C5 headlight bulb question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 125
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C5 headlight bulb question
Has anyone tried the Silver Star or Cool Blue headlight bulbs available in the local parts stores?
Is there any advantage in visibility with these bulbs over the factory bulbs?
Thanks, Titan
Is there any advantage in visibility with these bulbs over the factory bulbs?
Thanks, Titan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
No, they are 50 watt bubs (clear) instead of 27.5 watt (black half painted) stock. They will not be any problem with fuse or bulb housings. You should re-aim the fog lights afterwards.
They DO make silverstar fog lights, but they are dimmer than the 50 watt bulbs.
They DO make silverstar fog lights, but they are dimmer than the 50 watt bulbs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
I had silverstar ultras for a while. improvement? yes, much of one? no. the light color was slightly better. I don't think they gave me any better visibility. I used them for only a few months before I took them out and lost them. I have no idea where they are now which is sad, I spent $100 on those stupid things for highs and lows.
its a common theme in these types of threads, but have you considered HIDs? they can be had for very little more than silverstars if you are willing to go with HIDs in the stock housings. many will say that's a cheesy way to improve light, but many members here have had good luck with them. check out www.jwmotoring.com if you're interested, he'll get you what you need. its definitely more involved than a bulb swap, but it makes a huge improvement in light output and visibility.
its a common theme in these types of threads, but have you considered HIDs? they can be had for very little more than silverstars if you are willing to go with HIDs in the stock housings. many will say that's a cheesy way to improve light, but many members here have had good luck with them. check out www.jwmotoring.com if you're interested, he'll get you what you need. its definitely more involved than a bulb swap, but it makes a huge improvement in light output and visibility.
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,198
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From: Columbia MD
Be advised: Silver Stars have a much shorter life span than the OEM-type bulbs. They only lasted about a year in my daily driver MDX! When I checked with Sylvania, they said this was "normal". 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
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From: Long Island NY
I also heard the silverstars have a very short life span compared to the stock bulbs. In the span of a few years you could spend a lot of $$ for such little improvment. I upgraded my lows to HID's using a kit I got from JW. The kit did not cost a lot and the improvment is huge, literally a night and day difference over halogens. If you want better visability and long bulb life you should look into the HID's, you wont be sorry. Good luck!
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 687
Likes: 228
From: Kemah Texas
I also heard the silverstars have a very short life span compared to the stock bulbs. In the span of a few years you could spend a lot of $$ for such little improvment. I upgraded my lows to HID's using a kit I got from JW. The kit did not cost a lot and the improvment is huge, literally a night and day difference over halogens. If you want better visability and long bulb life you should look into the HID's, you wont be sorry. Good luck!
Don't mean to hijack the thread but what kit did you buy from JW? Was it just the HID bulbs and ballast? Did you see the expected HID improvement even with the stock lenses? Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
P.S. Also changed the fuses to 20amp for both low beams and fogs.
Last edited by Vettmann17; Nov 1, 2010 at 01:07 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Lake Tapps WA.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 6
From: LAND OF OZ Kansas
I had them on my low-beams, and after I drove around with them for a while I decided to get HID's. HID's will run you just a bit more than the Silver Stars, but you will be glad you got HID's.
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 687
Likes: 228
From: Kemah Texas
I bought the complete HID low beam kit (Bulbs, slim ballast, resistor, all wiring and connectors) and kept my stock housing/lens. Even with keeping the stock lens the improvment is dramatic, and it does not blind oncoming trafffic. I've heard some have to re-aim their lenses but I did not have to. I placed tape on the garage door with the car about 8-10 feet away and marked the light position on the stock bulbs. After I completed the job I got lucky and the HID's were right on the mark. I later also changed the fogs to HID's and am very happy with the reults. JW motoring is a great vendor to deal with and gives you plenty of help if you need it.
P.S. Also changed the fuses to 20amp for both low beams and fogs.
P.S. Also changed the fuses to 20amp for both low beams and fogs.
I bought my LED turn signals from JW - great vendor - guess the HID kit is going on my next order.
