Brighter headlights? (my new driving lights w/ pics)

StewedSquirrel · 11-17-2003, 04:37 AM

Help a newbie out here...

I've never replaced my headlight bulbs with anything other than factory stock dim-as-all-hell bulbs.

How far can I go on a 1998 Impreza with just a $20 bulb replacement? Halogen? Xenon? Do I need new wiring for these or will a comparable wattage Halogen be brighter without too much hassle in replacing the whole assembly and/or wiring??

Help is much appreciated.

I just installed some driving lights in favor of looking for a pair of factory fog lights. Cost me $30+ about 3 hours of dremeling, drilling and fiddling. :-) They're quite a bit brighter than my headlights. :-)

Thanks,
Eric

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Hank3 · 11-17-2003, 08:58 AM

Certainly bright

I_smoke_hondas · 11-17-2003, 03:54 PM

I run silverstars in my impreza- I'm assuming you have H4 bulbs in which they are a direct replacement. Hardest part about changing the bulbs is taking out the battery (to access behind drivers side lamp) About $50 for a pair at any local Checker or whatever. Very much brighter and almost pure white. Some say it is a "poser" look for a cheap HID imitation but the difference is worth it from drivers perspective alone (just changed to some Xenons, very disappointed will put Sstars back ASAP!)

Where'd you get those lights?? I think them's HOT!

Let me know where to pick up a set since my bumper still has the blanks screaming for something to go there..and I think we have a winner.

-AT

StewedSquirrel · 11-17-2003, 06:25 PM

Can I assume the H4 is the factory bulb? If so, what do I need to look for (say, something printed on a box) to know that the bulbs are compatable with my headlights.

Thanks for the help.

Eric

I_smoke_hondas · 11-17-2003, 07:17 PM

Hey don't leave me hangin....Where'd you find those lights?? I'm tryin to help ya out man, the least you can do is return the favor-

Yes, that is what size the FACTORY bulbs are- H4, AKA 9003 (sometimes 9003/s) is what is printed on the Silverstar packaging and most others, usually 9003 but some will say both they are the exact same thing...

-AT

StewedSquirrel · 11-17-2003, 07:57 PM

Heh, sorry. I replied from work. Just got home to check the box and get you the make...

They're "CyberWhite" Navigator NV-538W

They were (I think) $34.99 at Pep Boys. Includes wiring harness, relay, two way switch, lights and mounting hardware.

They're 60W halogen w/ 5W blue acccent rings, 3 1/2" round. It was a tight fit inside the factory foglamp recess cover, but I squeezed them in (with some persuasion from the dremel). They look good in daylight but look GREAT in the dark. :-)

And thanks for the info on the lights.

Eric

StewedSquirrel · 11-17-2003, 08:00 PM

Is 9004 different from 9003? I found some SilverStar lamps labelled 9004....

Don't want to get the wrong deal. :-)

Eric

I_smoke_hondas · 11-17-2003, 09:01 PM

All 9000 series numbers are different- 9001-9007 are all different types of mounts/bulbs. We need 9003s but check any local parts store and they can look all that stuff up too. I would just want you to make sure b/c, even though I believe you have the same bulbs as my Impreza, Subaru changed a lot of things over the years but I'm pretty sure that they remained the same. Good luck, and thanks for showin me the light cause I like 'em a lot...
BTW- is the blue ring always on or switched?? Have fun

-AT

I_smoke_hondas · 11-17-2003, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by StewedSquirrel
....Includes wiring harness, relay, two way switch, lights and mounting hardware.....

-Nevermind, guess with the two way switch you can turn both on and off....

StewedSquirrel · 11-18-2003, 01:52 AM

The two way switch has 3 positions... "blue", "off" and "halogen"

I don't know for sure if the blue stays on while the halogens are lit... they're too bright to tell. :-) I think they do stay lit... but it's not apparent.

