Headlight Bulb Replacement questions
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 95
Likes: 53
From: North Andover, MA
Headlight Bulb Replacement questions
Hello All,
Looking for some guidance with regards to headlight bulb replacement on my 2014 Z51. Passenger side bulb is out.
I have a great body guy that will take care of removing the front fascia and installing the new bulb. I'm going to replace both bulbs while it's apart.
Is there any advantage in replacing with the GM13587843 that cost ~ $120 - $150 each, versus using an Osram or Philips D3S equivalent? As far as I am aware, GM sources it's bulbs from Osram primarily. The Osram or Philips bulbs cost around $70 each.
Also, any need to replace the ballasts while in there??
Appreciate any and all recommendations,
Thanks!
Looking for some guidance with regards to headlight bulb replacement on my 2014 Z51. Passenger side bulb is out.
I have a great body guy that will take care of removing the front fascia and installing the new bulb. I'm going to replace both bulbs while it's apart.
Is there any advantage in replacing with the GM13587843 that cost ~ $120 - $150 each, versus using an Osram or Philips D3S equivalent? As far as I am aware, GM sources it's bulbs from Osram primarily. The Osram or Philips bulbs cost around $70 each.
Also, any need to replace the ballasts while in there??
Appreciate any and all recommendations,
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 954
Likes: 377
From: Louisiana
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Just do the rest of us a favor and choose a bulb that has the same color temperature as the stock bulb. Too many people are going for the 6K blue look that blinds oncoming drivers and doesn't light the road as well for the person driving the car.
Bill
Bill
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 95
Likes: 53
From: North Andover, MA
Bill D.,
Always enjoy reading your commentary. I fully agree with your comments on the Ultra Bright Blue lights. I've been very happy with the OEM bulbs. Gonna go with the Osram OEM bulb.
Thx
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 850
From: New Jersey
A somewhat brighter HID bulb, from a reputable manufacturer, is the Osram "Night Breaker Laser Xenarc". These bulbs have pretty much stock color (4400K color temperature), which is optimum for illumination (rather than the bluer colors). They will realistically give you 25% to 50% more light output (lumens) than the factory bulb. These are plug-and-play replacements, once you get the headlight assembly off the car.
Buy from a reputable vendor, as there are lots of fake clones of these bulbs, I recommend HID Concepts.
The Corvette uses a "D3S" type of bulb. The Osram part number is 66340XNN (each bulb).
These bulbs are about $180 a pair.
As all things, there are trade-offs, these brighter bulbs have a somewhat shorter lifetime than standard bulbs.
You do not need to replace the ballasts.
Buy from a reputable vendor, as there are lots of fake clones of these bulbs, I recommend HID Concepts.
The Corvette uses a "D3S" type of bulb. The Osram part number is 66340XNN (each bulb).
These bulbs are about $180 a pair.
As all things, there are trade-offs, these brighter bulbs have a somewhat shorter lifetime than standard bulbs.
You do not need to replace the ballasts.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Hello All,
Looking for some guidance with regards to headlight bulb replacement on my 2014 Z51. Passenger side bulb is out.
I have a great body guy that will take care of removing the front fascia and installing the new bulb. I'm going to replace both bulbs while it's apart.
Is there any advantage in replacing with the GM13587843 that cost ~ $120 - $150 each, versus using an Osram or Philips D3S equivalent? As far as I am aware, GM sources it's bulbs from Osram primarily. The Osram or Philips bulbs cost around $70 each.
Also, any need to replace the ballasts while in there??
Appreciate any and all recommendations,
Thanks!
Looking for some guidance with regards to headlight bulb replacement on my 2014 Z51. Passenger side bulb is out.
I have a great body guy that will take care of removing the front fascia and installing the new bulb. I'm going to replace both bulbs while it's apart.
Is there any advantage in replacing with the GM13587843 that cost ~ $120 - $150 each, versus using an Osram or Philips D3S equivalent? As far as I am aware, GM sources it's bulbs from Osram primarily. The Osram or Philips bulbs cost around $70 each.
Also, any need to replace the ballasts while in there??
Appreciate any and all recommendations,
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
'Why do you say that? I switched to 6000K bulbs for a couple trucks and it seems to do a better job for me in dark places when I have to drive in the back roads.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 954
Likes: 377
From: Louisiana
I think he's incorrectly attributing poorly aimed headlights and glare from conversions with 6k bulbs. Since for the most part 6k bulbs have lower output compared to things offered in the 4.7k - 5.7k range.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Fair point. I have been dazzles by incandescent lights that were aimed at who knows what. One up and one down. Not sure what they are looking for but both bases are covered.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 84
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From: Columbus, OH
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
I don't follow. Isn't daylight about 6000-6500? That's what I was going for.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
But is that a good thing to be dumping at night? How would it work when the light reflects off certain colors? This is why I thought white would be best since it simulates daylight and keeps things on an even keel.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
However, they do provide less visibility to the driver while literally blinding oncoming older drivers. Do you really enjoy driving at night with poorer visibility while half the drivers coming toward you are blind and guessing where they have their car pointed? The best lights are around 4K to 4.5K color temperature. The same ones that were delivered from the factory.
Bill
Bill