Headlight bulb comparisons

 

This section of my site will cover everything to do with headlight bulbs including...
How to modify higher wattage full beam bulbs to fit in your dips.
Bulbs I have tried including the 'fashionable' blue HID look bulbs.

If you're happy with your lights at night then you can skip this section, otherwise you're probably like me and want more performance out of the headlights. After all you want to see and be seen!

So what can you do? Firstly, not all bulbs are created equal. Some brand types do actually give out more light which is what we're really after. However, the current obsession is to get blue bulbs in order to achieve the HID gas discharge appearance as found on some other cars (the facelift GPvR has these headlights). People need to bear in mind that these use a completely different technology to generate light and more significantly they give out more power. It is impossible to achieve exactly the same lighting (colour temperature) and output using conventional halogen or halogen/xenon mix bulbs.

People are obsessed with getting a blue a bulb as possible - the reason for the blue is that the colour temperature is closer to normal daylight temperature, it's also easier on the eyes at night. However, this blue is achieved by using a filter/colouring on the bulb itself (as well as mixing some xenon gas). What people don't realise is this filter will also cut light output and the brightness of the bulb.

I've attempted to take some pics of the bulbs I've tried, although there are limitations of the digital camera at night! These pictures should give you a relative indication of the appearance and performance of the bulbs I've tried. I've tried to be as objective as possible but bear in mind these 'dabblings' are far from being scientific, and it can't really be a controlled experiment without access to proper test/measuring equipment.

Modifying the connectors on the bulbs
Notice the different connectors

To get the full beam bulbs to fit into the dipped beam location you will have to trim some of the plastic lugs on the bulb itself since they're 'keyed' to prevent you putting them in the wrong slot. Once you have the two types of bulbs next to each other it will be readily apparent what needs removing. I used a Black & Decker Wizard with a cutting tool to trim the plastic - you can also use a Stanley knife or similar but it will take a little more effort.
 
I've included this pic because I thought it looked cool - I guess this is what it would look like if the fto had warp drive :)
Making the jump to lightspeed isn't like dusting crops back home kid
 
NOTE: The following pics were taken in a standard height GPX

Standard Philips Bluevision dips (51w)
Bluevision (50w)

Standard Philips Bluevision (51w) vs Modified Philips Bluevision (60w)
Bluevision (51w) on left of pic, Bluevision (60w) on right of pic. Noticeably brighter as you'd expect.

Modified Philips Bluevision dips (60w)
Bluevision (60w)Bluevision (60w) fitted.


NOTE: The following pics were taken in my pre-facelift GPvR - my car is lowered and the headlight aiming is different from the GPX above.

Modified Philips Bluevision (60w) vs Hiper Industries Super Plazma Xenon dips(80w)
Bluevision (60w) on left of pic, Hiper Industries (80w) on right of picA good pic showing the spread of the beam, colour temperature not as high as other blue bulbs but a lot of light output. Although a higher colour temperature than regular halogen bulbs the digi camera doesn't really pick out the blue tinge to the light it gives out.

Hiper Industries Super Plazma Xenon dips(80w)
Hiper Industries (80w) installedHopefully you can see the relative brightness, the noticeably higher colour temperature and the smaller beam spread considering these are 80w bulbs.Sexy packagingCloseup of the bulbs - check out the blueness!

I will add some more comparison pics and expand the text to include the colour temperatures/lumens in the next few days when I get the chance!

OK so you want to buy some bulbs now?
Powerbulbs for Philips Bluevision and other bulbs.
Impossible Performance for Hiper Industries Super Plazma bulbs (other bulbs and tuning parts as well!)
A-PP for PIAA bulbs
Don't forget all the above suppliers offer discounts to FTO Owners Club members - only £10 to join!

Text and images by Kevin Cheung ©2001

DISCLAIMER: This information is supplied in good faith. If in doubt, please consult a qualified auto electrician. No responsibility can be accepted for any damage caused by carrying out these modifications. Any modifications are made entirely at the owners own risk. E&OE.

What kind of bulbs does the FTO use?
HB3 (aka 9005) 60W full beam
HB4 (aka 9006) 51/55W dipped beam
H3 55W fog lights
W5W (aka 501) 5W side lights, also used for license plate, side indicators and high level brake light.

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