Best bulbs to use for stock headlights? (no HIDs)
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Meesto Spakaro
Joined: May 2001
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From: Redondo Beach, CA
Best bulbs to use for stock headlights? (no HIDs)
Im surprised I couldnt find any threads for this...
The Mazda OEM bulbs suck and hardly illuminate the road even when turning on the highbeams...tried some of the cheap Sylvania and Phillips hyper white bulbs from Pep Boys and those hardly made a difference.
Without switching to HID's or fixed lights, what is the next best option for brighter lights with a larger field of vision? I had some close calls when doing some night time driving because I was unable to look very far ahead.
The Mazda OEM bulbs suck and hardly illuminate the road even when turning on the highbeams...tried some of the cheap Sylvania and Phillips hyper white bulbs from Pep Boys and those hardly made a difference.
Without switching to HID's or fixed lights, what is the next best option for brighter lights with a larger field of vision? I had some close calls when doing some night time driving because I was unable to look very far ahead.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Riverside/Sacramento
There aren't any bulbs that can make lighting any better than stock. The only thing I can suggest is getting bulbs that are 100w. Of course there are downsides to that.
I had PIAA Super Plasma bulbs and they weren't any brighter than stock. It just make the light look less yellow. Sometimes I didn't know if my lights were on at all. That's why I switched to HID. =)
I had PIAA Super Plasma bulbs and they weren't any brighter than stock. It just make the light look less yellow. Sometimes I didn't know if my lights were on at all. That's why I switched to HID. =)
Thread Starter
Meesto Spakaro
Joined: May 2001
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From: Redondo Beach, CA
I have heard of using a higher wattage bulb to up the brightness, but have also heard that there is a possibility of electrical fire when doing that. Im no electrician, but I would think there has to be a way to do it safely without frying the wires? Maybe I should be going RadioShack instead of Pep Boys 
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From: Houston TX
I had a bulb burn out so I was in the same boat 2 months ago...Did a bunch of research and finally picked APC Plasma Super Whites. 100/90watts for $37/pair.
When I went to replace the bulbs (which I thought were stock) they ended up bieng PIAA Super Plasma bulbs. I left one PIAA in and installed the APC to see the difference.
The APC were NOTICABLY brighter than the PIAA and a much more pronounced blue tint.
With both installed I re-aligned the headlights. The APC provided much better visibility than my PIAA's did.
I would get the APC's again in a heartbeat.
http://www.electricalconnection.com/...ulb_apc-hl.htm
When I went to replace the bulbs (which I thought were stock) they ended up bieng PIAA Super Plasma bulbs. I left one PIAA in and installed the APC to see the difference.
The APC were NOTICABLY brighter than the PIAA and a much more pronounced blue tint.
With both installed I re-aligned the headlights. The APC provided much better visibility than my PIAA's did.
I would get the APC's again in a heartbeat.
http://www.electricalconnection.com/...ulb_apc-hl.htm
Thread Starter
Meesto Spakaro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 489
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From: Redondo Beach, CA
APC?!? They would have never crossed my mind as a quality manufacturer seeing how they are the creators of those horrid Altezza/Euro tail-lights 
wow..
Anyone else have experience with those bulbs? (not doubting your credibility unix, just shocked that they actually make a functional product! :p)
wow.. Anyone else have experience with those bulbs? (not doubting your credibility unix, just shocked that they actually make a functional product! :p)
Last edited by BlackR1; Feb 7, 2002 at 05:27 AM.
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From: Lewisville, TX
Sylvania just came out with a light that is almost as bright as HIDs. I haven't tried them yet but I'm definitely getting some. It's called the Silver Star High Performance Halogen. The color Temps for HIDs are around 4100K and the sylvanias are at 4000K. They claim the shine 20% brighter than normal Halogens. I'd check them out if I were you. I'm replacing my fog lights with them to match my HIDs. I'm also getting them for my Burb. The manufactuer said the suggested retail price should be about $50 a pair. Autozone carries them in my area, if you don't have an Autozone, just send a question or call Sylvania. I did and they were very polite about giving information. Hope this helps.
