Upgrading Lighting
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Maricopa AZ
Upgrading Lighting
Just got my 96 Convertible, everything is fine, but the lights are nothing like my S2000. Yea, Honda has HID lighting. I was considering converting the 96 to H4. Would appreciate any help regarding the best brand to use. Also, has anyone upgraded their C4 to HID lighting. Thanks for your assistance.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver bc
I have Hella H4's in my vette but they aren't that great. IMO the best non hid bulb is Osram Silverstar. Osram is different division than Silvania and has better bulbs but they're hard to get. Check out Ebay as they're only available in Europe and ebay has great prices. (there are a few places in the US that have them but I can't remember the names)
I bought a set of H1's for my bimmer, they're as close to HID you can get, very very white light and isn't ricey blue.
I bought a set of H1's for my bimmer, they're as close to HID you can get, very very white light and isn't ricey blue.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Natas
IMO the best non hid bulb is Osram Silverstar. Osram is different division than Silvania and has better bulbs but they're hard to get.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Maricopa AZ
Originally Posted by bob howard
Just got my 96 Convertible, everything is fine, but the lights are nothing like my S2000. Yea, Honda has HID lighting. I was considering converting the 96 to H4. Would appreciate any help regarding the best brand to use. Also, has anyone upgraded their C4 to HID lighting. Thanks for your assistance.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
There are two components to good C4 lighting: the lense/reflector assembly, and the bulb itself.
The best lighting is obtained by buying a name brand H4(Hella, Cibie, Marchal, Bosch, etc.) lense/reflector, and matching it with a 55/100, 80/100, 90/100, or 100/130 watt H4 name brand bulb (Philips, Osram, etc.)
Do not fall for gimmicks like 'blue' bulbs, halos, city lights, etc.
Do not fall for the "diamond-cut" crap!
Do not fall for the cheap JCWhitney no-name stuff.
If you aren't spending at least $50 per side, you aren't getting the best that you can.
Want to find out everything there is to know about lighting? Go to this website
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/tech.html
read everything on it, and make a decision.
Good luck.
Larry
code5coupe
The best lighting is obtained by buying a name brand H4(Hella, Cibie, Marchal, Bosch, etc.) lense/reflector, and matching it with a 55/100, 80/100, 90/100, or 100/130 watt H4 name brand bulb (Philips, Osram, etc.)
Do not fall for gimmicks like 'blue' bulbs, halos, city lights, etc.
Do not fall for the "diamond-cut" crap!
Do not fall for the cheap JCWhitney no-name stuff.
If you aren't spending at least $50 per side, you aren't getting the best that you can.
Want to find out everything there is to know about lighting? Go to this website
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/tech.html
read everything on it, and make a decision.
Good luck.
Larry
code5coupe
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
I have Adjure Clear diamond H4 conversion Buckets with 10,000k BiXenon High/Low HID's installed in them. I love the look and performance of HID's you cant beat it and the difference is litterally night and day.
The Ignitor is in the balast so all i had to do was plug in the wires and fasten the balast to the framing of the flip up headlight assembly. I used zip ties and they appear to be doing their job.
All these Pics were taken before I had a chance to adjust them they are much better now. The beam before was aimed too low and was too focused in 2 areas now the beams are all spread out and they really light up the road real nice.
The Ignitor is in the balast so all i had to do was plug in the wires and fasten the balast to the framing of the flip up headlight assembly. I used zip ties and they appear to be doing their job.
All these Pics were taken before I had a chance to adjust them they are much better now. The beam before was aimed too low and was too focused in 2 areas now the beams are all spread out and they really light up the road real nice.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver bc
Osram Sylvania is one and the same company, within the US they use both Osram and Sylvania, outside the US its Osram. The Osram Silverstar is a clear bulb with Xenon gas boost to increase brightness up to 50% color is similar to standard halogen though it is slightly whiter. The Sylvania Silverstar is the same bulb but with an amethyst blue coating with 30% more light than standard halogen and 4000K light color which is comparable to Xenon/High Intensity Discharge Light Systems as seen on high end cars from Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Porsche to name a few.
Sylvania Silverstar is currently available in 9003/H4, 9004, 9005, 9006, 9007 & sealed beam sizes, the Sylvania Silverstar is the Super White (blue/grey coated) version of the Osram Silverstar (clear) which is available in H1, H4, & H7. Osram Silverstar color is slightly whiter (very slightly) than regular halogen. We also have the Narva Range Power Blue bulbs are made in Germany and DOT compliant. The Osram Silverstar is E code (ECE Reg 37) but not tested for DOT compliance (FMVSS 108) since the bulb is made for the European market, but most likely meets US DOT standards if tested. All these bulbs are stock wattage so it will not have any effect on wiring.
Sylvania Silverstar is currently available in 9003/H4, 9004, 9005, 9006, 9007 & sealed beam sizes, the Sylvania Silverstar is the Super White (blue/grey coated) version of the Osram Silverstar (clear) which is available in H1, H4, & H7. Osram Silverstar color is slightly whiter (very slightly) than regular halogen. We also have the Narva Range Power Blue bulbs are made in Germany and DOT compliant. The Osram Silverstar is E code (ECE Reg 37) but not tested for DOT compliance (FMVSS 108) since the bulb is made for the European market, but most likely meets US DOT standards if tested. All these bulbs are stock wattage so it will not have any effect on wiring.
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid
I'm thinking there's no difference as I just bought a replacement Silverstar for my Nissan today. It said Osram Sylvania on the package. Got it at Advance.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Natas
Osram Sylvania is one and the same company, within the US they use both Osram and Sylvania, outside the US its Osram. The Osram Silverstar is a clear bulb with Xenon gas boost to increase brightness up to 50% color is similar to standard halogen though it is slightly whiter. The Sylvania Silverstar is the same bulb but with an amethyst blue coating with 30% more light than standard halogen and 4000K light color which is comparable to Xenon/High Intensity Discharge Light Systems as seen on high end cars from Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Porsche to name a few.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...good/good.html
Another interesting article on HID conversions from Stern's website:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html
You guys really should read his whole site. It's a wealth of information on automotive lighting. It will shed some truth on all the hype being shoveled around by people trying to sell junk out there.
Larry
code5coupe
Last edited by rocco16; Sep 14, 2006 at 03:15 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
Originally Posted by bob howard
Thanks guys, I ordered the Hella's today. Will run with "Silverstars" for the rest of the season, then convert to HID. Appreciate the help.
READ STERN'S ARTICLE - HID IS A BUNCH OF HYPE!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
re:Silverstars
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid
I nice upgrade for much less than HIDs is to install Sylvania Silverstar bulbs.
I have silverstars in all my vehicles. Works great just make sure that you dont touch the bulbs when you insert them into the socket. Use a clean t-shirt or clean cotton cloth when you put them in the socket and make sure no oils (i.e. from your skin) touches the bulbs. According to the instructions its causes them to heat differently and may cause premature failure. Mine have yet to fail after almost three years of use. Goldcylon
