PIAA Headlight Bulbs
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,252
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From: NH
PIAA Headlight Bulbs
I installed a set of PIAA 9005 and 9006 bulbs along with PIAA 1100X driving lights on my Z06 yesterday. The low beam light pattern now has a very dispersed pattern and seems focused higher than the stockers. The high beams have a more focused beam but are pointing down too much. I was surprised to see the adjustment go so far out just by changing the bulbs! Can high and low beam be adjusted separately? Anyone using these lights have any issues?
The 1100x's are awesome, BTW!
The 1100x's are awesome, BTW!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
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From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
you probably didnt notice the headlight allignment cause the stock lighting is so crappy. I dont think you can adjust them seperately. When you adjust the low beams they should automatically adjust the high beams. Also i think there is a write up on this in the tech tips section
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,252
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From: NH
I've seen one somewhere on here, two adjustments only...
The stock low beams were aimed too low but they had a more focused beam. The PIAA beam is much wider and dispersed like it was in a completely different housing. I'll try adjusting them up some and see what happens to the low beams. Thanks.
The stock low beams were aimed too low but they had a more focused beam. The PIAA beam is much wider and dispersed like it was in a completely different housing. I'll try adjusting them up some and see what happens to the low beams. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 250
From: CT
I installed the 1100xs a couple of weeks ago and I agree they are awesome, find myself driving with the headlights closed much of the time.
I would be interested in your impressions of the PIAA 9005 & 9006 bulbs. I have Wizard Ultra White Halogens in there now.
Thanks
I would be interested in your impressions of the PIAA 9005 & 9006 bulbs. I have Wizard Ultra White Halogens in there now.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,252
Likes: 0
From: NH
In the 2 minutes that I had them on last night, they are brighter and whiter. As stated, the low beam lighting pattern is weird. If I can resolve this issue and get them adjusted properly, I think it is a considerable improvement over stock. I bought these with a price matching credit so price wasn't considered. Suspect the equivalent Sylvania may be equal for a lot less although I haven't tried them to compare. The 1100X's are still brighter than my headlights for what that's worth.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Although I put 4 high beam PIAA bulbs in my car, by retrofitting the plug on the bulbs just a little bit, I do NOT have a problem with the lows being higher in position than the highs.
I know it's a dumb question, are you SURE either set is seated correctly?
BTW, I did notice that now that I have brighter, more focused bulbs, the driver's side low beam is designed to be lower than the passenger. To clarify, if you level the low beams on each side, when the high beams are on, the driver's side high beam is too high and pointed too far left. If you aim the high beams level, the driver's low beam points a little lower and to the inside a bit. I'm pretty sure they made them that way intentionally, which sucks.
I know it's a dumb question, are you SURE either set is seated correctly?
BTW, I did notice that now that I have brighter, more focused bulbs, the driver's side low beam is designed to be lower than the passenger. To clarify, if you level the low beams on each side, when the high beams are on, the driver's side high beam is too high and pointed too far left. If you aim the high beams level, the driver's low beam points a little lower and to the inside a bit. I'm pretty sure they made them that way intentionally, which sucks.
Last edited by MrLeadFoot; May 11, 2006 at 01:48 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 2
From: Rogersville TN
I'm installing PIAAs right now. On the O Ring part of the bulb, the diameter is 0.005" too large, I had to remove the O ring and file to reduce the O.D. to get them in far enough to rotate and lock.
What a bitch of a job trying to get your hand back in there, I removed the hood stop and that helps some.
My last stock bulb (right low beam) is stuck, I finally got it to rotate but it won't come out. With an aircraft inspection mirror it hard to see if the three dogs are in the unlock position, even though I can feel the unlocked stop it won't come out.
Anyone else have any problems. This on a 1999 C5.
What a bitch of a job trying to get your hand back in there, I removed the hood stop and that helps some.
My last stock bulb (right low beam) is stuck, I finally got it to rotate but it won't come out. With an aircraft inspection mirror it hard to see if the three dogs are in the unlock position, even though I can feel the unlocked stop it won't come out.
Anyone else have any problems. This on a 1999 C5.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,252
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From: NH
"I know it's a dumb question, are you SURE either set is seated correctly?"
99% sure except for the end result. I need to tear everything apart again so will post up later. The lows are like opening the lense on a Mag light all the way, very dispersed in a 360* arc and broken up. The high beams, I think I can adjust as they have a more focused beam. We'll see what happens to the lows after. I may just go back to OEM.
99% sure except for the end result. I need to tear everything apart again so will post up later. The lows are like opening the lense on a Mag light all the way, very dispersed in a 360* arc and broken up. The high beams, I think I can adjust as they have a more focused beam. We'll see what happens to the lows after. I may just go back to OEM.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 2
From: Rogersville TN
[QUOTE=bb609]"I know it's a dumb question, are you SURE either set is seated correctly?"
Before I reduced the OD, you had to really push to get the three tabs into the proper slots, using the square tab to square tab slot, then it still wouldn't rotate due to binding. I mic'ed the stock bulb and found that the OD was 0.005" smaller. I reduced the OD on the PIAAs and then they fit like stock, easy in and easy out. I wonder if other installers are just pressing them in and not locking the bulbs. I had to modify all four PIAA bulbs. If my head light housings were out of tolerence, the stock bulbs would have the same problem.
