HID lights for my daily driver?

[nzwasp]

As much as I hate every bugger driving behind me with their HID lights - I feel as though I need them on my '05 sentra. I live in the SW and drive 85th at early hours of the morning, my current lights aren't really spotting the wildlife that is springing out at me, had a couple of close encounters with deer in the last couple of months.

I'd like to get fog lights too - the car comes with holes in the bumper for them but doesn't actually have them.

Are HID kits legal in Calgary? is there certain types I should avoid?

[AE92_TreunoSC]

Sentras really flare badly with HID's Either do a HID projector retrofit or get some higher output lights like sylvania silverstar ultras. You aren't doing others any good by blinding them so you can spot deers.

[InRich]

^ yea no doubt. if you wanna be cheap about it, and just get the HID kit and put them into your stock housing, i'll make sure to drive by and give u the finger every time...

dont be cheap about it, do it properly or dont do it at all. i'm sure you can get the whole setup on ebay for less then 450 bucks.

edit.. there ya for 250 bucks
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/4300K-HID-07-10-Nissan-Sentra-Dual-Twin-CCFL-Halo-Projector-Black-BLK-Headlights-/130745711296?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e710d3ac0&vxp=mtr

[nzwasp]

Originally posted by AE92_TreunoSC
Sentras really flare badly with HID's Either do a HID projector retrofit or get some higher output lights like sylvania silverstar ultras. You aren't doing others any good by blinding them so you can spot deers.

You know I went into canadian tire looking for brighter normal bulbs for my car and they told me that they dont exist.

I dont know if they just don't exist at canadian tire or if they dont everywhere.

[nzwasp]

Originally posted by InRich
^ yea no doubt. if you wanna be cheap about it, and just get the HID kit and put them into your stock housing, i'll make sure to drive by and give u the finger every time...

dont be cheap about it, do it properly or dont do it at all. i'm sure you can get the whole setup on ebay for less then 450 bucks.

edit.. there ya for 250 bucks
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/00-03-SENTRA-HALO-LED-PROJECTOR-HEADLIGHTS-CORNER-BLACK-10K-HID-KIT-10000K-/130741918154?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e70d359ca&vxp=mtr

Surely if I had HID fog lights it wouldnt go anywhere near anyones field of vision. The sentra is so low to the ground this morning I felt like I was pushing the snow around.

[InRich]

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/07-10-Nissan-Sentra-BLK-CCFL-Headlights-8000K-Slim-HID-/230903137176?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c2e64398&vxp=mtr

get this one. or something like it... dont be cheap man. its 250 bucks. jeez.

[gpomp]

why not drive with your high beams on like most others in the city?

[nzwasp]

hmm maybe i'll try and find some brighter bulbs for my existing housing at autoparts or whatever that store is called on 17th ave

[AE92_TreunoSC]

I've had silvania sivlerstars in all my non-hid cars. They make all sizes. Made a huge difference in my old Maxima.

[Disoblige]

Originally posted by nzwasp


You know I went into canadian tire looking for brighter normal bulbs for my car and they told me that they dont exist.
Funny thing is some Canadian Tire employees don't even know the stuff they sell, haha.

Also, respect for finding alternative ways for your problem other than slapping on an HID kit and calling it a day.

[Abeo]

I was having troubles with dim lights on my truck.... just changed the bulbs to normal sylvania replacements, and it made a huge difference. The old bulbs probably had 60% of the light output.

I'd try that first.



Originally posted by gpomp
why not drive with your high beams on like most others in the city?

:rofl: :banghead:

[CanmoreOrLess]

Replace all the bulbs and make certain your headlight covers are resurfaced (polished with a kit) if they are all fogged. You will be wondering why you didn't do this years ago.

Tons of other auto parts stores in Calgary, you have the bulb number so just buy what you like. You are aware of the special handling needs when replacing bulbs? I wonder this as you took a CT employee's opinion to be the truth which it was not or the employee misunderstood you. Find someone to show you how to do the job, really easy after you have done it once. On some aggro cars you need to go in through the inner fender, I'm talking to you Mr. Honda!

https://www.sylvania.com/en-us/applications/automotive-lighting-systems/Pages/lrgmain.aspx#fldYear

[SportEL]

nzwasp, what type of bulbs does your car use?

Sylvania Ultra/Silverstar aren't great bulbs. Any bulbs with a blue coating rob light output. They overdrive the bulb, and that is why the bulb life sucks. There are better bulbs out there.


