Charlotte's Progress Log

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Thu May 19, 2011 2:04 pm

By the looks of the gray adhesive on that one they're aftermarket. The lens would have a pentastar on the front of it if they were OEM. It would also have hard, black adhesive holding it together that doesn't melt. The differences are numerous.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Thu May 19, 2011 3:19 pm

LilSparkPlug wrote:By the looks of the gray adhesive on that one they're aftermarket. The lens would have a pentastar on the front of it if they were OEM. It would also have hard, black adhesive holding it together that doesn't melt. The differences are numerous.

Great info to know CM

They are aftermarket then - phew! So at least now I won't have to worry about them glazing b/c at this point I'm about to gather up my retros and drive to the dark parking garage so I can test their alignment & tweak it as need be

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Thu May 19, 2011 9:19 pm

The driver side is aligned, sealed & complete!

I think it turned out great for being my first retro ever attempted...

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Thu May 19, 2011 11:16 pm

My retros are done

I'm going to wait until tomorrow to install them - giving them at least a full 24 hours to set. I pray nothing is wrong because there is NO air or water getting in these babies! haha They are sealed tight.

On with the pics!

Passenger side aligned, sealed & complete:

Completed pair:

Sabersoul · Post by **Sabersoul** » Thu May 19, 2011 11:21 pm

Looks good. Hopefully I won't have to do any repairs for a while and can put aside some cash for my own retrofit. Love the dual outlet exhaust, I wish there was a cheaper kit for my Caliber than the Mopar.

speed127 · Post by **speed127** » Thu May 19, 2011 11:26 pm

Retros look good. I might hit them with a slight tin or something to tone down the chrome since on a silver car they would tend to blend in. And come on man, lower the girl, roads around hear are just as bad if not worse and mine is pretty slammed. Keep it up and COME TO CARLISLE!!!!!

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Thu May 19, 2011 11:55 pm

Thanks for the compliments

Saber: do it bud! I'm telling you - the amount of light output these Morimoto's w/ 5000k HID put out compared to the other side (eBay projectors w/ 6k kit) is unbelievable. I felt for a second, like I was almost back in my Audi

Highly recommend retrofitting! It took me about 2 1/2 days in all but mainly b/c I was waiting for them to be delivered...and that I'm OCD haha Do the prep work while waiting on delivery - made the process nice & easy when they actually got delivered.

speed: When is Carlisle? I leave Saturday for Myrtle Beach & will be down there til next Saturday (28th). I'm actually talking to v95 right now - looks like I'll be taking a trip out to NJ, Atlantic City, to pick up his set of SRT wheels if all goes according.

Also, about the tint remark...it looks more chrome in the pictures b/c of capture of the lighting in the camera lens...believe me, IRL they look 10x even better. I'm really happy I left them chrome/stock appearing; I never even hooked up the angel eyes & LEDs in the eBay projectors...it personally is just too much for my taste. I like nice & clean along with functionality. These retros nailed it on the nose.

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Fri May 20, 2011 11:05 am

Too bad you can't swing through Raleigh, NC! That's where I'm at. Would love to meet Charlotte.

Have fun at Myrtle. Drive safe through VA, cops are everywhere through that state.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Fri May 20, 2011 12:16 pm

Nice work on the retros

I'm glad they're aftermarket for your sake too! I need to re-do Nee's as the lenses I got are OEM and they're so crazed I can't stand it.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:04 pm

Thanks CM!

Andy: haha this year I'm flying

I drive down every year but there's a cheaper airline that flies out of Latrobe, PA (not PITT international) so I got a round trip flight for a great price! C'mon down to MB & hang ten! haha

speed127 · Post by **speed127** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14 pm

carlisle is July 8-10 If you've never been, it is a MUST go to show.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sat May 21, 2011 10:10 am

Pics of the retros - I'll take better ones when I get back from MB!

Morimoto 35Watt H1 5000k

(Will take better light output pics w/ my digital later - BlackBerry couldn't capture their true beauty but they are bright - esp. the high beam w/ the shield depressed)

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sat May 21, 2011 11:15 am

Very nice work

They look a million times better than the other ones did!

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sat May 21, 2011 9:42 pm

Crystal!! Love the new Sig pic!

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sat May 21, 2011 10:02 pm

The guy accepted my $50 offer for his SRT-4 springs. 6k miles on them (he took them off for lowering springs) and they have never seen bad weather. Should I do it? Are there any benefits with the SRT-4 springs over a SXT setup?

Or will I feel a stiffer, bumpier ride?

