Teh Official "Dude Where's My Forum?" Thread, Brought to you by the minds of Box, and her fiancée, Lorelei Options

[Box]

Meh ignore the earlier, this whole water pump ordeal is pissing me off. Such an ass backwards stupid design... I should've just gotten a Fishmaro and that'd address two issues.

Also I must be thinking about this whole HID thing the wrong way since every Firebird I've seen the projectors are exposed and just mounted to a plate of metal to put them into the headlight buckets. I guess it doesn't matter that they look like early 1900's ugly ass cameras since they're hidden during the daytime anyway:

[ClevelandGaint]

Meh ignore the earlier, this whole water pump ordeal is pissing me off. Such an ass backwards stupid design... I should've just gotten a Fishmaro and that'd address two issues.

Also I must be thinking about this whole HID thing the wrong way since every Firebird I've seen the projectors are exposed and just mounted to a plate of metal to put them into the headlight buckets. I guess it doesn't matter that they look like early 1900's ugly ass cameras since they're hidden during the daytime anyway:

Feel like you need to change one light out and make a mini machine gun there ha!

[Bitter]

Meh ignore the earlier, this whole water pump ordeal is pissing me off. Such an ass backwards stupid design... I should've just gotten a Fishmaro and that'd address two issues.

Also I must be thinking about this whole HID thing the wrong way since every Firebird I've seen the projectors are exposed and just mounted to a plate of metal to put them into the headlight buckets. I guess it doesn't matter that they look like early 1900's ugly ass cameras since they're hidden during the daytime anyway:

Those look like Hella units and if they're HID Hella units then that photo has about $1,200 of low beam and $800 of halogen high beam. Those are complete weather proof assemblies, the projectors you're talking about are not sealed and have to be put inside a headlight. Also the little Hella pods light output is probably not what you expect for the money spent.

[Box]

Ahh ok I was wondering if they were sealed units, still looks like ass though. Really expensive ugly ass.

So that person I almost thought I imagined actually does exist and has a site, it can be done: http://www.blackbirdlighting.com/93-97.php.

[Bitter]

The FXR projector (I assume he's using the Morimoto which is a clone of the Infiniti FX unit) is good but not that great, the output is pretty streaky. There's WAY better projectors around if you're going to spend that kind of money. If he could install Mini D2S 4.0 units that would be more worth it, or even RX350 projectors. Something with more intensity along the cutoff for better distance.

[Box]

I was thinking since the FX-R can be made to work the Mini D2S 4.0 should be even easier since they're a little bit smaller in every dimension. Just going off TRS site FX-R is 155mm x 112mm x 95mm where Mini D2S is 142mm x 102mm x 85mm; maximum length x width x height.

[Bitter]

Yea, but he's probably got the plates cut for the FXR already, the MD2S have different mounting holes. Shouldn't be too hard to get somewhere to cut plates for what you're doing though or see if that guy is willing to do it. Would still be $600+ headlights though. I vote you try better housings first with your 80W halogen. There's something about V8 rumble and bright as hell halogen headlights that go together. It's not the same as HID.

[Bitter]

Argh I need this odd ball tiny bulb, TSD 077, and I can't find it anywhere!

[Box]

Yea, but he's probably got the plates cut for the FXR already, the MD2S have different mounting holes. Shouldn't be too hard to get somewhere to cut plates for what you're doing though or see if that guy is willing to do it. Would still be $600+ headlights though. I vote you try better housings first with your 80W halogen. There's something about V8 rumble and bright as hell halogen headlights that go together. It's not the same as HID.

I think most likely I'm looking at around $450 using the Mini D2S 4.0, Denso D2S ballasts, Philips D2S 4200K bulbs, and then sourcing some clear plastic 6" x 4" H4 housings to modify for sealing the projectors into. Either way that's money I rather put towards suspension first since the Watt's link alone will be $700-850 depending on if I go with the Fays2 or BMR, Strano or BMR springs with Koni shocks is about $550 but when you lower the car you really need lower control arm relocation brackets so that's another $110, then Strano hollow sway bars is another $350, and another $250 or so getting poly mounts and bushings through RockAuto. That's the bare minimum I want and doesn't get into aftermarket control arms, K-member, torque arm, etc...

Argh I need this odd ball tiny bulb, TSD 077, and I can't find it anywhere!

That's because the part number changed, can find searching 272-1092 or 7219. Here's one listing on Amazon I found real quick: https://www.amazon.com/CEC-Industries-7219-...KH3V8SZF17A7KT9

[Bitter]

A few forums say it's not the same, about 1/2 the brightness. I saw those then dug a little more.

But I might just order them anyway.

This post has been edited by Bitter: Oct 19, 2016 - 10:42 PM

[Box]

Hmm, I found a GM o.e. replacement but it's like $7 a bulb. I remember this came up when my brother had his Maxima that was full of them, but he found a 3mm LED that ended up working.

[Bitter]

As long as it's the right bulb, I only need one of these things. Got a part number? I can order it from the local dealer to drop off at the shop or something.

