Has anyone ever install aftermarket HID kit to replace our stock HID? For some reason the Z's stock HID aren't that bright compare to my other 2 cars stock HID (BMW, MINI) Is it the projector that doesn't focus the light right? I have an '04, so it's the older type of projector.

 

The reason it doesn't look like your others is that it is not a true projector; it is a weird hybrid reflector/projector. The only way to alleviate this is update the headlights to the '06 bi-xenon projectors. Aftermarket HID kits are just balasts and bulbs, which you already have; it's the housing that is the issue.

 

You can try to upgrade your bulb...I actauly have the PIAA Super Cobalt on order, should be in tonight I'll let you know how they look.

 

Take a look...

 

your 'cobalt' bulb is NOT an upgrade.

 

try playing around with the aiming. I did it on mine, and it made a very noticeable difference

save your $ on a different bulb - they will make the color look different, but that's it

 

Congrats on the new bulbs, looks pretty good so far. We've been thinking of putting these on our car to check them out. I like the hue, how is the brightness and distribution? Did you swap out the High beam bulbs too? If so what did you go with?

 

So brightness is about the same?

 

What makes you say that? It is a LOT brighter than stock....

 

No just the low beams for now wanted to see how they were. Very happy with them.

 

because as you add color, the lumens decrease. Your eyes are drawn to them more because of the color and that is why you mistake them for being brighter. In reality, you have cut lumens by 10-20%, have light that scatters easier, and light that causes more eye strain to for you an oncoming traffic.

 

Cool that you're happy with them. If you want some PIAA H-7's for the high beams let me know. We have both the Xtreme White Plus and Star Whites in-stock.

Thanks,
Gary

 

+1 on that. Do your research.

 

Did my research and these are the ones I wanted. I didnt like the stock bulbs and these, even if the 'seem' brighter looked better.
Zivman: Thanx for the technical explaination, never looked at it like that. I understand going to a higher K produces more heat and reduces the overall affect of the light, but going from a 3800k (Stock) to 6600 k is enough, at least to my eyes, to make an improvement.....

 

To each their own is fine, but don't mislead people into thinking that a more colorful capsule is an upgrade.

What you did had nothing to do with performance, only a want/look at the sacrifice of light output.

 

Sorry My first post did seem a little snotty and wasn't my intention so I edited it also I wasn't trying to mislead anyone. I was telling the orignal poster what I was doing and giving my example. I'm not pretending to be an expert on this I can assure you. And YES I am going for looks...

 

the problem with going higher kelvin is tough to see in the fair weather...in the rain, fog, or any foul weather, the higher kelvin bulbs are horrendous though. Show use only

 

I put an aftermarket HID kit on my 04 and it made a HUGE difference. to aim it, you need a loooooooooonng #3 phillips head screwdriver and then just pull up (on a level surface) 8 feet away from a wall, and the top of the beam should be 27-28 inches off the ground. do a search if you can't find the adjustment point.

 

yea i'm with adam .... i can't see my 8000k's at all in rain/fog

 

i have a question. If you change the balast wattage wouldnt that increase your light output?