The ebay listing linked is of Halogen projectors which is not the same as HID projectors. Sure, it is better than putting PnP HIDs in a reflector housing, but not even close to the sharpness and output of HID projector.

[Crazyjoker77]

Another option is to add a relay harness. Usually Factory wiring is rather small and in turn you lose voltage due to that, which in turn ruduces the wattage of the bulb.

Some guys on a mustang forum I'm on have reported 30% increase in light output from the relay alone without even changing bulbs. Another benifit of running the relay is that you can run higher wattage bulbs now without the risk of frying your factory wiring. (although you still have the risk of melting the bulb housing if there is lots of close plastic)


I've pretty much played around with every lighting option there is with my 5 cars. (retro-fit, PnP, relay harness, Overdriven bulbs, Higher wattage bulbs) and it really comes down to you get what you pay for.

I use to use silverstars but the short life span of them makes them a hassle and the price adds up fast at 25$+ per bulb that wont last a year.

Here is a comparison pic of the kind of light output you can get without going to HIDs (the pic was actually taken to compare the beam pattern of J-spec to E-codes and to show the difference between a RHD and LHD pattern)


http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2150000-2150999/2150311_35_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2150000-2150999/2150311_36_full.jpg

Factory on the car is
55/65watt H4 in a cibie J-spec housing

upgraded is
90/100w h4 in a Hella E-code housing (relay harness is used)

And since you mention your issue with wildlife I thought I would say that the glare off the cheap plug and play kits actually is very helpful with spotting animals as it lights there eyes right up. I know I've been saved a few run-ins because of them.

[amear]

or you can do a projector retrofit with the morimoto mini projectors? under 300$ but look the best and you keep your oem headlight fitment. heres a link to what im taking about.

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=227

[EG6boi]

I never really trusted those ebay retrofit attempts though. Anybody have personal experience with that?

[nzwasp]

Originally posted by SportEL
nzwasp, what type of bulbs does your car use?

Sylvania Ultra/Silverstar aren't great bulbs. Any bulbs with a blue coating rob light output. They overdrive the bulb, and that is why the bulb life sucks. There are better bulbs out there.


The ebay listing linked is of Halogen projectors which is not the same as HID projectors. Sure, it is better than putting PnP HIDs in a reflector housing, but not even close to the sharpness and output of HID projector.

My bulbs are h13 (9008)

[nzwasp]

Originally posted by CanmoreOrLess
Replace all the bulbs and make certain your headlight covers are resurfaced (polished with a kit) if they are all fogged. You will be wondering why you didn't do this years ago.

Tons of other auto parts stores in Calgary, you have the bulb number so just buy what you like. You are aware of the special handling needs when replacing bulbs? I wonder this as you took a CT employee's opinion to be the truth which it was not or the employee misunderstood you. Find someone to show you how to do the job, really easy after you have done it once. On some aggro cars you need to go in through the inner fender, I'm talking to you Mr. Honda!

https://www.sylvania.com/en-us/applications/automotive-lighting-systems/Pages/lrgmain.aspx#fldYear

Hmm yeah im pretty sure they are all fogged up too.

[Crazyjoker77]

Originally posted by EG6boi
I never really trusted those ebay retrofit attempts though. Anybody have personal experience with that?

I used TSX projector for my retrofit in my eclipse but I had 2 buddies use the retrofit source and I was really impressed with the outcome of theirs

My one friend had a 04 imprezza. retrofit source offers the retro-quick kits which was super easy to install and came out very nicely. Although you still have to bake the headlight and get the lens off and trim a bit of plastic on the back plastic ring that holds the bulb in but other than that it is very simple. (still cost in the 600$ range and took us about 3hours to do once we had the headlights out)

My other friend sent his mustang headlights off to get retrofitted by them with the mini H1 and bullet shrouds and halos added and the whole headlight painted. they came back perfect but cost was around 950usd plus shipping costs.

Like i said you get what you pay for and in turn a 70$ plug and play kit does start to look appealing. is an extra 600 dollars worth it to not blind other drivers? Hell even my retrofit using junkyard stuff still ran me probably close to 350$ all said and done.

[clem24]

Originally posted by InRich
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/07-10-Nissan-Sentra-BLK-CCFL-Headlights-8000K-Slim-HID-/230903137176?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c2e64398&vxp=mtr

get this one. or something like it... dont be cheap man. its 250 bucks. jeez.

