Attempt to retrofit 2.5" lens Bi-xenon HID into Gen 1 - Any Help?

Ryan_C · 03-09-2011, 03:26 AM

It seems like I want to find project after project now for the Gen 1 Insight I picked up last November.

I have done a TSX projector retrofit into my ITR, and it took me forever. I had to have been one of the first couple ones to do it. I have loved those tsx glass projector bulbs for years! My mind is telling me I need them for my now daily driven Insight.

So I did a couple searches, and found that a company called Morimoto is making Bi-Xenon retrofit kits. This would be a Low/High HID output for a headlight that is like the Insight 1, since we depend on the same bulb for Low beam and also High Beam. Come to find out, these are really basic on installation as well. I just am not sure if they would be the right candidate in terms of depth for the Insight headlight.

One in particular I am looking at is this: "Morimoto Mini d2s Bixenon Projectors w/ h4 adapters" with a lens diameter of 2.5" ~ $100-$130

As far as the bulbs and ballasts go, those projectors are setup to work with a D2S bulb. I have picked up plug and play kits for friends on HIDExtra.com The leader in Xenon HID conversion kits and I have never had a problem with the slim ballast kits they sell. They have a newer slim black ballast kit on sale until the end of this week(3/13) for $50 shipped.

One thing I don't know much about are the shrouds that everyone discusses. I have never had to use a shroud because I would pick the projector that fit right and looked fine without one. Which shroud would be best for our headlight (Insight 1, I1, Gen 1)?

If anyone else has knowledge in HID retrofits or retrofitting, please do not be shy. Please respond.

Right Lane Cruiser · 03-09-2011, 11:29 AM

You may want to take a look at the issues Randall had with his install -- eventually he took it out. You can read about it at the link below:

HID install on Honda Insight - CleanMPG Forums

Ryan_C · 03-09-2011, 09:47 PM

It sounds like the main issue lies with using a plug-n-play hid kit. Those were made as a substitute to retrofitting a true hid projector into the housing of a non-hid headlight. Placing a bulb that is HiD into a headlight housing that's designed for a halogen bulb will create light scatter all over, and that's why the cops aren't exactly happy about certain cars that have HID.

I really made this topic to see if anyone had looked into or checked out these retrofit friendly projectors that are labeled Morimoto.

02insight · 03-11-2011, 11:46 AM

i looked into it, but shy away, because i might mess up my headlights if I try to open and mod them as I haven't done this before, only read how-to's. If I had a spare set, I would try it. I think i read somewhere about a EP3 retrofit, and those headlights are very similar to the insight's.

sdtrojan · 05-03-2012, 01:54 PM

Any word on how the Install went? i have contacted the retrofitsource.com and they recommended the H1 kit over the D2s kit... and said that there would be no modification to the original housing required other than baking off the front lens...

TheOtherHalf · 05-08-2012, 04:35 PM

This is a bit of a custom job for the hard core DIY, but it's all done with easy to acquire parts and tools.

Looks a little crude at first, but stick with it, the finished product is excellent.

Part 1

(1) How to build HID projector headlights - YouTube

Part 2

(2) How to build HID projector headlights - YouTube

Part 3

(3) How to build HID projector headlights - YouTube

Part 4

You Tube