Jeremy
Jeremy
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do not use higher wattage bulbs, they usually produce more heat and draw more current so u can possibly melt teh housign of the light bulbs and cause fire because trying to flow more current in teh stock wire is NOT recommended
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From: San Diego
Warning!!!!! Do not use higher wattage bulbs that not from a reputable company. I melted my harness on both bulbs with cheap high wattage bulbs (cannot remember the brand, but they were 100/120 watt hyper white). They completely melted the plastic insulator and shorted the circut. The only thing that happened was a blown fuse, but I had to buy new bulb sockets and new bulbs. Costly mistake! I now run the PIAA plasma'a, since they are not as high wattage and are supposed to run cooler. They function alot better than the stock bulbs, but seem to be harder to get a good alignment (they have a more focused beam). So far no melted harness. Just be careful, melting harnesses can make melted cars.
Ex fd *****
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,782
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From: Ventura CA USA
Higher Watage BULBS are NOT the answer - the basic problem is that the stock LENS/REFLECTOR provides a very sharp cutoff in the Low Beam mode and relativy inefficient dispersion - The lights REQUIRE CAREFULL AIMING to provide a (barely) acceptible level of ilumination - I use the Sylvania HP 55/65w Bulbs but it was not untill I spent an hour adjustiing and testing did I get a satisfactory beam patern - You need to adjust the lights so that as you aproach a vertical surface on level ground the cut-off line on the left of the patern stays at the same level, ie it is projected PARALLEL to the ground, AND Both CutOff Break points (where the light pattern raises on the right) project straight ahead, ie they don't converge or diverge as you approach your aiming surface. I have a shopping center near my house that has a loading area in the back that gives me about 200' of level space in front of a nice block wall.
Last edited by maxpesce; Feb 7, 2002 at 01:03 PM.
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From: Riverside/Sacramento
Originally posted by Dr Wankel
So the PIAA super plasma seem to be a good upgrade over stock. Where can a person get them and how much are they?
So the PIAA super plasma seem to be a good upgrade over stock. Where can a person get them and how much are they?
Originally posted by unixpilot
I had a bulb burn out so I was in the same boat 2 months ago...Did a bunch of research and finally picked APC Plasma Super Whites. 100/90watts for $37/pair.
When I went to replace the bulbs (which I thought were stock) they ended up bieng PIAA Super Plasma bulbs. I left one PIAA in and installed the APC to see the difference.
The APC were NOTICABLY brighter than the PIAA and a much more pronounced blue tint.
With both installed I re-aligned the headlights. The APC provided much better visibility than my PIAA's did.
I would get the APC's again in a heartbeat.
http://www.electricalconnection.com/...ulb_apc-hl.htm
I had a bulb burn out so I was in the same boat 2 months ago...Did a bunch of research and finally picked APC Plasma Super Whites. 100/90watts for $37/pair.
When I went to replace the bulbs (which I thought were stock) they ended up bieng PIAA Super Plasma bulbs. I left one PIAA in and installed the APC to see the difference.
The APC were NOTICABLY brighter than the PIAA and a much more pronounced blue tint.
With both installed I re-aligned the headlights. The APC provided much better visibility than my PIAA's did.
I would get the APC's again in a heartbeat.
http://www.electricalconnection.com/...ulb_apc-hl.htm
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From: Houston TX
Maybe I just dont get it???
You guys seem to think running a higher wattage bulb is going to result in a fire/melted harness.
I've read of plenty of guys running 90/100w bulbs and not having any problems.
The headlight circuit in the FD is rated at 30 amps. Two 90/100w bulbs would equate to about 16.5 amps, well below the limit.
(W= VA, gives A=W/V ..... 8.3amps = 100w/12v)
What exactly melts? The plastic connector to the bulb itself?
I've read of plenty of guys running 90/100w bulbs and not having any problems.
The headlight circuit in the FD is rated at 30 amps. Two 90/100w bulbs would equate to about 16.5 amps, well below the limit.
(W= VA, gives A=W/V ..... 8.3amps = 100w/12v)
What exactly melts? The plastic connector to the bulb itself?
