2005 GTO FX-R and MDX H11 Quad Projector Retrofit

The vehicle is a 2005 Pontiac GTO equipped with a 6.0L engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The factory headlights, which utilize H11 low-beam projectors, have been found to provide inadequate illumination, prompting a retrofit. The plan includes mounting MDX projectors inward and modifying them to serve as additional high beams and flash-to-pass lights. The feasibility of incorporating a Daytime Running Light (DRL) function remains uncertain. FX-R projectors will be installed outside the current MDX locations, replacing the factory projectors. High beam solenoids will be connected to the MDXs to enable quad high beams when the HIDs are activated. The objective is to retain the car's automatic headlight functionality while essentially reconstructing the headlights. The original projector will be removed from its bracket, and the high beam reflectors will be discarded to facilitate the redesign. Once the components are secured, a custom shroud will be fabricated to enhance the aesthetics surrounding the projectors. E46-R extended shrouds are anticipated to assist in achieving an OEM-like appearance. The project will be approached gradually, with updates provided throughout the process. Considerations include modifying the DRL circuit to accommodate the new high beams, as the vehicle is currently configured to use OEM halogen low beams for DRLs. There is a concern regarding the visibility of the high beams when activated during daytime, particularly at intersections. An alternative consideration is to utilize fog lights as DRLs, although there are reservations about using 2500K bulbs for fog lights intended for inclement weather as DRLs. Assistance is sought in obtaining a wiring diagram for the headlight circuits, which may reveal simple solutions, such as relay placement, particularly since similar information is likely available for popular models like the GTO.

The described retrofit project for the 2005 Pontiac GTO aims to significantly enhance the vehicle's lighting performance by replacing the inadequate factory H11 low-beam projectors with more efficient MDX and FX-R projectors. The MDX projectors will be modified to function as additional high beams, providing improved visibility during nighttime driving and when using high beam settings. The integration of quad high beams via solenoid activation will further augment the lighting capabilities, ensuring that the vehicle meets modern visibility standards.

To maintain the automatic headlight function, the project involves careful planning and execution of the headlight assembly modification. The removal of the OEM projector from its bracket is a critical step, as is the elimination of the existing high beam reflectors. This will allow for a clean installation of the new projectors and ensure optimal alignment and focus of the light output. The construction of a custom shroud will also play a vital role in achieving a professional finish, as it will conceal wiring and hardware while enhancing the overall aesthetic of the headlight assembly.

In terms of wiring, attention must be given to the DRL circuit. The original setup utilizes halogen low beams as DRLs, and adapting this to accommodate the new high beams requires careful consideration of the electrical load and visibility. The possibility of wiring fog lights as DRLs is an alternative worth exploring, especially if it provides a clearer indication of the vehicle's intentions to other drivers during the day.

The request for a wiring diagram is a prudent step, as it can provide insights into the headlight circuit's configuration, including the potential for simple relay modifications that could facilitate the integration of the new lighting components. Access to community forums and resources dedicated to the GTO and LSx vehicles may yield valuable information regarding common modifications and wiring solutions, contributing to the successful completion of this lighting enhancement project.Car is a 2005 Pontiac GTO, 6. 0L, 6-speed manual. Headlights on these cars are garbage. they came with H11 low-beam projectors with seriously dim output, so it`s time to do a retrofit. Eventually, I`m going to have the MDXs mounted inboard and modded to be additional high beams and flash-to-pass. I`m not sure yet if I`ll be able to have any DRL function. The FX-Rs will be mounted outside of the MDXs, where my factory projectors are now. I`ll have the high beam solenoids wired to the MDXs to give me quad high beams when the HIDs are on. My goal is to keep the automatic headlight function of the car intact. To do what I want, I`m pretty much going to have to rebuild the headlights from the inside out. The OEM projector has to be cut out of the bracket, and then I`m going to trash the high beam reflectors and start from scratch. Once I get everything mounted, I`ll be fabricating some sort of shroud to clean up the looks of everything around and in front of the projectors.

With their huge size, the E46-R extended shrouds should get me started towards getting this to look OEM. I`ll be working on this slowly, and if it takes me all summer to get it right, so be it. I`ll be periodically updating this thread with progress pics and questions as they come up. I`m going to have to figure out how to switch my DRL circuit over to the correct lamps. The car is set up to use the OEM halogen low beams as DRLs, so I have to read up on what I need to do to wire my new highs as DRL.

If I get my high beams wired to the lower voltage DRL circuit, will there be enough of a noticeable difference to traffic when I want to flick my high beams on during the day, say at an intersection The other option is to wire my fog lights as DRLs. That way, when I flick my highs on during the day, others will know for sure what I`m doing. The only thing about that is that I was thinking of putting 2500K bulbs in my fogs for inclement weather, and I`m not sure I`d want the yellow fogs on all of the time as DRLs.

I`m going to have to figure out how to switch my DRL circuit over to the correct lamps. The car is set up to use the OEM halogen low beams as DRLs, so I have to read up on what I need to do to wire my new highs as DRL. If I get my high beams wired to the lower voltage DRL circuit, will there be enough of a noticeable difference to traffic when I want to flick my high beams on during the day, say at an intersection Can you get a wiring diagram of the headlight circuit(s) It could be as simple as the placement of a relay or two.

If you can find that, we could probably come up with an easy solution. Usually that kind of info is available for the more popular cars. The GTO being an LSx car, it`s probably floating around on the forums somewhere. 🔗 External reference