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Direct replacement headlight bulbs........

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Old Aug 25, 2008 | 05:25 PM
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Default Direct replacement headlight bulbs........

I've read that halogen bulbs weaken with time and use (is that true?), so I'm going to replace mine and would like to know which ones will give me the most light without going to HID or something really expensive. I really don't want some funny colored light though, white is good enough for me.

Thanks guys.
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Old Aug 25, 2008 | 05:39 PM
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Don't waste your time. I have tried the sylvania and everything and they just don't compare. HID is all you need. PM me if you want a good deal on HID.
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Old Aug 25, 2008 | 05:51 PM
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I've installed Sylvania SIlverStars and noticed a heck of improvement. I would recommend adjusting the aim slightly higher for the best effect. HID's are expensive and too much work.
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Old Aug 25, 2008 | 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Bethlehem Bob
HID's are expensive and too much work.
That all depends if being able to see at night is important to you. I bought ACA HID's and no pun intended the difference is like night and day. If you don't plan on changing to HID's I'd go with the Sylvania SIlverStars.
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Old Aug 25, 2008 | 08:23 PM
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Toshiba HIR - check the threads
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Old Aug 25, 2008 | 10:05 PM
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Thanks guys, I'm looking at the HIR's. Is the general opinion to use the high beam bulbs in the low beam sockets?
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Old Aug 25, 2008 | 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by garagpet
Thanks guys, I'm looking at the HIR's. Is the general opinion to use the high beam bulbs in the low beam sockets?
How-to: http://www.angelfire.com/d20/hcivic8...onversion.html
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Old Aug 25, 2008 | 10:32 PM
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Hella markets a 80W low beam and a 100W high beam direct replacements. stock is 55W and 65W. these are listed as off road. amazon used to have them, not sure about now

Last edited by 10U 99; Aug 25, 2008 at 10:41 PM.
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Old Aug 26, 2008 | 02:56 AM
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hids are the real deal, if you dont mind poor lighting leave the stock setup alone or play around with cheap replacement bulbs
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Old Aug 26, 2008 | 04:18 AM
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I have used Silver Stars Ultra and is a big improvement over stock.
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Old Aug 26, 2008 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill K
I have used Silver Stars Ultra and is a big improvement over stock.
Not expensive and a nice white result.
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Old Aug 26, 2008 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by 10U 99
Hella markets a 80W low beam and a 100W high beam direct replacements. stock is 55W and 65W. these are listed as off road. amazon used to have them, not sure about now
These are the bulbs I am using

They are awesome!!!

But be prepared to re-adjust the beam because everyone flashes you at the factory height. But since I got them dialed in I can see great on low beam and awesome On high beam. In fact I can't out drive the beam they are so bright.

The down side is they draw almost twice the current and run hotter than the stock bulb.

I compared them to my mom's HID on her caddy and it blows the hid out of the water.
Save the money on the Hids.Though they look cool,there is no replacement for candlepower.

Just like horsepower is horsepower
Candlepower is Candlepower

Tirerack sells them along with autobarn

Have a good one
fireman591

Last edited by fireman591; Aug 26, 2008 at 04:04 PM.
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Old Aug 26, 2008 | 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by garagpet
Thanks guys, I'm looking at the HIR's. Is the general opinion to use the high beam bulbs in the low beam sockets?
Personally I wouldn't - the life expectancy for the highs is 300 hours as opposed to 800 for the lows.
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Old Aug 26, 2008 | 08:33 PM
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1 of my Sylvania Silver Star low beams blew out within a year and half. The highs are still working but I'm sure I'll lose one of those soon as well.

I like the way the blue bulbs look and they definitely make a respectable difference when compared to the shatty stock bulbs. I do have an issue with "out driving" the lights though. The high beam Silver Stars have a hard time keeping up. Just not nearly as bad as the stock lights.

The bad thing about the stronger candle power bulbs is that they are known to fry the wiring harnesses. I have two friends that own service repair shops and they are replacing harnesses in cars all the time due to the hot burning bulbs. They both recommended me not installing these bulbs in any of my cars.

True HID's are the way to go.

Last edited by Johnny Hardcore; Aug 26, 2008 at 08:36 PM.
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Old Aug 26, 2008 | 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Johnny Hardcore
1 of my Sylvania Silver Star low beams blew out within a year and half. The highs are still working but I'm sure I'll lose one of those soon as well.

I like the way the blue bulbs look and they definitely make a respectable difference when compared to the shatty stock bulbs. I do have an issue with "out driving" the lights though. The high beam Silver Stars have a hard time keeping up. Just not nearly as bad as the stock lights.

The bad thing about the stronger candle power bulbs is that they are known to fry the wiring harnesses. I have two friends that own service repair shops and they are replacing harnesses in cars all the time due to the hot burning bulbs. They both recommended me not installing these bulbs in any of my cars.

True HID's are the way to go.
But were they the Ultra? They have a longer life, Been in my 2 cars for 4 years plus no probs.
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Old Aug 26, 2008 | 11:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Johnny Hardcore
1 of my Sylvania Silver Star low beams blew out within a year and half. The highs are still working but I'm sure I'll lose one of those soon as well.

I like the way the blue bulbs look and they definitely make a respectable difference when compared to the shatty stock bulbs. I do have an issue with "out driving" the lights though. The high beam Silver Stars have a hard time keeping up. Just not nearly as bad as the stock lights.

The bad thing about the stronger candle power bulbs is that they are known to fry the wiring harnesses. I have two friends that own service repair shops and they are replacing harnesses in cars all the time due to the hot burning bulbs. They both recommended me not installing these bulbs in any of my cars.

True HID's are the way to go.

The 80 watt or 100 watt bulbs don't draw enough power to fry a corvette wire harness. Now if you bump up to a 130 watt bulb you might have to increase the wire size and go with the euro glass housings.

I checked my harnesses with a thermo imaging camera (a $18,000 tool that firefighters use to see in the dark)while the headlights were on and saw minimal increase in the temp.

I have run high power bulbs in all my cars since 1986 with no issues.
The only car I had to modify was a 1988 grand am.I was running four 90/130 bulbs.It needed 12 gauge wires with a relay for each filiment (8).

It was awesome though, you could feel the heat from the beam 2 feet away from the car.
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Old Aug 27, 2008 | 12:25 AM
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amp draw = watts divided by volts

65W draws 5.4 amps
100W draws 8.3 amps

unlikely an additional 2.9 amps will fry anything
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Old Aug 27, 2008 | 02:33 AM
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Originally Posted by 10U 99
amp draw = watts divided by volts

65W draws 5.4 amps
100W draws 8.3 amps

unlikely an additional 2.9 amps will fry anything

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Old Aug 27, 2008 | 09:07 AM
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I have been very pleased with the Silver line Ultras... nice clean white light.. big improvement over stock...but not as good as HID. Its that simple.
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Old Aug 27, 2008 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Billysc5
I have been very pleased with the Silver line Ultras... nice clean white light.. big improvement over stock...but not as good as HID. Its that simple.
Someday I will get the Euro lenses with the 90/130 hella 5000k bulbs.
When I post pictures of a before and after you will take back the not as good as HID statement

Give me a year or so,I have other mods to finish up.
Have a good one
Fireman591
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