Lighting Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 45
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Lighting Question
Having read all of the threads re HID conversions, halogen upgrades and C5 headlamp performance, I have a question.
Has anyone upgraded the bulbs to offroad wattages, 9006 low beam from 55w to 80 w and 9005 hi beam from 65w to 100w?
Does this offer any improvement, and will the factory wiring harness
tolerate the additional load?
Seems to me that if the pattern of the stock reflectors is good, the
added wattage would be a good thing if nothing burns up.
Plus the expense would be less.
Has anyone upgraded the bulbs to offroad wattages, 9006 low beam from 55w to 80 w and 9005 hi beam from 65w to 100w?
Does this offer any improvement, and will the factory wiring harness
tolerate the additional load?
Seems to me that if the pattern of the stock reflectors is good, the
added wattage would be a good thing if nothing burns up.
Plus the expense would be less.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The info I have is that the stock wiring harness will not take the additional wattage.
The reason I say that is my Euro headlights came with a new harness to support the PIAA dual filament 135/95 bulbs. There are notes on the instalaltion that warn about using the higer wattage bulbs with stock wiring.
The euros have a much more defined and shaped beam. The stock lights have a wider diffuse flat beam pattern.
The harness also adapts the connectors to operate the dual filament bulbs froma single connector in the light housing.
The reason I say that is my Euro headlights came with a new harness to support the PIAA dual filament 135/95 bulbs. There are notes on the instalaltion that warn about using the higer wattage bulbs with stock wiring.
The euros have a much more defined and shaped beam. The stock lights have a wider diffuse flat beam pattern.
The harness also adapts the connectors to operate the dual filament bulbs froma single connector in the light housing.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I have 100 watt in my '88. I have been looking for a source of off road high wattage bulbs fo rmy '01.
From what I have read, the stock wiring system can handle up to 110W but not the 135 that DeeGee used.
From what I have read, the stock wiring system can handle up to 110W but not the 135 that DeeGee used.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
Although I'm not positive there may also be some concerns about the stock lenses also being able the handle the extra heat load of the higher wattage bulbs. The Euro lenses are glass whereas the US version is a polycarbonate plastic from what I can remember.
Ray
Ray
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by RAO-3
Although I'm not positive there may also be some concerns about the stock lenses also being able the handle the extra heat load of the higher wattage bulbs. The Euro lenses are glass whereas the US version is a polycarbonate plastic from what I can remember.
Ray
Ray
The stock housings are pretty cheap and nasty in comparisonHere's the Euro
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 5
From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"
The euro housings are heavier, but it hasn't broken my motors yet, and I have T1 bars and don't slow down for broken pavement (that's what shocks are for). I bought my euro lights with the wiring kit, and I run and use 90/130w bulbs everyday, twice a day.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 161
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '08
65 w and 100 w
I have the 65w and 100 w on the passengers side and the 9005 to 9006 mode on the drivers side. Don't waste your money on the higher wattage. Do the 9005 to 9006 mode. Big difference, could not see any difference with the higher wattage.
Clayton
Clayton
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