Hi

I have a stock 1991 civic EF. How to effectively increase the headlight brightness? I just feel the stock lights are not bright enough for my application.... Simply put on bulb with big watts?? If so what is the biggest I can put on without blow fuse?

 

One of the biggest things I hate about the crx
You have a couple options

I got a
HIR 9012 bulb, they require little modification but are the same wattage as the low beam OEM and shine bright and the color is nice.
These bulbs were designed for construction vehicles so you must order online. They are a little expensive. They're made by Phillips

There's a mod you can do to a hi beam 9005 bulb so you can use it in the low beam socket.
I did not really like this mod, it's not that effective and pulls more watts, the 9005 bulb also does not have a cap like the 9006 so drivers will flash you thinking you have your hi-beams on.

There are LED conversions now but from what I've seen they are similar to the 9012 bulb I mentioned and they don't draw any less energy despite being LED, use a fan and have an adapter that must go with it.


Then there's HID's, these are illegal here, especially with non projector housings.
They need adapters too.


If you just want a regular/better low beam bulb. I reccomend the NOkya yellow 9006
I have the NOkya Yellow 9005 in my high beams.


The yellow light cuts though rain and fog better than anything else and really helps a lot in emergency situations.

You can add fog lights too, but with the crx's small alternator, I prefer my 9012/yellow 9005 combination. The 9011 bulb has a slight yellow purple tint, similar to HID's.

In the mean time, the 9005 bulb& proper alignment of the headlights is probably the cheapest easiest solution, maybe just new cheap bulbs by sylvania or Phillips. I prefer Phillips and not the fancy blue ones either(That's all marketing)

Oh yea, beware of those cheap 100 watt bulbs. They can fry your wiring

 

9005 mod.

its cheap. increases brightness noticeably.

better than using H4 bulbs that are required to use with EDM single reflector headlights. which i have now and say from experience having done both.

 

Check your headlights themselves before you start replacing bulbs. On my '88 Hf with over 400k the headlights were really dim, I tried new bulbs to no avail. After looking at the lights/lenses, I realized that the reflective material inside the glass had peeled off over time and from being in the sun. The glass was still crystal clear. However, the bulbs had nothing to "reflect" the light ahead and onto the road. I bought a set of used assemblies in great condition and put them in the car, instant bright headlights.

 

Oh wow, I have never thought of that.

 

I have had good results with TYC headlight assemblies in 2 or 3 different cars

For brighter go HID in the 4000-6000K range (white), I have these in several cars, including my CRX

 

only problem is dropping the HID in the stock style headlamps leads to a LOT of light scatter and probably flashing of oncoming traffic.

 

I have a set of LEDs in my 89 hatch and they are a very noticeable upgrade over halogens, with much cleaner light output than HIDs.

Just make sure you get the highest lumen output available. I got ones that are 3200 lumens EACH, or 6400/pair. Paid about $55. WELL worth it.

 

LEDs are definitely brighter, but they tend to have a shorter throw.
Meaning they don't light up things as well at further distances.

This probably isn't an issue with city driving, but something to consider if you live out of the city.

 

They throw out just as far as halogens, and there is much more light on the ground (AKA more 'area' lit up).

And if you need to see farther ahead, turn on the high beams!

 

Just a suggestion

Lol

 

I just put in 9011 HIR bulbs. Had to clip a tab and then prefect fit. Definitely whiter and brighter. Exact same pattern as stock lighting. Well worth it imo.