|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 635
Veteran CEG\'er
|
OP
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 635 |
Hi All
Just wondering what headlight bulbs everyone is using. Wanna upgrade the headlights some on my car. I know the easiest thing is to swap in the highbeam bulbs into the low beam sockets. Wondering if there is a better than standard, LEGAL bulb I can use (no in dash fires from 100W bulbs please!). My research online has not left me with the most favourable opinion of the Silverstars, but I am curious to know other peoples experiences.
Thanks
Erik
BTW, does anyone elses headlight switch get warm after having the headlights on for a while? I don't mean scaldingly hot, but noticably warm.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,168
I am Canuckian
|
|
I am Canuckian
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,168 |
I like my silverstars. I haven't done the 9005's mod though. I did notice an improvement however with silverstars vs standard bulbs. I did the upgrade at a time when I was doing ALOT of countryside driving at night. That in it self made the cost make sense.
Green 96 mystique gs 4cyl mtx
16.9 in the 1/4 mile @102500 miles
95SE in Midnight Red MTX
MSDS headers and y-pipe
SVT exhaust
SVT UIM
Optimized se TB.
Full pre 98 SVT body kit
15.741 @ 87.73mph :)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,807
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,807 |
The Silverstars are OK but suck in wet conditions. You can't beat the 9005 mod for the price. Modified 9005 bulbs will out perform Silverstars all day long which for the most part only offer a different colour output than traditional bulbs. 65W bulbs from Crappy Tire for $7 ea. vs $21 for Silverstars. It's a no brainer in my opinion. BTW I just switched from Silverstars because one each of my headlights and foglights blew after only 4 months and the price to replace them that often just sux.
99 CSVT Green/Tan
# 84 of 2760
Built on Wednesday, September 30, 1998
15.376 @ 92.00 MPH Stock
75,000Km
96 Contour GL
2.5L V6 ATX 170,000Km
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 650
Veteran CEG\'er
|
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 650 |
HIR 9011 (9005 substitute) in low beam. Not white, but very bright.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 635
Veteran CEG\'er
|
|
OP
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 635 |
Originally posted by ESC:
HIR 9011 (9005 substitute) in low beam. Not white, but very bright.
Wow
Those are weird looking. Where did you get them from? What is the wattage?
Thanks
E
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 108
CEG\'er
|
|
CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 108 |
I've never seen any bulbs like that before, what are they made for?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 650
Veteran CEG\'er
|
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 650 |
Stock wattages (55W 9006 equiv, 65W 9005 equiv). CEG discussion here (scroll down to Josch's first post): http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=aesthetics&Number=710512&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1Originally posted by Josch:
...they are made by Toshiba and are under patent. Called HIR (Halogen Infrared Reflective), they do work better than stock bulbs I got them in my highbeams only (since I already got real xenon in my lowbeams), but you can mod them to fit in your 9006 lowbeams as well (really easily) to get 10 extra watts than you have now. 9006 and 9005 are almost the same, but 9005 was made for highbeams and have 65w, and 9006 have 55w so if you buy these HIR 9011 (almost the same as 9005), then that eBay seller has already filed the upper tab of them to fit 9005, and so if you mod them to fit into your 9006 lowbeam, you will get mega more light, and since they are in your lowbeam fixtures, they will have the same optics as lowbeam so they shouldn't increase glare, just be a little brighter within the normal area of the stock beam pattern
Just so you know, these are the bulbs stock ratings:
9006= 1000 lumens
9005= 1700 lumens
HIR 9011= 2350 lumens
(reference here: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/bulb_types/bulb_types.html )
Anyway, these new HIR 9011 type come stock in Vipers and some models of Toyotas already
Ordered here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7963727258&category=33710
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,017
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,017 |
I did the high/low swap which I liked, but then Mr. Wong was unloading some Xenon bulb Eurolites.
There ok, but I will go back to the high/low mod when they blow.
Like Rob stated, for the money the high/low mod is the best.
1996 2.5LT V6 Contour ATX My Tour+help/info pics
E0 rims, Gutted Pre-Cats,CTA Custom Exhaust & Intake, Diablo Chip.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,625
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,625 |
I am using the Xenon Super Plasma's from Eurolite. I like them, but that's personal taste.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,043
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,043 |
I have D2S bulbs...  The one thing that some Silverstar owners have had in the Focus is the wiring harness and/or housing melting. I'm not sure about the Contours, but as with anything that uses a higher wattage than originally specified, you do run the risk of that happening. As for other stuff getting warm, I think that happens with a lot of Ford cars. Our Topazes and my Focus get warm around the climate control and radio areas when the headlights have been on for a bit.
|
|
|
|
|
