Headlight/foglight bulbs for best visibility

[scoobs]

So far all I can say is the night tech bulbs give off slightly whiter light than stock, and have some blue reflection in the housings. I'll post a functional review once I drive at night with them (may be awhile). I decided I'll be ordering the PIAA yellow bulbs for my fogs and the Phillips xtreme vision for the low beams in the 5. Not sure what I want to use for high beams in the 5 yet, its a separate bulb.

Night tech, that's the new bulb from PIAA right? I must say the stock housing is pretty good with a better bulb. I still want more lighting, and I may get a different bulb set up for winter. Yellow PIAA H4, H11 and xtreme white driving lamp hiding behind in the hole of the front license plate. I saw I could remove the bumper, remove the plate + cut the space behind it, remove some foam and make a bracket for the front crash bar. This way I could close the hole with the factory front plastic plate cover when I don't want to use them.... When I get the parts this fall I'll make this mod

 

[eyeballs]

That sounds awesome. Though as soon as you started talking about putting a set of driving lights in the bumper I had a vision of the black magic lights (by hella iirc).

 

[scoobs]

That sounds awesome. Though as soon as you started talking about putting a set of driving lights in the bumper I had a vision of the black magic lights (by hella iirc).

I had those on my old Jeep, they looked great

 

[scoobs]

That sounds awesome. Though as soon as you started talking about putting a set of driving lights in the bumper I had a vision of the black magic lights (by hella iirc).

http://www.tirerack.com/lighting/detail.jsp?ID=1215&cat=Lighting+Kits

A bit too big I think, but if it was 4" it would be perfect.

 

[StrangeP3rm]

<a href="http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i67/p3rm/?action=view&current=D0464A1C-6B08-47F2-A345-EE09981F7AF7-10958-000004F90FCE34F2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i67/p3rm/D0464A1C-6B08-47F2-A345-EE09981F7AF7-10958-000004F90FCE34F2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>
This looks like what you are describing .

 

[scoobs]

<a href="http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i67/p3rm/?action=viewt=D0464A1C-6B08-47F2-A345-EE09981F7AF7-10958-000004F90FCE34F2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i67/p3rm/D0464A1C-6B08-47F2-A345-EE09981F7AF7-10958-000004F90FCE34F2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>
This looks like what you are describing .

Yep, that's the look

 

[scoobs]

I'm looking at the Hella's Black Magic, I got to measure to see if it fits. The price is a lot less than the PIAA's... I really want to color match my lamps. Even the Corksport LED's will go on my wife's Mazda2.

Maybe PIAA ion yellow H4 bulbs
http://www.piaa.com/store/p/45-H4-Plasma-Ion-Twin-Beam-Halogen-Bulbs-Single-Pack.aspx
+ PIAA ion yellow H11 bulbs
http://www.piaa.com/store/p/42-H11-Plasma-Ion-Yellow-Twin-Pack-Halogen-Bulbs.aspx
and if it fits Hella Black Magic 500
http://www.tirerack.com/lighting/detail.jsp?ID=1215&cat=Lighting+Kits
if not PIAA 510 SMR
http://www.piaa.com/store/p/78-510-SMR-Driving-XTreme-White-Plus-Halogen-Lamp-Kit.aspx

 

[scoobs]

Ok I checked the size of the plate area, 15x4". Cutting behind the plate area all the way to the crash bar will give more room. To fit the Hella's I will have to cut part of the grill and I don't want that.
I'm also thinking of xtreme white H11 bulbs + these http://www.piaa.com/store/p/85-520-Ion-Yellow-Driving-Halogen-Lamp-Kit.aspx

 

[Max Archer]

If you're gonna put lights behind the bumper you might want to try one of these LED setups. http://store.langracing.com/10w-evolution-motorsport-led-light-bars/

My friend was one of the drivers in 949 Racing's class-winning Miata at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill last year, and their car had one of these. He said it was amazing and totally blew traditional lighting away.

 

[scoobs]

If you're gonna put lights behind the bumper you might want to try one of these LED setups. http://store.langracing.com/10w-evolution-motorsport-led-light-bars/

My friend was one of the drivers in 949 Racing's class-winning Miata at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill last year, and their car had one of these. He said it was amazing and totally blew traditional lighting away.

Wow these are pretty cool, thanks for the link

 

[HelloMello]

I've had PIAA for many years and for me they don't compare to the intensity of HID, not even close imo. No offense Scoobs..

 

[skullsroad]

I have a set of Hella Micro DE fog lights that I was planning on installing on a different car but now I think I'll try and fabricate some brackets and replace the stock anemic M2 foglights. Cutting into the bumper cover makes me cringe....

 

[scoobs]

I've had PIAA for many years and for me they don't compare to the intensity of HID, not even close imo. No offense Scoobs..

that's the point, in the stock housing HID are too bright and unfocused. I did put on HID on the 2 before getting the PIAA, my friend got a H4 kit for his car, he wasen't going to be in town for a few months so I installed the kit just for kicks to see if I would like it....and I don't, but that's me, I don't like blinding people, even cops were on my case with those on. The best thing to do if you go HID is Retrofit HID.

I plan on doing the retrofit next summer, but till now the PIAA are pretty sweet

 

[firespirit]

If it counts... When I first picked up my car I immediately changed the bulbs out to Silverstar zXe bulbs... Best, brightest, and whitest light I have found without going the HID route.

 

[eyeballs]

Scoobs, you've GOT to put one of those LED bars in. Those look awesome.

 

[Fricks]

Can anyone tell me where i can find GOOD Pink (Not Purple/violet) HID bulbs?

 

[scoobs]

Scoobs, you've GOT to put one of those LED bars in. Those look awesome.

I got plans for extra lighting, I'm going to make brackets and add a set of PIAA 520 Xtreme white ATP http://www.piaa.com/store/p/26-520-ATP-XTreme-White-Plus-Halogen-Lamp-Kit.aspx
The brackets will bolt on to the crash bar and go through the holes of the front grill. I got my design already picked and I'll make them soon.
And i got a nice spot for them also and I'm switching out the LED H11 from Corksport for PIAA H11 Plasma Ion Yellow. The LED's are not bright enough, they look cool but they don't do the job for me. And the fact that they have no heat, in winter the ice don't melt on the lens.

So stay tuned and by the end of summer I should have them on and pictures posted.

 

[mykflo]

do it.. looking forward to the final results. take pics.

 

[eyeballs]

Sounds like you'll have plenty of light either way. Definately looking forward to seeing the finished project.

 

[scoobs]

Sounds like you'll have plenty of light either way. Definately looking forward to seeing the finished project.

I live in the country side and I never have enough lighting, I'm even thinking of adding a set of driving Ion Yellow for rainy/ snowy days.

My second idea for a set-up is to buy a set of Hella Black Magic 500 and buy PIAA H3 Ion Yellow bulbs for them, and a second set of Black Magic 500 with xtreme white H3. I could have the 2 set of Black magic 500 + new bulbs for the price of the 520 ATP's. The PIAA are better quality but the price of the Hella's is perfect I had Black Magics on my old Jeep Grand Cherokee and they were great.

Hella has their own shields for the 500...