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Zenki TSX retrofit with CS clear lenses. PICS

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 12:31 am
by project-c2
This started due to the horrible output from the stock lenses and reflectors. I started with a plan. I looked around for clear headlights and all I could find was either clear lenses or Euro glass headlights.
TSX projectors (early w/o Fresnel lenses)
TSX ballasts and ignitors
Phillips 85122+ D2S bulbs
BMW e46 replica shrouds
some 10ga wire and Bosch relay
4" PVC pipe and cap
clear Permatex Silicone

Most parts bought from: http://www.theretrofitsource.com/

Sorry, I suck at writing DIY's but pictures' worth a thousand words, right? :D

Here is a pic after I took it out of the oven and hole sawed the back and reflector. I cut some brackets out of 1/16" aluminum and mounted it to the upper shield mount.
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Test fitting the e46 shrouds and figuring out where I have to cut.
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Shrouds cut and fitted, then clear siliconed to the projector. I tried JB Weld and everything else. It just falls off. I found clear silicone to be the best solution.
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Test fitting lenses. They don't actually sit in the groove, just on top.
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Glued on the lenses using Windshield urethane. No it is not permanent, I've taken out plenty windshields.
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Testing the wiring and getting the polarities right on the ballasts, before final wiring and aiming.
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Aiming.
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Done. I also have clear corners too, that aren't in the pic. But yeah.
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Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 12:36 am
by project-c2
Here's another one while my car was in the body shop.

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Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:38 am
by supakat
Looks great. Good job.

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 8:02 am
by sdaigle240
sick. estimated time and cost of this project?

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 9:03 am
by project-c2
sdaigle240 wrote:sick. estimated time and cost of this project?
I've done retrofits before, so was pretty quick. Maybe 2 weekends total. Total cost was
165.00 for the lenses
200.00 for the bulbs, ballasts, etc
30.00 e46 shrouds
15.00 for PVC pipe
5.00 clear silicone
10.00 for wiring

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 9:12 am
by sdaigle240
waoh... thats a set of kelfords!!! looks amazing though.

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 9:16 am
by picsbypenny
definitely sweet looking will do after PNP lol

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:20 pm
by R34SR
Don't mean to rain on the parade guys really nice work you did there, but there's an easier cheaper way now....

viewtopic.php?t=58217


I made that post after seeing how much you paid to do the conversion.

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 10:33 pm
by tom550
Nice job

R34SR wrote:Don't mean to rain on the parade guys really nice work you did there, but there's an easier cheaper way now....

viewtopic.php?t=58217


I made that post after seeing how much you paid to do the conversion.
If anyone wants to do this and inprove their headlights then do it right. Not like this guy ^^^

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 5:18 am
by R34SR
wow tom, is there a reason you have such negativity in all your recent posts towards me?

i posted a cheaper, easier alternative , i didn't say better.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 8:18 am
by tom550
Sorry. Too many people don't know much about headlights. I tend to go off on people that I feel did it wrong. I see your post as if you bought a cxracing turbo kit and started telling everyone that the kit is amazing.

But here's another alternative then buying those.

Call up the retrofit source and see if they have any mini h1 or mini d2s laying around that they might sell for cheap.
I wouldn't recommend it but then you could order a ddm kit. Then just buy a shroud and your good.

What I would recommend is searching over hidplanet or eBay for sale and wait for some good projectors, bulbs, ballast, to pop up for a good price.

Just a few days ago a TL projector (arguably one of the best projectors available) was posted on eBay with matsushi-ta ballast (oem quality), and a set of bulbs (unknown). It ended up selling for $131 shipped. With that all you really need to do is get a wiring harness from the retrofit source and retrofit them.
Matsushi-ta kept coming up as a blocked word. It's one word without a dash.

If you find aftermarket G1, that's how I feel those projectors you bought to look like.
http://www.jvxdriver.com/bixenon_comparison.htm

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 8:52 am
by R34SR
Not a problem, i understand we all have certain things we take extra seriously....just listening to you talk about **** and d2s blah blah i realize this is one of those things for you.....ill do my best in the near future to get a output picture for you.

Until then its all good man.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 8:57 am
by tom550
Yeah I probably went too far. Like how you guys will tell someone to turbocharge their car the right way, that's how I see it.

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 4:32 pm
by project-c2
I've had everything from PnP kits to those "cheaper alternative". My personal preference was to go all the way. 8)

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 11:31 am
by BoBaCk1
I don't know a lot about light quality but I did the mini h1 kit with e46 shrouds and I love them. One of my favorite mods to date. I did it all for a hair over $300 and that included the clear lens.
$153 shipped for mini h1, mini h1 5k bulbs, shrouds, and butyl sealant
$160 circuit sport clear lens.
Here's a pic
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Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:22 pm
by flip240
Any pics of the cutoff against a wall?

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:59 pm
by tom550
Mini h1 6.0 just came out and should be way better than 5.0

Re: Zenki TSX retrofit with CS clear lenses. PICS

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 10:42 am
by tacokiller07
thats an awesome write up thanks alot!!

Re: Zenki TSX retrofit with CS clear lenses. PICS

Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 12:33 am
by stealthmasta
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Very nice guide, i did mines very similar, good to know people still care for the zenki look, Cheers!

Re: Zenki TSX retrofit with CS clear lenses. PICS

Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 1:11 pm
by HORSEPOWER CHEF
I generally dont like projectors on zenkis, but i might have to try this. it looks much better that my tired old yellow lights...