Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Morimoto Mini H1 - Super Easy in a Bosch Smiley

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Morimoto Mini H1 - Super Easy in a Bosch Smiley

    Net-net, you're trading a bit of quality vs. an FX-R for HUGELY reduced size. They are still very decent projectors, and, IMHO, better than the TFX setup that dominated in early projector retrofits (FX-35 with TSX lens).

    The really cool thing about the Minis is that you can install them ENTIRELY within the euro smiley casing, which solves the whole sealing problem. All I did was remove the existing lens assembly, and drill out the existing H1 mount. You need to use the H1 Mini as the D2S plug is wired out the side and will be a pain in the ass to fit. Pick the right drill size and you can also use the stock cap.

    Positioning: ghetto rigging is pretty easy. The projectors came with ugly shrouds. At first, I thought that I would throw them out, but with a bit of trimming, they let you easily drop the projectors in flat against the shroud, and they space the projector lens back from the outer Bosch lens. I attached four aluminum strips to these and bent them to the back for mounting. So far, this is actually working as a press fit. If anything moves, I will drill a couple holes and fix in place.

    One of the really nice things on the e30 is that you have some forgiveness on horizontal alignment. If you are in the ballpark, you can get it right by tweaking the whole assembly. I eyeballed the projectors into the housings, and was able to get them tweaked perfectly very easily.

    One warning: for some idiotic reason, even american sellers are pushing a lot of RHD versions of the Minis. Because I'm apparently bad at reading, I bought one of those sets. It's fixable, but not as good as having the correct shrouds to start with. My cutoff isn't *quite* as good as it would otherwise be due to this. This is pretty damned minor, though. The improvement is HUGE.

    I will eventually post pictures. I'll have the assemblies out to finish wiring in the bi-xenon solenoids.
    2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison
    2002 BMW M3 Alpinweiß/Black
    1999 323i GTS2 Alpinweiß
    1995 M3 Dakargelb/Black
    - S50B32/S6S420G/3.91
    1990 325is Brilliantrot/Tan
    1989 M3 Alpinweiß/Black

    Hers: 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo Black/Black
    Hers: 1988 325iX Coupe Diamantschwartz/Black 5spd

    sigpic

    #2
    I'm assuming you did it like this?

    Bimmerforums is the preferred online BMW Forum and community for BMW owners. At Bimmerforums, you will find technical how-to information maintenance specifics audio advice wheel and tire combinations and model specific details not found anywhere else. Our professionals are here to help make sure you find the answers you need to your questions and our community is here to help other brainstorm ideas for the future.

    Comment


      #3
      Not really. My install was simultaneously way more half assed, but also better. I drilled THROUGH the rear bulb mount, but left the outside intact. This means that the stock plastic cap still works, which is preferable, IMHO. Additionally, the projectors are crammed in forward, so that they are all the way up against the interior shroud, as is stock. No visible gap.

      Net-net, though, it's an extremely easy job if you have access to a drill press.
      2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison
      2002 BMW M3 Alpinweiß/Black
      1999 323i GTS2 Alpinweiß
      1995 M3 Dakargelb/Black
      - S50B32/S6S420G/3.91
      1990 325is Brilliantrot/Tan
      1989 M3 Alpinweiß/Black

      Hers: 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo Black/Black
      Hers: 1988 325iX Coupe Diamantschwartz/Black 5spd

      sigpic

      Comment


        #4
        waiting for pictures. I've been thinking about doing a real retrofit because I hate the light output with halogens, and I hate everything about ebay HID kits. I've been apprehensive about hacking things apart though.
        Originally posted by priapism
        My girl don't know shit, but she bakes a mean cupcake.
        Originally posted by shameson
        Usually it's best not to know how much money you have into your e30

        Comment


          #5
          I'd love to see some pictures of what you did. I more or less understand from what you wrote, but a picture is worth a thousand words as they say.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by NitroRustlerDriver View Post
            I'd love to see some pictures of what you did. I more or less understand from what you wrote, but a picture is worth a thousand words as they say.
            Well, as I noted, I had a massive reading comprehension fail when I ordered them, so I will be taking it all apart to install the correct, unmolested cutoff shields. Hopefully this weekend, if they get in the mail by tomorrow.
            2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison
            2002 BMW M3 Alpinweiß/Black
            1999 323i GTS2 Alpinweiß
            1995 M3 Dakargelb/Black
            - S50B32/S6S420G/3.91
            1990 325is Brilliantrot/Tan
            1989 M3 Alpinweiß/Black

            Hers: 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo Black/Black
            Hers: 1988 325iX Coupe Diamantschwartz/Black 5spd

            sigpic

            Comment


              #7
              any updates?

              form.follows.function IG @mplfoster

              Comment


                #8
                Morimoto Mini H1 - Super Easy in a Bosch Smiley

                Projector in trimmed down shroud:

                Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1384226573.691618.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	33.1 KB
ID:	7161376

                The shrouds's only function is to act as a spacer and centering device:

                Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1384226649.212293.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	54.8 KB
ID:	7161377

                Here's how I cut the back cover:

                Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1384226668.880667.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	31.6 KB
ID:	7161378

                And let's charitably call these the retaining springs. :)

                Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1384226704.916959.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	52.8 KB
ID:	7161379

                A quick low beam shot:

                Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1384226763.772088.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	27.4 KB
ID:	7161380

                A quick high beam shot:

                Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1384226798.958250.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	28.5 KB
ID:	7161381

                The low beams are very nice. Better, IMHO, than the TFX setup in my M3 - although these do have a wattage advantage as it's a pain in the ass the change ballasts on the E46.

                The high beams, in combination with my HIR 9011s, are batshit insane. The pencil beam stock high beams have great throw, while the bi-xenons just fill in, well, everything. Sadly, my wife wanted to go home, so real throw pictures will have to wait. :)

                Edit: I could have sworn that I took a picture from the front, but apparently not. I'll get that along with the throw pictures.
                2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison
                2002 BMW M3 Alpinweiß/Black
                1999 323i GTS2 Alpinweiß
                1995 M3 Dakargelb/Black
                - S50B32/S6S420G/3.91
                1990 325is Brilliantrot/Tan
                1989 M3 Alpinweiß/Black

                Hers: 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo Black/Black
                Hers: 1988 325iX Coupe Diamantschwartz/Black 5spd

                sigpic

                Comment


                  #9
                  Mike took a couple of throw pictures for me. I've been busy getting the 993TT drive cycled, so I haven't had the 330 around to take pictures with. Eventually, I'll get some better shots. For scale in the high beam shot, the turn in the road is a quarter mile away.

                  Low beams:

                  Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1385046725.004250.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	25.5 KB
ID:	7161517

                  High beams:

                  Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1385046755.905180.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	28.4 KB
ID:	7161518

                  The one thing that I'm not completely thrilled about is that one of the projectors required a LOT of tweaking to get it in focus. You can see how the right one is aimed well forward on the ground. Ultimately, it doesn't really impact light output, but it's annoying since I'd prefer symmetry.
                  2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison
                  2002 BMW M3 Alpinweiß/Black
                  1999 323i GTS2 Alpinweiß
                  1995 M3 Dakargelb/Black
                  - S50B32/S6S420G/3.91
                  1990 325is Brilliantrot/Tan
                  1989 M3 Alpinweiß/Black

                  Hers: 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo Black/Black
                  Hers: 1988 325iX Coupe Diamantschwartz/Black 5spd

                  sigpic

                  Comment

                  Working...
                  X