[ryane]

Hey everyone, got 2 questions regarding some mods to my 09 CRDI, so ill keep them simple

First of all im looking at upgrading my headlights as my eye site is not the greatest at night. I was thinking of going with a HID conversion kits as they are relatively cheap and used to have them on my old car. Just wondering if some one could confirm on the laws regarding upgrading both hi and low beam. Ive heard you can only have HID in low?? is this right?

Second question is, as i have the basic SX model my indash computer only shows the Odometre and one trip computer, and also a display for any open doors.  I was wondering if it is possible to upgrade this some how so i can see fuel consumption ect...??

Thnks 

[Phil №❶]

HID's are a great lighting system. Their output is many times greater than the best halogen globes available. BUT, AFAIK they are illegal if they are not OEM fitted, that is ex factory. The big problem with them is that as they are so powerful, they can easily blind oncoming drivers, which represents a significant danger to you and others. Car with OEM HID lights usually have lens levelers attached to the suspension to cancel out this problem. I was going to do it too, but have decided not to.

As far as the trip computer goes, it's probable that the extra sensors required to calculate fuel consumption are not fitted, don't know for sure though. 

[ryane]

hmmm in that case might look at just upgrading to a more powerful bulb, herd good things about the Narva +100's....

re: the fuel consumption ill keep looking around. Thanks mate

[Phil №❶]

There are a number of members using higher intensity halogen bulbs, but as they operate at higher gas pressures in the bulb, apparently their life expectancy is shortened. Sorry to keep giving you negative info, but just telling it the way it is. 

[ryane]

No need to be sorry mate, i would rather all the info before i  go out and make a decision.....

[Phil №❶]

 

[Dazzler]

As Phil said HIDs are a bit of a tricky Upgrade in OZ. Just be aware the CRDi has a bad habit of blowing headlight globes (particularly the higher brightness ones which have a shorter lifespan anyway) Some (including me)  think the risk of this is possibly reduced if you turn them off before starting the car.

It is extremely unlikely that you can add Trip Computer Functionality to a base model (never been done on here as far as i know) You would be better off looking at a Scanguage or something like that...

Phil beat me to it... But i will try and add the link to the headlight thread

This might help too..

https://i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=1641.0

[ryane]

Turning them off before starting would make a heck of allot of sense to help burn outs.... Just came across a link or two re: scangauge and some alternatives.. will look into them.

Trying to spruce up the old girl and give her some extra bits and pieces before the one arrives

[Dazzler]

Good idea .. here's the blown globe thread

https://i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=6124.msg129720#msg129720

and lifting them a bit can help too...

https://i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=1641.0

[ryane]

thanks for the link for adjusting, just went an did that... did have a philips head so just did it by hand.. easy as

[Dazzler]

No worries 

[Waja]

I have had HIDs installed in my i30 practically ever since I got it. If you level them properly and aim them a bit lower, get the 35w and not 55w and don't go for a really cool temp then you won't be questioned. There are legality issues behind it but I haven't been questioned about it. I do alot of freeway and quite some rural driving so I much prefer the higher output of my HIDs. I have driven behind, past and have been pulled over by cops and they have never said anything about my HIDs.

The one problem is if I do have a heavy load in the back then the headlights may shine in opposing drivers especially when going up hills but the stock projectors seem to limit the spill decently.

[Dazzler]

WaJa... The mods in your signature make for interesting reading Thanks for your educated feedback on the HIDs

[ryane]

Thanks heaps Waja, appreciate it.

Like yourself i do a hell of allot of freeway and country driving, and allot at night on quite empty roads. Do you mind  if i ask what brand you went with? Also did you go with lo or hi beam option? and last what temp did you end up doing..

[ryane]

Sorry ignore the hi\lo question, just saw it in your list of mods

[Phil №❶]

All 

[Waja]

All 

Hey Ryane, there would be no point in putting HIDs for your high beams because as you would have remembered from your last car, when you flick on your HIDs on they need a period of time to warm up before you reach optimal brightness thus by putting HIDs in your highs you would barely get any output especially if you were flicking the stalk on and off. For my low beams I have 4300k HIDs (brilliant light output and don't call for attention from the cops). I bought mine from ebay and I don't remember the brand. They weren't a known brand I think and I ducked outside to have a look and it doesn't seem to have a brand on it. But when I was purchasing it, I looked for a seller with good rep and for a kit that had lots of sales and only positive feedback. In the end, practically all HID kits are the same and its the proper installation and leveling which matters in the end. If you wanted to go out of your way and do a better job, you can retro fit better projectors or install scatter shields (I am pretty sure there are older topics on this in the forum somewhere...)

In my 85,000km done so far, I have not had to change a globe whether it be high beam or low beam so far so I have been pretty lucky with that! Also another thing, if you do decide to go with HIDs, I highly do NOT recommend the 55w kits as since they have a higher output, some people in other cars have had problems with the headlight casing bubbling or melting and become foggy from all the heating and cooling over time whereas it isn't as likely with the 35w and currently my headlight housing looks like new with no fogging at all.

WaJa... The mods in your signature make for interesting reading Thanks for your educated feedback on the HIDs

Cheers Dazzler  I like to keep doing something new to my car so that it continues to feel like new 

[Waja]

Also, in regards to the trip computer upgrade, have a look around the forum. Even though I have an SLX, I am using a scangauge in my car and I think it looks great and I have set mine up to return instantaneous fuel usage (takes some calibration before it returns the right numbers), correct speed (matched to my GPS), intake air temp and another figure which I have currently forgotten...there are other options that you can choose as well and you can use xgauge features as well for alot more functions.

There are other choices for example ultragauge, turbogauge, dash hawk, interceptor. You just need to find one which you think looks good, has the features that you want and fits your budget. But if you want to go all out, nothing will beat the look of pods with actual mechanical gauges

edit: I think there was an issue with auto cars and the scangauge and I don't remember you stating which transmission you had

[ryane]

Waja thanks so much for all that information it is really helpful. I have decided to go for a 35w kit as you said.  Ordered a philips set today.

Currently looking at the scan gauge and other options. Just like you im trying to keep my car a little more moded up. Got the lights and tuning box going in late this week. And once I find one a multi-trip computer.

After that it has to be rims.

[ryane]

Oh and she is a 5spd manual