A couple of pics of the LED strips added to my engine bay. Whilst some might think this tacky or a bit of a faux pas I love it. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
It was pretty simple. At the moment I am only using 2 LED strips ($60.00 for 2). I plan to add some more to even out the light distribution. These strips are coated and can withstand the heat from the engine. I had my friend who is a car audio installer mount and chase the wires to the rear lights so when ever the lights are on the engine is lit up. There is also a toggle switch in case it needs to be turned off. Total install time 3 hours. Including changing over my license plate bulbs to LED and repositioning the reversing camera. I will take some close ups of the strips etc over the weekend.
The leds are clipped in and have connectors that can be undone. If you want to permanently remove the cabling its just a matter of cutting the cable connected to the rear lights and taping up where the cable was spliced in. We did hide all the cables through the side engine bay panels but you would only need to remove one panel to gain access to the splice point. The only physical change to the car is the 4 tiny drill holes to mount the clips and the splice in to the rear light.
It's not a "faux pas" at all I just love it. Did the same on my F430 but with a remote control dimmer : http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=140366549&postcount=61 I found even this engine bay light mod very practical when I need to work on the engine.
Very nice I like how the light is diffused around the bay. With the addition of the other led strips hopefully it will balance the dispersion. I'm trying to think of a way to shield the strips so they arent seen when you look inside.
Can you have the lights on when the car is turned off? How cool would it look to have the car sitting at the valet in front of a restaurant with the engine bay glowing?
With the Parking button, I can leave it on as I connected the engine bay LED's to the tail lights. Having LED's in the tail lights and the head lights, I can leave it on for ages without draining any current from the battery
Can you give us the specs on what you used specifically on the parking lights, tail lights and engine bay. Thanks
If you don't mind, I will reference the different threads with all the details: Headlights : http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319127 This long thread explains 3 different versions : Ikea lights - SMD5050 Leds - Superflux Leds Tail lights and engine bay light: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301476 You'll find in these threads a lot of very detailed information on these mods.
No I'm still waiting on my capristo fitting kit from Vivid. Its been held up waiting for my wheels to arrive. The Advan distributor in the States hasnt made it easy for them or myself. Hopefully I will have everything in about 3 weeks. But to be honest I'm loving the Tubi its soooooo loud and the cops can't figure out if its legal or not. If I put on the stage 3 I'm definately going to get pinged. Are you back in J Town yet? I was supposed to go up next weekend but family commitments have over ruled me.
I used coated LED light strips (heat resistant) just bought from the local electronics store. They were about $35 each. We then took all the panels off and ran the cable through tubing and tapped it into the rear lights. The car is currently in the workshop getting a new condensor fan fitted so when I get it back next week I will take some pics and post.
If you have a look at this thread it has all of the relevant info you might need. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=336448 If not please feel free to pm me.
Some pics of how the strips were installed Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
