HID Conversion Kit / Headlight Upgrades for AE111

[GeeEss]

Low beam on these cars is woeful and I'd like to know what my (legal) options are w.r.t. upping the candlepower.

Was thinking of putting in a HID kit but many people say they'e illegal unless your headlamps are self levelling and have washers.

Can anyone shed any light* on this (*sorry but I had to say it).

GS

[oldcorollas]

Philips "extreme vision" are "plus 100" bulbs.. fair bit brighter than standard, and noticably better than plus30 or plus 50's

[GeeEss]

Thanks; checked eBay & they're ~$50 but no returns if they don't fit your car. I take it they're a universal* fit?

* Most lamps are a standardised configuration now aren't they?

GS

[George]

What kind of bulb does AE111 run? H4 or H7? The latter has some options while H4 is hopeless shit. Better light isn't just replacing your bulbs. Reflector may fade, glass may lose some transparency, and there may also be problems such as huge voltage drop in wiring and low voltage due to dodgy alternator. Everything contributes to light intensity.

[oldcorollas]

as above.

you need to get the bulb your car uses. there are lots of different kinds of bulbs.

[GeeEss]

OK thanks; point taken. . .

I just checked the car earlier and while I still think the lighting sucks; there probably is an electrical issue because normal beam is weaker on drivers side, and it's intensity drops away considerably more than other side when I apply high beam. . . suspect I may have some kind of short?

[George]

most likely oxidised connectors etc

[oldcorollas]

or crappy earths.

if you really want HID, the PIAA(?) H4 HID works very well. not cheap though

[TERRA Operative]

I've been looking into what globes are good and not myself lately (they are NOT all made equal) and the general consensus for what we can get in Australia is either Philips Blue Vision or Narva +50.
I trawled through multiple proper tests with comparisons of scatter, glare, beam pattern, colour and brightness etc (all done scientifically, not by some guy against the side of his shed) and those two were up the top.
Here's one of the better tests: http://translate.google.com.au/trans...e-3-47341.html

Also, how do your lenses look? Might be worth getting one of those lens restorer kits (make sure it has the UV protective sealant included), the difference they make is amazing...

The other thing you can do is to measure the voltage at the globes with the engine running and in low and high beam. Often the thin wires and years old contacts will mean there is a decent volt drop at the globe, meaning the light output suffers.
You can install relays at the headlights that are controlled by the stock wiring and feed the globes with power direct from the battery with thick wires. This not only means brighter light, but prolongs the life of the 'minimum spec' contacts in your switches and stuff.

[GeeEss]

Thanks; I found some sharp priced "Extreme Vision" lamps so I ordered them; should arrive today.

Might also test Voltage & look at relays. Way back when. . . I had a FIAT124 Coupe that I used to do about 1300km/ week in up/down F3. Being OC, I didn't want to clutter the front with driving lights so my local sparky inserted relays & upped the ante bulb-wise; I had 400w coming out of that sucker on High Beam; difference really was like night / day. . .

< no jokes about Italian electrics; 2-3 years after I got it; I took out the loom, acetone cleaned it, replaced most connectors with Wurth components, re-taped it & put it back in. Never had another electrical problem again - and I had that car for 10 years.

GS

[oldcorollas]

local supplier? price?
running dedicated power and earth wires to the realys/bulbs can make a big difference.. and worth at least checking the voltage at the globes when turned on

[takai]

Does it have separate high beam bulbs? If so just put HIDs in the high beams. Sure it will scatter like all hell, but you arnt driving towards people with them on anyway are you.....

Its what we have done in the Mrs Focus. Most of the benefits of driving lights, without the bulk.

[GeeEss]

eBay Seller: rick9020430 ( 291 ) $40+Postage. Penshurst NSW. Ordered Friday; delivered today. Discernable difference. . . Squint-free night driving.