Sealed Beam Headlights

[bikermike]

I am considering a headlight update. I have followed some of the threads on H4 and HID upgrades. Before I consider something like that I'd like to know if anyone has had success with the newer sealed beam lamps like:

Sylvania XtraVision (3200K, 63W Hi / 53W Lo)
Sylvania SilverStar (4000K, 55W Hi / 45W Lo)

http://www.sylvania.com/en-us/applicati ... mber=H6024

So far to improve brightness of the old sealed beams I cleaned connections and grounds, which helped alot. Before I install higher powered bulbs I intend to rewire with relays.

I'd like to keep a stock appearance with the lights off, but just get more light out on the road.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[fj20spl311]

That looks to be good method.

These are brighter than H4's and standard Halogen sealed beams.
I found this comparison.

http://www.sylvania.com/en-us/products/ ... eries.aspx

[dbrick]

I have a set of vintage Hella H4s, work well, I like the beam focus. The 66 had a set of good top end Halogen sealed beams, they were just as good or better. Good wiring and/or a relay kit is a must for any headlights, but the high end sealed beams may be fine.
I haven't added relays to either car, although the 69 has good voltage to the lights.

If you follow the wires for the headlights, there is a splice where it "t"'s for left and right. Mine was basically a just a thin little brass tube half ass crimped. I cleaned and soldered it, has been good.

http://www.311s.org/pmwiki-311/pmwiki.p ... WiringTech
http://www.311s.org/pmwiki-311/pmwiki.p ... dlightTech

[zippy67roadster]

I used a set of these, and they are much brighter than the stock ones. They were a direct fit to the stock plug.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-ROUND-HALO-LE ... 2a17d89f73" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Garm]

The Sylvania Silver Stars are very good replacements. I have them in a few of my cars.

zippy, those look HOT

[dbrick]

The Sylvania Silver Stars are very good replacements. I have them in a few of my cars.

zippy, those look HOT

Those are the sealed beams I was thinking of, couldn't remember the name. Along with the relay kit, should do the trick. I think the early cars, with the single headlight fuses will get more out of the relay than the later 69-70.

[Garm]

I thought maybe my '69 came with a relay on the headlights.
There is an audible click when going from parking lights to headlights.

[greydog]

I have Silver Stars in my 300ZX and in the Buick. Both made a noticable improvement on the dark wet nights we have in Portland.

Dan

[fj20spl311]

I thought maybe my '69 came with a relay on the headlights.
There is an audible click when going from parking lights to headlights.

There is a "stock" Head lamp relay.....usually turns off at about 6,000 RPM

[SLOroadster]

I thought maybe my '69 came with a relay on the headlights.
There is an audible click when going from parking lights to headlights.

There is a "stock" Head lamp relay.....usually turns off at about 6,000 RPM

6000 rpm, wow, you are lucky. Mine call it quits about 4000. That can make driving a night on the freeway a little bit of a challenge since I'm usually turning 5000.

E code headlights really are the way to go. Its all about the lens design and reflector. I have a set of Marchal H1 lights that came off my GTV that even with 30+ year old bulbs are brighter than the Silverstar Ultra H4s I was running in the high/low beams. The H1 bulbs are 55 watt. I wish I had a car I could put the Marchals in. DOT lights might throw plenty of light, but they don't project it down the road well.

Will

[bikermike]

I didn't get the "stock" relay 4000 / 6000 rpm point above. Is that a reference to some electrical gremlin?

My understanding is all the stock relay on the fender well does is control hi/lo beams but the current flows through the whole headlamp circuit - which is the driver for doing a headlamp relay upgrade.

Thanks to all for the tips. In reading about the Silverstars, they seem to burn out pretty quickly. They did for me in my daily driver. Maybe the Sealed Beam Xtravisions are worth a try. Otherwise I may go the H4 route, but I have seen some of the conversion housings and wasn't too impressed. Maybe the Hella ones look more stock-like. Any pics out there?

[SLOroadster]

Some tall windshield roadsters (usually 2000s) have a well known and documented issue where the lights will dim out under acceleration, usually above 4000 rpm. As soon as you lift off, they come right back. I've replaced relays, the lights them selves and mine still do it. Infact, mine will fully go out if I keep my foot on the power.

I have Hellas on my car now. They are ok, but the beam pattern could be a little better. They don't project as well as they could. Cibie produces the best 7" bulb housings, but they aren't cheap. If I decide to replace the Hellas, I'll go with the Cibies, unless I can find a set of Marchals like I already have that fit. I had good luck with the Silverstar Ultras on my Alfa, I think I like them more than the PIAAs that are in the roadster now. I wish I could find some Silverstar Ultras in an H1 for my M3.

Will

[pebbles]

I wish I could find some Silverstar Ultras in an H1 for my M3.

Will

Hella makes a 100w H1

[SLOroadster]

I wish I could find some Silverstar Ultras in an H1 for my M3.

Will

Hella makes a 100w H1

Yes they do, but the light isn't white enough. I tried the Hella bulbs on my roadster and then went to the PIAA ones because I thought the light was too yellow. They aren't that bad, but I'd rather have something else. I'd use the Hellas in my fog lamps, but I can't say I'm a big fan for the highbeams.

Will

[SpiderRico]

Has anyone tried these projectors? http://www.dapperlighting.com/classic-headlights1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Will they fit?