Cheers mate. can't wait to get ride of the yellow beam.

If i suspect a ballast is on the way out, Can i replace the ballast with a different one? Or change them both to different ones without having to swap out the globes at the same time?

Yeah mate should do, I have couple Ballasts by them selfs at home.
Very strange that they would be going out though,

However if the plugs are the same as the kits i have then should be fine to plug them in.

off topic but i have installed HID on MY02 sti but how do i lower the beam level?

[QUOTE=NVRENUF]Yeah mate should do, I have couple Ballasts by them selfs at home.
Very strange that they would be going out though,

However if the plugs are the same as the kits i have then should be fine to plug them in.[/QUOTE]

Yeah it is weird i know ..

When my headsligts are on when i start the car, they warm up and come on alright, however when i begin to start the car, the HID lamp on the left flickers, sometimes manages to stay on, othertimes it doesn't ignite and i have to turn them off/on again for them both to be on.

What do you think.

depends on the ballast, some kits come with ballasts and igniters others come built in, just make sure you get the same type and you should be ok.

As a rule of thumb i only ever turn the HID's on after car has started. HID's pull a massive amount of volts to initially turn on.

Yeah, i am now following the same tactic. Do you think that extended use of doing it the other way would cause damage to battery/alternator?

i'm a bit of a noob when it comes to lights - wasnt quite sure what HID's were and how they differ... also what projector lights are and how they are different...

Here's some info I've found on Wikipedia and summarised for other noobs:

[B]Lens optics[/B] The collection of light reflected from the back of the light is dispersed/refracted by the specially designed glass lens.
[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Headlight_lens_optics_schematic.png/200px-Headlight_lens_optics_schematic.png[/IMG][IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Jaguar_E-type_%28serie_III%29_-_headlamp.jpg/207px-Jaguar_E-type_%28serie_III%29_-_headlamp.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Reflector optics[/B] The back 'reflector' of the headlamp is specifically designed to reflect the light from the bulb, and the front 'cover' of the lamp is only for protection.
[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Headlight_reflector_optics_schematic.png/200px-Headlight_reflector_optics_schematic.png[/IMG][IMG]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Headlight_reflector_optics_schematic.png[/IMG][IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Headlight_reflector_optics.jpg/207px-Headlight_reflector_optics.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Projector Lamps[/B] The light is reflected into the refractive lens at the middle of the light, where there is a solenoid that limits the dispersion of the light out of the lens.
[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Headlight_projector_schematic.png/200px-Headlight_projector_schematic.png[/IMG][IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Headlight_projector_optics.jpg/207px-Headlight_projector_optics.jpg[/IMG]

To achieve a low & high beam, the reflector & lens optics have 2 light filaments in different positions, with the hi-beam filament being at the 'focal point' - where the light produced will be most concentrated and disperse most.
The projector lamps simply have a solenoid that moves/tilts the refractive lens to change the direction of the light produced.

If anyone wishes to read more: [URL=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlights#Projector_.28polyellipsoidal.29_lamps]Wiki[/URL]

[B]OK[/B] :p now, I'm guessing that all GD's have projector lamps, and GC's have reflector optics?

[U]Now onto HID's[/U] HID stands for high-intensity discharge, blah, blah, blah, blah.
[B]Advantages [/B]of having this type of light over the standard filaments:
Longer life, better efficiancy and output, increased safety
[B]Disadvantages:[/B] Cost $$$ and...
Glare - Vehicles equipped with HID headlamps are required to also to be equipped with headlamp lens cleaning systems and automatic beam levelling control. Both of these measures are intended to reduce the tendency for high-output headlamps to cause high levels of glare to other road users.

[QUOTE=BALISTC]8000k HID's in non-projector headlamps? I hope I never have to drive near you at night![/QUOTE]

Sooooo, technically if you have brighter HID bulbs & ballasts in a car without 'beam leveling control'/projector lamps, then it's illegal as it blinds other road users, as the light dispersion is not controlled. Fair enough you can adjust them, but take into account having different weight in the car, going over bumps, up hills, yada yada yada.

Safest bet would be leaving your lights stock unless you have projectors, and if you have a GC8, get some 'angel eye' lights if you wish to go HID. Just cos HID lights have more visibility, they arent any safer when fitted in non-projectors as it will give oncoming traffic reduced visibility (that may cause an accident).

Please correct me if I'm wrong with any of the info above, but I thought I'd share my new knowledge with others ;)

02 STi's had projectors, but no HID.

I have out HID's in mine, and while the light is absolutely awesome, i know it would be beneficial for other road users (aka, the ones in front of me) if i had levellers.

Tim you got any hids left to suit a my03 wrx?