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headlight mod idea

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Old Sep 4, 2009 | 12:16 PM
  #1  
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Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: LG4 305ci 4bbl
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Axle/Gears: 10-bolt open diff.
headlight mod idea

i've been thinking about doing a headlight mod on my '83 bird. i was searching ebay the other day looking for something that might fit and i came across a conversion housing for the old Nissan 240SX and it looks like it might fit...may need a little trimming but i think it would work. i have to do a little more research on the size and fit before i spend the money, but i thought it looked interesting...and i don't think it would look half bad either.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/89-90...Q5fAccessories
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Old Sep 4, 2009 | 04:00 PM
  #2  
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From: Ft. Wayne, IN
Car: 1987 Firebird Formula
Engine: 355
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Axle/Gears: Posi, 3.23
Re: headlight mod idea

IMHO, it won't look good at all. Firebirds look best with the pop ups, that's basically what separates them from Camaros. And I think you'll find the majority of people on here will say the same thing.

If you want to see if they'll fit, you need to go look at a 240 and take some measurements or something. If you can't find one, let me know. My buddy down the street has one, I might be able to do something for you if you're really interested in trying that.
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Old Sep 4, 2009 | 05:03 PM
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
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Re: headlight mod idea

I saw this Fiero years ago, at a car show.....
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Old Sep 4, 2009 | 05:58 PM
  #4  
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Car: 86 TA, 91 B4C
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Re: headlight mod idea

Definitely let me know how it might work, i am dying to ditch the pop up setup as the motors and relays are out and i refuse to fix the crap since it will just break again.
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Old Sep 4, 2009 | 11:02 PM
  #5  
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From: Augusta,GA
Car: 1992 Z03 RS
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Axle/Gears: bone stock
Re: headlight mod idea

just my two cents but the only two things on a third gen that are round and look good are wheels and exhaust tips. They have kind of a NSX look to em'.
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Old Sep 4, 2009 | 11:17 PM
  #6  
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From: Huntington, NY
Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
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Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt open diff.
Re: headlight mod idea

if i were going to do it, i'd make a lexan cover to match the curve of the hood...i think it would look weird if i just left it exposed like the 240SX has it. and i have round fog lights on my car, so i think that might make it look better.

i'll let you guys know any info i find and i'll def post pics if i decide to do it.
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Old Sep 5, 2009 | 05:08 PM
  #7  
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From: Huntington, NY
Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: LG4 305ci 4bbl
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt open diff.
Re: headlight mod idea

ok, so after spending WAY too much time looking through r!cer sites and forums, i've determined that the S13 (89-94) 240SX headlight conversion housings should fit in place of the Firebird's pop up headlights. the SX's use the H6054 just like the Birds, the pop up housings look very similar to the Bird's, and the fenders and hood have similar lines/curves as the Bird.

i've decided to go with a different seller, because he offers the same housings, but with an HID conversion kit. its not that much more money, and it seems to be worth it. i'm going to buy these and do it as soon as i have the money, so stand by for updates and pics.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT
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Old Sep 5, 2009 | 06:01 PM
  #8  
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From: Hou. TX
Car: 86 TA, 91 B4C
Engine: 5.3, 4.8
Transmission: 4L80 4000, T56
Axle/Gears: 4.30 M12, 23.42 10 bolt
Re: headlight mod idea

I seriously hope it works on your car. I would love to do it to my 86 TA. It might looks a bit different than i want, but it will look better than the stupid *** headlights always being up.
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Old Sep 5, 2009 | 06:21 PM
  #9  
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From: N. Virginia
Car: 1988 Firebird - 1998 Z28
Engine: 2.8 - LS1
Re: headlight mod idea

I looked into this like a year ago. even made a thread about it. I'm pretty sure they are slightly thinner. And they are a bit longer.. I figured it was to much work to bother with..

But i would love to be proved wrong lol. Can't wait to see your progress.
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Old Sep 5, 2009 | 06:58 PM
  #10  
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Car: 1989 Formula 350 / 2001 TA WS6
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Re: headlight mod idea

