Looking to buy modern's projectors...question for owners!

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:01 am

Hey y'all,

I've really been tossing up the idea of buying a pair of aftermarket projectors for the 03 SXT and after looking at all of the cheap ones on eBay, I decided I wasn't going to. As some of you know, I was driving an Audi w/ factory HIDs before and I miss them! lol Halogen just doesn't cut it...I was almost convinced to try out the SilverStar Ultras but I am thinking "Hell, that could be $50 towards an HID kit..."

So, anyhow, here is my question to the current owners of Modern's projector kits (btw, thank goodness I came across their site as eBay had me very nervous! Thanks Modern for being there for us, all of your reviews only speaks the highest of your customer concern & satisfaction!)

I am not fond of the aftermarket LED/Halo projectors as much as I am just a simple, OEM appearing headlamp with a projector. I finally found one (from Modern) and I was wondering if anyone has them, and if you do, are you running HIDs in them? If you are running HIDs, please give me some feedback on your opinions. Did you buy an H7 HID kit - Modern's page says both low/high beams are H7 55w bulbs. As mentioned above, I've only dealt with changing the HID bulbs on my OEM HID system (from 4300k to 8000k) before - so was the HID swap easy? How well did the bulb fit into the aftermarket projector housing?

Any and all information is greatly appreciated! TIA!

My choice #1: (the ones I'm referring to above)
http://www.modernperformance.com/depo-p ... -1900.html

Choice #2 if #1 definitely can not run HIDs well/accurately:
http://www.modernperformance.com/projec ... -1616.html

Johny · Post by **Johny** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 1:10 am

There are a few people using HIDs with their MPx projectors, and havn't had a problem yet (except one case, which bubbled the outter shell). The eBay projects compared to the MPx projectors are the same thing as far as I can tell; seems as though one company just ships it out to the vendors. I personally have the eBay projectors, and they seem to be doing the trick.

Anyways, HIDs can be ran with the projectors (even though it advises you not to), and pretty sure you just stick it into where the OEM bulb would go. Here's a link to where most buy from:
http://www.vvme.com/relay-harness-h8-hi ... h=44_45_24. You'll need the harness so you don't burn your wiring.

Hope this helped, I'm sure others will chime in with more helpful advice

superdan · Post by **superdan** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 1:25 am

^^^ why do you advise not to run HIDs in projectors?

OP- I am running the projectors you want and I loved them AT FIRST...then on my passenger side one of the wires on the plug wiggles out I think and causes the light to not turn on, which forces me to pop the hood and wiggle the plug and it turns on. Also sometimes when I am going down the road and hit a good enough bump or pothole the light will flicker and or turn off then back on.

That being said, I had HIDs in them and the issue with the wire pulling out or hitting a bump causing the light to flicker on and off either ruined my ballasts or was the reason I had to replace my MFS. Havent had the HIDs hooked up since i replaced the MFS.

A friend of mine has the MPX halo's and on one of his the projector actually came loose inside the headlight and would bounce up and down.

My overall opinion on them is they look good and performed well out of the box, I think I just got a messed up set or something. Needless to say I am going back to stock headlights and eventually doing a retrofit down the road.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 8:23 am

Johny: The only projectors I see on eBay are in fact the ones with the LEDS & Halos. Honestly, on a Neon, I think it's too busy and IMPO ricey. The simple projector look of the first link to modern performance is the one I truly see myself going with, if they can run HIDs efficiently. According to Mod. Perform. they run H7 bulbs as low & high beams - not H1 bulbs like the Halo projectors. I wonder why this is? Also, if I would have a problem fitting an HID H7 bulb into the housing.

I have been RTFA a lot about people converted to the projectors and running HID and without a doubt I would buy the relay harness. VVME has their HID kit w/ relay harness for $55. (Hell, the cost of two Sylvania Silverstar Ultras right there).

dan: Awe man that is awful to hear but thank you for the honesty. I will definitely take into consideration the events that happened to yours when making a final decision to stick with stock or go projector! Was your headlamps from MP or eBay? MP would have given you a new set, I believe

Does anyone have pics of either set (first or second link) installed on a silver neon? particularly an 03-05 SXT - I wouldn't mind seeing either color (black or chrome). However, I think I'm leaning towards black and doing a black/silver theme. TIA!

superdan · Post by **superdan** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 10:17 am

they are MP...and my problem didnt happen until like year or more after i got them

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:15 pm

So you were out of their 1 year replacement warranty...? That's just plain ol' bad luck...probably the same kind I have haha

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:28 pm

You aren't supposed to run HIDs in cheap projector headlights because they are in fact, not designed to be used for projectors. They are halogen projectors. These are the same kind you would've found on cars in the '90s that came with projectors such as the Chrsyler LHS

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 1:46 pm

Thanks sidepipe - as I said in the original post - I want all feedback - good & bad to make a real decision.

