Since we have had this massive storm here in socal I have noticed how dim my headlights seem to be reflecting off the wet road. Has anyone replaced the bulbs with some silverstars or something similar? Because of the projectors should I even bother? Since the non-OEM bulbs are a bit more expensive, would I be better off with HIDs? I know pretty much nothing about headlights, all I have done is swap bulbs on my old corolla.

Thanks in advance,

-Daniel

 

There are some aftermarket bulbs that are brighter but sadly don't come in H11s.

I'd try to buy a H9 bulb.
According to Daniel Stern Lighting (http://www.danielsternlighting.com), a H9 bulb will fit into a H11 housing fairly easily.
Typical H9s are 2100 lumens compared to 1350 lumens for the typical H11 bulb.

 

According to the slyvania webpage, it is a H11 for the low beams and 9005 bulb for the hi beams. I don't want to start a "silverstars dont last long" flamefest, as I know high performance bulbs have a shorter lifespan, but are there any specific brands to avoid? Also, I do not want to be one of those d-bags with lights that blind you. Would I need to adjust the lights after installing new bulbs?

Part of the reason for this renewed interest in bulbs is my friends civic has a dead bulb and I'll be helping her replace it tomorrow and Ill be at the pep boys/autozone/napa/insert parts store here.

 

Hmm...just avoid any no name companies.
All the crappy eBay and ricer-style blue coated bulbs.
Just remember that buying tinted bulbs for more light output is like tinting your windows for more sunlight.

If you are just replacing the bulbs for another one, I would think you shouldn't have to adjust anything.
Halogens that bright would probably melt your wiring before you get a chance to blind people haha.

For your friend's Civic, assuming its H4, I'd recommend Philips Xtreme Power bulbs.
It's one of the brightest bulbs for H4s.
EDIT: Brightest and legal!

 

Well I'm not sure which is out because when I asked her if it was the low or high beams I got the response: "The big white light in front of my car. Not the low beam"

So I'm guessing the high beams?

Its an 05 civic and from what I can gather it has 9006 low beams and 9005 high beams.

 

Yeah 2005 Civics have the 9005/9006 set up like the tCs.
Try to H9 to H11 bulb conversion on the xB.
There's a lot of threads on it if you search Google.

 

Looks like a little snip of the metal and removing a little plastic with a razor blade or similar. I'll keep that in mind, thanks!

 

I say go with HIDs, theyre not that expensive these days.

Here try out these Raptor ones for $30.
http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p...=102&parent=85

I bought them a month ago, install might be a bit confusing if youve never done it before but with some research on these forums you will get help. At that low price it would be better to go HIDs instead of expensive silverstars bulbs.

If youre confused which to order.
35/55w, they dont matter I personally tried out the 55w and friends say its too bright.
H11 is for your lowbeam so thats what you want.
Temp should be 4300-6000k. The higher the more blue the color, I like 5000k for pure white.

Good luck with it all.

 

i have piaa and love them! they last forever, are bright and legal

 

Well, since HIDExtra is having a valentines day sale with the kits for 57 bucks.......I think I shall just get myself a 6k HID set instead!

 

FYI

These guys have them cheaper and they are the new slim ballast with your choice of 35 watts or 55 watts set up.
I just ordered some 6000k bulbs from them going down from 8000k and paid 19.00 including shipping. + one year warranty.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p...=101&parent=60

 

Would either brand be better? DDM is local to me and I would just run down there to get them I believe. 35w or 55w?