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If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 11:54 pm
by 1oldman
which ones would you use in a '92 SSE?

The current lamps replaced the original lamps (9005 & 9006) from when the car was new. These replacements (same brand, same part number) are now dimmer than the OEMs they replaced and are only about 3 or 4 years old. - BC

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:04 am
by RJolly87
I would do an HIR conversion coupled with a relay harness kit myself. Also check out the reflector housing. Last time I looked at mine, the top was flaking the reflector off. Make sure that is not horrible.

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:06 am
by RJolly87
Also check voltage at the headlights and grounds as well. A corrosion problem can drop voltage too, thus killing output.

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:07 am
by nos4blood70
+1 on the harness and HIR conversion.

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:44 am
by RJolly87
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 22004.html

That may be a fun read too if you haven't already

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 1:11 am
by 1oldman
Not gonna sink in the kind of money it takes to properly do an HID installation on a almost 23 year old car with 305K+ miles on it. It's the original engine and tranny, so it's not worth it. Just for grins I took the car to 6 salvage yards to see if it was worth anything as scrape, 3 wouldn't even make me an offer, one offered $200, one $300 and the last $605. I just want to keep it safe to drive. - BC
EDIT - no corrosion - BC

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:13 am
by RJolly87
We said HIR, not HID.

EDIT: You may as well do it on the 05 as well, or you could move them to the 05 when the time comes.

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:42 am
by J Wikoff
When I put Phillips Extreme Power bulbs in my wife's old Grand Am, I was very happy with the increased light. I think they've changed the name now though. Can't remember what it became.

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 10:53 am
by dangrus4060
I run the SilverStar Ultras. works great...had them in for 5 years now... still bright.

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:53 pm
by 1oldman
J Wikoff wrote:When I put Phillips Extreme Power bulbs in my wife's old Grand Am, I was very happy with the increased light. I think they've changed the name now though. Can't remember what it became.
dangrus4060 wrote:I run the SilverStar Ultras. works great...had them in for 5 years now... still bright.
Thanks! That’s what I am interested in. The feedback on the Halogens I've looked at was not very good and I'm not happy with the current experience. Now I need to compare the cost of the Halogen vs the cost of the HIR’s. Appreciate the feedback! - BC

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:40 pm
by SSEBonne4evr
Sylvaynia replacements should be identical in brightness to the orig bulbs.

Something else is wrong in the circuit, like bad grounds.

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 9:19 am
by nos4blood70
Make sure whatever you get doesn't have blue tint on it! That robs lumens and therefore power output. It would also be good to check to see if everything is still aimed properly.

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:52 am
by Jfridge92
+1 on HIR's. I think last time I priced them on Amazon, I'd be around $100-120. The bulbs in the Buick are still great, and I don't do much night driving anymore, but IMO it's well worth the extra money for the upgrade over standard bulbs.

Dave (Lesabreinbuffalo) did an HIR conversion on his LeSabre and had really good results.

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 1:03 pm
by Bob Dillon
I use HIRs and am very pleased with them. Noticeably brighter. Paid around $100 for the four on e-rape. Takes about 5 minutes per side to modify the headlight buckets with a Dremel.

No probs in about 2 years.

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:53 am
by crappiefisher
I did relay harnesses and HIR bulbs in my 95, talk about stupid bright. Amazing output. Another thing you could do is find a 96-99 at a junkyard and rob the headlight off of it, clear housings and a reflector that's in better shape will do wonders for the output.

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:59 am
by Bob Dillon
crappiefisher wrote:I did relay harnesses and HIR bulbs in my 95, talk about stupid bright. Amazing output. Another thing you could do is find a 96-99 at a junkyard and rob the headlight off of it, clear housings and a reflector that's in better shape will do wonders for the output.
I didn't have to do any wiring for the HIR bulbs. Are you talking about an HID installation? :???:

Re: If You Use Halogen Headlights

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 7:09 am
by RJolly87
No, the wiring to the headlights is notoriously thin and known to be limiting. Relay harness is like a fat power pipe to the battery. It's not necessary, but our cars benefit from it.