S2000 Modifications and Parts Discussions about aftermarket products and parts including reviews, information and opinion.

Another AP2 headlight swap thread (with pics)

Thread Tools
 
Old 10-20-2008, 10:56 AM
  #1  

Thread Starter
 
Keith's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Ballwin (St. Louis)
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default Another AP2 headlight swap thread (with pics)

So I finally finished off my last project... after having my passenger side headlight replaced due to a random attack on my S2000, my driver side look 'weathered' compared to the brand new one and I didn't feel like wet sanding it since it didn't look THAT bad... just 'weathered'. I came across a great deal on an AP2 passenger headlight with a repaired mounting tab and another tab that needed to be fixed. I sold the damage passenger AP1 headlight and the weathered passenger side one and bought a brand new passenger side AP2 headlight so I could begin the AP1 -> AP2 headlight swap.

First, I gotta say even after reading a DIY, it's not straight forward when using AP1 ballasts. Unfortunately, getting AP2 ballasts would cost another $400-500 to this project (and I only had $60 into this project if I could get the AP1 ballasts to mount properly). Long story short, the biggest PITA was keep the headlight free of plastic pieces that would fall in since I need to dremel the hole for the ignitor/ballast bigger. Mounting the ballasts was challenging too since it mean moving it around to make sure it would mount back on the car proper...

Some pics...

Before (old pics for comparison):







During...





Bottom of the headlight... everything mounted back on with AP1 ballast:



Sealed to prevent moisture and dust getting into the headlight (not pretty but better safe than sorry ).





After:











Overall the project cost me $70 to swap PLUS I still have a brand new AP1 passenger headlight side headlight to sell so I'll actually come out ahead a couple hundred if not more.

Projects are tedious but fun.

Keith
Old 10-20-2008, 11:01 AM
  #2  

 
rnye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 4,852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Looks good. AP2>AP1 headlights.
Old 10-20-2008, 07:30 PM
  #3  
Registered User

 
Eric220's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ontario
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Looks sweet, do the taillights too!
Old 10-20-2008, 07:53 PM
  #4  

 
WyattH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: PNW
Posts: 8,106
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

how did you get the lights for so cheap?

good job!
i couldnt get the ap1 ballast on the ap2 light.
Old 10-20-2008, 08:18 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
HUYS2200's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Looks good, clean swap!
Old 10-20-2008, 09:33 PM
  #6  
Registered User

 
spook's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Laguna Beach
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

So much better
Old 10-21-2008, 06:43 AM
  #7  

Thread Starter
 
Keith's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Ballwin (St. Louis)
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by WyattH,Oct 20 2008, 10:53 PM
how did you get the lights for so cheap?

good job!
i couldnt get the ap1 ballast on the ap2 light.
Thanks guys...

Make the hole bigger on the headlight was the biggest pain... mounting wasn't hard at all though.

Keith
Old 10-21-2008, 08:14 AM
  #8  
Banned
 
shadowz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

How did you prevent plastic from going into the lamp?
Old 10-21-2008, 10:18 AM
  #9  

Thread Starter
 
Keith's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Ballwin (St. Louis)
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I couldn't... I tried covering the inside of the ballast hole with painter's tape as I dremeled which caught a TON of pieces but a bunch still got through. I vacuumed and blew out as much as I could. I used a straw with a camera sensor wipe to try to move and/or catch the rest of the plastic particles that made it through...

Keith
Old 10-21-2008, 10:23 AM
  #10  
Registered User

 
vincewchan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los angeles
Posts: 2,061
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default



Quick Reply: Another AP2 headlight swap thread (with pics)



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:55 PM.