Headlight Lamps
- Thread starter WEST SIDE
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rohnramirez
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- Feb 18, 2010
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I'm assuming your looking for brighter bulbs. I'm also assuming those are halogen based headlight assemblies because of the weak light, if i were in your shoes, i would go purchase some ceramic sockets and 80/100 watt bulbs for them as a direct replacement to OEM. Brighter light in a responsible way, still safe and most especially not a road hazard like the HID conversion kits that produce blinding glare towards oncoming traffic. 
Shoe_08057
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- Aug 19, 2010
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I use SilverStar in our 2005 MB c230 - direct application no conversions needed. If the "standard" SilverStar isn't bright enough for you the SilverStar Ultra should be. They work great on the back roads of Jersey
OSRAM SYLVANIA - SilverStar
Hope this helps.
OSRAM SYLVANIA - SilverStar
Hope this helps.
Y2KSVT
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- Jul 27, 2010
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I'm assuming your looking for brighter bulbs. I'm also assuming those are halogen based headlight assemblies because of the weak light, if i were in your shoes, i would go purchase some ceramic sockets and 80/100 watt bulbs for them as a direct replacement to OEM. Brighter light in a responsible way, still safe and most especially not a road hazard like the HID conversion kits that produce blinding glare towards oncoming traffic.
They do make HID conversion kits that are made specifically for reflector based headlamps. I had a set in my old Lincoln LS. Not only were they bright (4500K), when aimed correctly, they won't cause any problems to oncoming traffic. These kits have come a long way since they were first introduced. Also, they can be had for less than a decent pair of xenon bulbs and come with a nice warranty.
Mark
Y2KSVT
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- Jul 27, 2010
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Tell me about it. My Mazda 6 is the same way. And get this, my fog lights are built into the headlamps! So I have one foglamp out and evidently one little courtesy light out as well. One of these days I'll replace them, and a low beam will go out the next day....
Mark
Mark
Dubbin1
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- May 28, 2009
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That's why you replace them all when one goes out.
builthatch
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- May 25, 2008
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for what it is worth, i work in the automotive lighting industry. guys, unless the reflector was designed for an HID capsule position as the light source, it will glare. i know people claim they get good cut off with shields or without shields but careful aiming, etc, but the thing will not have an OE cut-off no matter what you do. the OEs invest a TON of money in tooling with the lighting manufacturers to assure that they are eeking out the most light possible from a halogen capsule positioned as they are. once you move/reposition the light source, the entire dynamics change.
so...
the options that will truly maximize your light output without negative compromise (if there isn't an OEM HID option for that year Thunderbird) would be to get a retrofit setup, that takes one of the many OEM HID projector housings and retrofits it to your headlamp housing, OR to simply get a set of high quality replacement halogen bulbs. true retrofits are expensive - there are people who do them and they do them well, so they charge a pretty penny. bulbs are probably what you want.
you run a 9007 in that car so i'd suggest the Hella Xenon blue high performance bulbs. The name is deceivingl the light isn't blue. it's white, bright white. the only blue you will see is when the headlight is off there is a bit of a blue reflection in certain reflectors. the off the record reason that Sylvania came out with the Ultras was because Hella specifically targeted the regular issue Silverstars with these bulbs and did everything they could to outperform them (and did), so Sylvania had to step up their game and came out with the Ultras.
at any rate, i am not entirely sure on the quality of the wiring with your particular headlight harnesses, so i can't necessarily recommend getting the high wattage over the DOT wattage, but if you can verify that others have successfully used high wattage bulbs with your vehicle then i would, without a doubt, invest in the 100/80 Hellas.
a good place to start for this question and actually purchasing the bulbs would be these guys - Susquehanna MotorSports - Auto Performance Product
call 610.944.3233 and ask for Wil or Dave. i've had dealings with these guys for lighting spanning 6-7 years and nobody studies lighting like they do! They can give you inside scoop about your particular vehicle and what it needs.
yes, why they made it necessary to remove the bumper is beyond me. asinine! usually they figure out a way to get in via the fender well when the bay is crowded or the lights are buried but GM obviously couldn't even do that.
so...
