So I'm searching for new bulbs to replace the stock headlights.. I was hoping that I cuold just buy a better bulb and not have to change to custom housings or install relays.. No HID caues they are wayy to expensive.

So I did a search on headlights, lights, etc on this forum.. and now I'm confused since I read a couple of conflicting posts..

I was going to go for a set of Piaas, but then they tell me that they are not DOT legal? Is this because the light pattern isn't right? or they just covering their ****?

Whats the highest watt bulb i can safely run in a stock housing?

I don't want to be bothered by cops with a blue tint either. and I'm reading some actually put blue tint on the lights? wtf?

So what are my options? My two primary concerns are cost and effectiveness.. I do alot of driving in the middle of nowhere at night, half the time in the rain, where there are no streetlamps/houses/etc!

thanks for the help!

 

Well, for one, it is the complete Piaa lamps (ie. 1000x, 910's, etc.) which are not SAE or DOT approved. However, all their 9000 series bulbs are both DOT and SAE compliant.

The lighting game, or about 90% of it, is all about aiming and the quality of the reflector used. Since you want to keep it to a minimum, bulbs are a good start. Some people like the Piaa's, others use any one of a dozen others out there because they get them cheaper, claim they last longer, have a particular color, etc.

You could get by with an 85 watt for the lows from all the first hand reports I have read about. You could also get the export housings from GM (only made these for the LS1 Z28's, no LT1's) which have far superior reflective qualities later to improve and stick with a 55/65 light combo. They are rather expensive though.

If you are concerned with visability because of incliment weather and back roads, you should consider replacing the factory fog lights with an aftermarket lamp. Something like the Piaa 1000x or 1100x or Catz Sp or XLO. The Piaa 1100x is identical is size to the factory fog and is a common replacement for LS1 Z28 and Vette owner's. For such a tiny light, they make a huge difference as opposed to the OE lights. This alone or in combination with better headlight bulbs is your best bet.

 

thanks!

 

oh, question on the using 1100x as fog lamps

aren't the stock foglaps of the 98+ fbods only 15 watts? I see these are 55 watts.. I'm not in danger of melting plastic, wires, overloading fuses? Do they mount the same way?


for the headlights, I'm looking at platinum super white series. those are the whitest right? (as in no blue)

 

heh,s orry abotu this post after post, but another question popped in my mind.

How long do these bulbs last for? Assumign I get the stock wattage for the headlights and the 55 watt fogs..

I don't want to be stuck in the middle of an interstate or backroad with dead headlights...

I'm starting to think I should probably just stick with the dimmer, yet tried and true reliable stock lights.

 

Wraith, is 85 watts the max the stock low beam wires can take without frying? Question #2, how much can the high beam wires take?