1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Alright, let's discuss this.

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Old 04-25-06, 09:25 PM
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Alright, let's discuss this.

OK, I don't like my pop-up headlights. Yeah, I know, I have an ASSLOAD of projects to do on the FB, and this is way at the bottom of the list, but anyways... I don't like them. Sure, I could do the sleek light kit from CuntPrick Racing, but nahhhh... So, I was thinking, what if I could just not have them pop all the way up, and replace them with a single rectangular bulb? For example, I found a low beam at my local Advance Auto Parts, that is probably 2 1/2 inches by 5 inches. Why not take that, remove the bulb, replace with the stock FB high/low bulb, install and enjoy? Sure, there would be some fabrication, but it shouldn't be too extreme, and from what I've seen, most bulbs are about the same size and same socket design, so swapping in the bulb should be simple enough.

Does that seem simple enough?
Old 04-25-06, 09:29 PM
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So you mean do the sleepy eye thing. It's been done from a miata sleepy eye headlight kit. If you look on ebay you can find switches that allow you to open or close your headlights to the perfect height that you like. As for chaning the bulbs, that seems like a pain in the *** to me. If you look through this section you will find where some guys were talking about doing that and the flushmount set up.
Old 04-25-06, 09:31 PM
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Yeah, the "sleepy eye" thing... I've heard the lights from the Miata kit don't work too well, which is why I'm talking about using an actual headlight versus the spots in the Miata kit.
Old 04-25-06, 09:34 PM
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Well I know people change them out with like 42 mm headlights or bigger ones. I can't remember where the thread was started. They change to that because you loose some of your lighting from the headlight being blocked from not rising all the way. I will look for the thread for you.
Old 04-25-06, 09:35 PM
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i really like the 2 small round beams in each pop-up, only opening about halfway that the one guy has.. sslov... something? the one with the chrome stock GSL-SE wheels, i grey/blue color with the TII scoop.. someone else is bound to have his car pic or a link to his cardomain site..

anyway, if anyone goes that route and wants to do a write up or build a kit, im all for it
Old 04-25-06, 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by southernrunner
Well I know people change them out with like 42 mm headlights or bigger ones. I can't remember where the thread was started. They change to that because you loose some of your lighting from the headlight being blocked from not rising all the way. I will look for the thread for you.
You're missing my point. If you replace the headlight with a rectangular bulb, you won't be blocking any of the headlight. The headlight can raise up a smaller amount, have the rectangular light mounted at the top of the assembly, and have a full beam of light, vs the cut-off from the sleepy eye thing.
Old 04-25-06, 09:37 PM
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so more of a 2nd gen headlight look?
Old 04-25-06, 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by kgray
so more of a 2nd gen headlight look?
Yes and no. Give me a minute, I'll draw it up on paper, scan it, and put it up.
Old 04-25-06, 09:38 PM
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Hey Spaz that car is sick. It was in time magazine and all kinds of crap like that. He did his with a miata sleepy eye kit but he just swaped the lights. I talked to him about it. The car is by far the cleanest 1st gen I have seen. I saw the instructions for the miata kit and it was really easy. You also have to use a few parts from your stock headlights. I will see where I can find those instructions.
Old 04-25-06, 09:40 PM
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Oh, you mean the light that somewhat resembles a foglight? Like the ones from Advanced Auto Parts? I never thought of that.
Old 04-25-06, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by southernrunner
Hey Spaz that car is sick. It was in time magazine and all kinds of crap like that. He did his with a miata sleepy eye kit but he just swaped the lights. I talked to him about it. The car is by far the cleanest 1st gen I have seen. I saw the instructions for the miata kit and it was really easy. You also have to use a few parts from your stock headlights. I will see where I can find those instructions.
thanks, i agree on the sickness level, prolly my favorite rx7 of all
Old 04-25-06, 09:41 PM
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Like a headlight from an early 90's Grand Prix... You know, long and skinny.
Old 04-25-06, 09:45 PM
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Nah can't say I do. If I am thinking of the right lights than I know what you are talking about.
Old 04-25-06, 09:47 PM
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Hey Spaz that guy lives in NY. Didn't know if you knew but yeah. This is his cardomain.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/451551

Edit: Those sleepy eyes in that link are the ones I want.
Old 04-25-06, 09:52 PM
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Forgive the outright crudeness of this drawing... It's quick and dirty, just a sketch.

Old 04-25-06, 09:57 PM
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That reminds me of that movie with Johnny 5.lol I see what you mean. That would look pretty sweet. I say you go for it and do a right up.
Old 04-25-06, 09:58 PM
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There's a guy that did something similar with lights from an infiniti suv. I'll try to find a link.
Old 04-25-06, 10:04 PM
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Here's the FD lights I was talking about.
Attached Thumbnails Alright, let's discuss this.-headlight1.jpg   Alright, let's discuss this.-headlight2.jpg  
Old 04-25-06, 10:08 PM
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Originally Posted by ApG Spaz
i really like the 2 small round beams in each pop-up, only opening about halfway that the one guy has.. sslov... something? the one with the chrome stock GSL-SE wheels, i grey/blue color with the TII scoop.. someone else is bound to have his car pic or a link to his cardomain site..

anyway, if anyone goes that route and wants to do a write up or build a kit, im all for it
Yeah that Victor Sgt Lopez here in NYC I was at a Rotary meet in NYC and saw that set up very nice set up but his lights stay up they dont close he set them that way man the pic's from RXtuner arent big enough for me to show you them but heres the pic's it was in RXtuner vol 3 issue 1

sorry that i couldn't get the pic's any bigger but i know he's on some other site here cardomain i believe
Old 04-25-06, 10:10 PM
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**** i might look into fabing that up... that would look tight with the square light
Old 04-25-06, 10:11 PM
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this guy sent me instructions on homemade sleepy eyes:

i removed the motors and stuff.. then i took off the headlight.. the spring that makes the headlight retract up and down, i took that out, then ull see two 10 mm bolts on each side just tighten them as hard as u can... put the headlight on the car.. then adjust how high u want them... then just retighten the bolts... make sure there tight as hell!


then use these headlights:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/80-87...QQcmdZViewItem
Old 04-25-06, 10:12 PM
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make sure the bolts are mad tight yo!
Old 04-25-06, 10:14 PM
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No, no, no... Not big rectangular lights, small ones, similar to the size of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-94...QQcmdZViewItem
Old 04-25-06, 10:17 PM
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ok closer to the size of fog lights. i get it... I dont know why it wouldnt work.
Old 04-25-06, 10:36 PM
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im going to do a sleepy eye conversion. i want the lights to be mobile though. i will have to use one of the kits off of ebay that regulates how high your lighst open. for bulbs i was thinking two projects per side. you should easily be able to get them from local junk yards. hell if youre lucky you might be able to pick up some HID's.

i think the hardest things youd be faced with would be making the headlight surround/mounts and making sure the lights wont hit when trying to close.

Last edited by dbragg; 04-25-06 at 10:39 PM.


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