SamirD wrote:In one of the older threads, there was a mention that Kizashi's in other markets possibly came with factory HIDs? Any other info on this? I'm thinking there may be a way to just import a set of headlights from another market to have the perfect HIDs.
Yes, European, Australian, and Asian Kizashi models were offered with factory HID in their top-trim models.
While it should theoretically be able to be installed in a North American Kizashi, keep in mind some of these factors:
- In Europe, any car with HID must have headlight washers. This is why the cars have the headlight washer covers regardless of market. However, the models with HIDs actually have washers that extend and spray. If you retrofitted the factory HID headlight in your NA spec Kizashi, you would not be able to control the washers unless you get the wiring and control button too.
- Factory HIDs in the US are required to have leveling control. The models with HIDs will have a headlight aim control dial close to the fog light button. Installing the HID headlight in a NA spec car will not give you the leveling control unless you again, have the wiring and the dash dial.
- Lastly, good luck even finding them on sale. Finding anything for the Kizashi is hard enough. OEM HID headlights from another market for a NA spec Kizashi? Good luck!
The easier way to go about getting a better beam is the change the projector inside the headlight. theretrofitsource.com sells these projectors that were designed for HID lamps. While using the correct projector will give the headlight beam a crisp cut-off and better optical performance, it requires the hassle of baking your headlights, opening them up, swapping out the projectors, and reassembling them. That's assuming you find a HID projector compatible with the Kizashi.
Quite frankly, I don't think it's worth it. The OEM projector for the halogens do just fine with HIDs. Yes, it's not as crisp as an Acura or BMW with factory HIDs in a proper HID projector, but it works good enough. It's an improvement over the halogens.
Personally, I think HID kits are just fine in any projector headlight. They are not suited for multi-reflector headlights that create too much glare for oncoming traffic and don't throw the beam well enough for the driver. However, in a projector lens, the opposite is true. I don't blind oncoming traffic and the throw is rather good.
My advice is to get an aftermarket H7 HID kit and install it in the pre-existing headlight. It's the cheapest route to vastly improve the performance and look of your headlights.
I can take more photos of my headlights if you want. I have cheap Chinese 8000k (although they look more like 6000k) HID kits that came with my car. The previous owner had them installed along with 2500k HID fog lights. The throw on these fog lights is horrible because of the multi-reflector lens of the fog lights. A LED conversion kit would be better.
Lastly, did you know that Euro Kizashis have rear fog lights? Ever wondered why there is that lamp space under the reverse lights? NA models don't have a bulb or a bulb housing, but Euro versions do. I wish we had these.
http://s206.photobucket.com/user/lev-ya ... 9.jpg.html
