Teach Me About Headlights

[Bob Chadwick]

One of the low beams burned out and I need to replace it. I learned when I replaced a headlight in my daily driver that there are different kinds of the same size bulbs with the new headlight much brighter than the old.

What are my options for the brightest replacement bulb without making any modifications to the headlight system?

 

[BarryK]

I may be wrong, but i'm not so sure you are going to get significantly brighter headlights no matter what type you choose without making a few changes to your electrial system.
Unless they made some major changes by '77 the biggest issue on brighter headlights was the voltage drop of the elctrial system by the time the power got to the headlights.

see this link for everything you ever wanted to know about headlights and the electrial system!
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/brighter-headlights.shtml

BTW, go thru their Electrial Tips articles are other great info about the electrial systems on our older cars!

 

[LT4man]

Bob,

You can buy round halogen replacement sealed bulbs. They will be brighter than the OEM ones. They will not draw any more amperage than your stock bulbs.

You can find them wherever brighter bulbs are sold: Murrays, Autozone, O'Reillys, NAPA, etc.

If you wanted to go brighter than that, you would have to upgrade your headlite wiring. I am referring to HID bulbs. Now you are talking some serious cashola!

Save The Wave!

 

[JOE BYRNE]

I have halogen's in my 73 and they are plenty bright....any auto parts store

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Thanks guys. Are some of the halogens better than others? For example, the C4 guys are raving about the Sylvannia Silverstar.


Barry at some point I'm going to go the relay route that norvalwilhelm did. Just not this week.

 

[KANE]

One of the low beams burned out and I need to replace it. I learned when I replaced a headlight in my daily driver that there are different kinds of the same size bulbs with the new headlight much brighter than the old.

What are my options for the brightest replacement bulb without making any modifications to the headlight system?

I went with an H4 conversion. The conversion consists of bulb housing (looks like a sealed beam with a rubber gasket in the back) and a removeable bulb. No mods to the harness.

I don't know who you can get the bulb housings from anymore... JC Whitney? I got mine from O'Reiley's YEARS ago.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Bob,
You should be able to swap out new sealed beams halogens that don't draw any more power than the originals. They are white, bright, and give much more visibility than the OEM lamps. Silverstar makes them in your size for a few bucks more.

 

[82ColEd]

I went with an H4 conversion. The conversion consists of bulb housing (looks like a sealed beam with a rubber gasket in the back) and a removeable bulb. No mods to the harness.

I don't know who you can get the bulb housings from anymore... JC Whitney? I got mine from O'Reiley's YEARS ago.

Go H4.. Brighter and a tighter beam.. Mine were converted a long time ago, replaced due to German Standards (ie. had to) and i havent swapped a bulb yet (13 years later).. Mine came from an old VW Golf (the round style, should be Golf II if i'm remembering correctly), both the low beam and high beam. I cant speak to the changes in the cabling as mine were further modified to allow for parking lights in the low beam.. I'll check and see if i can find a H4 kit for you here..


-Stefan

PS: Here is a link for Hella H4 (round)
http://www.carolinaclassictrucks.com/Hella-71456-p-Head-light-h4-conversions.html

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Thanks for the info. I bought the halogen replacements for now but will someday will convert the bulbs and upgrade wiring with the relays.

 

[LT4man]

Bob,

If you were able to pick up Silverstars, grrrrreat! I am one of the C4 guys who raves about them.

ANY halogen sealed beam will be TONS better than OEM. Lighting has sure come a long way since 1977.

That's what I like about the auto industry. Lights get better, tires get better, radios get better, LOTS of things get better.

One of my vehicles is a 93 Grand Prix which actually runs and rides BETTER than when it was new!

Only in America!

Save The Wave!

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I decided to go with the straight halogens for $14 rather than the $40 - 50 I was seeing for the Sylvannias. I just don't drive the car at night that often.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.