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Sat May 21, 2011 11:00 pm

Slightly stiffer, but still pretty damn stock feeling. Just around a 3/4" drop. You honestly may not feel a difference in ride quality.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sat May 21, 2011 11:21 pm

FAC3L3SS wrote:Slightly stiffer, but still pretty damn stock feeling. Just around a 3/4" drop. You honestly may not feel a difference in ride quality.

I take it you have an SXT w/ SRT-4 springs? Is the drop noticeable (mainly front or rear?) Any pics?

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Sun May 22, 2011 2:21 am

I don't, no. Just search on here and there are several hits. That was a summary from reading previous comments lol.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sun May 22, 2011 10:34 am

What about coilovers? Do a lot of users like their ride quality or do you suffer quality for being able to adjust your height?

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Sun May 22, 2011 10:54 am

They are the best. Ability to lower without sacrificing quality of ride. TYPICALLY.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sun May 22, 2011 11:11 am

Omg...a pair on even eBay are like $900+...I am definitely not putting that much into it. If there were a complete set (4) for like $300 I'd probably do it but then, 4 struts & springs for $300...the quality would probably be poor

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Sun May 22, 2011 11:33 am

I'm not following, but coilovers with that adjustability are $900 at the cheapest. A good strut and spring combo would be fine still, but you'll still be a couple hundred in. At that point you lose adjustability but you never have to worry about height adjustment, just mount and go. Unless you're diehard auto crossing, I'm sure you'd be fine with some struts and a mild drop.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Sun May 22, 2011 1:53 pm

Ben... don't get coilovers. I feel like it would be the SRT exhaust all over again lol. You will most likely HATE the harshness of the ride immediately. It doesn't bother me, just the pothole ridden roads I can barely fucking navigate do.

Honestly, I'd say save up for Tokico HP blues ($300 on eBay) and a set of decent springs i.e. H&R, Megan, Vogtland, Kazera and you will be good. Decently firm, good handling and your kidneys will remain in tact.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sun May 22, 2011 3:01 pm

Thanks Ben

I say don't go with coilovers unless you're going with Mopar Stage 3s or KWs (the only two that really don't sacrifice ride quality and ride better than stock) which cost a pretty penny. You will hate the ride quality.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sun May 22, 2011 4:34 pm

Thanks you two

I just purchased two complete strut assemblies for $180 shipped (pepboys, etc. want like $160 a side!!) so as I originally said...screw lowering it. lol I just want proper functionality & my rear driver strut is shot. So, I'm going to replace it & do the pass. side at the same time. At least I have free wheel alignments for another year so when I go & pick up v95's SRT wheels I know they will be on brand new struts/springs & properly aligned

That alone makes me happy.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sun May 22, 2011 10:29 pm

You did good getting a strut for the passenger rear too, they should ALWAYS be replaced in pairs for the most optimal result

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sun May 22, 2011 11:04 pm

Yea that's what I figured. Yay! I done good? Do I get a LSP cookie now? haha

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Tue May 24, 2011 12:51 am

CM, I'm not really getting the info/help I need other at HIDPlanet...can you clarify something for me oh lighting queen?

With my morimoto retros it feels off to me as it seems like the top of my cutoff is hitting street signs midway and is hardly lighting them up at all. Also, my cutoff / slope is very visible while driving, even though both cutoffs are aimed at the same level like they are supposed to be.

Is this completely normal with the morimoto projectors?? They're basically telling me it is and that my cutoff is so visible because I have the "upgraded" clear lens - gearbox had suggested the reasoning for the visible cutoff be due to "some oem hid uses a fresnel or frosted lens to diffuse the light, which makes the cutoff line softer and easier to blend with the surroundings. some projector also have built in provisions for letting glare above the cutoff (many old projectors do not). "

paleryeder suggested: "It's the projectors your using............ it's another reason I always use OEM projectors. I did a few tests with Minis when I had them in and couldn't see street signs or overhead signs that didn't have their own lights. I took pictures of the difference between the Mini and the RX350BX which has squirrel finders and it's a day and night difference. With the RX's I can read every street sign even when I'm up close to it, with the Minis all you see is a black sign. This is in a very dark area with no moon and no street lights. "

Do you have the same issues CM? Is this normal for the mini retros?

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Tue May 24, 2011 10:21 am

Yes it is very normal for them, they are 100% right about the fresnel lenses also. My projectors in my SRT have a fresnel lens so the cutoff is soft the further away it gets, but because they're OEM they light up things much higher than the G1s in my SXT do. The Mori is a smaller projector with a tiny bowl so everything that you're seeing is 100% normal.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Tue May 24, 2011 11:24 am

Ok thanks Crystal! I just needed to hear it from you that this was normal in specifically a Neon (at least) for my perfectionist brain to "accept" it lol