Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: DazzerBoy on 06 November 2008, 08:15:13

Title: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: DazzerBoy on 06 November 2008, 08:15:13
Hi.  
I need to replace one of my headlight units due to water ingress and was just wondering whether anyone has had any experience of converting standard lighting to HID..?  I appreciate that the headlight unit are different but what other components would be needed......and is it practical...?  
Car is a facelift 2.2 CD.  
Cheers  
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: jim_c on 06 November 2008, 18:34:31
Hi, I converted mine by using the HID light units, then using some transformers/ballast packs from a merc. Work great. You can also get HID kits to convert your standard light units. About £130 but well worth it.
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: VX1 on 06 November 2008, 20:48:23
If you want to go the cheaper option then yes you can get the hid kits from egay. I bought a set from there and cost me £60 delivered, fitted them and they work great, best £60 I spent.

Paul  :y
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: DazzerBoy on 07 November 2008, 00:35:24
....thanks for the info guys...sounds like it's worth doing then.  So other than the light units, transformers and ballast packs would I need anything else.  Cheers
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: stuy112 on 07 November 2008, 23:19:51
I've had mine converted (pre-facelift poverty spec) using elite headlights.
Seemed fairly straightforward to swap using the existing wiring (iirc an earth wire needs to be fitted) and the old unit levelers were used so they can be adjusted in-car just like normal headlights.
The difference is amazing! The only drawback is that they need to be kept clean, which is why I'm guessing they should have headlight washers (opens a can of worms on that one again lol!)
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: VX1 on 07 November 2008, 23:52:38
Yes you are totaly correct. You need the headlight washers to keep the headlight lens clean otherwise there is no point in having them switched on.

Paul  :y
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: stuy112 on 08 November 2008, 00:12:47
Even if they were coated in mud they'd be an improvement over the standard ones  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: markey mark on 08 November 2008, 00:13:47
Quote
Even if they were coated in mud they'd be an improvement over the standard ones  ;D ;D ;D

deffo like a torch with flat batteries before !  :D
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: DazzerBoy on 20 November 2008, 15:01:01
Thanks guys.....very much appreciated.  Just need to source them now..!! :y
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: TheBoy on 20 November 2008, 18:58:37
The legal stance for retrofit is that no conversion kit is legal.

Using OEM replacement headlamp units is legal if you're car has a headlight cleaning system and a mechanism for automatically levelling the headlights (non HID'd Omegas only have a manual adjustment, except Elites which overcome the restriction as they have suspension levelling)
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: Andy B on 20 November 2008, 22:32:53
Quote
The legal stance for retrofit is that no conversion kit is legal.

Using OEM replacement headlamp units is legal if you're car has a headlight cleaning system and a mechanism for automatically levelling the headlights (non HID'd Omegas only have a manual adjustment, except Elites which overcome the restriction as they have suspension levelling)


Mmmm??? I'm with MarksDTM on HID conversions  ;)  ;)
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2008, 09:33:26
Quote
Quote
The legal stance for retrofit is that no conversion kit is legal.

Using OEM replacement headlamp units is legal if you're car has a headlight cleaning system and a mechanism for automatically levelling the headlights (non HID'd Omegas only have a manual adjustment, except Elites which overcome the restriction as they have suspension levelling)


Mmmm??? I'm with MarksDTM on HID conversions  ;)  ;)
I was just stating the legal view.

After speaking to dft, they are having a clampdown - he particularly mentioned conversion kits.  I can understand why.  I saw a Rover 800 the other day with HIDs.  They, afaik, never had clear lenses, and the glare off it was incredible. Hope that idiot gets stopped!

The reason for the rules is to prevent dazzling other road users, so on that basis, I think they are right.


