replacement headlights

[brdave]

Has anybody here any experience or advice regarding the aftermarket Xenon or H4 replacement headlights as often avaliable on ebay. Are there modifications required, can the electric system handle them, and do they work as well as represented. Thanks, Dave

[Arne]

I have been using European (E-code) headlights in all my vehicles exclusively since 1976. I have used more different brands than I can remember. In the 7" round size for the Z and ZX cars, the absolute finest I have ever used are Hella. (Cibié was a fairly close second.) They will cost more than the no-name lights and don't look as trendy, but if your goal is better lighting, they're the ones to get.

As an aside, no independent tests have ever shown any of the tinted bulbs (Xenon, Super-white, etc.) to be better than normal halogen bulbs of the same wattage. Most are actually worse.

To learn all there is to know about headlights, go to

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/home.html

[beandip]

Has anybody here any experience or advice regarding the aftermarket Xenon or H4 replacement headlights as often avaliable on ebay. Are there modifications required, can the electric system handle them, and do they work as well as represented. Thanks, Dave

If you plan on doing the up grade , I recommend the wire loom up grade that a fellow member builds. It is secound to none and the difference is major . Gary

[brdave]

Being a newbie here I did not use the search function where there is extensive discussion on this topic but any new opinions are greatly appreciated. Dave

[SteveJ]

Being a newbie here I did not use the search function where there is extensive discussion on this topic but any new opinions are greatly appreciated. Dave

Okay, here's a new opinion. Just upgrade the headlight circuit to use relays. Try that with some new regular headlights. It will work great and be cheaper.

[dogma420]

If one was to replace the relays, and also want some headlights that had replaceable cartridge style light bulbs (so you don't have to go through the hassle of pulling out the whole headlight each replacement) would the ones on the front cover of the new British catalog be good to get? I'm going to be doing this upgrade soon.

I also noticed that British is selling the relays now for $29...good price, but I'm still getting them from

Dave Irwin (member)...can't remember his handle name

wolfin32z@yahoo.com

$75 + $8 shipping/handling

<<<

The harness's are still the same great quality unit that I'm sure you've read about and if you consider the price of your fusebox and headlight switch, the new price of my harness does'nt even compare to how much you'll pay for a stock, working fuse box or HL switch. Painless Wiring makes a headlight upgrade harness that you have to CUT your plugs off then use butt connectors to attach and that sucks if your into keeping your Z in a somewhat stock form. If you ever remove MY upgrade harness from the Z, you merely unplug it and reconnect your stock plugs and your done.

>>>

...and just so you're aware, what the relays do is bypass all the current from running through the headlight switch, which by the time the current gets to the headlights, is much less than it should be. Once relays are in place, the headlight switch only serves to be a switch again (which prolongs its life) and the fuse box isn't going to get dangerously hot where those fuses are anymore either (they only provide to complete the circuit)....your lights will be superbright after putting in relays, so do what's been said--just install the relays and then test out how your lights are....you'll be surprised at how bright your lights are.

[montoya_fan01]

Even with "cartridge style light bulbs" (on a 240Z) you'd still have to remove the headlight assembly from the car to access the back of the headlight unit to replace the bulb.

[SavannahZ]

Dave Irwin (member)...can't remember his handle name

His handle is Zs-ondabrain. I ordered my harness from him and installed it about three weeks ago. He supplied instructions that made the installation a little less than half an hour. I am using sylvania silverstars with mine and notice a substantial difference.

I also am curious if anyone is using the units on the front of victoria british. Also, there is a set of ecodes from a seller on Zcar for $49.99 in the classifieds. I had read this guys handle here and there and wonder if that might be a good deal too?

[dogma420]

Stop the presses! Dave replied to my email today saying I get his last set of relays....so someone should order some from British for $29 and see if they're any good....

[jackboxxx]

Stop the presses! Dave replied to my email today saying I get his last set of relays....so someone should order some from British for $29 and see if they're any good....

last set ever? uh oh...