[violetlady]

I'm planning to do this myself. Thanks for posting some pictures man, very helpful. Hopefully everything will turn out fine.

[Ferraridriver]

Originally Posted by violetlady

I'm planning to do this myself. Thanks for posting some pictures man, very helpful. Hopefully everything will turn out fine.

Is this going on a 550?

[Ferraridriver]

I have another set of Hella Gen3 ballasts, I just tested them and they work fine. Someone spliced the high tension wires so I cleaned everything up and put Weatherpack ends on them, The12volt pigtails had the insulation scraped off near the plug so I bought another set of pigtails, modified them with Weatherpack rubbers.

Now I have a complete set of spare Valeo D2s clear lens projectors that exactly match the H7 stock projectors, two Hella Gen3 ballasts with cases and all the necessary connectors and a used set of 4300K Philips 85122 bulbs. Everything necessary for a 550 HID conversion.

I think its possible to bulkhead mount the Weatherpack connector on the back of the light housing just under the vent I used. It would involve a bit of Dremel tool work and plastic epoxy but shouldn't be too hard.

This would give a factory appearance and be easy to unplug to remove the headlight. Or you could run the high tension wires out through the rubber vent on the grey cover and use the Weatherpack connector there.

The Hella Gen3 ballast cases will fit behind the vertical fender support and getting 12 volt power is very easy off the headlight harness

I thought I'd give you guys here first shot at the whole package before I try to sell it on eBay or the other site.

I'm in the whole thing about $400 so if anyone wants everything make me an offer I cant refuse PM me

[Ferraridriver]

Pics of light on garage door.

The left side is OEM H7 projector, the right side is the D2s 35 watt 4300K upgrade projector

Driving at night it seems much brighter, better light on the sides, overall a significant improvement.

Thanks to John (cribbj) for leading the way again.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Brian

Just a couple of comments.

Valeo is actually a French based company and has grown to be one of the largest OE suppliers world wide. They have a huge presence in Detroit and it was the Detroit based division that brought us the Valeo transmission in the Mondial t Valeo. I would not doubt the 550 headlights are from Belgium but that would just be a satellite operation.


HID lights actually substantially reduce the current load on the cars electrical system so they are a great way to improve the lighting on Ferrari's with their sometimes fragile headlight power supply system. Going to high wattage halogen systems pretty much assure a system melt down without a big redesign. I installed an HID system in an F40. It dramatically improved the lighting and cut the system load roughly in half.


One thing I would have done differently. The ballast location will be in the way for any number of routine repairs. I would have mounted the ballast on the bottom of the light assembly.

Brian, I just wanted to say how very lucky we all are to have you around, and how very nice it is for you to share your vast knowledge with everyone !

I have said many times that I am the least technical guy around (I even went to the dealer to put in a new battery) but I do enjoy these threads and I know how much the guys working on there cars must love having your input !

One of your fans,

Bill

[cribbj]

Originally Posted by Ferraridriver

Pics of light on garage door.

The left side is OEM H7 projector, the right side is the D2s 35 watt 4300K upgrade projector

Driving at night it seems much brighter, better light on the sides, overall a significant improvement.

Thanks to John (cribbj) for leading the way again.

Glad it worked out well for you Dave, and I was pleased to see you improved on my original installation. It gives everyone a better alternative if they're not too chicken (as I was) to modify the headlight housings

[308 GTB]

Nicely done, both of you, John and Dave.

Barry

[Ferraridriver]

Update,

I've had three low beam fuses blow and after some research I found the ballasts can draw a very heavy current on start up. I have ordered all the necessary parts to make up a relay harness which will have a 20 or 25 amp fuse on the Ballast circuit which will draw directly from the battery.

That should solve my fuse problem for good