Miata Mailing List: October 1997, Message #179
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From: 	David Okamoto <davo@lsil.com>

Subject: Re: Replacement Headlamps

Date: 	Wed, 1 Oct 1997 15:45:52 +0000



Fradley, Adam (SAIC) wrote:

> 

> My father's about to get a nice new yellow Fiat Coupe delivered soon,

> and after drooling over the headlamps (don't worry, they're watertight),

> the question should be asked... instead of those low profile headlamps

> that you can order (which look better, but not perfect), has anyone seen

> a fixed headlamp conversion kit for the MX5 (preferably with that lovely

> bulbous lens cover on the Fiat.

> 

> And if not why not :-)

> 

> Adam Fradley - Technical Consultant

> SAIC Ltd

> Phone:  +44 (0)1628 686163

> Fax:    +44 (0)1628 686198

> Email:  adam.fradley@cpmx.saic.com



Adam:



There is a set being advertised, but not yet available due to some

technical snag.  Being marketed by SRS (Simpson-Raven formerly, I

think).



Consists of two 50W projector lamps under a clear lexan cover which

replaces the current Miata headlamp cover plate, although fixed in place

of course.



I've always considered this solution to be potentially the best

appearing, but I can't imagine how one can get the beams to clear the

lower "lip" of the housing to get enough light down low enough.  If one

looks at that surface area from front end on, with the lights down, the

cross-sectional area represented by the headlamp in the down postion is

VERY slim.  I imagine this is the "snag" that the developers have

encountered.



I think one either has to have a curved surface in the cover to allow

the projector lamps to sit higher, or to rotate the housing up a tad. A

Japanese aftermarket developer had a solution that rewired the headlamp

motors which then rotated the assembly forward (the reverse direction of

stock) only about 10 - 15 degrees, just enough for the projector beams

to clear.  These were housed in the clear lexan (or other plastic)

assembly.



If you look at the very clean appearing solution on the Peter Farrell

Miata, he cut away a U-shaped portion of the plastic fascia below the

headlight covers and extended the clear panels covering the projector

lamps to achieve the same end.



Been thinking about experimenting, but...... 





-- 

Dave Okamoto

LSI Logic Corporation

mailto:davo@lsil.com