Best replacement for the 03-05 headlights would be OEM 06+ headlights, but they're pricey and probably harder to find these days.

A somewhat comparable replacement would be the DEPO 06+ style headlights. They use a bi-xenon HID projector for both high and low. The OEM 03-05 OEM headlights either used halogen bulbs for high and low or a single HID bulb with a projector/reflector for the low beam and a H7 halogen for the high beam.

With your 03 Touring, I believe it came with the HID projector/reflector for the low and the H7 halogen for the high beam. The base was the model with halogens all around using a 6 pin connector. You should have an 8-pin harness coming from the body to the headlights. If you want to stick that that setup, then aftermarket replacements are more affordable. However, the light output is much better with the 06+ style since it is a true HID projector using a D2S bulb as opposed to a reflector with a D2R bulb.

Assuming you have an 8-pin connector from body to the headlights, swapping to the 06+ style is plug n play. However, you'll likely need to source some ballasts and bulbs. I like theretrofitsource.com for aftermarket options. Just please, for the love of your eyes and everyone else on the road, don't go higher light temperature over 6000K. OEM is 4300K. Personally, I think 5000-5500K is the sweet spot for a crisp white color and maximum usable light output.

Unless, of course, you want to take the dive down the rabbit hole of headlight retrofitting and get some dedicated LED projectors to swap into the housings... This is NOT the same as LED bulbs that people swap into their headlights and blind oncoming traffic.

 

I can get stock 08 headlights, that should work without any modification, correct?

 

It should assuming you have the 8-pin connector in your Z. I do recall from some past posts that in some (not all) cases, the 3 LED side marker lights stayed illuminated all the time whenever their Z was running, but this was remedied by cutting one of the wires. Others didn't mind since they basically functioned as DRLs.

I've made quite a few posts in the past about the headlight wiring harness, converting 6-pin to 8-pin, etc. If you run into any issues, I'm happy to help troubleshoot.

I'm not sure if the headlights that came on your Z are OEM or not. Since the wiring was hacked up, probably not. If they have the OEM HID ballast, then I believe that should also work with the '08 headlights that you're planning on getting. You just need to swap them over. If the new lights don't come with HID bulbs, then you'll need to source a new pair of D2S bulbs.

If the '08 lights come with bulbs and ballasts, it should be a simple PnP.

 

Thanks!

 

08 headlights are installed, will post pics tomorrow.

I have the OEM wheels on but have the incorrect lug nuts. What brand has anyone used that are black? m12x1.25, correct?

 

I don't think too many of us are running the 370Z wheels on our 350s, but you want the shank or mag style lug nuts. You've got the correct thread pitch. CZP sells some that are black.

Z1 also has them for a little more.

 

Here you go, plus a pic of the shitbox.