Originally Posted by ZONES89RS
I seriously hope it works on your car. I would love to do it to my 86 TA. It might looks a bit different than i want, but it will look better than the stupid *** headlights always being up.
either the main gears in the motors are stripped or the relay is out. if you can raise them manualy or lower them manualy without any difficulty then the relay is out. there are rebuild kits for the motors. neither are hard to fix. the pop-up headlights never gets old watching them go up and down when needed. if you want to see what those replacement lights might look like go check out the 2009-10 vettes. they look ridiculous without the pop-up lights.
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 12:55 AM
  #11  
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From: Huntington, NY
Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: LG4 305ci 4bbl
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt open diff.
Re: headlight mod idea

i plan to leave all the stock connections in place- just unbolt the pop ups and disconnect everything. both of the headlights work, so i'm going to keep them so i can swap them back in, if i ever needed or wanted to. there's definitely going to be a little trimming and a few mods to the 240SX housings, but i'll be damned, i'm going to make it work!
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 01:22 AM
  #12  
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From: plano texas
Car: 91 RS Vert, 87 SC T-Top
Engine: LO3, LG4
Transmission: 700r4's
Axle/Gears: 2.73, not sure yet
Re: headlight mod idea

Id love to see how this works. Keep us posted!
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Old Oct 4, 2009 | 06:23 PM
  #13  
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From: Huntington, NY
Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: LG4 305ci 4bbl
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt open diff.
Re: headlight mod idea

ok, so i went ahead and did it. i kept all the stock wiring in tact and i still have the stock headlight assemblies, in case i ever want to convert it back. the new lights aren't bad. i have 5000K HIDs for low beam and Sylvania Silverstar Ultras for high beam. both high and low take H7 bulbs. i only have the low beam halos hooked up, bc i thought it looked better than all 4. i might eventually upgrade to projectors, simply for the better beam pattern. i'll get night pics soon.

it was a b!tch to get these housings to fit, but with a little determination and ingenuity, i got it done.
Attached Thumbnails headlight mod idea-copy-dsc_0719.jpg   headlight mod idea-copy-dsc_0705.jpg   headlight mod idea-copy-dsc_0706.jpg  
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Old Oct 4, 2009 | 06:32 PM
  #14  
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
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Re: headlight mod idea

Originally Posted by punkdude908
ok, so i went ahead and did it. i kept all the stock wiring in tact and i still have the stock headlight assemblies, in case i ever want to convert it back. the new lights aren't bad. i have 5000K HIDs for low beam and Sylvania Silverstar Ultras for high beam. both high and low take H7 bulbs. i only have the low beam halos hooked up, bc i thought it looked better than all 4. i might eventually upgrade to projectors, simply for the better beam pattern. i'll get night pics soon.

it was a b!tch to get these housings to fit, but with a little determination and ingenuity, i got it done.
What are those made for?

I'm not liking them on a black car, since the 4 round circles stand out, so much.

Maybe on a white car, the 4 white, round circles wouldn't stand out so much.
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Old Oct 4, 2009 | 06:46 PM
  #15  
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From: Huntington, NY
Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: LG4 305ci 4bbl
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt open diff.
Re: headlight mod idea

they're made for a Nissan 240SX. i'm thinking about getting a very light tint to put on the headlights so it wouldn't stand out so much. i wouldn't lose much (if any) visibility bc the lights are VERY bright.
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Old Oct 4, 2009 | 07:39 PM
  #16  
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Car: 1988 SC Convertible
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Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 posi w/PBR's
Re: headlight mod idea

I'm not diggin it AT ALL. But, to each their own I guess.

One of the coolest things about the birds is the pop up lights.
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Old Oct 4, 2009 | 11:39 PM
  #17  
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
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Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: headlight mod idea

Originally Posted by punkdude908
it was a b!tch to get these housings to fit, but with a little determination and ingenuity, i got it done.
How bad was it to get them to fit & can you convert back to the stock lights EASILY?
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Old Oct 5, 2009 | 12:00 AM
  #18  
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From: Huntington, NY
Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: LG4 305ci 4bbl
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt open diff.
Re: headlight mod idea

it was pretty tedious and time consuming to get them to fit properly and not interfere with the hood. and yes, its easy for me to convert back. all i would have to do is remove the conversion, bolt the pop ups back in and plug in the stock harness.
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Old Oct 5, 2009 | 01:06 AM
  #19  
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From: N. Virginia
Car: 1988 Firebird - 1998 Z28
Engine: 2.8 - LS1
Re: headlight mod idea

Ya.. I'm just gonna stick with the stock look....

