just had HID fogs installed...but
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
just had HID fogs installed...but
it looks like they are not as bright as the PIAAS I had...I think its because the stock foglight housings glass is snowy(not clear) and the light is blocked somewhat...does anyone who has done this have this issue? it also seems to have a smaller/tighter light output than the halogens.. the stock housings limit the brightness of the HIDs. Does GM carry a housing where the glass is clear and not fogged up? I like using these as driving lights around town without always lifting my lights(saves the motor and HID bulbs) anyone thinking of this mod, save your money and stick with the PIAAS(or aftermarket lights) I think I will be putting them back in, But Im going to see how the HID fogs compare in differnet situations first thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
I have HID fogs and they are very bright with a great pattern.......clean and sharp cut off. 
My fog lenses are not cloudy at all. The lens is removable if you pull the entire fog light out you will find that there is a plastic retaining ring that once removed will allow the lens to be removed for cleaning.
The PIAA is really a "driving" light with a narrow spot beam.......the HIDs in the stock fog housings have a wide flat pattern. Great for everyday use.
Also wait till the PIAAs burn out and you have to buy the replacements.............I think HIDs will outlast them by a wide margin
My fog lenses are not cloudy at all. The lens is removable if you pull the entire fog light out you will find that there is a plastic retaining ring that once removed will allow the lens to be removed for cleaning.
The PIAA is really a "driving" light with a narrow spot beam.......the HIDs in the stock fog housings have a wide flat pattern. Great for everyday use.
Also wait till the PIAAs burn out and you have to buy the replacements.............I think HIDs will outlast them by a wide margin
Last edited by jrprich; Mar 3, 2008 at 12:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,896
Likes: 269
From: Hillsboro OR
I'm not being a smartass but, did you clean them? I took mine out Saturday and they looked like they were frosted. The truth is that I have the Z06 screens and had no way to wash them during the normal car washing. I sprayed them with Windex and cleaned them up. They are now clear again. 
I don't know of any vette foglight lenses that were actually frosted.
I don't know of any vette foglight lenses that were actually frosted.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
it looks like they are not as bright as the PIAAS I had...I think its because the stock foglight housings glass is snowy(not clear) and the light is blocked somewhat...does anyone who has done this have this issue? it also seems to have a smaller/tighter light output than the halogens.. the stock housings limit the brightness of the HIDs. Does GM carry a housing where the glass is clear and not fogged up? I like using these as driving lights around town without always lifting my lights(saves the motor and HID bulbs) anyone thinking of this mod, save your money and stick with the PIAAS(or aftermarket lights) I think I will be putting them back in, But Im going to see how the HID fogs compare in differnet situations first thanks
you drive around using your fog lights as your night time driving lights?
Sorry but that is really ghetto and really dangerous
Last edited by Got uid0; Mar 3, 2008 at 04:51 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
I'm not being a smartass but, did you clean them? I took mine out Saturday and they looked like they were frosted. The truth is that I have the Z06 screens and had no way to wash them during the normal car washing. I sprayed them with Windex and cleaned them up. They are now clear again. I don't know of any vette foglight lenses that were actually frosted.
I don't know of any vette foglight lenses that were actually frosted. - take out the entire assembly and use washers to play with bulb mounting depth.
- make sure the return electrode wire is on the bottom side. That little wire can throw off optics like you wouldnt' believe.
This should fix any focal point problems you'll have with HIDs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,896
Likes: 269
From: Hillsboro OR
Same thing happened to me. Dirty lens significantly affected light output. If that doesn't help here's a few things you can do:
- take out the entire assembly and use washers to play with bulb mounting depth.
- make sure the return electrode wire is on the bottom side. That little wire can throw off optics like you wouldnt' believe.
This should fix any focal point problems you'll have with HIDs.
- take out the entire assembly and use washers to play with bulb mounting depth.
- make sure the return electrode wire is on the bottom side. That little wire can throw off optics like you wouldnt' believe.
This should fix any focal point problems you'll have with HIDs.
The reason I took my fogs out was I'm doing an ACA HID and foglight HID install. When I put the new bulbs in the foglights I did not use any of the washers except the rubber seal. It would not lock with any washers. The bizzare thing is I've seen a pic in a recent post showing the plastic screw cap mounted on the car. 
Your point about the orientation of the electrodes is a very good one. The bulbs seat in the lamps but they will continue to turn. Are they supposed to? I was hoping that they would just turn in, lock, and stop.
The immediate problem I have with the HID foglights is they won't work without a relay harness. I had ordered one on the bay from the HID supplier most people use. It was ~2ft too short.
I also noticed tonight that one of the foglights ground wires in this harness was cut fully through the insulation and half way through the wire. It sucks but for the cost, I'll deal with it.Thanks for the "heads up".
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
Thanks for the replies...Ive been using them and they work fine, I was worried that they wouldnt give off enough light, but they work well. They are a hint of blue/white compared with the aftemarkets halogens. I got 4300 k I aimed them and its better. But the piaa type lenses still do the job if you dont want to go the HID route. and around the city where the highways are lit, yes you can drive around with just your fogs on, they act like driving lights, its nothing new, people do it all the time with these cars. saves your headlight motors..
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Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
extending a relay harness is one of the easiest electrical modifications you can do. Just extend the output wires with crimps connections and extra wire.
And about night driving with fogs-only... I do it to, however I have Hella Micro DEs with 6000K H3C bulbs. They throw out more light than most headlights and in a much better pattern.
And about night driving with fogs-only... I do it to, however I have Hella Micro DEs with 6000K H3C bulbs. They throw out more light than most headlights and in a much better pattern.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 15
St. Jude Donor '06
it looks like they are not as bright as the PIAAS I had...I think its because the stock foglight housings glass is snowy(not clear) and the light is blocked somewhat...does anyone who has done this have this issue? it also seems to have a smaller/tighter light output than the halogens.. the stock housings limit the brightness of the HIDs. Does GM carry a housing where the glass is clear and not fogged up? I like using these as driving lights around town without always lifting my lights(saves the motor and HID bulbs) anyone thinking of this mod, save your money and stick with the PIAAS(or aftermarket lights) I think I will be putting them back in, But Im going to see how the HID fogs compare in differnet situations first thanks