Ok today is 20 question day from me sorry to floor the forum. So I am wondering something about headlights. I replaced my OEM stock housing and then bought some Sylvania SilverStar Headlights thinking it would brighten up my headlights to look like those really bright ones you see on Audi's and in Civics all the time. Well it didn't so I want to ask first before I go out and purchase the ones I wanted. Is there something I need to know about the bulbs? Are there better ones then others? All suggestions welcomed

 

I'm pretty sure you're referring to HIDs when you say "those bright ones you see on Audi's and in Civics all the time." You can get those via many sellers in the Marketplace on this forum. Look to spend $150-$200 on a decent package and make sure you do your research in the Lighting forum on which kevlin temperature is recommended, what headlight housing is recommended, etc.

Oh, and many people are against using HIDs in halogen housings. The reason behind that is because there is an extreme amount of glare with the reflectors and usually the light with HIDs is spread out every where as opposed to straight down the road. I'd recommend either doing a retrofit yourself (get projectors from another car [S2000, TSX, etc]) or getting someone to do a retrofit for you. It's the only way to truly enjoy the output HIDs give IMO.

 

Yeah i have done some research on the HID but I said to myself there are too many Civics with these lights to be the HID $600 Retrofits ... Looks like I under estimated the popularity of HID

 

yea u mean HID's... has nothing to do with the headlight housing itself. they can run $250-$450 for a good pair. if u look on ebay, they have kits for like $120, and only has low HID conversion. but if yur current headlight housing has one bulb hole (low/high in the same bulb), then you wont have any high beams, unless you buy a housing with separate holes. id suggest an actual kit ($250-$450), ive heard nothing much good about the ebay kits, such as they barely look HID, or they constantly blow bulbs (H4 halogen bulbs may be a lil more expensive than regulars).

 

My HID'S are awsomeOoo... last me about 3 years now. Got them on ebay for 80 bucks shipped BTW .Mattyz right... Best way is to retrofit your head lights and enjoy them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Socratez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah i have done some research on the HID but I said to myself there are too many Civics with these lights to be the HID $600 Retrofits ... Looks like I under estimated the popularity of HID</TD></TR></TABLE>
HIDs can definitely be had for cheap.

I'd personally prefer to stick with OEM housing though. I drive with SilverStars and foglights and I can see just fine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Originally posted by NOFX - HIDs can definitely be had for cheap.
I'd personally prefer to stick with OEM housing though. I drive with SilverStars and foglights and I can see just fine. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I think Sylvania SilverStars look nice, but I have yet to get a set that lasts longer then 12-14 days without burning out. So I went back to Honda OEM H1 and H3 bulbs in my Prelude.

 

For me it is driving me nuts! one light seems brighter then the other not to mention when it idles the fan kicks in they dim then brighten up again. I know it is not a huge deal but it says to me something somewhere is bound to fail ... Also I guess having the new housings adjusted to the right levels might be a smart idea I just have no idea who or where to take it for something like that. I bought $200 housings for the Del Sol with CLEAR fronts and reflective internal housing to enhance the brightness but so far, minimal difference. I thought maybe buying brighter bulbs would help or BLUE/WHITE bulbs but that was obviously wrong. The best thing was the LED turn signals I got and even they are not the greatest ... then in this Del Sol the interior lighting is lacking ... Am I ranting about lights again!?!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TheJGB3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think Sylvania SilverStars look nice, but I have yet to get a set that lasts longer then 12-14 days without burning out. So I went back to Honda OEM H1 and H3 bulbs in my Prelude.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I've had mine for plenty long. Before I changed the one that blew out about three months ago or so I'd had a set in there for 2-3 years at least. I had one blow out in a foglight once, but that was a DEPO foglight that had a bad leak problem.

I hear a lot of people have trouble with SilverStars but I've never had any sort of issue.

 

I use the Silverstar Ultras and I am very happy with them. 25$ shipped ebay style. If I had the $$ I would go with HID but baby needs pampers.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TheJGB3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I think Sylvania SilverStars look nice, but I have yet to get a set that lasts longer then 12-14 days without burning out. So I went back to Honda OEM H1 and H3 bulbs in my Prelude.

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If you are burning out bulbs in 12 to 14 days, then there was probably some form of contamination on the bulb's glass when they were installed. If you get skin oil on them, for example, they will blow out very quickly.