DIY / Review: Helix Replica Jetta OEM HID Projectors

[bluefox280]

Oh, the joys of proper exterior lighting on a vehicle!

Background:
HIDs, or as correctly known as High Intensity Discharge lights, are coveted... constantly.
And the only way to get good fitting / looking HIDs was buying OEM components.
That was until Helix and Eastern Euro Tuning (EET) (PLEASE NOTE: EET is having some business problems) brought out replica OEM projector housings.
I, like many, DROOLED in thought of owning HIDs...
Taking the challenge, I bought the headlights to give them a whirl.

- Disclaimer -
As always, I am NOT responsible for the careless acts of others when using this DIY as a reference.
Basically all of you are smart enough not to stab yourself, the very important wiring, or the paint on your car.
Be careful and take any precautionary measures that you deem necessary for completing this task.

Supplies:
* Helix HX Bora OEM HID Replica Headlights (pair - left + right)
- includes two euro harnesses, two American harnesses, four D2S bulb holders, three blanks to fill in euro harness holes, and HID-harness jumper
* (2x) D2S bulbs + ballasts
* (2x) BAX9S city light bulbs / LEDs
* (2x) H21W halogen bulbs (Audi P/N #N-104-456-02)
* (2x) H7 headlight bulbs

* (4x) 1/4" male spade electrical connectors (if HID-harness jumpers are not included)

Tools:
* flathead screwdriver
* Phillips screwdriver
* dremel
* electrical crimper
* Sharpie marker

Process:
- Remove backside cover with headlight connection on it
- Remove European 12-pin connector + harness from headlight housing
- Dremel off excess flash off the American 10-pin connector to allow proper fitment
- Install American 10-pin connector + harness that came with headlights (retainer tab facing upwards)
- Install H7, BAX9S, and H21W (do not touch H7 glass) and connect to appropriate wiring harness connections [Figure #3]
- Remove HID backside cover, install D2S bulb with retainer ring
- Wire HID leads to headlight harness through headlight housing [Figure #3]
- Install male spade electrical connections if HID-harness jumper is not included
- Install ballast connection to D2S bulb, allow wire to hang naturally
- Place HID backside cover over the seem and determine appropriate place + size for wiring hole; mark accordingly
- Dremel out hole at the seal connection to allow ballast connection and HID leads to pass through backside cover
- Optional: mount ballasts to headlight housings; some ingenuity and extra supplies may be required depending on ballast holder...
- Install on vehicle, testing light output first, by removing the grill, front fasica and existing headlights

Figure #1: The headlight package from EET; hidden from view are two D2S retainer rings, and one European harness

Figure #2: The bulbs and extras (Lamin-x for the headlights); not shown are the H7's

Figure #3: The American 10-pin connector wiring harness [starting at top, going counter-clockwise]
- H21W socket (green, black)
- Rheostat connector? (red, black, brown) - NOT USED!
- BAX9S socket (red, black)
- H7 socket (white, brown)
- D2S female terminals (yellow [positive +], brown [grown, negative -])

Figure #4: Ballast mounted, and all covers on headlight housing

Full Detail Review:

Installation
After researching from other who purchased the headlights, they said it would be a straight plug-n-play modification.
It was! The only electrical installation I had to make was adding male spade connections for the HID ballast leads.
I was hoping that the ballasts could mount underneath the housing similar to the OEM HIDs...
However, upon installation, the ballasts sit too low and deep into the engine bay.
There was interference with the intercooler-throttle body charge pipe (passenger), and the battery (driver).
But, after removing them from the housings, they fit snug inbetween the wash tank (passenger) and the battery (driver) without issue.

Fitment + Finish
The housings fit great in the front clip assembly.
Body lines and overall fit + finish is spectacular for aftermarket lights.
And the price is reasonable compared to hard to find and overly expensive OEM HIDs.

Aiming / Alignment
This can be debated, but assumed the projectors should be leveled at the same way incadecent European (e-codes) headlights are.
Upon that, I run out of physical adjustment on the headlights using the screw dials, and they were still to low.
Therefore, I had to shim the lower two mounting tabs to "lift" up the housing to get correct aiming.

Lighting Output
Was impressed to have HIDs on my car...
And it was very different; especially for an owner who's always had North American reflectors with normal bulbs.
The 'cutoff' does have a slight slope on both side of the angle but that doesn't affect light output.
But the 'cutoff' provided a definite line between the road and road signs, etc.

- Erik

Thanks to xposed, turdbogls, and Matthew@EET for all the help and guideance.

Modified by bluefox280 at 7:56 PM 9-27-2006


Modified by bluefox280 at 5:47 PM 1-24-2007

[bluefox280]

Total = $974.25

- Housings: $499 shipped
- D2S HID Kit: $401.88 shipped
- BAX9S LEDs: $10.75 shipped
- H21W halogens: $19.42 picked up
- H7 high beams: $43.20 picked up

Saved around $420 compared to retail $1395.00 (without shipping) OEM housings / set-up.

Installed Daytime Photos:

Installed Night Photos:
(NOTE: Color temperature off HID kit pictured is 4300K.)