 

[RodsnRides]

Silverstar = GREAT

Halogens are good, and I understand the minimal night driving thing. But, I will add that I also think the Sylvania Siverstar is an awesome light. Just great. Pricey, yes, but you won't believe the difference. Their commercial is pretty accurate.

I recently scored an '88 IROC-Z convertible, and noticed one of the factory halogens was "cloudy". I had already put Silverstars in the Silverado pickup, and was pleased with the difference. So, I put Silverstars in the IROC. At night I go out to my wife's '86 Z-28 (sense a theme here?), she is backed in the driveway next to mine, and it has the factory halogen lights. Turn her lights on-pretty good. Turn mine on-WOW!! Amazing the difference. Similar cars, similar electrical systems, the Silverstars are that good. My night vision isn't so great, and these sure help, believe me.

Eventually, every vehicle I drive will have Silverstars. I'm that impressed.

Rick

 

[bossvette]

My headlights were droopy and when I took them apart I found quite a bit of rusted parts being a cheep SOB I made a new header bar out of Aluminum and hung 96 Chevy truck lights from it. I can use 9005-9006 bulbs just like the C5 has.

yes they are much brighter then stock even with "Ebay" bulbs.

 

[Kid_Again]

Good stuff, thanks. The electrical bypass link referenced above is exactly the "Mad Electronics" bypass that BarryK talked about but YOU gave me the wiring codes

good tip on the sylvania halogens!

thanks

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Glad to be of help.

 

[LT4man]

Halogens are good, and I understand the minimal night driving thing. But, I will add that I also think the Sylvania Siverstar is an awesome light. Just great. Pricey, yes, but you won't believe the difference. Their commercial is pretty accurate.

I recently scored an '88 IROC-Z convertible, and noticed one of the factory halogens was "cloudy". I had already put Silverstars in the Silverado pickup, and was pleased with the difference. So, I put Silverstars in the IROC. At night I go out to my wife's '86 Z-28 (sense a theme here?), she is backed in the driveway next to mine, and it has the factory halogen lights. Turn her lights on-pretty good. Turn mine on-WOW!! Amazing the difference. Similar cars, similar electrical systems, the Silverstars are that good. My night vision isn't so great, and these sure help, believe me.

Eventually, every vehicle I drive will have Silverstars. I'm that impressed.

Rick

Rick,

Your comments are right on the money.

I forgot I put Silverstars in my GP, also. Lighting is awesome! I don't know how they do it so CHEAP! Those Xenon and HID systems are so pricey.

God Bless the USA!

Save The Wave!

 

[craig32]

Just one question - why do you all feel it necessary to blind oncoming traffic with those Godawful lights????

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Properly aimed, they won't "blind" any more than stock headlights.
As far as godawful, they are not nearly as bad as the new stock blue lights most cars have.

 

[RodsnRides]

Just one question - why do you all feel it necessary to blind oncoming traffic with those Godawful lights????

Speaking for myself, and my Silverstars-they are not blinding at all. All of my lights are aimed correctly, by me, using the garage door and the Service Manual. Not once have I been "reminded" by someone uncomfortable with my lighting. My headlights are clearer, and the brightness is more to the immediate front and curbside. I am confident my vehicles are not troubling to anyone.

My beef is with the trucks that don't seem to be aimed correctly. Especially the newer SUV's with their new lighting stuff. THAT I can agree with you on. I highly suggest you try the Silverstar-I think you will be pleased.

Rick

 

[craig32]

Sorry, needed to vent a little. I use the original stuff myself, not really familiar with the other ones. I do know that the blue glow that you can see a mile away is annoying. RnR is right on with the aiming. Problem is when most people 'update' they don't bother to check the adjustment. I always get in front of some moron with ill-aimed lights that feels the need to tailgate too. Why even bother with lights when he is essentially using mine! And as also stated, I don't drive the Vette much at night. Vettes mave much lower lights and would be less blinding anyway. And nobody puts 'fog lights' on them either!

Craig

PS This group is way cooler than the Monte Carlo forum