1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Headlights Upgrade

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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 11:58 AM
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Question Headlights Upgrade

Hey guys’, just wondering I been searching on EBay and saw a few Headlights that I like and was wondering if buying headlights from eBay is a good idea?

Any tip advice would be appreciated.

Thanks In Advance
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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 12:01 PM
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Sure, if you want. I haven't bought headlights from ebay, but some one else could tell you. I don't see why not. I would go out and take pics but, i need film for my slr. Oh ya, i got halogen headlights. They're pretty good
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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 12:06 PM
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I'd be the one to ask. I bought me projector style headlights off of eBay last week and have them already installed. For $30 including bulbs and shipping, I figured that I couldn't go wrong. Who else doesn't see in paying $30 for ONE conversion headlight minus shipping and minus bulb. I'll take a picture later on and post them online to show how they look. Later tonight, I might be able to take a picture of their beam spread. It's been raining so I'm not sure how well the light will show up.
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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 12:25 PM
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oh ok, thanks guys!

I been looking at this here, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/78-85...35421440QQrdZ1

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/78-84...33882814QQrdZ1

=) The prices are excellent on headlights in Ebay.
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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 12:31 PM
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The first ones are the ones I purchased. I love 'em. I don't care much for the halo ring style. Ever since BMW came out with 'em, everyone wants 'em. On some cars, it looks cool, but with ours, I don't see it looking good.

Here's what I purchased: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33710

However, I do strongly recommend that you buy an upgraded wiring harness (Black Dragon Auto sells one) for when you do the conversion, for obvious reasons: better wattage, no strain on stock wiring, brighter headlights. My install was a snap, tho I did shorten the stock driver side headlight wiring harness a bit to make it look neater.

Last edited by 85 FB; Oct 6, 2006 at 12:34 PM.
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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 12:43 PM
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Cool thanks, I will do that then. =)
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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 12:50 PM
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Yeah, get the BD harness/relay setup. For the money its pretty well made and includes all the bits to do it right. I just go one for the new halogens I'm putting in.
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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 03:03 PM
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Ignore. Double post due to bitchy server.

Last edited by 85 FB; Oct 6, 2006 at 03:06 PM.
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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 03:05 PM
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Also, because I was wanting to change out my header panel, I was able to run the harness wire along the stock harness. No extra wiring draped along the engine.

And, it's raining too much so I can't get a picture today. Maybe tomorrow. Be on the lookout, I'll be making it a separate post, since a couple other members are interested in seeing how they look and perform.
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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 03:10 PM
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Build your own wiring harness using Kentetsu's thread, its better than the Black Dragon, see wire size, and cheaper, I then used cheap H4 headlamps and 90/100 lamps, my headlights are brilliant now. I need them as I drive in the country at night a lot.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/electrical-easy-fix-4-your-headlight-combo-switch-headaches-441702/

Also consider the alternator upgrades, I'm using a series 4 alt much more power to draw on.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/electrical-2nd-gen-alt-1st-gen-388262/
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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 03:30 PM
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H4 bulbs already come with the headlights offered on eBay. So, no point in spending more money for the time being unless you really want to. And, you can check my archived How-To. I have an S5 alternator in mine, so maybe that's helping me with the lighting power output.

And, I just read Kentetsu's thread. I did not see anything about making your own harness. It just talks about how to fix it, not make your own.

Last edited by 85 FB; Oct 6, 2006 at 03:34 PM.
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Old Oct 7, 2006 | 03:40 AM
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Go to www.danielsternlighting.com and read up on this. You will be much better off improving the wiring in the car than by spending money on what I mostly consider to be gimmicks. Do the wiring/relay upgrade and you will have incredible lighting. Then if you want to install some "cool" bulbs you will have even better results. If you could see my headlights, which are still just plain old halogens, you would be astounded. Really. When I did mine, I used 10 gauge wire for all power and ground leads. Even a tiny drop in power, which is usually lost due to the tiny wires that run up to the dash and back, will result in an exponential drop in lighting output. Read up at the site I gave you, and you will be an expert in no time.
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Old Oct 7, 2006 | 10:01 AM
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Thanks guys!
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Old Oct 7, 2006 | 03:58 PM
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The BD harness uses relays so it basically follows what stern is saying. Plus I don't have to put it all together and it's laid out pretty well :-) I did my own for a truck that I have based on stren's writeup and it made ah huge difference but I'm lazy and the BD stuff is built well from what I'm looking at.
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Old Oct 7, 2006 | 04:30 PM
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I( would do Hella H4 conversions with a relay setup..
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Old Oct 7, 2006 | 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 85 FB
H4 bulbs already come with the headlights offered on eBay. So, no point in spending more money for the time being unless you really want to.

And, I just read Kentetsu's thread. I did not see anything about making your own harness. It just talks about how to fix it, not make your own.
My supplier offered me a 90/100 watt H4 bulb upgrade for $5, I took it.

My bad wrong link try this one.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/headlight-modification-relay-installation-interest-491459/
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Old Oct 8, 2006 | 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by t_g_farrell
The BD harness uses relays so it basically follows what stern is saying. Plus I don't have to put it all together and it's laid out pretty well :-) I did my own for a truck that I have based on stren's writeup and it made ah huge difference but I'm lazy and the BD stuff is built well from what I'm looking at.
From what I have seen, the issue with the Blackdragon setup is its whimpy sized wiring. Daniel Stern has a heavy duty version, but I just chose to build my own and went even heavier. Pretty simple to do, as long as you have a basic understanding of electrical systems (or at least plumbing).
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 12:02 AM
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i have the ds on my car and have not seen any diff, it took him 3 times to get my wiring right and relays, and i thought it was going to be brighter. oh well there goes 90 dollars for the harness
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 03:00 AM
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You have to picture wiring exactly as you would plumbing. If there is any spot in the wiring that makes use of stock (or otherwise small gauge) wiring, then you will have a bottleneck in the system. When I built mine, I made sure that everything from the battery, to the relays, to the headlights, and to the grounds were all 10 gauge wiring. If I had used even a few inches of small gauge wiring in any of those circuits, then there would have been a drastic drop in power going to the lights. It doesn't matter if you use a large diameter hose to water you lawn if there is a small section of small diameter hose inline somewhere. Know what I mean?
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