Waaaah do NOT get these... I am willing to bet the beam pattern with these will be WORSE than your current set of lights. I highly highly highly doubt these were designed properly to produce a good beam pattern. I've seen way too many of these retrofits on the road that have piss poor beam patterns.

I dunno I have a hard time believing your headlights can be THAT bad... Are they fogged up or scratched? Would maybe a headlight restoration do the trick?

[Strider]

Highly recommend these bulbs:
http://www.powerbulbs.com/ca/store/category/philips-xtreme-extreme-vision-car-headlight-bulbs

They seem to last a lot longer than Sylvania high output bulbs I've tried. I've had a set that's been going strong for about 3 years now.

Also if your headlights are cloudy try wetsanding/polishing.
there's a bit of info here:
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/353202/headlight-cut-and-polishing-any-vendors-to-recommend/

A few people have said that the 3M kit works well too.
This made a huge difference on my Acura with HIDs.

[btimbit]

Originally posted by nzwasp


You know I went into canadian tire looking for brighter normal bulbs for my car and they told me that they dont exist.

I dont know if they just don't exist at canadian tire or if they dont everywhere.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoHeadlights/HalogenLights/PRD~0202889P/Sylvania+Silverstar+Ultra+Halogen+Headlight+Bulb%2C+2-pk.jsp?locale=en

[SportEL]

Originally posted by nzwasp


My bulbs are h13 (9008)

You will want Phillips X-treme Vision bulbs.

Also, bring your car to a detailing shop to get them machine polished if they are hazed/foggy. Protect them with 3M afterwards.

[THE GOVERNATOR]

also, ..there is PIAA H13 Xtreme White Plus Bulbs

$95 though..
http://www.piaa.com/store/p/63-H13-Xtreme-White-Plus-Twin-Pack-Halogen-Bulbs.aspx

[BokCh0y]

Originally posted by Crazyjoker77
Another option is to add a relay harness. Usually Factory wiring is rather small and in turn you lose voltage due to that, which in turn ruduces the wattage of the bulb.

Some guys on a mustang forum I'm on have reported 30% increase in light output from the relay alone without even changing bulbs. Another benifit of running the relay is that you can run higher wattage bulbs now without the risk of frying your factory wiring. (although you still have the risk of melting the bulb housing if there is lots of close plastic)


I've pretty much played around with every lighting option there is with my 5 cars. (retro-fit, PnP, relay harness, Overdriven bulbs, Higher wattage bulbs) and it really comes down to you get what you pay for.

I use to use silverstars but the short life span of them makes them a hassle and the price adds up fast at 25$+ per bulb that wont last a year.

Here is a comparison pic of the kind of light output you can get without going to HIDs (the pic was actually taken to compare the beam pattern of J-spec to E-codes and to show the difference between a RHD and LHD pattern)


http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2150000-2150999/2150311_35_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2150000-2150999/2150311_36_full.jpg

Factory on the car is
55/65watt H4 in a cibie J-spec housing

upgraded is
90/100w h4 in a Hella E-code housing (relay harness is used)

And since you mention your issue with wildlife I thought I would say that the glare off the cheap plug and play kits actually is very helpful with spotting animals as it lights there eyes right up. I know I've been saved a few run-ins because of them.

This is great info and very impressive crazyjoker.

Some q's for you if you don't mind....

My 91 Toyota pickup uses a factory sealed beam setup with 4x6 units. I recently went and picked up a set of the Hella 4x6 sealed beam housings. Are those e-code? How do I tell if it is e-code? The housing unit gave me the ability to use the h4 lights rather than the factory sealed beam units - which are now waaayyyyy brighter than before.

Also, can you tell me what you did with that relay to increase the light output and what bulbs you're using in your e-code setup? I'd like to increase the light output on my truck as well, but I don't want to run the typical dodge ram setup with non-factory HID's that blind everyone.

Thanks.

[SportEL]

Originally posted by THE GOVERNATOR
also, ..there is PIAA H13 Xtreme White Plus Bulbs

$95 though..
http://www.piaa.com/store/p/63-H13-Xtreme-White-Plus-Twin-Pack-Halogen-Bulbs.aspx

No, those have the blue coating on them. I wouldn't trust them to last long. They are only good for changing the color of light, not actually providing more light on the road.

[DeleriousZ]

Just remember for anyone doing an hid projector retrofit into their stock light housings, the fluted DOT lenses are going to cause some flare no matter what you do.

Also, those hid bulbs in stock housings should be banned. I would also like to personally bag anyone that's using them.