Best low beam alternative?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: North Port Florida
I have the Sylvania SilverStar Ultras in my headlights It is a small improvement. I used them in my Accord and there was a lot of improvement. They are a higher amp bulb so the life is shorter. In my Accord they were on all the time and lasted two years. In the Vette they should last a lot longer
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 286
Likes: 12
From: Cypress TX
For me, the factory housing does not let you improve much regardless of which bulb you go for. Doesn't matter how much output you have if the light is just getting scattered. Proper aiming is going to give you the biggest improvment IMO without switching to a projector setup. My lights were useless at night until I aimed them correctly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,832
Likes: 2,274
From: Brighton MI
Here's what I went with...
> Philips 893 CrystalVision driving light bulbs
> PIAA Xtreme White Plus headlight bulbs
...these are a noticeable but modest improvement over OEM. Since I don't drive the Vette much at night, these are good enough for me. If I did a lot of night driving, I would spend the money and go with RadioFlyer.
> Philips 893 CrystalVision driving light bulbs
> PIAA Xtreme White Plus headlight bulbs
...these are a noticeable but modest improvement over OEM. Since I don't drive the Vette much at night, these are good enough for me. If I did a lot of night driving, I would spend the money and go with RadioFlyer.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 147
From: Jasper Alabama
I'm attaching a YouTube link on the lowbeam mod. If you want the most light output available without having to go to projectors or HID bulbs pick up a set of 9011 HIR bulbs and follow this procedure. Major improvement over the stock bulbs. You can up the light output even more by adding the 4 on relay harness, allowing rhe lowbeams to stay on when high beams are on. Hope this helps. I personally am tired of dealing with HID projector lights and the ballast failing. My coupe fogs, 01 vert ACA lights and my Avalanche all have ballast issues and lights not working properly. Retroing all three to the 9011 HIR bulbs. Even the fog lights. Goodbye ballsts.
Last edited by Stealth02; Jul 13, 2015 at 01:04 PM.
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if you want to keep the pop up style I would recommend trying to find some aca's with an hid kit... the stock housings suck so it really doesn't matter what bulb you put in it... with an actual projector and hid you probably won't need your high beams anymore
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 14
From: Deland FL
I swear by Ultra's in my other vehicles, but they do not even come close to comparing with true HID setups and a proper projector housing. I would shop around if you go with the Silverstars.. Wal-Mart's price can be beat online. I would love to pull the trigger on some of RadioFlyer's work but I don't currently have the funds... I did just buy the relay for the 4 lights to operate with the high beams from him though.
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I swear by Ultra's in my other vehicles, but they do not even come close to comparing with true HID setups and a proper projector housing. I would shop around if you go with the Silverstars.. Wal-Mart's price can be beat online. I would love to pull the trigger on some of RadioFlyer's work but I don't currently have the funds... I did just buy the relay for the 4 lights to operate with the high beams from him though.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 147
From: Jasper Alabama
The 9011HIR bulbs are brighter than any of the silver star bulbs made. Granted the clear ACA housings would better the light output. But if he is just wanting to stay with his stock housings and just do a bulb upgrade the 9011HIR's will give him the most light output. I am meeting up with a guy that has the radioflyer V3 setup and anorher that has the ACA HID projectors and am going to compare the light output between the two with the 9011HIR lowbeam setup in my Breathless lights.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 14
From: Deland FL
I have about $325 invested in my aca setup, $275 for the housings when they were available and a $50 55w hid kit from ddm tuning and the light output is great, even with the projector they come with... I don't think the radioflyer setup could produce more output that was worth the $300 price difference, however aca's are harder to come by nowadays so that might be the only way to go if you want those housings
I'm sure that either setup produces much more light than the stock housings and would be happy with either, but RadioFlyer's quality has really impressed me so far.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
The 9011HIR bulbs are brighter than any of the silver star bulbs made. Granted the clear ACA housings would better the light output. But if he is just wanting to stay with his stock housings and just do a bulb upgrade the 9011HIR's will give him the most light output. I am meeting up with a guy that has the radioflyer V3 setup and anorher that has the ACA HID projectors and am going to compare the light output between the two with the 9011HIR lowbeam setup in my Breathless lights.
After trying several bulb types and wattage from different manufacturers, the largest improvement I experienced is what is stated here about 9011 HIR bulbs. Although, even when aimed properly the light is still scattered somewhat and the color is still that sucky yellowish tint, but brighter. As suggested by Stealth02, ACA's w/HID will be the best bang for the buck other than buying quality lights such as Sun Guns, Radioflyers !! Jus Say'n !! 
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The RadioFlyer ones come with a Bi-Xenon setup. This is the same technology used in upscale cars and have a mechanical shield that raises to allow high and low beam operation from the same bulb. I do not think the ACA's do that without being modified.
I'm sure that either setup produces much more light than the stock housings and would be happy with either, but RadioFlyer's quality has really impressed me so far.
I'm sure that either setup produces much more light than the stock housings and would be happy with either, but RadioFlyer's quality has really impressed me so far.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 14
From: Deland FL
I understand what they do I'm just saying that the aca's work so well already that I don't think the others could be $300 better... I bought his light cannons before the aca's and was not impressed at all for the price I paid... the aca's worked much better for half the price... this was years ago so maybe he has improved them since the ones I bought
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
Do a search and do the 9005 conversion.
This puts a "high beam" bulb in your "low beam" spot. Added wattage with little mod on the BULB and without any issues.
I did this with SilverStars and the difference is amazing.
This puts a "high beam" bulb in your "low beam" spot. Added wattage with little mod on the BULB and without any issues.
I did this with SilverStars and the difference is amazing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 13
From: SoCal CA
Another vote for the 9011/9012 HIR bulbs. Made a noticable difference over the stock. For better high beam performance, you can also get the 4-HI harness that keeps the low beams on when you switch to high beams. I did both for about $100.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 89
So i just buy the 9005s and plugged em in to my low beam outlets?
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Boca Fl
Here you go plug and play HIDS. Just ordered a set for my c5 zo6 will have them tomorrow. So I will let you know how they look. http://www.hidextra.com/9006-10000k-hid-kit/