure. Not everyone will get the same results, and you and I would definitely agree that many of the bulbs and installations out there are utter crap. As I said, I was fully prepared to pull the installation out if it hadn't worked. This is also why I was careful to note what I bought and where I bought it - if people choose to use something else, I can't speak to their possible results.

The optics? As I said in my post, I think the optics shipped on the halogen-based Genny are better suited to these particular aftermarket HID bulbs than they are to the OEM halogen bulbs. I'll post some pictures in a few days and you can decide for yourself.

 

[sluggo]

Okiedokes - a few pictures attached.


HID on the left, halogen on the right. Daytime, so kinda not a great photo, but you can compare the hotpots and dispersion fo the two bulbs. Sort of.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/14593410@N05/12829846603/in/photostream

Opposite side view, same setup.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/14593410@N05/12830149924/in/photostream

Both HID's at night against my garage door.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/14593410@N05/12830162294/in/photostream

A photo of the wiring install (another poster had requested this).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/14593410@N05/12829863383/in/photostream

Unfortunate that I finished the project before nightfall and did not get a night shot of on HID and one halogen. Maybe another time.

 

[phvonyt]

Thanks for posting pics Sluggo. I like it! Do you plan on doing Highbeam or fog?

 

[sluggo]

Thanks for posting pics Sluggo. I like it! Do you plan on doing Highbeam or fog?

No plans for either of those. Installing HID high beams on that car in the current high beam location would be a mistake. One, the optics are all wrong, and two, there would be a five second warm-up every time I wanted to use them. As far as I know, the only way to have HID on the high beam is with a shutter system on the projector (bi-xenon). That means laying out for an OEM set of headlamps. And frankly, the low beams are so good I don't really need the HIDs on high beams. If I lived way out in the country I might feel differently, but living in downtown San Jose I can usually get where I need to go at night without headlights at all.

I find the halogens on the fog lights to be adequate for the task. And again, using HIDs with halogen-based reflectors is a bad idea.

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[brfatal]

Both HID's at night against my garage door.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/14593410@N05/12830162294/in/photostream

This shows the exact same problems as the picture I posted before. Glare, poor light distribution, and the highest concentration of light is is not in the correct part of the beam (lower, which means less light is sent off to the furthest part of the beam).

Thanks for posting pics Sluggo. I like it! Do you plan on doing Highbeam or fog?

HIDs are completely incompatible with high beams and fogs. Foglights with HIDs glare like crazy and not only reduce other people's vision but your own. They aren't compatible in high beam either since HIDs require that they reach operating temperature and not letting them warm up and constantly shutting them on and off is a great way to blow a bulb. Please actually consider research before proceeding any further. I recommend HIDPlanet.com.

 

[sacchoe]

Okay, so I went ahead and did an HID retrofit onto my 2013 Genesis Sedan (premium pkg). After some looking around, I bought a system from The Retrofit Source. I got the Morimoto Elite System with 5Five ballasts and XB35 bulbs. Total price was $170.

Sluggo, which HID kit did you order from Retrofit Source? I was considering the Morimoto kit from the Retrofit Source but I don't see a kit for H11B bulb which according to this forum the 2013 Genesis has. It looks like Retrofit HIDs are little more higher quality (and more pricey) than the cheap stuff from Ebay or DDM Tuning. I rather pay little more than keep having to swap out the unit.

I have a 2013 Base Sedan and which I really don't like the really Yellowish light the the Genesis halogen produces. (I had a 2012 Mazda6 which I traded in for this Genesis had halogen lights from factory that had much whiter and brighter looking light than the Genesis.)

 

[sluggo]

Sluggo, which HID kit did you order from Retrofit Source? I was considering the Morimoto kit from the Retrofit Source but I don't see a kit for H11B bulb which according to this forum the 2013 Genesis has. It looks like Retrofit HIDs are little more higher quality (and more pricey) than the cheap stuff from Ebay or DDM Tuning. I rather pay little more than keep having to swap out the unit.

I have a 2013 Base Sedan and which I really don't like the really Yellowish light the the Genesis halogen produces. (I had a 2012 Mazda6 which I traded in for this Genesis had halogen lights from factory that had much whiter and brighter looking light than the Genesis.)

If you specify the XB35 bulb, you get the H11b fitment. It's not obvious from the bulb pull-down menu, but the "what's included" section spells it out (sort of).

 

[brfatal]

Sluggo, which HID kit did you order from Retrofit Source? I was considering the Morimoto kit from the Retrofit Source but I don't see a kit for H11B bulb which according to this forum the 2013 Genesis has. It looks like Retrofit HIDs are little more higher quality (and more pricey) than the cheap stuff from Ebay or DDM Tuning. I rather pay little more than keep having to swap out the unit.

I have a 2013 Base Sedan and which I really don't like the really Yellowish light the the Genesis halogen produces. (I had a 2012 Mazda6 which I traded in for this Genesis had halogen lights from factory that had much whiter and brighter looking light than the Genesis.)

Please be sure to read this thread before purchasing.

