How do I make my 03 HID lights brighter, without changing to 06-07 headlights? Will changing the bulb make it brighter? I have noticed the lights is not as bright as my other car, 04 Acura TL, and just want to enhance it little.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

How many miles are on your car?

Changing your bulbs may restore some brightness.

However, you can't compare the Z's hybrid projector to the 04+ TL Bi-Xenon Projector.... Whole different league.

I've wondered about switching out the stock 35w ballasts, for a set of 50w.

I'm not sure if anyone has ever done this on a Z before, but that would definitely increase the output.

As far as performance though, your best bet is to switch to some 06+ headlights. They utilize a "true" projector, and can be modded with an STi lense, to achieve a very sharp and colorful cutoff line.

-Tim

 

65,000miles so far. So the TL is totally different type of projector? Guess going to 06+ headlights is the only way then. Just didn't want to spend over $900+ for headlights, may be trade-in for the new 370z, depends on the looks.. Thanks!

 

After market bulb manufactures make big claims. Do not be fooled. Many under perform OEM bulbs.

 

let me know if you sell your headlights. i'm looking for the driver side or maybe both.

 

While that may be true for standard halogen bulbs, none of those are actual D2r or D2s bulbs.

Besides, the HID bulb is controlled by the ballast, which is 35w. So, if you run a Philips 85122 or an Osram, you're still going to have 35w of output.

Now, switching the ballast out for a 50 watter, will make a significant change in the output, no matter what bulb you are running.


-Tim

 

Does the 06+ Z uses 35watt or 50watt ballast?

 

06+ is 35W. 50W is only aftermarket right now I think. Not 100% sure on that though. I've considered going to a 50/55W kit as well.

BTW I think replacing the bulbs will help a fair bit. I was driving along-side another 03-05 350Z a couple months ago... both same headlamp setups but theirs was a good 30-40% brighter than mine. Best results would be going to 06+ headlamps AND 50W ballasts, lol.

 

Pretty unfair comparison with the 04 TL as they use a true projector base hid like stated above, and there cutoff is amazing. I am curious as how good the 06+ true projector hid cutoffs are. I have yet to seen the cutoff in person. You could do a retrofit, or find a used 06+ headlight at the junk yard. Check to see if your headlights are aimed correctly, also check your lens to see if they're dirty/moisture etc.

 

I only compared to the TL since that's my other car

I have also raised my headlights higher than factory, so it helps somewhat. Another alternate is to install fog/driving light.. but I'm sure it won't be pretty

 

wont the 50w ballast burn through some wires?

 

The TL projectors are one of teh brightest projectors out there. I am working on a retro fit with a TSX projector in a set of 03 headlights. I got a little bit done this weekend, but I have to wait until my shrods come in so I can start cutting and placement.

 

For a second I though you meant to say "shroms" LOL!

Let us know how it goes.. if it improves anything (I'm sure it does), and how hard it is to DYI.. or maybe you can modify for others.

 

It won't burn through the wires because your high beams are 55w bulbs and they use the same gauge wires

 

Anybody change out the ballet to 50w ones and see any difference yet? I may do this for temp but I still want 06+ headlights.

 

I got 55w ones on the Z