BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
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From: Big Sandy, TX
Car: 1985 z28, 1994 Sierra
Engine: 350, 350
Transmission: T-5, 4L60E
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
How are y'all adjusting the beams properly? I would like to do this swap but I drive primarily in the evening and night.
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From: Birmingham, AL
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
i was wondering the same thing- looks good doesn't matter to me if they don't function correctly and improve night driving capability.
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
Usacamaro:
Awesome! I cant wait to get mine in! Im waiting on 2 replacement halo rings, as my dumb a$$ broke them trying to install them the wrong way.
Ls1fiend:
Mine had the long adjustment screws, so im thinking about just drilling a hole in the rad. support and letting the screw extend through it, so it can still be functional.
Awesome! I cant wait to get mine in! Im waiting on 2 replacement halo rings, as my dumb a$$ broke them trying to install them the wrong way.
Ls1fiend:
Mine had the long adjustment screws, so im thinking about just drilling a hole in the rad. support and letting the screw extend through it, so it can still be functional.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 222
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From: louisiana
Car: 92 rs & 89rs
Engine: 305
Transmission: auto & t5
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
thanks for the complements guys .i finally got to drive outside at night and big difference over stock . not sure if they are adjusted perfect but i still can get to the factory adjusting screws in the bmw lights .
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Joined: May 2011
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From: Upper Midwest
Car: 1989 RS
Engine: 305 ci
Transmission: 700r4
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
how much did the whole conversion cost you?? and do u have pics of the wiring mods to?? i really want to try to do that, cost is a big issue for anyone with the way the economy is today. looks absolutly AMAZING!!!!!!!! love it!
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Tewksbury Ma
Car: 91 camaro
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42:1
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
I just did this headlight swap to my car but i was wondering if anyone has wiring experience in changing over to a 9005 9006 setup. My low beam has three wires this is what confuses me. Ive looked arond on the boards and plenty of people have asked about this but never seem to get a straight answer. Any suggetions???
P.s. any help with wiring the halos to would be greatly apreciated
P.s. any help with wiring the halos to would be greatly apreciated
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From: Houston Area
Car: Faster
Engine: Than
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Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
I have the exact lights and halos as ramair21 brand new in the box but never did the install. I decided that I just couldn't cut my particular car for this mod. So, I thought about buying another car to do this mod to. When I realized that I probably wont have the funds for a new thirdgen project for quite some time, I'm most likely going to sell my set of lights. PM me if interested.
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
http://headlightsbest.blogspot.com/2...xenon-hid.html
I'd like these on my 3rd gen, but I didn't know there was to be so much cutting and bracing for this mod. I don't have the resources yet, but when I do, I'll get back to you guys. I think its bi xenon or nothing =D. Gotta have my highbeams to flash people who irk me on the road.
I'd like these on my 3rd gen, but I didn't know there was to be so much cutting and bracing for this mod. I don't have the resources yet, but when I do, I'll get back to you guys. I think its bi xenon or nothing =D. Gotta have my highbeams to flash people who irk me on the road.
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
WHAT ARE THESE HEADLIGHTS? I'm looking for these sexy headlights that turn ninja in different angles. That's love dipped in nutella and licked off you by many many women.
drooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool
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From: Arlington, Tx
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: empty bay (for now)
Transmission: Built T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 stock posi disc
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
hes actually parting that car out. pm him and see how much he wants for the headlights?
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: stallings,n.c.
Car: 1989 camaro rs convertable
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 7.5"3.42 gears forth gen 2000 camar
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
i love the look and second the idea that someone should manufacture them to fit our cars.
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From: charlotte
Car: 1986 Camaro
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 411
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
Hey Quick Question For You Guys Doing The E36 Swap, Are The DEPO Brand On Ebay Decent? Or Do They Fit The Same As The Stock E36 Lights Like The Over All Shape Of The Back? Just Want To Make Sure I Get The Right Ones Before I Spend The Money On Them Thanks!
Here's The Link Just In Case It Helps
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E36-Brig...t_12000wt_1037
Here's The Link Just In Case It Helps
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E36-Brig...t_12000wt_1037
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From: Arlington, Tx
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: empty bay (for now)
Transmission: Built T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 stock posi disc
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
depo is one of the best OEM replacement lights you can get. the auto body shop i worked at delt exclusively with depo when replacing lights.
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From: charlotte
Car: 1986 Camaro
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 411
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
Alright cool thank you for the help, i also noticed in one of the ebay pictures, on the back of the headlight it looks a little bit shorter so maybe i wont need to cut my radiator support to make them fit. Did you ever work on a 3rd Gen. headlight swap with these Depo E36 headlights or have you seen it done at the auto body shop you worked at?
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From: Arlington, Tx
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: empty bay (for now)
Transmission: Built T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 stock posi disc
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
nope, the only swap ive seen up close is the one matt did on his car.
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From: Lafayette, IN
Car: '85 IrocZ
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
Would definitely be interested to see how the DEPO ones work out! This is pretty awesome, it's really cool a few people have started doing it too!
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From: Katy TEXAS (West Houston)
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
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Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4 W/ Corvette shift kit
Axle/Gears: 2:73 open
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
Sweet man, these lights dont even look out of place in these cars.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Spokane Washington
Car: 1989 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
Bringing this old thread back.
So yesterday I came across a pair of the US ones at a local junkyard and picked them up for relatively cheap. I cleaned them up and set them in place of the 4x6's and loved the look (see attached pic). I'm ordering a cheap set of the CCFL angel eyes and ill attempt to mount them with as little modification possible. My only question is, which wires on the 9005/9006 are pos/neg?
So yesterday I came across a pair of the US ones at a local junkyard and picked them up for relatively cheap. I cleaned them up and set them in place of the 4x6's and loved the look (see attached pic). I'm ordering a cheap set of the CCFL angel eyes and ill attempt to mount them with as little modification possible. My only question is, which wires on the 9005/9006 are pos/neg?
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Boston, MA
Car: 1983 Pontiac Trans Am Daytona 500
Engine: Crossfire 305ci V8
Transmission: Jasper 700R4 4 speed Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip/posi
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
your progress is coming along great
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,943
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From: Boston, MA
Car: 1983 Pontiac Trans Am Daytona 500
Engine: Crossfire 305ci V8
Transmission: Jasper 700R4 4 speed Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip/posi
Supreme Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,271
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From: stallings,n.c.
Car: 1989 camaro rs convertable
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 7.5"3.42 gears forth gen 2000 camar
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From: Houston Area
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Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
I have a brand new never installed set of Euro Specs with halo's for sale. They are the exact same ones as Ram-air21 has on his car. PM me if interested.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,041
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From: West of Toronto
Car: 89 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI / ZZ4 cam
Transmission: Stage 2 700R4, LS1 driveshaft
Axle/Gears: Strange 3.42 w/ Auburn
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
Rear subframe bushings wear out, allows excess flex, warps and bends the thin sheetmetal to the point of tearing. Leaves the car a bit saggy in the back, and uneducated owners kind of helpless. Running 325i = $500. OEM rear subframe reinforcement plates (They addressed the issue with these plates on the M3), and Turner Motorsport solid billet aluminum bushings (I'll take a slightly bumpier ride for a permanent fix, and a racier, snappier feel) = $329.39.
Not too bad of an initial investment on a decent car.