Not sayin it looks bad, just not my thing lol
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:05 PM
  #20  
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Car: 85 Firebird & Grand Prix GXP
Engine: LG4 305 (originally 2.8L V6)
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3:43 Open Diff.
Re: headlight mod idea

I think it looks pretty damn cool and different. Is that a real shaker hood you've got on there?
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Old Oct 15, 2009 | 02:12 AM
  #21  
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Car: 87 Camaro IROC, 85 IROC Roadste
Engine: 5.7 V8 350 TPI, 383 - Coming Soon
Transmission: 700R4, Turbo 350
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: headlight mod idea

Good idea. But it doesn't look cool to me. Everyone has thier own opinions.
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Old Oct 15, 2009 | 02:29 AM
  #22  
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From: Concordia Kansas
Car: 1987 Iroc Z 1990 RS 1991 RS
Engine: 454 soon 496
Transmission: Soon T56
Axle/Gears: 308 Posi
Re: headlight mod idea

Yea just not my thing its like putting popups on a camaro. IMO
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Old Oct 15, 2009 | 01:24 PM
  #23  
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From: Huntington, NY
Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: LG4 305ci 4bbl
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt open diff.
Re: headlight mod idea

Originally Posted by Firebird Mess85
I think it looks pretty damn cool and different. Is that a real shaker hood you've got on there?
thanks! no its not a shaker, but it is a functional hood scoop.

http://www.racecomposites.com/cobrabolt.htm
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Old Oct 15, 2009 | 01:36 PM
  #24  
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Car: 1987 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Posi 3:42
Re: headlight mod idea

I love the look of a trans am- I love the evil sinister look of the head lights and the side markers...

I am not a fan of my own lights when up....

I have kicked the ideal of something different for a long time.

I love that you tryed something different and think you should keep em on for a while to see if YOU like em...
Thats what its about- only commercal ricers build cars for the masses- everyone else builds them for themselves.

I would liketo see someone make a set out of plexi-or what ever that actually had the same shap as the stock lights do down. either paint the tops or tint to match the car...leaving just the front open- with bright lights you will still see but not actually see the lights....

That is my Honest Opinion, i dont want to see the lights.

I do give big High 5's though, cause you got em in great and they look good- I think i dislike the fog lights the most...

Either way GREAT JOB and big Kudo's for the creat fab.
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Old Oct 15, 2009 | 01:42 PM
  #25  
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Re: headlight mod idea

Originally Posted by BlackTopKing
I would liketo see someone make a set out of plexi-or what ever that actually had the same shap as the stock lights do down. either paint the tops or tint to match the car...leaving just the front open- with bright lights you will still see but not actually see the lights....

That is my Honest Opinion, i dont want to see the lights.
Sounds like your describing what Red Raif (and others) did to her car.

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Old Oct 16, 2009 | 04:26 PM
  #26  
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From: Charleston SC
Car: 1987 Trans Am GTA
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Re: headlight mod idea

Yeah, that is about the closest thing to it....

or even like this
http://www.madwhips.com/1984-widebod...s-am-firebird/

Crazy T/A
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Old Oct 18, 2009 | 10:41 PM
  #27  
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Car: 2002 GS300 Sport Design
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Transmission: 5-Speed Shiftable Automatic
Re: headlight mod idea

Originally Posted by Stephen
Sounds like your describing what Red Raif (and others) did to her car.

Dam that car likes real nice with the lip in the front and the headlight mod.

Tony.
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Old Nov 9, 2009 | 09:07 PM
  #28  
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From: Springfield, TN
Car: 2003 Cavalier
Re: headlight mod idea

Originally Posted by BlackTopKing
Yeah, that is about the closest thing to it....

or even like this
http://www.madwhips.com/1984-widebod...s-am-firebird/

Crazy T/A
I wonder who made those lights? That is sweeet!!
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Old Nov 10, 2009 | 11:01 AM
  #29  
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Car: 86 TA, 91 B4C
Engine: 5.3, 4.8
Transmission: 4L80 4000, T56
Axle/Gears: 4.30 M12, 23.42 10 bolt
Re: headlight mod idea

Originally Posted by Stephen
Sounds like your describing what Red Raif (and others) did to her car.

I am having HELL finding a set of lights that will work for me to do that!
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Old Nov 10, 2009 | 03:40 PM
  #30  
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Re: headlight mod idea

Originally Posted by defaced
IMHO, it won't look good at all. Firebirds look best with the pop ups, that's basically what separates them from Camaros. And I think you'll find the majority of people on here will say the same thing.

If you want to see if they'll fit, you need to go look at a 240 and take some measurements or something. If you can't find one, let me know. My buddy down the street has one, I might be able to do something for you if you're really interested in trying that.
I agree I like the flip up lights too.
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Old Jun 26, 2014 | 06:58 PM
  #31  
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From: Houson
Car: 86 Firebird
Engine: 305 SBC
Transmission: 700 R4 TCI
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Re: headlight mod idea

Like the idea
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