Do you happen to know the differences between a halogen projector and an OEM (retro) HID projector? I do not... Is it an inaccurate cut-off for an HID beam in the aftermarket projector? Or is your statement more in regards to the halogen projector & housing not being able to withstand running an HID bulb as in durability (bubbling, heat damage, etc.).

I do know that HID bulbs run at 35w (cooler) as opposed to your standard 55/65w low/high filament halogen bulb. However, on initial start up the HID bulbs/ballasts draw more power from the system (hence why I would buy a relay harness to protect my factory wires & MFS - I've seen many pics of the damages it can occur).

Is there any more valuable information you can add?
btw, what part of the burgh are you from?

CaLiBuM · Post by **CaLiBuM** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:25 pm

03SXTguy-
I also have an 03 SXT im running the MP Depo Headlights with an H7 HID kit, Ive had them in for over a year and a half and have had no issues unless I hit a bump too hard I once cracked a bulb. But all in all they work great and Id never go back to halogen again after driving around with as much as I can see now.

Heres an old pic of when I was using 8k bulbs with the switchback LED turnsignals:

Ive experimented thru most of the HID spectrum and found out for the most visibility I was using 4300k. Heres a few pics of the output, but the pics dont do justice for what you can actually see in person:

Johny · Post by **Johny** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 3:27 pm

superdan wrote:^^^ why do you advise not to run HIDs in projectors?

haha I didnt say I don't advise it, I said it's not advised (they have a sticker label that says not to). As to why not, sidepipe87 has the answer.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 9:09 pm

Calibum: Do you have any more photos you could PM or email me of the lights on the car? From what I can tell, I think it appears you have the black housing on a silver neon? That's the exact setup I'm considering (black on my silver). Friday I have an appointment to get the windows tinted. I'm not trying to create a "theme" of black & silver...but if everything on the car is mainly black (fact. grille, mirrors, window tint, etc.) I'm thinking the black housing would just fit in better than a pair of the chrome.

also, was it easy to install the HID kit on these headlamps? In this picture provided by MP it looks as though the high beam bulb, low beam bulb and turn signal are all wired into one harness which is then plug n play for the factory connector harness? How exactly did you wire the HID lows? and are you using a relay harness connected to your battery to protect your factory wires?

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Dylan-00Blue · Post by **Dylan-00Blue** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 4:01 pm

get lsp retros.

superdan · Post by **superdan** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 4:55 pm

03SXTGUY wrote:

When you take the big circle rubber grommets off you will find the projector bulb. Once thats off there is a metal pin type thing holding the bulb in place. Take the bulb out and there are wires connected to the bulb (light blue wire and a white wire i believe). Then put in the HID bulb and reinstall.

I didnt use a harness because i accidentally ordered the wrong harness but installing the HIDs on these lights is pretty easy

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:11 pm

Awesome! Thanks dan

Great detailed information that is good to know (if I so happen to choose to go this route)

I'll tell you - I really have to give you guys on this forum specifically for the 2nd gen neons a big KUDOS. I always thought of my Audi forum members as family, and I can start to see you guys as the same way. Everyone has been very helpful, informative, and quick at responding to my questions without getting upset. Thank you!

Dylan-00Blue wrote:get lsp retros.

I really studied Crystal's post about all that she can do and her work is beyond words. However, this neon that I'm driving has a salvaged title and is not worth anything. I'm not looking to spend $530 just on headlamps/HIDs. If I were ever in a front end crash and the lights (being custom work) got damaged, I'd be very upset. I'm only looking at my (cheaper) alternatives for better / more adequate lighting as coming from having OEM HIDs for years, I feel as though the OEM halogen housing/bulbs are inadequate and do not do justice. Thank you for your opinion though, Dylan!

CaLiBuM · Post by **CaLiBuM** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:58 pm

Heres some day time pics, I blacked out the grill as well:

Rear: