Possible Dumb Question Warning

I was browsing ebay the other day and say a set of four Xenon bulbs(9006-9005) for 29.95. I was just wondering if they would work in my 88 T/A.

Thanks As Always,
Joe

Red 88 305 TBI Trans Am

 

Our lights are sealed beam, not replacable bulb type. If you want a good bright white light, get a set of Wagner Xenon Britelights. I have those for the low beams in my Camaro and they are whiter than the Halogen high beams, along with having a much better pattern. They cost about the same as regular Halogens too. Found mine at an Autozone.

 

I've got a better recommendation. Companies sell upgrade kits for our sealed beam headlights to convert them to the dichronic lighting pattern. Check out this site, this is where I will buy them from next month: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/S...38/front3.html

- Mike Harvey -

 

Mike,

Might I suggest checking out http://lighting.mbz.org
It has a ton of technical data on automotive lighting.

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Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
12.57 @ 111 mph.
12.04 @ 114 mph (50-hp nitrous).
http://members.optushome.com/au/downunder1/rides/willie/willie.html

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.

 

A few weeks ago, I spent at least 5 hours total researching this whole lighting-thing for out 3rd gens. Personally, I think my '91 has pretty pathetic lighting in stock trim when you're driving next to a BMW, Mercedes, or any high end car. Even the Japanese imports have sharper and brighter light spread. Anyways, after reading lots of sites like that "mbz" one posted above, I went to the local *****-shop "Auto-Indulgence", in Torrance, CA... they were actually very helpful in f-body sealed-beam conversions that would allow H4 xenon-gas bulbs to be used. The H4 would be equivalent to most new cars. However, to get the REAL DEAL... you need to go with the e-code sealed beam conversions, which run something like $700?! This would give you the same type of lighing as in a bimmer or a benz. Oh well... I looked around for the Wagner Britelites, found that they weren't avail for '91-'92's since the socket pattern is different (what was GM thinking??) than the '82-'90. Anyways, I found that the Sylvania X-TRA VISIONs are much brighter than the stock lights. They work pretty well but you might want to toy around with the aim on the headlights depending on your driving habits. I do a lot of highway, night driving every week, so I adjusted my pattern a little further than normal; still works fine in local areas... I just wish the cut-off was sharper... but you can't get the knife-edge lighting with our sealed-beams.

Good luck with your lighting!

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Brian P.
'91 TransAM: 305TPI -=flowed=-

 

Hey bro I found that the E code conversion kit for our cars is only $50 for the pair. I don't know where you got the $700 from, maybe a shop, that's damn expensive.

- Mike Harvey -

 

Mike,

The $50 E-code lights from Auto Optiks are an inferior brand made in India (can't recall the name offhand, but no one anyone has heard of). I found this out a couple of years ago when I called Auto Optiks. At the time, they were pushing illegal blue bulbs. I was "sold" the same lights and bought lows and highs for $100. Then I found Stern Lighting's website, which led to more research. I then called Auto Optiks immediately and canceled my order.

I ended up buying E-code conversion assemblies from Daniel Stern (link in my initial post). When it comes to lighting technology and manufacturing, you get what you pay for. I ended up buying one of the best brands of E-code conversion assemblies from Stern Lighting, Hella. I paid $60 per assembly. I know that's rather expensive, but I can tell you the beam dispersion pattern is awesome and the quality is second to none.

------------------
Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
12.57 @ 111 mph.
12.04 @ 114 mph (50-hp nitrous).
http://members.optushome.com/au/downunder1/rides/willie/willie.html

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.

 

i also saw in a super chevy mag that you can swap out our dim/bright with a buick's. then you can have the bulb replacement. i don't know the full mods necessary for this or if it will be of any help.

thadd

 

If I remember correctly, there were two totally different kind of lights.

1) Sealed-beam to bulb-type lamp conversions which run from $50-$70 depending on the retailer you buy them from. The H4 bulbs are also avail, and these are XENON bulbs.

2) The e-codes also run on xenon, but I heard that the lens is completely different than the normal sealed beam. + the bulbs are much more expensive.

The e-codes are supposed to be the real-xenon and the sealed beam with the xenon-bulbs brighter and whiter than the halogens but not up to the Mercedes/BMW level. I think the $50 ones will get you Acura/Infinty level lighting... or most new cars.

(just what I remember, I'm happy with my Sylvania xtravisions )



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Brian P.
'91 TransAM: 305TPI -=flowed=-

 

To get lighting JUST like a BMW or MErcedes is definitely big bucks. Those aren't just Xenon bulbs in there, they're high intensity discharge, a system similar to searchlights. Those bulbs run on something like 20,000 volts. Not only is the bulb expensive as hell, but you need the ballast to supply an initial 50,000 volts and then supplies that steady 20,000 or so. You can recognize the real thing by the way it takes about 30 seconds to reach full intensity. (it reaches 80% intensity within about 5 seconds) That delay is why they all use regular bulbs for high beams.

 

Andy is right. Check out:
http://lighting.mbz.org/faq/#xenon
and click on #17 for comprehensive information.

Willie

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited November 15, 2000).]