SilverStars, EuroLights, X-treme Power & other Halogen Bulbs

AA wrote:

Still amazed at how easy it is to do a head lamp change on this car!)

Huh? I thought the bumper had to be dropped. Haven't had to touch any of the bulbs yet myself, knock on wood, but I know I read that back in the regalgs.org days.

Bumper does not need to be dropped - unless you are trying to REMOVE the side markers, in which case you need to bend the bumper down.

I found the headlights were pretty easy, aside from having to take the stock airbox out - which I don't to do anymore.

Takes 10 minutes to change out both sides. Brights are even easier. I don't have an air box any more, so it's a bit easier for me.

I'll probably change mine out before I put the stock box back on in the spring. Maybe by then I'll have decided to give one of the aftermarket options a try.

I'm still using my original stock bright/daytime runner bulbs, btw.

i inherited a set of Silverstars FOR FREE..... my lights are pointed WAY down... and they are adjusted to aim the highest possible.. anyone got any ideas of other ways to adjust?

Make sure they are the right bulb number? IIRC you can swap high/low bulbs and I think they'll fit. Also make sure they are seated properly in the casing. Otherwise take the bulb out and check to see if the bulbs got bent for some reason. I don't have any problem with my SSs other than them blowing too frequently.

I don't think they highs and lows will swap unless you modify the mount or the bulb. I remember somebody saying they had to grind down a protective tab on the high beam bulb to fit in the low socket.

Even if you did swap them, wouldn't the lens aim the light in the right direction?

Make sure your bulbs are mounted correctly. They are bayonet style, which can be misaligned if not installed straight.

High Beam = P/N 9005
Low Beam = P/N 9006

Bump for the noobs, and impending cold weather! I just ordered some Eurolight Xenon Charged 9006 bulbs (see p. 2 of this thread for link). $35.00 for the pair, including shipping.

Oh, and keep an extra bulb in the glove box!

isnt there a level gauge on the series 2? my 95 has them. makes leveling the head lights a breeze.

Hi guys,

I know some of you have done the HID conversions for your headlights and whatnot in an effort to see better at night (obviously). To make a long story short, my eyes are pretty sensitive and I don't need brighter bulbs, but I do want a more bluish whiteish color to my lights. Does anyone of any RELIABLE brands and models to check out for the 9005 and 9006 that are this bluish whiteish color?

Just curious as I don't see me needing an HID conversion just yet but would like something 'different'. Thanks everyone!

-Andrew Z

I changed my low beams (# 9006) out last year with PIAA 4000k Extreme White bulbs for the same reason you describe.
The 4000K is right on the edge of blue with a very clear white (not yellow) light.
They also do not bother oncoming cars, yet I can see much further with them.
They weren't cheap but have worked perfectly and I'm very happy with them.

Hmm...I do like the bulbs from what i read but they are quite a bit pricy haha. I appreciate the help - I don't have a clue what's good and what's not.

Try looking at the topic below about "Silverstars".
Go to page one of the thread and there is a site there for Eurolamp bulbs that are much less expensive and have gotten good reviews on here.
I think I'll order a pair for my High Beams since I already have the PIAA's for Low Beams. http://eurolamps.com/eurolamps/home.htm
Only $35.00 per pair.

Yep that's slightly more reasonable haha. I heard about them so I'll check them out. I'll start with that! Thanks!

Well that was easy....did some reading in several different places and went with the Eurolamps. Can't wait for them to get here!

I put PIAA 4000k Ultra White bulbs in my low beams a couple of years ago and they are great and holding up good, but they were about $80.00 for the pair. They shine a bright white light with no blue hue and 100 times better than any OEM type bulb.
Now when I turn on my High Beams they dilute the white light from the low beams with their yellowish light.
So I either replace the high beams with another pair of PIAA's or try some HID's.
Anyone have another solution to HID's for a bright white light that doesn't cost $80.00 for a pair.?

Rickw wrote:

I think I'd like to put HID's in for my High Beams and install a relay as well.
I put PIAA 4000k Ultra White bulbs in my low beams a couple of years ago and they are great and holding up good, but they were about $80.00 for the pair. They shine a bright white light with no blue hue and 100 times better than any OEM type bulb.
Now when I turn on my High Beams they dilute the white light from the low beams with their yellowish light.
So I either replace the high beams with another pair of PIAA's or try some HID's.
Anyone have another solution to HID's for a bright white light that doesn't cost $80.00 for a pair.?

