As you all know, our ThirdGens use the small wedge base 194 lamps in a number of locations throughout the car. These include the instrument cluster and the side-marker lights. The 194 bulb is inexpensive and readily available at any parts store. But, the 194 isn't really very bright. It's only rated a 2 candlepower (CP). Those of us who want to be better seen at night, hopefully to make our rides safer, can make good use of brighter illumination. To this end, you can directly replace the 194 bulbs with type 168 bulbs. The 168 is the same size and uses the same wedge base, but is rated at 3 CP, an increase of 50% over the 194. And like the 194, the 168 is inexpensive and readily available at parts stores. If you really want to go first-cabin and get even brighter, you can replace the 194s with the Krypton filled 3652 bulb. The 3652 is again the same size as a 194 and uses the same wedge base, but this little powerhouse is rated at 6 CP, an increase of 300% over the 194. The Krypton filled 3652 is also available at some parts houses that carry Sylvania brand bulbs. The only downside is that they cost about 3 times as much as a 194. A blister pack of 2 costs about $8.00. I'm currently running 168s in my front markers and 3652s in the rear markers, and they're noticibly brighter than the stock 194s.

 

Do you know of a web site were they sell the Krypton filled 3652 bulb..or does the local Auto zone's have them?? Never heard of them...but i would like to know how to get them??

I bought some LED 194's amber for my side markers...are the LED ones Brighter then the 3652's????

 

do you have any comparison pics of the before and after pics so that i can see the difference.

 

I don't know if Autozone carries the 3652. The ones I have are by Sylvania and I bought them at a Kragen store. I know that Autozone does carry Sylvania small lamps, and I have seen other krypton bulbs there in the rack, so I'd say the chances are good of them having the 3652. There's 3 of the krypton bulbs there right next to each other in the rack. The small wedge 3652, and 2 larger ones with bayonet base, I forgot the numbers, that can be used to replace the 1157/2057 tail lights and turn signals, and the 1156 backup light. I have those as well and they are about 35% brighter than the stock bulbs. My brake lights are quite bright now.

Regarding a photo, sorry, I don't have a digital camera, so I can't take a photo. BUT, just look up the tech data on the bulbs and you will see the ones I mentioned are definitely rated at higher brightness, and you really can see the difference, no ****. The 3652 is WAY brighter than a 194. And the nice thing about these bulbs is you can get them at a normal parts shop, you don't have to sneak into a "Rycer" shop when your buddies aren't looking.

 

:hail: :hail: I've got a guage cluster full of 168s in a box somewhere...I had no idea they were brighter :hail: :hail:

 

do you know if they make those 3652's in red. cause my inside lights by your feet are dim. i want red because all the lighting in my car is red
dome ligt map lights
front blinkers
little side markers in the front
rear lincese plate bulbs

 

Hey tremo I live in roseville its pretty close to placerville, do you ever go to the gatherings off the 3rdgen.org NOr-Cal message board?

 

McEwen sells high-intensity xenon 194s (I'm thinking 5 CP, but I could be incorrect). They're $2.00 a bulb.

JamesC

 

are we talking about the front or rear side markers?

my firebird uses 5W glass socket bulbs in the rear.

 

ya front signal or side signal.

 

I have only seen the 3652s in clear. If you want colored bulbs, don't get colored 194s, they're way too dim. Get colored 168s from the "Rycer" shops or from one of the online mail order joints. Do an internet search on the brands like PIAA, Raybrig, Polarg, Luks, Nikko and Razo. Those are brand names of the decent quality colored bulbs that are also reasonably bright.

Check out:

http://www.competitiveautoparts.com/echeap/index.php

http://www.optauto.com/

If you have a red light in the front of your car you're playing with fire and begging for a ticket. It's illegal. All you can legally show from the front of your car is white and amber. All you can legally show from the rear is white, red and amber. License illumination bulbs must be white. Don't get busted!

 

I work in Rocklin so we're close. I've not been to a gathering, I didn't even know there was such a thing. I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip. BUT...most of my trips "down the hill" for anything other than work are to see and/or play music at a local blues club.

 

We're talking both front and rear. The Camaros use 194s as the stock sidemarkers. I have no idea what Firebirds use, sorry.

 

heres a question...
what bulbs are interchangeable with the front parking lamp bulbs that are brighter?
these look kinda dull in the daytime, you can hardly see them...id like them to be REALLY bright...what bulb can i use?

 

The front bulb is a dual-filament bulb. One filament is bright, the other dim. The stock 2057 bulb is rated at 32/2 CP. The older 1157 bulb is rated 32/3 CP. The Krypton filled 3496 is rated at 43/3 CP. The 2357 is rated at 40/3 CP. 2357 is available clear or amber. All are interchangable. All these should be readily available at parts shops. There's even an 1157H halogen bulb that is brighter, but be careful, it might melt the housing from the heat.

Want brighter backup lights? Try the Krypton 3497. Or the halogen 1156H.

As always, the "Rycer" shops sell the boutique bulbs in color and higher wattage. Just steer clear of the Folger's can mufflers.

 

so if i want lights about as bright as 4th gen daytime running lights id pick which ones?

im gonna get the brighter backup lights - i currently have blackouts for the back and it kills my backup lights