How To Retrofit Honda S2000 Projectors Into a 3rd Gen Acura Integra
How To Retrofit Honda S2000 Projectors Into a 3rd Gen Acura Integra
Factory halogen headlights on the DC2 Integra are notoriously dim, making nighttime canyon runs unnecessarily dangerous. Swapping in Honda S2000 HID projectors gives you an incredibly sharp cutoff line and modern output, making this one of the most functional lighting modifications you can perform in your garage.
The Short Answer (TL;DR)
This DIY covers retrofitting S2000 HID projectors into a 1994-2001 Acura Integra. Expect this to take 6 to 8 hours. You will need to bake the headlights to remove the lenses, cut the factory reflector bowls, mount the S2K projectors using custom brackets or epoxy, and wire the HID ballasts. Removing the front bumper makes this the ideal time to upgrade your intake system.
The DIY Process Overview
To complete an S2K projector retrofit, you need a rotary tool (Dremel), an oven, high-temp silicone or epoxy, aluminum flashing for brackets, and a complete S2000 AP1 or AP2 HID projector kit with ballasts. First, remove the front bumper and extract the headlight housings. Bake the housings at 225-250 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes to soften the factory butyl rubber sealant.
Pry the clear plastic lenses off the housings and remove the factory halogen reflector bowls. Using your rotary tool, cut the back of the Integra reflector bowl to create enough clearance for the wider S2000 projector body. Test fit the projector repeatedly to ensure it sits perfectly level; this is critical to avoid a slanted light beam cutoff line.
Once aligned, secure the projector using custom-cut aluminum brackets or high-strength epoxy, ensuring rotational alignment is locked in. Route the HID bulb wiring through the back of the housing, reseal the lenses with fresh butyl rubber, and wire the HID ballasts directly to the battery with a dedicated relay harness. Reinstall the assemblies and aim the headlights against a flat wall.
Why You Should Upgrade While You're In There
You must completely remove the front bumper cover to access the lower headlight mounting bolts on the 3rd generation Integra. With the bumper off, the resonator box and lower air tract are completely exposed. This makes it the perfect time to pull the restrictive factory intake tubing and drop in an aftermarket cold air intake.
Recommended Upgrade: Cold Air Intake System
A high-flow cold air intake routes the filter directly down into the fender well, drawing in dense, ambient air instead of hot engine bay air. This maximizes throttle response and pairs perfectly with a performance engine tune.
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is an S2000 projector retrofit?
It requires moderate fabrication skills. The hardest part is ensuring the rotational alignment of the projector is dead flat before the epoxy cures or the brackets are finalized. If the projector is tilted, your cutoff line will slope dangerously across the road.
Why use S2000 projectors instead of generic aftermarket units?
Honda S2000 projectors (especially the AP1 clear lens variants) are widely considered the benchmark for low-beam HID optics. They provide an exceptionally wide beam pattern and a razor-sharp, color-flickering cutoff line that cheap aftermarket drop-in projectors cannot replicate.
