NB1: Morimoto HID or NB2 Projectors?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,030
Total Cats: 861
From: Seneca, SC
I have not seen TRS sale yet, but they do every year.
I have pretty much decided to try the D2S. If I have to nudge the fenders a bit to fit the exciter, I will.
I have pretty much decided to try the D2S. If I have to nudge the fenders a bit to fit the exciter, I will.
I think i decided the opposite. I think I'll be using the MH1. My reasoning is simple, the MH1 fitment will be much more basic as there should not be any cutting. the performance difference between the MH1 and MD2S is so minor I really dont see the benefit for the extra work in this case. Both are going to make the OEM halogen look like a candle
Just for a nice reference point of what I'm referring to.. Here is an FXR 3.0 55W 5000K build I did on a Chevy Cobalt SS/TC. The drivers side headlight is retrofitted, while the passenger side is OEM halogen for comparison. You cant really go wrong with either on a miata so i'm choosing the easier one
Just for a nice reference point of what I'm referring to.. Here is an FXR 3.0 55W 5000K build I did on a Chevy Cobalt SS/TC. The drivers side headlight is retrofitted, while the passenger side is OEM halogen for comparison. You cant really go wrong with either on a miata so i'm choosing the easier one
I'm genuinely curious to see if there is any extra work / trimming needed for the the MD2S vs the MH1. I do agree that either of these options will be far better then the stock halogens, but I'm a bit biased towards the D2S because of my FX-R retro.
That on the other hand is the farthest thing from PnP, and if I were going to do it again from scratch and needed to buy everything new, I would be going for the MD2S hands down.
That on the other hand is the farthest thing from PnP, and if I were going to do it again from scratch and needed to buy everything new, I would be going for the MD2S hands down.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,030
Total Cats: 861
From: Seneca, SC
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,030
Total Cats: 861
From: Seneca, SC
I ordered the D2S v4.0 with bullet shroud, 35W, 4500K, H4 Motocontrol harness.
This they call a Stage III kit. Will take the chance on fit because, why not.
This they call a Stage III kit. Will take the chance on fit because, why not.
Last edited by DNMakinson; Nov 23, 2016 at 10:22 PM. Reason: Added Harness.
Ahh, so the D2S is a 'better' light for you, but you're going to have to play with the fitment, while the MH1 is known to fit, right?
216 to my door is pretty hard to argue with... I'm genuinely curious how much better things would be with just better bulbs (osram nightbreakers?) and polished/clear coated headlights. I might give this a go right now and come back to the MH1's this time next year if it's still abysmal.
I know that moving to the nightbreakers on my motorcycle made a pretty big difference in the past, but folks used to use a relay for the headlight since the voltage used to drop. Not sure this is an issue in the miata as it was on the bike.
216 to my door is pretty hard to argue with... I'm genuinely curious how much better things would be with just better bulbs (osram nightbreakers?) and polished/clear coated headlights. I might give this a go right now and come back to the MH1's this time next year if it's still abysmal.
I know that moving to the nightbreakers on my motorcycle made a pretty big difference in the past, but folks used to use a relay for the headlight since the voltage used to drop. Not sure this is an issue in the miata as it was on the bike.
Last edited by ridethecliche; Nov 25, 2016 at 02:47 PM.
Ahh, so the D2S is a 'better' light for you, but you're going to have to play with the fitment, while the MH1 is known to fit, right?
216 to my door is pretty hard to argue with... I'm genuinely curious how much better things would be with just better bulbs (osram nightbreakers?) and polished/clear coated headlights. I might give this a go right now and come back to the MH1's this time next year if it's still abysmal.
I know that moving to the nightbreakers on my motorcycle made a pretty big difference in the past, but folks used to use a relay for the headlight since the voltage used to drop. Not sure this is an issue in the miata as it was on the bike.
216 to my door is pretty hard to argue with... I'm genuinely curious how much better things would be with just better bulbs (osram nightbreakers?) and polished/clear coated headlights. I might give this a go right now and come back to the MH1's this time next year if it's still abysmal.
I know that moving to the nightbreakers on my motorcycle made a pretty big difference in the past, but folks used to use a relay for the headlight since the voltage used to drop. Not sure this is an issue in the miata as it was on the bike.
PEER PRESSURE! DOOOO EEET!
Also, I have a pair of these 1157 switchbacks for my parking / signals. If you remove the orange bulb cover when you have the lights apart, it lets you have white running lights that switch to amber signals. I love mine, it's an option: https://www.theretrofitsource.com/cl...to-xb-led.html
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,030
Total Cats: 861
From: Seneca, SC
Also, I have a pair of these 1157 switchbacks for my parking / signals. If you remove the orange bulb cover when you have the lights apart, it lets you have white running lights that switch to amber signals. I love mine, it's an option: https://www.theretrofitsource.com/cl...to-xb-led.html
The MH1 will give you 90% of what the MD2S will. There "may" be fitment issues with the MD2S, but we won't know until Makinson gets his and actually try's it. The real reason to go for the MD2S is the ability to run OEM bulbs instead or re-based ones for the MH1 (for me anyways). If your weary of fitment issues. I would say get the MH1 and install them, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
PEER PRESSURE! DOOOO EEET!
PEER PRESSURE! DOOOO EEET!

I ordered the Morimoto MH1 kit, 35W ballasts, 5500K bulbs, Iris shrouds, switchback halos, and 1157 switchback turn signals to match. Planning on painting everything black and doing a few mods to the projector/halo itself. Odds are I will have to trim the shroud to fit, but I will find out when i get everything torn apart
I know NB2 lights fit in the NB1 but need a bit of trimming and might leave a bit of a gap. Has anyone tried just buying aftermarket NB2 lights and modifying them to fit?
Working on it, but it's a backburner project. https://www.miataturbo.net/general-m...dlights-92084/
Based on what I've found in my dissection, I'm currently leaning to adding a bixenon projector in the high beam location and going back to halogens in the stock low beam because:
1. It's definitely easier than tearing up the stock low beam and replacing it with a bixenon.
2. It keeps my low beam setup completely, unquestionably stock and legal. I hate police attention.
3. Quad projectors, while not my thing, will definitely bring all the boys to the yard.
Based on what I've found in my dissection, I'm currently leaning to adding a bixenon projector in the high beam location and going back to halogens in the stock low beam because:
1. It's definitely easier than tearing up the stock low beam and replacing it with a bixenon.
2. It keeps my low beam setup completely, unquestionably stock and legal. I hate police attention.
3. Quad projectors, while not my thing, will definitely bring all the boys to the yard.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,030
Total Cats: 861
From: Seneca, SC
Too busy driving car, tuning EBC and Limp Mode. Soon I will be to the place of pulling the bumper, and working on lights and radiator ducting. Right now, though, HID's are sitting in the basement.