The NAPA and CarQuest stores sell Wagner and Sylvania high-brightness halogens you may want to try.

I don't know how you'll get HIDs to serve as DRLs. It would be nice to make the Riv have separate DRLs instead of using the hogh beams at half power. I would want to try studding the low-beam reflectors with high brightness white or amber LEDs to serve as the DRLs or arranging them as 'eyebrows' in the top edge or bars at the bottom edge of the front lens.

Albertj

Rickw wrote:

Anyone have another solution to HID's for a bright white light that doesn't cost $80.00 for a pair.?

I don't think so except maybe the Eurolites Aaron has looked good and didn't cost that much IIRC.

For HID's on the high beams, I've thought about it from time to time but I really don't use my high beams much. When I lived with my parents out in bufu, the high beams would come in handy but the halogens along with the HID lows was enough. I live in a place populated enough to have light most everywhere and pretty deer-free now so I don't really use them but to occasionally signal other drivers. That would be interesting with HIDs. I think I'll stay away. If you have a really old HID kit with seperate ballasts and modules, there is no protection against "refiring" so if you warm them up and then cut them off and on again, you get a shot of light that's intense as hell - obviously not good for it but you can do it.

If you really need to use your highbeams for very long periods of time, maybe its worth it to get HID's there and just use the highbeams with the lows off - easy

albertj wrote:

Rickw wrote:

I think I'd like to put HID's in for my High Beams and install a relay as well.
I put PIAA 4000k Ultra White bulbs in my low beams a couple of years ago and they are great and holding up good, but they were about $80.00 for the pair. They shine a bright white light with no blue hue and 100 times better than any OEM type bulb.
Now when I turn on my High Beams they dilute the white light from the low beams with their yellowish light.
So I either replace the high beams with another pair of PIAA's or try some HID's.
Anyone have another solution to HID's for a bright white light that doesn't cost $80.00 for a pair.?

The NAPA and CarQuest stores sell Wagner and Sylvania high-brightness halogens you may want to try.

I don't know how you'll get HIDs to serve as DRLs. It would be nice to make the Riv have separate DRLs instead of using the hogh beams at half power. I would want to try studding the low-beam reflectors with high brightness white or amber LEDs to serve as the DRLs or arranging them as 'eyebrows' in the top edge or bars at the bottom edge of the front lens.

Albertj

Good point about the DRL - I think HID's would be a little too intense to be a DRL on lenses pointed up at other drivers. You would have to take care of that somehow.

The Silverstars suck. The Philips bulbs suck. The Wagners suck. Generally speaking, you are not likely to find a worthwhile bulb at any of the usual auto stores. For clarification, non of those bulbs above suck - just saying they aren't much if any better than standard.

Are these what you use, Aaron? LINK

They fit alright inside the lamp housing and everything? I might actually go with those the next time my ballasts fail...

In each of the GE, Sylvania, Philips and Wagner lines there is a hig-brightness (NOT Silverstar) bulb that runs about 20% brighter than standard on teh same wattage. IIRC they use a quartz glass that reflects IR back in and lets visible light out, making the filament glow hotter and thus making brighter light. I am using the GE version as low beams, got them at Wal-Mart when they had them some time ago (have not seen of late).

I tried Silverstars in an audi I used to own, won't try them again they really were not worth it.

My favorite driving lights were a set of Blazer combination fog/driving SAE-approved aux lights I put on a Subaru I used to own. They used a yellow reflector for the fogs with a white bulb. Worked pretty well. Did custom wiring so they worked in concert with the stock lights.

speaking of lights has anyone tried the new ultrahigh brightness LED bulbs for turn/tail/backup?

Albertj

IBx1 wrote:

Are these what you use, Aaron? LINK

No, those are cheap imitations. The real ones are sold direct from www.eurolights.com for $35.

Albertj, I've tried LEDs, not sure if they were "high-brightness" type. Read more here:
https://rivperformance.editboard.com/exterior-f12/led-lighting-t2024.htm

Looking at their site, I see 9006 and 9006XS. What's the difference?