Hey guys after taking a shot at the LED licence plate frame and having it not go so well, i got pushed to finally finish my led backup idea, integrated in the taillights. I used the keyhole as a starting point, and basically mounted two 1157 12 led white bulbs in sockets on either side and covered the holes with a type of nylon plug. Ill get some night pics later on tonight, they are definitely VERY noticable as backup lights..let me know what you guys think and ill eventually make a DIY.





Backup lights on, (in the bright sunlight)

 

i like it theyre subtle ... my tails are smokes but i still might do em just because it looks pretty good

 

Efini symbol on an 8 = fail.

I like the red tails though and the kit though. Unfortunately you can't see the backup lights well enough in these pics. I'm sure it's good at night, but in the daytime if you want others to see your backup light, they won't.

 

it would be pretty badass if you could do a sequential turn signal with the stock backup light.

 

Not digging it but to each his own! The tails look decent though!
I applaud u for all the custom work!

 

...yea they will, theyre pretty bright like i said.. And hey, theyre better than not having any backup light on the car, even two small white lights lit are more noticable than a low backup light or none at all.

I love my efini emblem. I look at it as a tribute to the rotary engine, and predecessor, the rx7. Everyone on this forum has their own opinion about that one though. thanks for the comments guys, keep them coming, i really want to see what people think.

 

i like it, I think it looks pretty good, it doesnt detract from the overall red color of the lights

 

How is Efini a tribute to rotary? Because it's triangular? Putting an Efini badge on an 8 is no different than putting a Ferrari badge on it in my book.

Besides that I think you'd be better off getting that carbon fiber license plate backing, painting it white, and putting big led panels in it a la Acura TL.

 

A ferrari badge has absolutely nothing to do with mazda, the rotary engine, or jdm for that matter.
The fact is, yea i have efini emblems because they look much better than the huge Mazda emblem. Along with that, they represent pure JDM in my opinion, and show a tribute to earlier rx-7s and japanese/mazda models..the rx-8 which is now the flagship model for mazda. Besides that the rotary shape goes along with a lot of other features on the rx8, pure and simple, especially with my rear end. Will it make owners of some rx-7s look at it funny for being on a rx8? sure.... will 99% of people who see the car even know what efini stands for, probably not.
The licence plate backing might work, thats a good idea thanks. I think im going to stick with these for awhile though, theyre subtle and theyre bright enough to draw attention when i back up...which is all im looking for. Either way I wont pass inspection unless I take off the red everytime.
Any other opinions about the lights???

 

I actually think this solution looks really good. The only advice I would offer would be to use a different material for the lense. I think the nylon is probably dimming the LEDs a bit and it looks so white when the lights are off, it's hard to tell when they are on (at least in the pics). A clear lense of some type might work better. You've got a PM regarding the frame.

 

Do you even have the slightest clue what you're talking about?

It's a brand subdivision of Mazda that is no longer in use. It's more of a tribute to mazda than to rotary, but I see nothing whatsoever wrong with using an Efini badge on an RX-8. Mazda stopped the tradition, why should the fans!

 

I know what Efini is guy... I also know they never produced rx8s. If someone put a 7 on instead of an 8 you would say that's dumb. Same deal.

 

You know what I think is really lame...putting a 3-rotor in an RX-8. They didn't come from the factory that way...why should we be doing it.

see what I did there.

Sometimes it is the aftermarket additions that are the best. Mazda (or any mass-production car maker) has to cater to the masses...not the specialists. I think the Efini badge is pretty fuxing sweet...and if they still had that branch, the RX-8 would likely have a model sporting it.

 

I agree it's a sweet looking badge, I think the Infinity logo is pretty cool too, I'm going to go throw one on my Altima.

I'm not even going to address your first argument because it doesn't logically follow anything.

 

It would be pretty cool to have an infinity logo...however, you may want to try Infiniti...you'll have more luck.

 

Let's pick on spelling and grammar because we lost the argument

 

ha back to my backup lights guys....

the efini badge has been covered in numerous threads, and most of them are 5+ pages of people arguing different points. Either way, ive owned the rx8 for a few years now, before that I had a rx-7 for many more years, and ive contributed to many threads on the badge. The badge is staying, the backup lights might go, so lets stick with those in the thread, ive definitely have some good input and advice on them so far....

 

keep the backup lights and keep the badge, some people just don't appreciate what others do to their cars on this forum.

do i think the efini badge looks good? yes. would i put one on mine? no.

to be honest opinions are a dime a dozen, and plus, who gives a **** about why you're running an efini badge, this thread is about the lights so lets keep it on topic people

 

+1. Totally agree with this.

 

Great idea Shakeyourbrakes! Looks very nice and subtle.

 

some night pics.. so far so good, they give me slightly less light to see backing up due to not having reflectors, but they definitely serve their purpose.

 

looks good man.. if you're concerned about the backup lights not showing up too much, just install that new backup license plate frame. it might not be a bad little combo

http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/L...-p7516915.html

 

He tried. I sold him mine but somewhere along the line it shorted out and wasn't working when he installed.

It is a good solution though... here's mine when it was working:

 

that frame is def bright... i might add that on down the line for some extra light
just to let everyone know Aipex8 is a great guy, the frame showed up not working and he ended up splitting the cost with me and refunding half what i paid him..thats how i ended up trying this instead. Its great to have guys like that on this forum

 

Meh... Looks like a key hole.