If people were responsible, and used OEM HID parts, and set them responsibly, and regularly cleaned their lights, then we wouldn't need rules.  But most people who retrofit them are not responsible, bit like all the retards you see driving around with front fogs on.
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: tmx on 21 November 2008, 14:23:14
aye the local plod have an operation called BLACK Out and they are targeting cars with defective lights and they do mention illegal hid kits big problem round here as the chavs have all got them:(
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: Humpy on 21 November 2008, 14:34:01
But you could argue that if a decent conversion kit was used on a pair of projector type headlamps that the plod wouldn't pull you knowing that Omega's were fitted with Xenons as original fit?  :-/

Humpy
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: beemerdevil on 21 November 2008, 17:39:16
ok ok ok..................lol...............i tell you what, there has been sooooooooo many thoughts, ideas, opinions on this subject, could someone posibly settle it, and answer this ?????
have a 2001 facelift v6 2.6 saloon meega.......no h/light washers, but has level switch - I want to 'greatly improve' my headlights, (legally) so i can rather see at night - lol - so basically, a) what kit do i need ? b) where do i get them?? -   do vx dealers do them??? - if someone  could possibly please answer this, it would please a lot of us 'ignorant'  oofers    :y :y :y  many many thanks in advance  :y :y
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: markey mark on 21 November 2008, 17:41:30
Quote
ok ok ok..................lol...............i tell you what, there has been sooooooooo many thoughts, ideas, opinions on this subject, could someone posibly settle it, and answer this ?????
have a 2001 facelift v6 2.6 saloon meega.......no h/light washers, but has level switch - I want to 'greatly improve' my headlights, (legally) so i can rather see at night - lol - so basically, a) what kit do i need ? b) where do i get them?? -   do vx dealers do them??? - if someone  could possibly please answer this, it would please a lot of us 'ignorant'  oofers    :y :y :y  many many thanks in advance  :y :y

aye just fit a set of proper hids from cdx/elite and a set of washers job done ! just make sure you have then set proper  :y :y
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2008, 21:15:59
Quote
But you could argue that if a decent conversion kit was used on a pair of projector type headlamps that the plod wouldn't pull you knowing that Omega's were fitted with Xenons as original fit?  :-/

Humpy
Seeign as no conversion kit will ever be legal in UK, you are unlikely to get 'quality' ones...
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2008, 21:21:28
Quote
ok ok ok..................lol...............i tell you what, there has been sooooooooo many thoughts, ideas, opinions on this subject, could someone posibly settle it, and answer this ?????
have a 2001 facelift v6 2.6 saloon meega.......no h/light washers, but has level switch - I want to 'greatly improve' my headlights, (legally) so i can rather see at night - lol - so basically, a) what kit do i need ? b) where do i get them?? -   do vx dealers do them??? - if someone  could possibly please answer this, it would please a lot of us 'ignorant'  oofers    :y :y :y  many many thanks in advance  :y :y

To be legal, you need to buy HID Headlight units, ballast packs, HID bulbs (expect £600 - £800 for parts at dealer prices).  You also need to buy washing system - pipework, pump, nozzles etc.  If your car does not have self levelling suspension, you will need to add this, or automatic headlight levelling system.


In reality, not finacially feasible, and a load of work. If you want to stay legal, you're probably better off changing the car!
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: tmx on 21 November 2008, 21:24:56
yep my mv6 has got level sensors for the headlamp leveling! and washers ! hids with out washers are preety dodgy tbh if they get dirty the performance of the xenon bulb can be greatly affected hence the need for wash lamp washers!!

they need levellers so they dont blind other motorists thats how the plod will spot you!
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2008, 21:27:05
Quote
yep my mv6 has got level sensors for the headlamp leveling! and washers ! hids with out washers are preety dodgy tbh if they get dirty the performance of the xenon bulb can be greatly affected hence the need for wash lamp washers!!

they need levellers so they dont blind other motorists thats how the plod will spot you!
HID light is adversely affected by small amounts of grime (worse than halogen), but the washers are required to reduce any glare caused by the grime
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: tmx on 21 November 2008, 21:32:01
thanks for that mr The Boy you learn something new everyday!
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: Andy B on 21 November 2008, 21:35:07
Quote
......
HID light is adversely affected by small amounts of grime (worse than halogen), but the washers are required to reduce any glare caused by the grime

You'll only be half blinded my me then!  ::) One of my washers stays put on the bumper ...... the spare is still in a drawer in the garage  :-[  :y
Title: Re: Upgrading to HID Headlights
Post by: Martin_1962 on 22 November 2008, 12:05:01
Quote
aye the local plod have an operation called BLACK Out and they are targeting cars with defective lights and they do mention illegal hid kits big problem round here as the chavs have all got them:(


I think an Omega would be fine if correctly adjusted