the options that will truly maximize your light output without negative compromise (if there isn't an OEM HID option for that year Thunderbird) would be to get a retrofit setup, that takes one of the many OEM HID projector housings and retrofits it to your headlamp housing, OR to simply get a set of high quality replacement halogen bulbs. true retrofits are expensive - there are people who do them and they do them well, so they charge a pretty penny. bulbs are probably what you want.
you run a 9007 in that car so i'd suggest the Hella Xenon blue high performance bulbs. The name is deceivingl the light isn't blue. it's white, bright white. the only blue you will see is when the headlight is off there is a bit of a blue reflection in certain reflectors. the off the record reason that Sylvania came out with the Ultras was because Hella specifically targeted the regular issue Silverstars with these bulbs and did everything they could to outperform them (and did), so Sylvania had to step up their game and came out with the Ultras.
at any rate, i am not entirely sure on the quality of the wiring with your particular headlight harnesses, so i can't necessarily recommend getting the high wattage over the DOT wattage, but if you can verify that others have successfully used high wattage bulbs with your vehicle then i would, without a doubt, invest in the 100/80 Hellas.
a good place to start for this question and actually purchasing the bulbs would be these guys - Susquehanna MotorSports - Auto Performance Product
call 610.944.3233 and ask for Wil or Dave. i've had dealings with these guys for lighting spanning 6-7 years and nobody studies lighting like they do! They can give you inside scoop about your particular vehicle and what it needs.
yes, why they made it necessary to remove the bumper is beyond me. asinine! usually they figure out a way to get in via the fender well when the bay is crowded or the lights are buried but GM obviously couldn't even do that.
Double Dizzle
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- Jul 12, 2010
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I have aftermarket HIDs in my '05 Tiburon. I replaced the stock bulbs with this kit last spring and I couldn't be happier. I got the 35W 6K version. Now when I drive my wife's car at night I wonder how I ever drove without 'em.
ryukin2000
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- Aug 9, 2010
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I agree. HID conversion kits in regular halogen reflectors are not a good match. they don't focus the light properly. i have seen plenty of these set ups and they blind me and others. even if you don't blind people one wouldn't be able to get the full potential of the hid Bulb.
taken from another forum
Proper HID cutoff
improper HID cutoff using a halogen housing
retrofitted mine after doing a lot of research.
Stock headlight
Retrofit using Mercedes Projectors
Projectors/bulbs/harness i bought at retrofitsource.com
builthatch
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- May 25, 2008
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rohnramirez
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- Feb 18, 2010
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There are no genuine HIDs made for halogen-based headlamps, only conversion kits. There are 2kinds of HIDs, 1 for HID reflector-based and HID projector-based headlight assemblies,D2s and D2r, and their subcategories. These headlight assemblies were engineered differently. Conversion kits were manufactured taking the HID technology and placing them into halogen-based bulbs and these bulbs create so much glare hence, there is no such thing as aiming it properly.
To the OP, if you really want HIDs, a retrofit would be the best way.
@Dubbin1 and @Y2KSVT:
This is funny that you brought this up. My wife's friend had a Mazda6 that the low beam assembly came loose from its mount. She was going to take it to the stealership until they quoted an absurd price to fix (IMO a substandard design). With a little help from a Mazda specific forum, I replaced/fixed the assembly. I did have to remove the bumper to get to really one hidden screw. The entire time, I was thinking that this was an absurd design for a part that will burn out eventually. I like the Mazda 6 but that sealed the deal for me to never buy that car.
This is funny that you brought this up. My wife's friend had a Mazda6 that the low beam assembly came loose from its mount. She was going to take it to the stealership until they quoted an absurd price to fix (IMO a substandard design). With a little help from a Mazda specific forum, I replaced/fixed the assembly. I did have to remove the bumper to get to really one hidden screw. The entire time, I was thinking that this was an absurd design for a part that will burn out eventually. I like the Mazda 6 but that sealed the deal for me to never buy that car.
ryukin2000
New member
- Aug 9, 2010
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I wish. id pay for the real thing but i cant afford them. those are just replicas. Miro's MO2.
on the issue of removing the bumper for replacements. i had to do the same thing when helping my sister replace both marker bulbs in her headlights. its almost as if they want people to take in into the dealership so they can charge hourly labor. a lot of people don't have the tools or the time to remove the bumper. could be another money grabber. then again maybe its coincidence engine bays are getting tighter.