HID revisited - 2000 Miata LS

[ComputerBudda]

The most recent thread I've found on the HID discussion was a couple of years ago and I'm sure the technology has advanced. I understand that the headlight housing on the 2001+ Miata is better for HID than the 2000 but 2000 is what I've got. I'm looking at something like this OPT7 Bolt AC Slim HID Conversion Kit - All Colors and Sizes - H4 (9003) Bi-Xenon - 5000K Pure White Light - 2 Year Warranty from Amazon for under $100 and a promise of a 20 minute install.

Apart from the 20 minutes....is this just a dream or a worth while upgrade.

[ComputerBudda]

Well that didn't generate any excitement. How about an LED headlamp conversion then. The pre-2001 Miatas seem better suited to LED than to HID due to the reflector shape.....at least that's the impression I've gotten via Mr. Google et al.

Or is everyone just running standard Miata headlights?

[aalvarez04]

When you install hid's you want it at minimum to be in a projector housing headlight. The reflector housings with hid's just blind oncoming drivers. You can retrofit projectors in to your current housings or you can switch to the 2001-2005 headlights and front bumper.

[2000MiataSE]

I put my vote in on HID projectors. You do have to put your headlights in the oven to soften up the glue holding on the lens and i'd go ahead and paint the housing black as to not blind other drivers on the road. My headlights have dirt on the inside (flood car) so I'm looking into doing it when i get the time.

[aalvarez04]

[maan1986]

No experience with LED conversion. I did retrofit my 2000's headlights with a universal projector and HID setup. It's not that difficult, but you need to heat the headlights thoroughly and evenly, and you need to make sure to wear gloves and not to get any smudges on the inside of the lens or the reflective portions of the housing. Sometimes when you pull the lens apart from the housing, the glue can kind of stretch and drop where you don't want it to, but I think rubbing alcohol can clean it off.

Also, you'd rather put the money into a good set. You really only want to do this work to your lights once. I'm running the morimoto mini universal setup from theretrofitsource.com. No complaints, except for a recently burnt out relay that I'm replacing.

[ComputerBudda]

That looks really nice....but I'm not that ambitious. I've ordered the LEDs. As soon as I get them, I'll post pictures. Considered trading for a 2001+ but the boss stopped that dead in it's tracks.

[Gator Bait]

I just converted my Jeep to H4 3800 Lumen LED's. Its a 95% offroad vehicle (sees very little street) and its enough enough light that I don't feel the need for mall crawler-esque light bars. I'll be doing my NA with the some housings and their lower output versions. Bulbs made by Cycleops. Housings are IPF.

[Samshaks]

I guess you can refit your projectors into your present enclosures or you can change to front side lights.