This whole headlight issue is confusing the hell out of me. After researching this for the last couple of weeks, I thought I'd come to the conclusion that replacing the stock halogens with this Morimoto 35W HID kit would yield an optimal solution, and I was JUST about ready to pull the trigger on it:
Sierra Spec: Morimoto Elite HID System - 5500k
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/hid-systems/morimoto-elite-hid-system-sierra-low-beam.html
http://www.morimotohid.com/hid-systems/morimoto-elite-hid-system-sierra-low-beam.html
However, now it seems to me that some people think you should just replace the entire projector assembly altogether, which seems like an expensive, and possibly unnecessary option. If any of you think this is the way to go, can you please explain why?
I checked with Morimoto directly and they said to look at the FX-R 3 as seen here: http://www.morimotohid.com/components/projectors/morimoto-fx-r-bi-xenon-projector.html.
They said, "Replacing the projector will definitely net you bigger gains than just an HID system, as it can properly re-focus the light to where it needs to project on the road. The difference here is that you must separate the headlight housing and then fit a new unit with epoxy."
What doesn't make sense to me still is why anyone would need to do this. Aren't the performance improvements from installing HIDs enough? It seems to me that GM has engineered the optimal combination of projector performance and fit in the stock housings, and that tearing it up and then trying to epoxy it back together would never yield the same level of fitment that you'd get with stock. I can understand the need to replace the halogens with HIDs because it makes sense that the mfgr went cheap on the bulbs, but I'm not yet as confident on whether ripping out the entire projector housing would be a good idea. So any input would be appreciated from anyone who's done it or has more knowledge about this issue.
Also curious on the 35W vs. 55W ballasts. My understanding was that the 35W would yield plenty of power and that with the new HID lights, you'd have plenty of light, whereas the 55W would yield even more power, but the equipment would have a shorter lifespan, and there would be so *much* additional power that your lights would blind other drivers - even after re-aiming. So what's the consensus on this?