I have to remind myself to turn them off... I keep forgetting and see the blue lights out my window an hour after i've come inside. :-P

11-17-2003, 04:37 AM	#1
StewedSquirrel Scooby Newbie Member#: 48509 Join Date: Nov 2003 Vehicle: 1998 Impreza OBS Red/Grey	Brighter headlights? (my new driving lights w/ pics) Help a newbie out here... I've never replaced my headlight bulbs with anything other than factory stock dim-as-all-hell bulbs. How far can I go on a 1998 Impreza with just a $20 bulb replacement? Halogen? Xenon? Do I need new wiring for these or will a comparable wattage Halogen be brighter without too much hassle in replacing the whole assembly and/or wiring?? Help is much appreciated. I just installed some driving lights in favor of looking for a pair of factory fog lights. Cost me $30+ about 3 hours of dremeling, drilling and fiddling. :-) They're quite a bit brighter than my headlights. :-) Thanks, Eric * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

11-17-2003, 03:54 PM	#3
I_smoke_hondas Scooby Newbie Member#: 47755 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: '93 L Sedan	I like... I run silverstars in my impreza- I'm assuming you have H4 bulbs in which they are a direct replacement. Hardest part about changing the bulbs is taking out the battery (to access behind drivers side lamp) About $50 for a pair at any local Checker or whatever. Very much brighter and almost pure white. Some say it is a "poser" look for a cheap HID imitation but the difference is worth it from drivers perspective alone (just changed to some Xenons, very disappointed will put Sstars back ASAP!) Where'd you get those lights?? I think them's HOT! Let me know where to pick up a set since my bumper still has the blanks screaming for something to go there..and I think we have a winner. -AT

11-17-2003, 09:01 PM	#8
I_smoke_hondas Scooby Newbie Member#: 47755 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: '93 L Sedan	DIFFERENT All 9000 series numbers are different- 9001-9007 are all different types of mounts/bulbs. We need 9003s but check any local parts store and they can look all that stuff up too. I would just want you to make sure b/c, even though I believe you have the same bulbs as my Impreza, Subaru changed a lot of things over the years but I'm pretty sure that they remained the same. Good luck, and thanks for showin me the light cause I like 'em a lot... BTW- is the blue ring always on or switched?? Have fun -AT

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11-17-2003, 08:58 AM	#2
Hank3 Scooby Guru Member#: 16157 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Tallahassee, FL Vehicle: '03 Mazda P5 <>< '02 WRX & '08 MS3 SOLD!!!	Certainly bright

11-17-2003, 06:25 PM	#4
StewedSquirrel Scooby Newbie Member#: 48509 Join Date: Nov 2003 Vehicle: 1998 Impreza OBS Red/Grey	Can I assume the H4 is the factory bulb? If so, what do I need to look for (say, something printed on a box) to know that the bulbs are compatable with my headlights. Thanks for the help. Eric

11-17-2003, 07:17 PM	#5
I_smoke_hondas Scooby Newbie Member#: 47755 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: '93 L Sedan	Hey don't leave me hangin....Where'd you find those lights?? I'm tryin to help ya out man, the least you can do is return the favor- Yes, that is what size the FACTORY bulbs are- H4, AKA 9003 (sometimes 9003/s) is what is printed on the Silverstar packaging and most others, usually 9003 but some will say both they are the exact same thing... -AT

11-17-2003, 07:57 PM	#6
StewedSquirrel Scooby Newbie Member#: 48509 Join Date: Nov 2003 Vehicle: 1998 Impreza OBS Red/Grey	Heh, sorry. I replied from work. Just got home to check the box and get you the make... They're "CyberWhite" Navigator NV-538W They were (I think) $34.99 at Pep Boys. Includes wiring harness, relay, two way switch, lights and mounting hardware. They're 60W halogen w/ 5W blue acccent rings, 3 1/2" round. It was a tight fit inside the factory foglamp recess cover, but I squeezed them in (with some persuasion from the dremel). They look good in daylight but look GREAT in the dark. :-) And thanks for the info on the lights. Eric

11-17-2003, 08:00 PM	#7
StewedSquirrel Scooby Newbie Member#: 48509 Join Date: Nov 2003 Vehicle: 1998 Impreza OBS Red/Grey	Is 9004 different from 9003? I found some SilverStar lamps labelled 9004.... Don't want to get the wrong deal. :-) Eric

11-18-2003, 01:52 AM	#10
StewedSquirrel Scooby Newbie Member#: 48509 Join Date: Nov 2003 Vehicle: 1998 Impreza OBS Red/Grey	The two way switch has 3 positions... "blue", "off" and "halogen" I don't know for sure if the blue stays on while the halogens are lit... they're too bright to tell. :-) I think they do stay lit... but it's not apparent. I have to remind myself to turn them off... I keep forgetting and see the blue lights out my window an hour after i've come inside. :-P