I've had both just the HID bulbs and then was shown the ways of the retrofit.
Are the HID bulbs technically illegal and blind people. Yes. With that said I had the HID bulbs for about a year and never got pulled over. I did get he occassional flashing of the brights from oncoming traffic. Not that often though. I think the thing I hated the most about it is that with the non-RS your lights are basically on all the time because of your DLRs. IMO...during the day the bright light of the HID bulbs was really destracting to others.
Then I was turned on to the HID projectors. WOW....major difference in light quality. Even with the lights on during the day they were much better for on coming traffic. However, I eventually got a harness that killed my DRL which I would recommend you doing.
I have a mix of Oracle and Morimoto from TRS because I already had the AAC stuff from my original install. I've had two Oracle ballasts go out on me. Both were pretty much back to back. I think it sucks the way you either have to purchase an extra ballast or go without headlights for a week or so if you ever need warranty work. That's just the way it is though for pretty much all the vendors. I now have a spare ballast in my trunk just in case.
Almost 2 years with my retrofit and other than the ballasts they have been working great. I could never go back to Halogen nor would I use the HID bulbs. That's me though. It's funny how not long after our retrofit builds started hitting the forum that AAC came back and now offers a complete retrofit themselves. They rake over the coals for it though.
Here are the links to my stuff that will help you get informed. You can also search retrofit in the forum and get more links.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120440
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147580
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...hlight=install
BTW: I wouldn't bother asking questions to TRS through email. Just pick up the phone and call them. They'll answer all you need right away. They can even do the actual retrofit for you if you want.