findmypath Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Hi everyone, I'm probably one of few fools that still was buying Sylvania Silverlight light bulbs for my headlights but I'm done replacing my bulbs every 6 months (that's how long each set lasted) or so and spending $40 on each set. So, with that said I'm curious what would you guys recommend as good replacements? I'm not necessarily looking for the HID look but I just want to get bulbs that are bright. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORCGuide Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Relay your headlights. . . either build or buy a wiring harness that draws power directly from the alternator or battery to the bulbs. Your bulbs are dim because all of the current for the lights runs through the wiring harness, through the switch to the bulbs. Way too much current drop running through all that 18 (IIRC) gauge wire. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 2002 headlights are already relayed, upgrading to a harness with thicker gauge wiring will provide marginal benefits. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
findmypath Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 As much as I would love to upgrade things in the wiring I'd prefer a "plug and play" option of buying the bulb and putting it in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devonianwalk Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I'm "one of those fools" that has the Silverstars in all three of our vehicles. I just had to replace one in my Miata two weeks ago. I could have swore it lasted two years though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 The SilverStars have blue coating on the bulbs which actually reduces light output despite looking brighter. I would never purchase bulbs with any blue coating. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORCGuide Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 My bad, I keep forgetting that not everyone has a sexy Path like mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theexbrit Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I got an HID "plug & play" kit (bulbs, controller, ballasts) 6000k, for about $60 shipped on Ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoesandsocks Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 (edited) i have a xentec hid kit off ebay have had it since i bought the pathy my friend has the same kit that i installed going over a year and a half and my hardbody has the same kit for like two years no flickering or problems from any. U can get a blue tinted bulb many manufacters do this instad of hids these days because even though it can limit the light output it is marginal the main thing is that a blue tinted bulb will project a whiter color instead of the more tradional whitish yellow. The best bulb i can recomend would be one from piaa pretty pricey but there bright have hi and low not hid and usually last forever Edited January 10, 2013 by shoesandsocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 You can get brighter bulbs but they do not last as long. Stick with OEM replacement bulbs. PIAA bulbs are great but they only last about 4 years before one burns out. If you are having problems seeing at night, you should try removing yellowing from the plastic lens with a kit first. Do not use a HID bulb without changing the housings. HIDs require different housings to aim and focus the light. They need fish eye projector lenses. Reflectors can work too but they have to be special made for HIDs. Running HID bulbs in halogen housings will throw the beam pattern way off and you will be blinding people and possibly lose your high beam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushnut Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 I put in sylvainia silverstar ultras not long ago. I noticed an improvement over the stock set up. The light doesn't seem like it's shinning through a thick layer of mud anymore. After changing the bulbs I realized my headlights were not aligned properly the driver side was shinning up into space the right side was pointed at on coming traffic. now that I've set them up properly (lower and slightly to the right to avoid blinding on coming drivers) they are even better. And if they don't last as long I've kept the oems as spares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hcr32 Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 You can get brighter bulbs but they do not last as long. Stick with OEM replacement bulbs. PIAA bulbs are great but they only last about 4 years before one burns out. If you are having problems seeing at night, you should try removing yellowing from the plastic lens with a kit first. Do not use a HID bulb without changing the housings. HIDs require different housings to aim and focus the light. They need fish eye projector lenses. Reflectors can work too but they have to be special made for HIDs. Running HID bulbs in halogen housings will throw the beam pattern way off and you will be blinding people and possibly lose your high beam. Well said, DO NOT use HID's unless you have projector housings made for it. It's so frustrating when Im driving down the road and getting blinded by some fool who has them in. It's dangerous and it looks like crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trogdor636 Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 PIAA's only last 4 years and that's bad? I've had standard headlights burn out before that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 The problem with that is they cost significantly more than standard bulbs. Using OEM bulbs with properly cleaned and aimed headlights should be just fine because they have to be made to specification. If you can afford it, go with the XtremeWhite PIAA bulbs (not the blue tint ones). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverton Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I recommend the Philip Nightguide. Love those bulbs. A blue coating over the entire bulb GREATLY reduces the lumens of the light, which is why you're looking for an "upgrade" over the silverstars, if you want the TRUE silverstar, get the Osram silverstar, not the Sylvania silverstar. HIDs in none-HID housings are just retarded, dangerous, and makes you a huge dick that deserves the fines presented to you by the wonderful officers of the law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I run OEM bulbs... and a set of 55W driving lights with the high beams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linkinpark Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I have a set of Chebay HID's 4300's. Stock housing with High and Low. Aimed correctly. No crazy stray beams. Maybe its a different style of bulb than others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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