The 348/355 Light Thread (OEM vs GE Nighthawk vs HIR vs HID)

Actually, the 2008 Dodge Viper appears to use HID headlights. This is listed on the Dodge website. Looks like the '06 models did too. The early models I believe may have used HIR.

 

Sorry to dig up this old thread, but has anyone tried modding the HIR1 (2530 lumens) bulbs to fit into the low beam housing? It would seem like a great alternative to HID conversion kits, since it puts out 80% of the lumens of a typical HID kit but without the pattern problems associated with it. And where are you guys buying these bulbs from? So far I've only found 1 seller on eBay that sells it, but I'm weary of eBay. Thanks.

 

I read some of the earlier tests, the HIR bulbs resulted in twice the brightness over the HID conversion kits at the test distance of 12ft, and that's with the 1875 lumens HIR2 bulbs? It looks like Cinemagic's HID conversion is done with OEM retrofit projectors. If these bulbs are really twice as bright as OEM HID, I'm impressed.

 

Hi
While cleaning and testing my 348 fog/driving lights, I decided to replace the standard H3 Halogen daytime lamps with Sylvania Silverstars. The pic was taken halfway through the job, shining on a light grey wall, which is about 5' from the lamps. The Silverstar on the left, standard lamp on the right. As you can see the Silverstars are brighter, whiter, and with a more defined pattern. Just thought you'd like to see the comparison.

Richard
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Hi Cary,

Read the whole thread with great interest as I need to get better lighting for occasional night driving. I will go with HIR bulbs. How did you raise the headlight unit? There is a knob to turn but I believe a fuse has to be taken out because if not, the unit drops back (don't want to disconnect battery as will lose radio settings). I have a 1995 355. BTW, OEM bulbs are HB4-55 for low beams - will the HIR's fit?

 

Thx for all the technical info. Amazing detail. Are you guys all engineers? I've just ordered a pair of low beams on eBay. The supplier is in Lummi Island, WA so very close to me.

 

Just picked up the HIR 9012 low beam bulbs. Had a H of a time to remove the headlamp unit out of the housing. A lot of cussing and wiggling but finally succeeded. Only replaced left side and will try tomorrow night for comparison test.

 

My visual comparison against a white wall is all the convincing I need. They are significantly brighter and is the way to go rather than HID's which are more expensive but mainly, much more work to install just for a minor lumens gain over the HIR's. Will tackle the right unit in next few days, hopefully with less cussing.
The supplier, finemotoring.com, was most helpful in getting the bulbs to me as there was a mixup in the delivery address. also by marking the tab area to cut, the modification was a no brainer. I used a small hacksaw for one cut and diagonal cutters for the others for fear of snapping the whole tab off.
NOTE ON ORDERING: Paypal will not send the notation of which bulb style you wish so best to email him at [email protected] to confirm your order.
He's very prompt on responding.

 

I am trying to change the head bulb to the HIR. I've the got the manual with me and performed step 1 (remove red panel). Step 2 talks about pulling the headlamp unit out of it socket by pressing the tabs. I am stuck here.

My head lights have two screws attached (top left and bottom right of the picture.I loosened the screws a good amount - the headlamp unit seems to be marginally loose - i.e. can be shaken a little from side to side. I tried to press the white tabs to the left of the unit but the headlamp unit doesn't come out. Do you guys have screws too on your headlamp units? Do the screws come out all the way for the lamp to be removed? Sorry if the questions seem stupid
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The socket that your book is talking about is a ball and socket. They will pry out.
Also the screws are the light beam adjustment screws. The bottom one adjusts the up and down of the beam. The side one adjusts the side to side adjustment of the beam. Its ok to remove them, but then the lights will need re adjusting.

 

Thanks guys ... I will try it today and see if it works

 

Great thread; lots of detail. And thanks for the idea of bright, bright lights.

I should have 9006 version of the HIRs arriving soon and will take some pics and compare them with Sylvania Silverstars I have installed in my... LeSabre.



But one thing I thought of: how counterproductive would these HIRs be in foggy, freezing fog, or potentially blizzardlike conditions, where a lot of light is reflected back at the driver? Aftermarket amber/yellow bulbs for fog/driving lights would seem to be a logical accessory to HIRs for vehicles which are used in more frequently in incliment weather than an F-car.

 

Okay, so its not a 348 or 355, but here's how the 9012 HIR bulbs work out on a LeSabre:
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You can also order the same bulb from John Deere. Part #AH211917.

 

Another source, which includes a new version offered by Phillips, that is claimed to have higher output and longer life than the Toshiba version:

http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html


Here is the other supplier recommended by No Doubt:
http://hirheadlights.com/index.htm

 

Okay, finally installed the Phillips HIR bulbs from http://hirheadlights.com/index.htm He sells both the Toshiba and Phillips for the same price. The Phillips are claimed to last about twice as long as the Toshiba, with similar or slightly better output.

Wow, what a difference! If not double, they are very close to double output. Great upgrade...and no worries of overloading anything since they are the same 55 watt draw.

Thanks No Doubt and everyone for their input.

 

Are these bulbs for the 348 as well as the 355? will the high and low beams work for a 1993 348?

 

Yes. The low beam is the important one. I rarely ever use the high beam, and distance with those is fine anyway, so did not bother with them.

 

I would estimate the "throw" is a good 30 to 40% longer than it was before, a very noticeably, and worthwhile improvement.

I found this post very helpful in removal of the headlights to change the bulbs on my 355:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=138741459&postcount=9

I would have done this sooner, but was a bit intimidated about how to get the headlights out of the buckets....wasn't so bad after all.

 

I don't want to high jack your thread but ....wow ! No Doubt just hit 20.000 posts !