So many options for HL's

[Tank33]

Ok. Yes, I did search, but I cannot find one thread that explains exactly what I am looking for.

I am not very familiar with all the new lighting technology available lately, but I would like to upgrade my headlights on my 04 GT1.

Now, I have seen a few nice pairs out there, but, I also have heard that every pair of after market headlights for our cars, either does not seal up well and the lenses are separating from the housing, or they need modification to fit, or both.

What I am looking for is something that is truly, plug and play. Remove the old lights, put in the new lights, hook up existing wires, and be done.

Now to my understanding, projectors are just the actual housing and glass lens, and not a style of bulb themselves. HID, High Intensity Discharge, is a type of bulb and I guess you could say "complete" lighting system, with ballasts and what not.

So my question is, when a person installs projectors, what bulbs do you use?? When you install HID lights, these are the "H" series bulbs one always hears about, are they not?

What does everyone think of these lights??

http://customgrandam.com/projectorv2.htm

Basically, I am looking for someone to please share there knowledge with me and tell me what the best option is for upgrading my headlights. I am unsure if I should just stick with the stock housing, and install a HID kit, OR, go with entirely new projector housings, and whatever bulbs I should be using?

Any help much appreciated, ordering my new lights based off of what I can learn here. Thanks.

[DrFabulous]

I would just stick with stock or stock style housings.... I have heard far too many issues with the various projector headlights available.

[hass]

Doesn't using higher output bulbs in the stock housings cause that funny crazy light pattern that tends to blind oncoming traffic?
and projectors give the clean cutoff?

[Tank33]

Doesn't using higher output bulbs in the stock housings cause that funny crazy light pattern that tends to blind oncoming traffic?
and projectors give the clean cutoff?

Exactly one of the issues I was concerned about if I drop HID's into the stock housing, I am worried it will be so bright coming off the reflectors that it will blind people in front of me or passing me.

[Crazy83519]

get the brand TYC lights, better quality than stock. If you go with HID's aim them low, that will help.

[DrFabulous]

Please, for the love of god, do NOT put HIDs in your car without projectors. No matter how "low" you aim them, the glare is horrid.

[Crazy83519]

Please, for the love of god, do NOT put HIDs in your car without projectors. No matter how "low" you aim them, the glare is horrid.

True, but some people are so stuck on HIDs that the only way.

[SSRacer]

So far I have not had any issues out of my headlights. They seem to be good quality. Of course I did have to hack up my header panel. Haven't upgraded to HID yet.

[DrFabulous]

True, but some people are so stuck on HIDs that the only way.

The only way? It is not the "only" way. The proper and legal way would be to use the factory housing and bulbs.

Another way would be to fabricate projectors that are designed for HIDs.

[Tank33]

Well, I guess the only option for now will be to upgrade my headlights to PIAA bulbs as well, and wait for a set of good, quality projector lights to come out that can accept HID lights.

Thanks for the responses all!

Maybe we should sticky this for other people confused about the many different options??

[hass]

I'm sure these have been talked about...
but

what about these thingers?
http://customgrandam.com/hid.htm

[caraudiodave]

a few of us have retrofitted HID projectors into stock headlights, and then used HIDs. it solves al issues except it requires you to have some skill in installing them. it took me forever to get them aimed the same on both sides. its also tough to get a perfect cutoff, but honestly, as long as it cuts off, doesnt really matter if the cutoff is perfect.

some good projectors are made by bosch or Valeo. i think valeo makes them for Lamborghini, and the Bosch ones are used on Porsche, BMW, Volvo and lots of others (i think). look on ebay and you can get them off there.

Now, when looking at the HID systems, the temp determines the color. make sure you choose wisely as the bulbs are expensive. also, the plugor bulb type is determined by which type or projector you use...they will specify (ie D2s).

I hope some of that info helps.

[cardude007617]

or if you dont want to spend quite so much $$ on the PIAA's, go with a set of silverstar ultras. they have a "high end" white look and they do light up the road better than stock.

you can find em for about 30 bucks shipped on ebay...

[9t8alti]

I have the ones pictured above with the CCFL Halos and they were a direct fit and plug and play no modification was done to the header panel and no splicing of wires i have had them for almost a year and the lens is still sealed perfectly fine i even had a HID kit in them for a while til one of my ballast blew you'll probably get more light on the ground with the factory type housing but also blind people.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t19/alti9t8/018-2.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t19/alti9t8/010-2.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t19/alti9t8/007-2.jpg

[paintballplayer]

So you have the projector headlights and the HID kit from customgrandam.com?

I just bought another grand am and was wondering if the projector headlights from them and the HID kit worked together. Under the HID section it says not to use with the projectors.

[9t8alti]

So you have the projector headlights and the HID kit from customgrandam.com?

I just bought another grand am and was wondering if the projector headlights from them and the HID kit worked together. Under the HID section it says not to use with the projectors.

Well i bought both my projectors and HIDs from ebay im pretty sure the projectors are the same no matter where you get em but HID kits do differ but mines work great together they use a H3 bulb unlike the other projectors and the cutoff was still sharp and the lighting improved over the halogens there are a few dim spots but they projected the light very far and bright.

[redsnake14]

I also have the CCFL headlights that 9t8alti has, and they are probably the easiest way to go, no wiring or anything, literally just plug and play.

I would suggest buying them from customgrandam . com , they may be cheaper elsewhere but if you have any problems with them he should take care of you. Within a week of installing my headlights one of the halos dimmed and then just totally went out, but I was luckily able to send that light back and get a new one. I have had them in for almost a year and had no problems since.

Not to mention they look friggin' awesome.

[9t8alti]

And the CCFL Halos are way brighter than the LEDs.

[Tank33]

So, I am planning on ordering the V2's off of customgrandam, but I am just curious, what should I be using for bulbs?

I have not had much time to learn anything about projectors since I last posted. So if I order these lights, exactly what should I do for bulbs? Buy the "normal type" or a HID kit?

[9t8alti]

So, I am planning on ordering the V2's off of customgrandam, but I am just curious, what should I be using for bulbs?

I have not had much time to learn anything about projectors since I last posted. So if I order these lights, exactly what should I do for bulbs? Buy the "normal type" or a HID kit?

the low beam is a H3 bulb and HIDs work ok in them i have them in mines check out my cardomain page for pictures of the cutoffs.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2541973

[Tank33]

Thanks! What is the High Beam?

[9t8alti]

Thanks! What is the High Beam?

if i remember correctly they are h11 or h9 ill take a look tommorow but the lights come with all bulbs need except the inner turn signal which is still the factory bulb

[Tank33]

Thank you I appreciate it!