 

[sacchoe]

If you specify the XB35 bulb, you get the H11b fitment. It's not obvious from the bulb pull-down menu, but the "what's included" section spells it out (sort of).

Sluggo,

Thanks for the info. Which color bulb did you purchase? 4300k, or 5K or 6k? What color do you see of the light? Any blue tint to the light?

Finally, you did the install yourself or did you get it done?

 

[Lawjo1978]

I myself recently ordered a Morimoto kit from the retrofit source out of Atlanta, GA. They recommended the H11 bulbs for our cars. I went with 4300K bulbs as I wanted to have a factory type looks. Mine been in for a month and I have to say I'm quite and satisfied with the product. Took my about 1.5 hrs to do the install. I did it my self. I went with the upgrade because the factory halogens were too yellow and not enough light for me to do night driving.....

Sluggo,

Thanks for the info. Which color bulb did you purchase? 4300k, or 5K or 6k? What color do you see of the light? Any blue tint to the light?

Finally, you did the install yourself or did you get it done?

 

[sacchoe]

Thanks for the information.

I was about to order the Morimoto system but at the last minute ended up installing a LED bulb system instead.

Very happy with the result. You can read more about it on my separate post here..

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=13014

 

[Buford T Justice]

Now that a few months have passed since you guys purchased these kits, how are they holding up? Is the quality as high as you first thought or have things started to fail?

I'd really like to get a HID kit for my 2013 and these ones seem to be the highest quality outside of OEM.
The headlight design is nice but halogen bulbs suck ass in projector lenses. Especially in projector lenses designed to be used with HID bulbs in the first place. I understand we don't have all of the auto leveling components and exact fit OEM bulbs, but the lense for our headlights is the same as the OEM HID set up and that's the most important part. No it won't be perfect, but it is a 90% fix, and the cost to get that last 10% is about $1,000... not willing to do that.

I bought some Silverstar Ultras because they were $20 off at the auto parts store, they are quiet a bit brighter but still don't look very attractive.
LED bulbs are a joke so I won't even be considering that route, unless I suddenly decide actual light output is completely unnecessary and looks are all I want.

If you specify the XB35 bulb, you get the H11b fitment. It's not obvious from the bulb pull-down menu, but the "what's included" section spells it out (sort of).

So do we want the H11 or H11b? The OEM halogen I pulled out was a H11 and the Silverstars I put in were H11, they fit perfectly snug but are halogens and these are HIDs... could be another can of worms. I'm assuming these are a plug and play set up?

I myself recently ordered a Morimoto kit from the retrofit source out of Atlanta, GA. They recommended the H11 bulbs for our cars. I went with 4300K bulbs as I wanted to have a factory type looks. Mine been in for a month and I have to say I'm quite and satisfied with the product. Took my about 1.5 hrs to do the install. I did it my self. I went with the upgrade because the factory halogens were too yellow and not enough light for me to do night driving.....

Still working well for you? Did the H11work or did you have to go with the H11b?

Also, I see we can upgrade from the "3five" ballast to a "5five" is that in reference to the wattage or something else? All the bulbs are designated as "3five _bulbtype" why are there no "5five_bulbtype"?
Other than that these things seem pretty straight forward. As long as they last a few years at a pop I'm OK with replacing them once and a while.

 

[sluggo]

Hi all - just popping in to note that the Morimoto kit with the high-output ballasts is still working fine. Light-off on the driver's side bulb is just a tick faster than the passenger's side, but other than that all is well.

The difference between the H11 and H11b (in the Morimoto kit) is not in how they fit in the socket - the difference is in the orientation of the bulb to the base. In the H11b the bulb is rotated 180 degrees compared to the H11, so that the arc in the H11b is above the return electrode, whereas in the H11 the arc is below the electrode. What that means for the operation of the bulb is that in the H11b the shadow of the electrode falls on a different part of the reflector and you get a better light distribution for headlights that use projectors, like the Genesis.

 

[brfatal]

Now that a few months have passed since you guys purchased these kits, how are they holding up? Is the quality as high as you first thought or have things started to fail?

I'd really like to get a HID kit for my 2013 and these ones seem to be the highest quality outside of OEM.
The headlight design is nice but halogen bulbs suck ass in projector lenses. Especially in projector lenses designed to be used with HID bulbs in the first place. I understand we don't have all of the auto leveling components and exact fit OEM bulbs, but the lense for our headlights is the same as the OEM HID set up and that's the most important part. No it won't be perfect, but it is a 90% fix, and the cost to get that last 10% is about $1,000... not willing to do that.

I bought some Silverstar Ultras because they were $20 off at the auto parts store, they are quiet a bit brighter but still don't look very attractive.
LED bulbs are a joke so I won't even be considering that route, unless I suddenly decide actual light output is completely unnecessary and looks are all I want.

You are mistaken. These lenses are HALOGEN projectors. They are not HID projectors with halogens in them.....

Not to mention Silverstar Ultras are actually really bad bulbs. The light is whiter, not brighter. They are actually dimmer than a lot of other options on the table. This is where you confusion comes from.