The other difference is the PIAA bulb body beyond the O ring groove is much longer then stock. If the housing is tapered for a good O ring seal, then this is why the extra length has to be modified. I didn't want to risk the expensive bulb in my lath so the file, although crude, was the safe bet.
Someone said take the top covers off. I removed the bezels as per my shop manual but not the painted headlight covers. I'm going out to the shop and check that out. I know removing the headlight assembly is a PIA, requiring the removal of the front facia.
Thanks, Curt
Before I reduced the OD, you had to really push to get the three tabs into the proper slots, using the square tab to square tab slot, then it still wouldn't rotate due to binding. I mic'ed the stock bulb and found that the OD was 0.005" smaller. I reduced the OD on the PIAAs and then they fit like stock, easy in and easy out. I wonder if other installers are just pressing them in and not locking the bulbs. I had to modify all four PIAA bulbs. If my head light housings were out of tolerence, the stock bulbs would have the same problem.
The other difference is the PIAA bulb body beyond the O ring groove is much longer then stock. If the housing is tapered for a good O ring seal, then this is why the extra length has to be modified. I didn't want to risk the expensive bulb in my lath so the file, although crude, was the safe bet.
Someone said take the top covers off. I removed the bezels as per my shop manual but not the painted headlight covers. I'm going out to the shop and check that out. I know removing the headlight assembly is a PIA, requiring the removal of the front facia.
Thanks, Curt
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,252
Likes: 0
From: NH
Agree they are really tight going in and the first one I tried seemed to lock but didn't turn. I went back on all 4 and reinserted/turned them to be sure. I wound up taking the covers off to help with the driving light install but didn't move anything. I wonder if the PIAA bulb being longer is the reason for throwing a different light pattern???
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 2
From: Rogersville TN
Well, I finally got all the PIAA bulbs in. I had to take the headlight housing out (The black plastic housing that holds the bulbs). I never would have been able to remove the stuck stock bulb, the metal tab/ramp that pushes the bulb square tab up and out was bent up and blocking the bulb from rotating into position.
I removed the bezel, the painted headlight cover, it's bracket and then you can get to the three screw bolts that hold the black plastic lens housing in. I wish I'd done this earlier would have saved a ton of time.
Who ever wrote the shop manual must not have ever changed bulbs. The Drivers side wasn't too bad for changing bulbs that fit. The pax side high beam was easy enough but the Low beam bulb was a SOB even if it was removable. I have big hands and that a real problem.
I haven't driven the car at night, but the lights aren't dull yellow anymore.
I think a good way to go would be the PIAA 9006 for the low beam and HID unites for the high beams.
Cheers, Curt
I removed the bezel, the painted headlight cover, it's bracket and then you can get to the three screw bolts that hold the black plastic lens housing in. I wish I'd done this earlier would have saved a ton of time.
Who ever wrote the shop manual must not have ever changed bulbs. The Drivers side wasn't too bad for changing bulbs that fit. The pax side high beam was easy enough but the Low beam bulb was a SOB even if it was removable. I have big hands and that a real problem.
I haven't driven the car at night, but the lights aren't dull yellow anymore.
I think a good way to go would be the PIAA 9006 for the low beam and HID unites for the high beams.
Cheers, Curt
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 2
From: Rogersville TN
Originally Posted by bb609
Agree they are really tight going in and the first one I tried seemed to lock but didn't turn. I went back on all 4 and reinserted/turned them to be sure. I wound up taking the covers off to help with the driving light install but didn't move anything. I wonder if the PIAA bulb being longer is the reason for throwing a different light pattern???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,252
Likes: 0
From: NH
So I took the covers back off of one side. Sure enough, both weren't seated properly...so much for double checking 
The high beam seated okay but low beam may need some work. Where exactly did you have to trim?
Edit - Nevermind, I just reread your post...sounds like fun...
The high beam seated okay but low beam may need some work. Where exactly did you have to trim?
Edit - Nevermind, I just reread your post...sounds like fun...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,252
Likes: 0
From: NH
To finish the story, I measured the difference between mine and the PIAA's were about 1/16" thicker in diameter. However, I only filed them lightly around a few times and they dropped right in. Thanks for paving the way for me! You saved me at least one night's sleep for sure!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 2
From: Rogersville TN
Originally Posted by bb609
To finish the story, I measured the difference between mine and the PIAA's were about 1/16" thicker in diameter. However, I only filed them lightly around a few times and they dropped right in. Thanks for paving the way for me! You saved me at least one night's sleep for sure!
You're welcome. You only have to take off a few thou.
Seems like we try to go first class and no matter how much you pay, the quality is never what we expect.
I build custom pistol for a hobby, if I did it for the $, I'd be working for min. wage. the best quality parts I can get have very poor quality control. I'm continually sending parts back and changing Manufactures, seems like it's all going down hill rapidly.
Cheers, Curt
My pile of "mods" that will never see daylight is growing...Thankfully, the headlight bulbs won't be on there!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 2
From: Rogersville TN
Did they lie to us??
BOHICA: Bend over here it comes again.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...good/good.html
Who can you believe anymore???
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...good/good.html
Who can you believe anymore???
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 796
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by curtbriggs
BOHICA: Bend over here it comes again.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...good/good.html
Who can you believe anymore???
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...good/good.html
Who can you believe anymore???
