Monday, December 31, 2012 - 06:06 pm, by: Sebastian Welch(Sebjavierw)
Hi I need to get new headlights for my 1991 soarer. I was thinking of getting HID lights rather than replacing the originals.
I am new to the HID world and I am hoping for some guidance into what bulbs and other parts I will need to install them into my car. From reading a bit recently it seems that 'HB3 9005' is the way to go for soarers.
I have found some on ebay around $40-$50 but I'm not sure if this is all I will need.
Tuesday, January 01, 2013 - 08:13 pm, by: Nathan Sopeer(Nathan_s)
I have recently ventured down this path. Wasted lots of money on cheap ebay HIDS. I bought a pair from MARS performance. They are more expensive, but have better ballasts (don't get as hot or take anywhere near as long to get to full brightness) and use genuine philips globes. Warranty as well. don't wast lots of money on Cheap stuff, just get ones from these guys. Do it right the first time I say. http://stores.ebay.com.au/Mars-Warehouse/MARS-50W-BluePack-HID-/_i.html?_fsub=19765583&_sid=20508072 3&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
Tuesday, January 01, 2013 - 10:57 pm, by: Matt Newman(Soarersrock)
they look ok but i would suggest that you look for a set with slimline ballasts. i have a cheep set i bought off here in a group buy and i have had them in probably 2 years or so and haven't had a problem
Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 01:02 am, by: Nathan Sopeer(Nathan_s)
I have had to send back 3 pairs of ballasts from the past. We not all so lucky. The MARS ones did come in slim. It looks like they don't anymore. I had no issues with mounting the standard size ones. The ballasts don't even get warm. I am not sure if this is even a problem or not, maybe just a little more efficient.
Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 09:51 am, by: Julian Mazur(Jules30)
HB3/9005 is the bullcrap American sizes for globes. H1 is the correct type of globe to use in a Soarer.
I have been told not to use over a 35w ballas/globes as polycarbonate lenses can melt. I definitely wouldn't go above 55w. My car currently has cheap ($30 a set delivered) HID's fitted and work well. I would never, ever deal with Marz again, they're too dear and don't honor their warranties. Thejazztrax10 is an Aussie seller of quality HID kits, if you wanted a better quality set, I would recommend buying from him.
For your globe brightness 4300k is pure white. The higher the number, the more blue is in the globe colour, so a 5000k has a bluish tinge, 7500k will be blue and 10000k is purple.
I use either 4300k or 5000k. Anything else is honestly a wank and a waste of time, and a defect waiting to happen.
Next thing to remember, you can't walk into a spare parts shop and buy a HID globe. If you blow a globe, you'll need to re order a globe off the net from china, or pay $100+ for a Narva one, if the shop is dumb enough to order them, then you'll find the globe has different wiring to your ballast, and you can't use it, all the cheap ones are different. I've used 3 or 4 cheap kits and they are all different. I've even ordered spare globes when ordering the kits and they're different.
Weigh it up, I got 2 years trouble free from a cheap hid kit. I opted for an expensive set in my 4wd and the only benefit is Australian suppliers and the ability to buy spares.
Wiring will be straight forward. Should only take 30mins max,
On the other hand, I had Narva plus100 blue globes in my Soarer before and I think their light was way better than the HID, but, at $90 for globes, or $30 for a HID kit, I gave it a shot
Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 11:57 pm, by: Matt Newman(Soarersrock)
i know that the HB3/9500 are a direct fit unsure as to the H1 but if it were me i would stay away from H1. i cant find the thread any more but ill have a look in the morning
Friday, January 04, 2013 - 01:24 am, by: Nathan Sopeer(Nathan_s)
I have HB3's in my soarer. I even at one stage because I bought the wrong globe type from MARS, used the MARS ballasts with the cheapie ebay globes. No issues with that wiring wise. Having said that, there will be variances due to there being so many different manufacturers. Julian is right as to not go too high with globe temp. If you use them for long sessions, stick with 4300k. The further you go up, the more stress you put on your eyes over long exposure causing fatigue as well as actual light output. Good luck with whatever you choose, just make sure they are low beam only. As for wattage, I found the standard 35w globes were hotter on the glass to touch than the 50w MARS HiD's that I have. Again, this may differ with different globes.
