Just installed PIAA headlights and foglights
08-09-2002, 03:20 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Just installed PIAA headlights and foglights
I just replaced my headlights and foglights with PIAA drop in replacement lights. The headlights are H5's, so I used the PIAA H5 Platinum Super Whites, 45/65W = 85/110W. The foglights are H3's, so I used PIAA H3 Super White Platinums, 55w = 85 w. Total cost was about $90 from Performance Products purchased during their recent 20% off sale.
Overall, the lights are definitely a little brighter and whiter, but I didn't get quite the increase in brightness I was expecting. I replaced the foglight and headlight on just one side of the car, leaving the other side with stock lights. I then turned the lights onto my white garage door (this is at night, BTW), and the side with the new lights was whiter but not really much brighter. If I had to put a number to it, I would say 5-10% brighter at most.
I did the full installation, and it definitely looks classier with the white bulbs. It doesn't have that cheap blue tint that you'll see on cars that obviously don't have xenons but have very blue headlights. Example would be an old Integra with VERY blue lights. Probably not xenons.
I drove around my subdivision, but (to the developer's credit), it's so well lit that I couldn't find a dark spot to really test out the new lights. I'll have to find a dark spot tomorrow night and do a better comparison.
One thing I did notice is that while the new lights aren't much brighter, what is lit is easier to see. Grass definitely looks greener with the new lights, so they give more of a daylight look. So while the field of brightness and amount of light hasn't really increased, the new lights seem to be more 'accurate,' or more like daylight.
Either way, I'm glad I made the switch, and it was a really easy job.
Drew
92 C2
Overall, the lights are definitely a little brighter and whiter, but I didn't get quite the increase in brightness I was expecting. I replaced the foglight and headlight on just one side of the car, leaving the other side with stock lights. I then turned the lights onto my white garage door (this is at night, BTW), and the side with the new lights was whiter but not really much brighter. If I had to put a number to it, I would say 5-10% brighter at most.
I did the full installation, and it definitely looks classier with the white bulbs. It doesn't have that cheap blue tint that you'll see on cars that obviously don't have xenons but have very blue headlights. Example would be an old Integra with VERY blue lights. Probably not xenons.
I drove around my subdivision, but (to the developer's credit), it's so well lit that I couldn't find a dark spot to really test out the new lights. I'll have to find a dark spot tomorrow night and do a better comparison.
One thing I did notice is that while the new lights aren't much brighter, what is lit is easier to see. Grass definitely looks greener with the new lights, so they give more of a daylight look. So while the field of brightness and amount of light hasn't really increased, the new lights seem to be more 'accurate,' or more like daylight.
Either way, I'm glad I made the switch, and it was a really easy job.
Drew
92 C2
08-09-2002, 07:39 AM
#2
Race Car
Cool. 
BUT...what do you mean when you say the headlights were 45/65w = 85/110w??
I'm guessing that the lower number is the low beam, higher number the high beam wattage...is the 45/65 the original wattage settings and the 85/110 with the new bulbs??
I would like to do something like this, but have NEVER looked into it - your post may prompt me to get off my duff!
BUT...what do you mean when you say the headlights were 45/65w = 85/110w??
I'm guessing that the lower number is the low beam, higher number the high beam wattage...is the 45/65 the original wattage settings and the 85/110 with the new bulbs??
I would like to do something like this, but have NEVER looked into it - your post may prompt me to get off my duff!
08-09-2002, 09:08 AM
#3
Technical Specialist
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[quote]<strong> PIAA H5 Platinum Super Whites, 45/65W = 85/110W. </strong><hr></blockquote>
Somewhere I read an analysis that said that was marketing fluff. PIAA, allegedly, merely focused their beam a bit differently which affects the output measurements, although the color is supposed to be whiter. If so, then that may be why you don't really notice any output difference, although it sounds like you do notice some color difference. If someone wants higher output bulbs, then that's what they need to get, and use a relay to protect the turn signal switch from carrying the extra juice.
Somewhere I read an analysis that said that was marketing fluff. PIAA, allegedly, merely focused their beam a bit differently which affects the output measurements, although the color is supposed to be whiter. If so, then that may be why you don't really notice any output difference, although it sounds like you do notice some color difference. If someone wants higher output bulbs, then that's what they need to get, and use a relay to protect the turn signal switch from carrying the extra juice.
08-09-2002, 12:08 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Jeff, your intuition is right. 45/65W means it's 45 watts on low beam and 65 watts on high beam. PIAA's claims are that the new lights will be equivalent to an 85 watt low beam and 110 watt high beam without going to a higher wattage bulb. The PIAA lights are not even close to twice as bright, so their claims are indeed marketing fluff (Bill's words).
Bill, there is definitely a color difference. As far as focusing the beam, I only bought the bulbs, which wouldn't affect the focus of the beam. The foglights have a vertical adjustment screw that is independent of the type of bulb used. The headlights have vertical and horizontal adjustment screws.
I think you're right about having to upgrade to a true higher watt bulb to get a brighter light. I didn't want to install relays and/or new wiring to do that, which is why I opted for the drop in replacements. If someone wants a noticeably brighter light though, that's what they'll have to do given my experience.
Bill, there is definitely a color difference. As far as focusing the beam, I only bought the bulbs, which wouldn't affect the focus of the beam. The foglights have a vertical adjustment screw that is independent of the type of bulb used. The headlights have vertical and horizontal adjustment screws.
I think you're right about having to upgrade to a true higher watt bulb to get a brighter light. I didn't want to install relays and/or new wiring to do that, which is why I opted for the drop in replacements. If someone wants a noticeably brighter light though, that's what they'll have to do given my experience.
08-11-2002, 08:31 PM
#5
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FWIW I have run 90/130 watt bulbs in my 90 C2 Cab for at least the last 10 years, with stock wiring and relays without any problems whatsoever.
It was many years before I learned that its not recommended but in view of years of trouble free service why mess with it now?
If it ain't broke...
It was many years before I learned that its not recommended but in view of years of trouble free service why mess with it now?
If it ain't broke...
08-11-2002, 10:39 PM
#6
Specialist
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I put these PIAA things on my Ford truck (Have H-1's on the P-car) PIAA stands for Possibly It's All Adverising- NO noticible difference except in my bank account.
