I know I'm probably 10 years behind here... I can't see a damn thing in my car at night. Rarely do I take it out when the sun goes down, but when I have it out I want to see. What is the current best option for cost effective lighting is the stock hood??

Thanks.

 

You mean headlight ? Or in cabin ?

 

Headlamps. Sorry, that would be pertinent information...

 

I've been watching this for awhile. Although, been in development so long it seems like it'll never get finished

https://www.rx7club.com/group-buy-pr...s-kit-1033520/

 

Sakebomb Garage. Not cheap, but the best headlight out there for our cars (IMHO). Maintains completely stock look with up to date lighting capability! They also have a less expensive version that is very good as well. They recently posted that they may have some "scratch & dent" sets (no functional damage) at a discount. Give them a call. . .
FD3S: PremierLine Bi-Xenon HID Projector Headlights - SakeBomb Garage LLC

 

In my option the Sakebomb kit is the best performing option if you want to keep the popups. Very well made and the beam pattern is superior to anything else I've seen. Most of the other light kits are more for looks than function.

 

If you are looking for simple, just upgrade your bulbs. I went with Sylvania Silverstar bulbs a few years ago. A nice improvement over stock, and a simple installation. Maybe around $30 each. Just swap the bulbs. Looks lake they have a few options:

http://www.sylvania.com/en-us/produc...-products.aspx

 

The SakebombGarage headlight kit was my second purchase when I bought my Fd. You won't regret it.

 

+1. And I like to drive at night.

 

From what I've read, those guys don't last too long. Your experience?

 

I have the Sylvania Silverstars/Ultra in 3 of my cars- visibility is much better than stock old bulbs and somewhat better than new standard bulbs.

The bulbs last 1-3 years (I have replaced 4 so far).

A couple of my friends got these LED conversions recently and they look pretty promising.

Cheaper than HID and use stock housing.

LED Headlight H4 Conversion Kit: 2,200/2,600 Lumen Bulbs - GTR Lighting

 

Not certain, but they've been in for at least 5 or 6 years.

 

I dont drive much at night either. Its been at least 7-8 years since I installed the Silverstar bulbs. I have had no problems with them.

 

Those look pretty cool. I wonder however, if they are actually any brighter. Quite often the LED replacements are just for their longevity rather than any additional brightness. I'd really like to go with a HID conversion, but I don't know if that's really financially feasible right now. Kiddo uses a LOT of diapers!

 

Oh it's just starting. Believe me. Then there's clothes, braces, first car, second car, college tuition, third car, wedding expenses....

 

I taught that LED in Headlights were illegal unless they come with a Housing that is DOT approved ...I might be wrong tho

 

I believe that statement is true whether the headlights are LED or not

 

Trying the Sylvania's is a no brainer. Especially since you dont drive much at night. They are inexpensive, and if you want to spend more money on lights later, you can always do it.

 

And I've never heard of issues with bulb life with the Silverstars. I wonder if it's really a issue with guys handling them with their bare fingers/hands.

 

I taught that LED in Headlights were illegal unless they come with a Housing that is DOT approved ...I might be wrong tho

No, the law lags on the technology.

The law only states the maximum wattage bulb you can put in the legal stock housings- the LEDs follow the letter of the law and are now being engineered to work better in stock housings as well.

I cannot yet say how good the LED bulbs are, I am anxious to try in my daily first.

And I've never heard of issues with bulb life with the Silverstars. I wonder if it's really a issue with guys handling them with their bare fingers/hands.

Not the case with me- I am careful putting bulbs in.

I think the Silverstars don't like being switched on and off all the time.

Where I drive there is a safety corridor I must have my light on for and on the RX-7s since they are pop up, I always turn them back off.

They seem to last longer (terms of miles) in my Mazda3 which I daily, but leave the light on 100% of time. I have gone through 1 pass side followed by 1 dr side Silverstar since I put them in when I bought the car in 2008 some 70,000miles.

 

I've heard different reasons. One is that some cars have a higher voltage to the lamp, or a poorly regulated supply which causes surging. The other is that the only way to make these to bright is to overdrive the filament since law dictates max voltage. I drive my car maybe 1-2 a month and usually in summer during the day. If these last 100 hours, that's probably several years for my car.

 

Something often overlooked is to just aim your headlights; rubber stops sag, bushings wear, and the aim changes. Go to an industrial area at night and find a nice broad warehouse wall to point your car at. Bring a phillips head screwdriver. Try different distances and mess around with the adjustments.

I also had problems with one light jiggling when up. There is a rubber set stop that can be adjusted under the mechanism.

 

try cleaning your groundings and add additional ground straps.

 

Have any of you tried using the like of these LED replacement bulbs for your headlights, it seems to be plug and play... 60W 6000LM KIT Cree LED Headlight 30W Bulbs H4 H7 H8 H9 H10 H11 9005 9006 HB3 4 | eBay

like many of you I need to improve my headlights and am considering going this route, feedback is welcomed.

 

Have any of you tried using the like of these LED replacement bulbs for your headlights, it seems to be plug and play... 60W 6000LM KIT Cree LED Headlight 30W Bulbs H4 H7 H8 H9 H10 H11 9005 9006 HB3 4 | eBay

like many of you I need to improve my headlights and am considering going this route, feedback is welcomed.

I don't have experience, but I have read the linked style LED replacement is not so good.

The ones with a little bit of reflector where the LED mounts (silver dished area) are supposed to distribute the light output more like the stock incandescent bulbs and work better in stock housings. (Omotor/Emotor type on Ebay).

I have also seen a newer type where the LED is mounted potted inside a domed lens on each side to distribute the light output more evenly (Briteassleds.com on Ebay).

At the very least make sure there are LEDs on 2 sides for better light distribution.

I feel like there is a lot of different design LED replacements being tried and in maybe a year or two there will one style that has been proven best. In the mean time, they are cheap enough to just try whatever looks best to you.

Don't blind others and don't drive with poor lighting just to look cool though.