[Box]

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-16208443-Ori...uct_top?ie=UTF8

I'd double check me but fairly sure that's it.

[Bitter]

Nope, different base. This one is rubber, weird, here's a photo. Seems to be Japanese vehicles only kind of thing, probably carried over from Mazda and whatever parts bin they got this headlight switch from in Australia.



Not my picture but the same bulb, except that one has a filament and the glass isn't black.

[Box]

Hmmm, maybe best off getting the kind with the long leads and making it work.

Also will attempt to tackle the entire water pump ordeal tomorrow, was scoping things out earlier and for once GM had some insight as there's a drain petcock on the bottom of radiator along with a drain bolt in the bottom of the block. So will drain radiator then the block, pop out the thermostat and fill with distilled water and run it until it starts to warm up and then repeat the drain procedure, I'm thinking I might be able to make an Opti shield with a gallon size Zip-Loc and some duct tape. Of course the real fun part is in waiting for all the sealer to dry 24 hours before filling it up and bleeding it, but last thing I want are leaks from rushing. I'm feeling deprived from not driving it, or maybe I just hate borrowing the Durango that much but probably both. I'm curious as to how hard it is to spin the pump that's on it by hand, might free up a few horsepower.

[Bitter]

I spoke with Daniel Stern, he says that only the larger round and larger rectangular Hella lamps have the high beam too high problem. This guy is known for knowing lighting, his name is penned on things like the manual for inspecting vehicle lights for compliance. Based on that, I think I'm going to upgrade the Crapi to Hella lamps and I highly suggest you do the same.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VU4X7U/ref=pd...=UTF8&psc=1


Just drove it down to the end of the street and back, yack what a terrible shifter, it feels like you're strangling a dead goose until you hit the gear you're going into, but it's easy to go through the gears, I did it in the dark while tired my first time driving it, r, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, stall. stall. stall. stupid inclined driveway, my coordination had left me for the day and the cable clutch has a weird feeling as it's releasing, not like a hydraulic clutch feel at all. Anyway, I got a rough aim on them, I think they can come up just a hair higher but wow even I'd drive with these at night, they're acceptable. The Hella should make it even better, I can see some dead spots in the beam that the Hella lack.

This post has been edited by Bitter: Oct 20, 2016 - 11:15 PM

[Box]

I'd imagine the Hella housings would be better, and I'd hope so given the price difference, but I'd have to see them side by side in person and it'd have to be a notable difference for me to even consider it since what I have now I'm genuinely happy with for what it cost to do and it'll hold me over until I figure out a HID setup. I'm also thinking the best bet there would be to reuse the Autopal housings and then use some clear plastic that can be heat formed to make clear plastic lenses since I can't seem to find those plastic lense ones I found a few months ago. Plus it's weird but I've never noticed any dead spots, then again GM actually had a good idea and the passenger headlight bucket is actually angled inward towards the driver's side. You can see it in the pictures of the high beams especially I posted, so I guess that could fill in and blend the beams which is why I've never noticed anything wrong.

I hate cable clutches and terrible shifters, that's how the SN95 Mustangs I tested were and it was just atrocious and killed the manual driving experience(not to mention the heavy ass clutch killed my knee). Thankfully the clutch and shifter feel on the Firebird is actually really good along with the brakes, throttle, and steering. Honestly it feels more like an import sports car of the time than it does like the Mustang, and that is a good thing.

[Bitter]

You'll notice a different, I guarantee. In some testing I ran across there was about a 25% increase in Lux at the hot spot over the Autopal and much less foreground and more light at the distance, overall a win/win situation. $43 each is a very very reasonable price, you can resell the Autopal or keep them as parts to hack up for a projector refit later.

I might return the Autopal headlamps. I'm not sure yet.

[Box]

Hmm 25% is notable. That and going back and looking at the listing I noticed they're made in Germany, I wonder if they're made by Bosch then. Also I guess you or someone else bought them since it now shows them as like $56 shipped instead from a different seller, I found where they're $100 shipped for a pair though.

K, just found them on JEG's for $39 each but have to hit $95 for free shipping: http://www.jegs.com/i/Hella/288/003177001/10002/-1
Though even without free shipping it comes out to $88 shipped.

Just going through the reviews of the Cibie 7" versus the Hella 7" I wish Cibie still made the 6" x 4" lamps. Le sigh, now I can't buy the Hella knowing there's a better halogen out there somewhere.

This post has been edited by Box: Oct 21, 2016 - 2:39 PM

[Box]

So it turns out Cibie/Valeo also still make the 200mm x 142mm lamps: https://www.amazon.de/Valeo-082462-CIBIE-AC...r/dp/B00CJO4FBK

Then I just came across the 165mm x 100mm part number which is 082397. Maybe now I might can actually find some...

YES OMG FINALLY. Turns out 082397 is left hand traffic and I noticed for 200mm 082462 is for left handed traffic and found 082464 for right handed traffic. Tried 082399 and nothing, but 082395 pulled up 165mm x 100mm for right hand traffic. THERE, maybe now can find what's needed.

This post has been edited by Box: Oct 21, 2016 - 6:01 PM