Concrete; curb ~120 feet away

Asphault

Beam (photo filtered in Sepia to remove color imperfections in wall)

- Erik


Modified by bluefox280 at 7:54 PM 9-27-2006

[herbehop]

as always, nice writeup.

added to exterior lighting portion of the faq.

[Matthew@EET]

ohhh yes!!!

Very professional write up!
Thank you so much!

[supreme!]

I would like to see pictures. TTT for pics

[foundubbedriver]

awesome diy post but how comparible is it to wiring/moding the gti projector replicas; im guessing it cant be too far off? i know they use the oem housing as well..?


Modified by foundubbedriver at 1:50 AM 9-20-2006

[Veedubin02]

These headlights have the Bosch Projectors in them just like the OEM HIDs, they really are the same headlights with a different design on the bottom.

[bigmak]

total cost?

[Veedubin02]

They are being sold right now for like 800 I think from EET

[bigmak]

Quote, originally posted by Veedubin02 »

They are being sold right now for like 800 I think from EET

cost including the bulbs, ballasts, etc.

[Veedubin02]

Thats the housing dna HID kit which includes HID bulbes I think you still need the high beam and blinker bulbs

[bigmak]

Quote, originally posted by Veedubin02 »

Thats the housing dna HID kit which includes HID bulbes I think you still need the high beam and blinker bulbs

the bulbs are not included with the headlights. erik was pming me asking for information on where to buy bulbs and ballasts. note the supplies list--it's listed separately from the housings.

[85vrcoupe]

if it is only for the housing, what did it cost you after purchasing all the other parts parts??

[bigmak]

Quote, originally posted by 85vrcoupe »

if it is only for the housing, what did it cost you after purchasing all the other parts parts??

i asked for "total cost?" 5 posts above yours.

[00boraslow]

cant wait to see some pics

[spkn^GRMN]

nice detailed write-up Erik!!!

[Veedubin02]

Quote, originally posted by bigmak »

i asked for "total cost?" 5 posts above yours.

I will punch you in the face this weekend... haha well consider how much the rest of the bulbs usually cost. 15-20 for all four blinkers 45-50 for good highbeam bulbs and city lights LEDs another 10-15.

[bluefox280]

Quote, originally posted by bigmak »

total cost?

Total = $974.25

- Housings: $499 shipped
- D2S HID Kit: $401.88 shipped
- BAX9S LEDs: $10.75 shipped
- H21W halogens: $19.42 picked up
- H7 high beams: $43.20 picked up

Saved around $420 compared to OEM housings / set-up.

- Erik

[GS Audio]

GREAT write-up! Can't wait for more pics!

[dieselgti]

Can't wait to see the output of these lights! Thanks for the write up!

[pheller]

Quote, originally posted by bluefox280 »

Total = $974.25 - Housings: $499 shipped - D2S HID Kit: $401.88 shipped - BAX9S LEDs: $10.75 shipped - H21W halogens: $19.42 picked up - H7 high beams: $43.20 picked up Saved around $420 compared to OEM housings / set-up. - Erik

Well, if you don't mind rolling the ebay.de dice, it is possible to get the OEM Xenon headlights for less.

Specifically, I paid $750 for my 2002.5+ pair.

Nevertheless, these aftermarket replicas do look quite nice. But, the beam pattern pictures I've seen so far don't look much like that from my OEM pair.

I look forward to seeing some pics of the pattern Erik -- I do hope they are identical -- so I have a viable source for an Insurance replacement should the unfortunate happen some day.

[bluefox280]

Quote, originally posted by pheller »

I look forward to seeing some pics of the pattern Erik -- I do hope they are identical -- so I have a viable source for an Insurance replacement should the unfortunate happen some day.

I am aiming the headlights tonight after work.
I want to take my time and make sure I don't ruin anything.
It may be a day or so till I can get night-shots up.

Bump for day-time shots up.

- Erik


Modified by bluefox280 at 1:00 PM 9-20-2006

[bLeW-DuB]

erik

great write up as always

[siuson2]

Good stuff. Gotta love the bluefox

[Bora_Azul]

i want HID's

[gawa]

Those helix replica OEM HID housings look so good. Nice job on the write up.

[I Crush Vag's]

Paid $750 SHIPPED for a brand new set of OEM HIDS from Ebay.de

[Medic83]

I have the same lights. They are AWESOME!!!

[spkn^GRMN]

post some pics of those bad boys in action!

[pilotboy17]

Wow this is so freakin awesome. I was at H20 and after seeing all the Jetta's with OEM HID's made me wish I could own them too...but I knew they cost a lot. Well I did some searching anyway and found the Helix and them came across this thread.

Now, I can buy the pieces one by one instead of gathering $1400. This DIY looks good. Hope to see those night pics soon!

[Buddha09]

http://easterneurotuning.com/B...hrome

Is this what I would use if I wanted to do the HID conversion for my golf headlights?

[bluefox280]

Quote, originally posted by Buddha09 »

Is this what I would use if I wanted to do the HID conversion for my golf headlights?

Get in contact with Matthew@EET; he'll answer all you GTI questions.

- Erik

[xLLOYDESSEUSx]

looks great man.

[GS Audio]

Any chnace we can see some shots against a garage or wall? To see cut-off sharpness.

[67Customs]

Very nice Erik.