Originally posted by neo_omega
What the light intensity of the APC? PIAA is 5000k. I doubt APC is higher than the PIAA. And if you want to have a small fire, go ahead.
What the light intensity of the APC? PIAA is 5000k. I doubt APC is higher than the PIAA. And if you want to have a small fire, go ahead.
As for the light colour, I don't have an instrument to measure it, but I can tell the difference between white & yellowish.
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From: Houston TX
Pimpin Rotors...and Hoes
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From: New Orleans, LA
www.plasmalights.com These H4 bulbs sell for $60 a pop but if you email them telling them you want them for the Ebay price of $9.99 they will give them to you for that price. Trust me....you will be happy with them. They use the same wattage but put out 100 watts of light. The picture looks identical to what they look like in person. Also, order some H3 lights for your stock fog lights if you have any. Do the same thing for pricing and you'll get them for $9.99. You can't beat that price !! Plus there is a Lifetime warranty on all their bulbs !! 
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: SF
Originally posted by badass7
www.plasmalights.com These H4 bulbs sell for $60 a pop but if you email them telling them you want them for the Ebay price of $9.99 they will give them to you for that price. Trust me....you will be happy with them. They use the same wattage but put out 100 watts of light. The picture looks identical to what they look like in person. Also, order some H3 lights for your stock fog lights if you have any. Do the same thing for pricing and you'll get them for $9.99. You can't beat that price !! Plus there is a Lifetime warranty on all their bulbs !!
www.plasmalights.com These H4 bulbs sell for $60 a pop but if you email them telling them you want them for the Ebay price of $9.99 they will give them to you for that price. Trust me....you will be happy with them. They use the same wattage but put out 100 watts of light. The picture looks identical to what they look like in person. Also, order some H3 lights for your stock fog lights if you have any. Do the same thing for pricing and you'll get them for $9.99. You can't beat that price !! Plus there is a Lifetime warranty on all their bulbs !!
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7
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From: Lewisville, TX
Go to this site and read for yourself www.sylvania.com
Check out the Silver Star High Performance. I've heard from others that they are as bright as you can get in a halogen. Although if PIAA has a light that has a temp level of 5000k it should shine brighter and whiter that HIDs. HIDs temps are at 4100k. I might check those out instead. I had planned on getting the Sylvania's before, although PIAA is proud of there lights. You might spend double.
Check out the Silver Star High Performance. I've heard from others that they are as bright as you can get in a halogen. Although if PIAA has a light that has a temp level of 5000k it should shine brighter and whiter that HIDs. HIDs temps are at 4100k. I might check those out instead. I had planned on getting the Sylvania's before, although PIAA is proud of there lights. You might spend double.
Ex fd *****
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,782
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From: Ventura CA USA
the Kelvin (xxxxk) temp rating has nothing to do with the BRIGHTNESS of a lamp but rather is a measure of it's COLOR. The KELVIN (degK) temp refers to the light sprectrum produced by a TUNGSTEN fillament heated to that temp (measured in degK, absolute 0 = 0degK) in a vacuum. Natural noon time sunlight is around 5800k+ (Very White), conventional Household bulbs are around 3000k (rather red/orange), 3200K photo lamps can range from 100w -1000w all are the same COLOR but vary 10:1 in BRIGHTNESS
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From: SF
Originally posted by rtryrktrx7
Go to this site and read for yourself www.sylvania.com
Check out the Silver Star High Performance. I've heard from others that they are as bright as you can get in a halogen. Although if PIAA has a light that has a temp level of 5000k it should shine brighter and whiter that HIDs. HIDs temps are at 4100k. I might check those out instead. I had planned on getting the Sylvania's before, although PIAA is proud of there lights. You might spend double.
Go to this site and read for yourself www.sylvania.com
Check out the Silver Star High Performance. I've heard from others that they are as bright as you can get in a halogen. Although if PIAA has a light that has a temp level of 5000k it should shine brighter and whiter that HIDs. HIDs temps are at 4100k. I might check those out instead. I had planned on getting the Sylvania's before, although PIAA is proud of there lights. You might spend double.