Poor Iroc lost it's spot in the 2 car garage, and is in the shed now. After the next year or so, I'm probably going to start looking for an LS1/T56 donor car. But yes, I'll keep the BMW headlights, on the BMW.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Houston, Texas
Car: 1986 Camaro
Engine: LS6
Transmission: Tick Stage 2 T56
Axle/Gears: Moser 12 Bolt
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
I have never liked the stock headlight look. Im definitely doing this mod!
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From: Wyoming
Car: 1987 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI swapped to Holly 4bbl
Transmission: WC T5
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
This mod was on my long list of things to do, but yesterday I ran across a BMW with these headlights and I pulled them out and offered the guy $10 bucks and he said yes. My question is, these are the US version (not projectors), so is there any way to put the halos on these?
The lights were fogged, cloudy, and scratched all to heck, but after a couple hours of sanding and buffing they look damn near brand new, if anyone is interested I can throw up pics and what I used on them.
The lights were fogged, cloudy, and scratched all to heck, but after a couple hours of sanding and buffing they look damn near brand new, if anyone is interested I can throw up pics and what I used on them.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 58
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From: Houston, Texas
Car: 1986 Camaro
Engine: LS6
Transmission: Tick Stage 2 T56
Axle/Gears: Moser 12 Bolt
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
IIRC the US ones can't use the halos. You can post up pics! I'd love to see em!
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From: Wyoming
Car: 1987 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI swapped to Holly 4bbl
Transmission: WC T5
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
Well poo! Although with as little money as I have into them, I may have to order the cheaper halos just to see if I could fab up some little mounts for them and make them work. If not, I'll have halos for when I upgrade to EURO styles (epsecially sinces all the cutting will be done to the car, will make it an easy swap!)
Here are some pics of the before and after...not bad for $10 headlights if I do say so myself!
Before:

After:

Before (left) After (right):

Both Done:
Here are some pics of the before and after...not bad for $10 headlights if I do say so myself!
Before:
After:
Before (left) After (right):
Both Done:
Last edited by WyoJames; Nov 7, 2012 at 08:32 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Car: 1986 Camaro
Engine: LS6
Transmission: Tick Stage 2 T56
Axle/Gears: Moser 12 Bolt
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
Yeah, those look a lot better after you polished them. The euro lights are also glass. Yours are plastic right? I think they would still look awesome as is!
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 66
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From: Wyoming
Car: 1987 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI swapped to Holly 4bbl
Transmission: WC T5
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
Yeah, they are good ole plastic. But I'm going to try some different mod'ing to the housing in hopes of not have to cut as much on the car. Which is something I wouldn't want to do had I bought a set of nice headlights with glass lenses
Re: BMW E36 Headlight Conversion
Just finished doing this to my 91 . Looks great thanks to everyone who posted tips,pics,and ideas it was very helpful. still have to figure out how to get my brights to work properly ,find a more permanent mounting solution and get the gaps on the sides right. But this was an awesome mod defiantly worth the time and $$$









