Blizzy

iTrader: (-1)

Guys-

I am an SC400 owner. I spent decent money for an HID kit in March. The bulbs have a 6k Kelvin rating. They look pretty cool.

But, I am now interested in light output. Perhaps practicality is getting the best of me.

I can't say I am enormously interested in retrofitting HID projectors, although I have become mighty comfortable with headlight surgery. Consider a retrofit to be a non-option.

Those who have had experience with both Silverstars and HIDs, please chime in here.

Which will have a better light output on my stock projectors:

(A) Silverstar bulbs

(B) 6000K HIDs

Is it close? Is it clearly one or the other? Is there no difference?

chrispy

iTrader: (21)

Almost any temperature HID will be better than any halogen bulb. 6000k is still very bright.

cliffud

iTrader: (3)

clearly 6k HID for your lights. believe me. i have people coming to me replacing their $90 piaas and $50 silverstars with HID lights and they NEVER are disappointed.

once you go HID, you'll giggle because in retrospect - it's a no brainer.

c.

lilboi

I agree w/ the above. I am a retrofitter and always recomend that option if you have the funds and guts to do it. But if you do not want to do the retro then a plug and play kit on the Sc isn't too bad. My bro has the sc, and we have oem bulbs (rebased for 9006), and oem philips ballasts. I do plan to retro tsx for him soon. It does cause glare, but it's not bad compared to many halogen housings. I say go for the PnP, then change it out for retro down the road if you can.
Silver stars are great, but that just don't compare to hids. But hey, if you buy a set like me, you can always use them on your fogs.

link13

I agree with Cliffud. I have the XenonDepot 9006 HIDs in my first gen GS300 in the stock projectors and they are great. The SilverStars will look yellow or brown in comparison. I also disliked the fact that SilverStar failures were pretty common before the upgrade to HIDs, so I would be driving around with one headlight on occasion.

Moonsin

i had silverstars in my 96 es300 for about a year...while they are little bit brighter (whiter) than the stock headlights it doesnt compare with the HID output even if they're not retrofitted...i have 5000k kit from xenondepot in mine and i'm never going back to the halogens EVER again i say just keep the 6000K but if ur interested in more output get the 4300K bulbs, they put out the most amount of light possible. Just my $.02

Blizzy

iTrader: (-1)

I feel challeneged by this statement. It will take a little guts, but I know I can do it.

I will retrofit.

The theme for my car is reconstructed OEM: nothing crazy in the way of body kit or wheels...just clean, classy, and custom fit to my personality. I think a retrofit would be appropriate.

Suggestions on a retrofitted projector? My lowbeams are JDM Soarer from ebay, so they are 9005 (as is my 6k HID kit). Does this drastically change things?


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ps. I have no idea the lighting forum was so active. Thanks for the fast and experience-filled responses.

3000

HID's over any other bulb... until a better bulb comes out.

huerdo623

I purchased the piaa super plasma for $80.00 and I am still not happy with the output, I will go with hids,heard nothing but good words and when they're behind you,you know

dopsc

Take apart the housing, clean the cover lenses, projector lenses, and make better shields. Doing this should clean up your beam pattern and make the headlight nice and shinny. Then get HID kit. 4300K is brightest, but a lot of people prefer the 6000K HID. I personally prefer the 6000K to get the hint of blue.

cliffud

iTrader: (3)

uh- just get an HID kit and save yourself the trouble of taking apart your housings. the light emitted from an HID kit is so much more stronger than a halogen bulb any haze within the housing or on the lens is pretty much negated.