Like many of you I have bitched about the headlights lack thereof in the brightness category.

Here are some of the things that I have done:

1. Remove that metal "cone" in the headlight by using a set of pliers to crush and pull it out like an abortion. This cone is not every reflective and seems to keep stray light from pointing in directions that may not be ideal for uncoming traffic. What I noticed off the bat was that there was more lighting for the peripheral of the FD. Basically u see where u will be turning much better.

2. Adjust the headlight angles to point higher.

3. Use PIAA higher wattage bulbs

4. Convert to true HID with the ballast. I have done this using a $800 retail kit. It does eliminate the High Beams (I think Catz has a high beam version on the market), but it is super bright and u feel that this should have been in the FD to begine with. I paid someone $250 for the installation work since I was just plain lazy.

5. Upgrading ur fog/driving lights. I am using the Catz XLD. BUt later on I'll replace them with the $1600 PIAA true HID driving light. Some of the areas that I drive have no traffic nor street lights in the hills. This is overkill for the average application but I like the idea of SUV and trucks not cutting me off and noticing me at night.


Hope this helps folks.............

 

You could also upgrade to E-Spec housings, which is something I'm looking into right now.

 

been there, they dont exist. they have 2 different housings the rhd and lhd, and its a beam pattern difference

mike

 

I wonder if i could convert the right headlight to the right hand drive one from Japan so that it will shine brighter on the right side.............

Anyone got an insight on this?

 

You know, how could Mazde make a a fast car, and give it one of the worst headlight systems possible?
I have upgraded Piaa bulbs, and it's still a little dark. Unbelievable.
My Monte has better headlights!
I have been toying around with the idea of those inlaid headlights. I'm not sure though.

 

unless there is something different all of the inlaid headlights that i have seen do it at the expense of peripheral lighting.

Part of that can be blamed for the deep seated position that the headlight conversion has........

 

Are you sure, Wael E. Dasher had some on his car. Made out of glass, and Corksport can get them.

 

I can totally see that happening. Hmm........

 

I find it funny that people are so concern with aerodynamics of their headlights when aerodynamics that really play a role are at speeds beyond the range of the headlights.

In otherwords, they shouldn't be going that fast in a dark condition...........

 

My headlights are actually quite good!

Is there any difference between my Euro-spec and the US-spec ones maybe?

I also had headlight-washers. (But they are relocated in front of my FMIC now)

 

Are your lenses plastic or glass?

 

They are glass.
Do they come in plastic??

 

yeah, the lightweight edition of the FD have plastic lens.

The rest of the world gets the shamu version.......

 

make sure your car is well grounded

I did the garfinkle mega cable mod and it DOES make a difference....I also have gold plated battery terminal clamps....lights are defintiely brighter now

 

hmmm... garfinkle mega cable mod... where's that search button...

 

I'm not sure there is a thread on it, but there are plenty of threads on grounding the car, usually with some $200 kit....forget that

garfinkle's mod is just a redundant ground from the battery directly to the subframe (or you can just remove the stock ground, it's junk) using some huge *** #2 or #4 welding cable....a second cable is routed from the UIM to the support bolt for the ABS

radio is louder and the lights are brighter, maybe an extra hp or two, who knows

 

For the HID kit your using batman did you go to the flush mount light set up or can ya put HIDs in the regualar flip up lights with them. For the right hand side head light kits like the ones used in Japan are probaly illegal where you are too. It's because they point in to on coming trafic. The whole point of them kinda point at an angle is for that reson.

 

I just pulled that metal cone in the middle since it kills on the brightness for anything and then I had them install the system in the stock flip up lights.

I think that technically the HID are legal since last I heard the bulbs are regulated by watts. This was due to old technology where lumens probably wasn't part of their terminology.

HID are 35watts and don't draw much electricity.

I also have LED for the signal and tial lights.

when i turn everything on there is almost no notable electric drain on the system........

 

LED and HID Batman? I think I'd like to see some pics!

I'm not sure I want to spend the bank for HID but I'm game for a better lense. I thought I heard an old rumor that Hella had made a different lense for the FD, but it was very hard to find. I have the 85 watt H4's right now, with the high beams where I want em', which mean I can't see **** on low.
My buddy's got the Re Amemiya flush kit, but he still needs to aim em' and finish the install, so I can't wait to see the pattern on those, although they do seem pretty bright.
Right now I run Piaa flood fogs, 1000x,I think (been awhile) They light up the ditches pretty good while my OEM units try they're best to illuminate what's in front.

Frank

 

The LED is just a replacement bulb that is brighter than the ones they use on the traffic lights.

www.ledcorp.com

 

Has anyone tried using plastic polish on the stock lenses to clear up some of the haze?

Where can I find a pair of e-spec glass headlights?

 

All of this is DOT legal? (the conversions
)

 

I don't think any of it really is, and the point is, who gives a $hit???
Almost any of the mods we do is illegal, and it should have been illegal for Mazda to sell a car with such substandard lighting.
As long as it isn't blinding oncoming traffic, or hurting anyone I really don't see anything wrong with it.

 

lol

a midpipe is street legal with Michigan plates, no matter where you live

too bad I don't live in CA....as an environmental engineer, I relate well to tree huggers

 

THe HID conversion is kinda gray area.

1. It doesn't come with an auto leveling device

2. It is 35watts, but has the equivalent of over 100watts easy in lumens.

3. The dull metal cone in the headlight assembly was removed.