Friday, January 04, 2013 - 01:31 am, by: David Ward(Djwtoyota)
Nathan is right, if you read the technical data on HID's the higher the colour temp over 4300K the lower the effective light output and the higher the strain on the eyes with longer distance driving. How many transport operators do you see with blue headlights? Blue lights are just for wank factor in my opinion.
Julian Mazur TryHard New South Wales SC300 Twin Turbo
Saturday, January 05, 2013 - 05:27 pm, by: Julian Mazur(Jules30)
In regards to different globes, it's not a matter of staying away from H1 globes (why, anyway?) it's what globe fits the car correctly.
My 91 soarer has H1 globes, both with the original lights and the aftermarket ones I fitted. Check which globes you need as if you get the wrong ones, they won't fit.
My other point was if you buy a cheap chinese HID conversion and go on a road trip, don't expect to walk in any spare parts shop and buy a new globe. I had a customer get all upset after he bought a HID kit for his Honda something, when I told him I couldn't supply him a globe. I even raided my personal globes to see if I could help him out as it was his wife's car and she drove 2hrs to work in the dark. I had 3 different styles of H3 globes and none of the wiring was correct. When I told him sorry, go back to the supplier, he told me he did that first and they'd only sell him a full kit.
My comment 'if the shop is dumb enough to order one' relates to how stupid spare parts sales can be, like supersh!t, for instance, who'll charge you way more than the item is worth and don't know anything about what they're selling and if the item will fit.
You probably won't have any dramas, but my tips, condensed:
1. Find out exactly what globe your car needs before you buy. 2. Buy from an Australian supplier who only deals in electrical stuff and stocks spare parts. 3. Stick with a 4300k, 35w ballast/globe setup. 4. Don't smash your old globes as you may not be totally impressed with the end result, and can easily change back.
Saturday, January 05, 2013 - 10:19 pm, by: Jesse Webber(Jessewebber)
Get a set of these, great quality digital slim ballasts, just do some gooogling and you'll find out everyone reccomeneds them, Lifetime warranty too.
The Shipping is where it gets expensive. I'd also suggest getting the optional wiring harness kit ($15), so it uses its own power supply from the battery with an inline fuse, not the oem plugs. For safety.
Don't waste your money on the ebay specials , get something reliable and good quality, because your F*#ked if the cheap ebay ones die and your stuck without headlights.
And there not that much more expensive really, $98.81, with the optional harness shipped, you can also purchase the bulbs separately if needed.
9005/HB3, 35W , 4500k, is the best setup for a soarer and actual visibility without blinding people.
Sunday, January 06, 2013 - 08:56 pm, by: George Lu(Lux)
If you are using auto lights on, I highly recommend that you install a time relay to prevent any damage when starting your engine. You can buy one from eBay for a few $$$ each.
Sunday, January 06, 2013 - 10:03 pm, by: Nathan Sopeer(Nathan_s)
Everyone has valid points here, that's why I went for the MARS kit. Local store, warranty and brand name globes, which in theory should make the replacement easier in the future.
Tuesday, January 08, 2013 - 12:04 am, by: Dave van Staveren(Deveous)
I bought these same ones in 2011, in 4300 kelvin and not a single problem so far.Its a nice white light, great improvement over standard and the cops have not bothered me about them. The 1 issue is that the auto function does not work correctly, for me at least.
Thursday, January 17, 2013 - 10:54 pm, by: Dave van Staveren(Deveous)
I had no issues with the kit itself, plugged straight in and worked first time. The only thing I had to do was swap the O ring from the standard globe. Ballasts: I fed wires through front panel to behind front bar and screwed the mounting brackets into place into threaded holes, so they are stealthish...
Thursday, January 17, 2013 - 10:55 pm, by: Nathan Sopeer(Nathan_s)
There are no dumb questions, only dumb answers. Ha ha, with the MARS ballasts (not sure about other makes) they were just plug and play, no issues. as for mounting I still have the standard air box, and really big battery on the other side. I had perfectly sized hidey holes for them. Having said that, I should mount them properly, I am just being lazy. It could be very easy to make a small bracket for them, as some kits come with them,the MARS ones didn't. They are not heavy so a small L shape bracket should do the trick I guess.