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Headlight Alternatives


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Hey Guys,

 

I love the Lotus 7 and Locost variations and I'm considering a new Brunton Stalker Mspec with the miata suspension setup.

 

One thing that bothers me though about the design is the headlights, while I'm sure most would consider them integral to the overall look of the car I feel like they're a bit goofy looking quite frankly. Too big for the car and it dates what could otherwise be considered still a very current looking design.

 

I was hoping to go with something more sleek but can't find any examples. I was thinking of something like a rectangular fog light housing with a projector mounted in it, if thats even possible.

 

Looking to see if anyone had some other thoughts or pictures of some other options to use as examples.

 

Thanks

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Several years ago I had a conversation about projector headlights with a Hella technical representitive. He indicated the drivers of the Acura model with them were his best customers. Wattage is one thing, but reflector area is a key factor.

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I had similar thoughts about the headlights that came with my Caterham. I found some motorcycle headlights that are smaller and a little more pointy on the backside. I like them a lot better than the originals. They put out a decent amount of light for not being projectors or HID lights.

 

http://www.britishv8.org/Other/SkipCannon/SkipCannon-C.jpg

 

I found some motorcycle turn signals that match and mounted them low on the panels behind the nose cone.

 

http://www.britishv8.org/Other/SkipCannon/SkipCannon-B.jpg

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I have Hella projector modules, but I opted for halogen instead of HID bulbs (cheaper and allow for flashing high beams). The light is fabulous and I could integrate some daylight LED and the turn indicator. But I had to make my own housing pods. I am not aware of standard housings for that.

 

_DSC7015-Edit-3.jpg

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Here's what one M-spec owner did with the headlights:

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=20426&g2_page=2

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=20426&g2_page=3

 

Also, simply browse the Stalker Gallery; lots of photos and ideas:

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_page=4

 

X

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One thing that bothers me though about the design is the headlights, while I'm sure most would consider them integral to the overall look of the car I feel like they're a bit goofy looking quite frankly. Too big for the car and it dates what could otherwise be considered still a very current looking design.

 

I was hoping to go with something more sleek but can't find any examples.

I agree with your comments about the stock headlights. I think they are a BIG part of why some (uninformed members of the masses) ask "Is that a dune buggy or something?"

 

The timing of your question couldn't be better. I just finished installing these yesterday. Sleek projectors (which I converted to HID) that have integrated LED turn signals and DRLs.

 

http://i42.tinypic.com/2rpg2z5.jpg

 

http://i43.tinypic.com/icu06e.jpg

 

http://i43.tinypic.com/30wm1wy.jpg

 

http://i40.tinypic.com/2yya1ox.jpg

Edited by Nick O'Teen
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The timing of your question couldn't be better. I just finished installing these yesterday. Sleek projectors (which I converted to HID) that have integrated LED turn signals and DRLs.

 

Very nice - source?

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Yes, those are the headlights I used - aka Venom headlights. I bought them from europaspares.com. I painted them gloss black to match and mounted them using lowering brackets that I got from westermann-motorsport.com.

 

They normally use an H-1 halogen bulb but I installed an HID conversion kit. To get the integrated LED turn signal and DRL arrays to work properly I used little modules from exled.com that replicate the way Audi LED signals and DRLs work. For example, when you switch the turn signal lever to the left, the left DRL (white LEDs) turns off and the circular array of amber LEDs flash. Cancel the the turn signal, the amber LEDs stop flashing and the white DRL LEDs come back on.

 

I really like how they work and how they look. I think the front end of the car is much cleaner looking now.

 

 

http://i41.tinypic.com/dfntf.jpg

Edited by Nick O'Teen
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I really like how they work and how they look. I think the front end of the car is much cleaner looking now.

 

OK, so now you have the front looking cleaner, when are you going to get around to cleaning the rest of the car?;)

 

Great looking car, the headlights are perfect on it. I have the smaller 5 1/2" conventional headlights (compared to standard 7") on my Birkin but they still look a bit clunky if not traditional. I work in the automotive lighting industry and just can't be satisfied with "stock". Nice work on the functionality of the DRL's and turn signals.

 

Chris

Edited by Gherkin
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Here's what one M-spec owner did with the headlights:

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=20426&g2_page=2

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=20426&g2_page=3

 

Also, simply browse the Stalker Gallery; lots of photos and ideas:

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_page=4

 

X

 

Thanks, this is a great resource. I do like a more modern look but I don't really like the look of the new Mspec. The front is alright minus the unnessecary hood bulge, but I don't like the back at all. Maybe they sell an Mspec front end with a classic rear end. I don't know, honestly I'm just brainstorming.

 

I agree with your comments about the stock headlights. I think they are a BIG part of why some (uninformed members of the masses) ask "Is that a dune buggy or something?"

 

The timing of your question couldn't be better. I just finished installing these yesterday. Sleek projectors (which I converted to HID) that have integrated LED turn signals and DRLs.

 

So glad I started this thread, honestly I thought I was going to catch a bit of flack by the purists. This is exactly what I was looking for the little carbon fiber canards sure look clean too!

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Thanks, this is a great resource. I do like a more modern look but I don't really like the look of the new Mspec. The front is alright minus the unnessecary hood bulge, but I don't like the back at all. Maybe they sell an Mspec front end with a classic rear end. I don't know, honestly I'm just brainstorming.

 

A Classic Stalker (look) / M-spec (suspension) is available from Brunton.

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A Classic Stalker (look) / M-spec (suspension) is available from Brunton.

 

This is what I was thinking. I am going to wait a while before doing anything. I want to hear some more feedback on the new MSpec suspension, but it looks really really promising.

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I own a Super Stalker Classic, but have driven the Mspec. I drove on some pretty crappy roads on my test drive and was amazed how well the car soaked up the rough stuff as well as nicely it handled. I did not get a chance to really push it hard other than a couple entrance / exit ramps onto the highway... From my limited experience, the Mspec suspension worked very well. Saving my pennies.

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Ok.. originals...

 

Great thing about these was the faster you rode the brighter they got.( on a bike of course).

Of course that did not me much when all of my Lucas lights failed in a 1959 Frog Eye in Harlech, North Wales late at night in the summer of 1973, longest 27 miles I ever drove; and probably why the love of my life moved on soon after.

Lucas was often a total bastard.

Vanessa Yarwood I still love you.

 

Lusas Light.jpg

Edited by rikker
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