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Thread: Still figuring out this forum. Headlight upgrades?

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    Still figuring out this forum. Headlight upgrades?

    Just curious what we all have done. These take an H4, haven't poked around at em yet. Glass or plastic internals? Anybody running a 80/100W in em? Do they melt?

    The cast a good beam so I don't want to mess with em too much, just need more light. I can relay them if stock wiring robs power, I can get creative. But... rather hear what we all have done.


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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2018 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 43.5 mpg (US) ... 18.5 km/L ... 5.4 L/100 km ... 52.2 mpg (Imp)


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    Just so everybody knows, I've dabbled with LEDs in the past but always been greatly dissapointed by them in the housings. In my JK the h4 LEDs I bought had an atrocious beam pattern. Didnt work well, at all...

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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2018 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 43.5 mpg (US) ... 18.5 km/L ... 5.4 L/100 km ... 52.2 mpg (Imp)


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    Moderator Eggman's Avatar
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    Hey nickels,
    Sorry I have no experience modifying my headlamps. Thankfully, my eyesight is still good, so I don't need to spend money there.

    Hopefully others chime in soon to lend a hand.
    Last edited by Eggman; 11-30-2017 at 12:49 PM.

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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 49.6 mpg (US) ... 21.1 km/L ... 4.7 L/100 km ... 59.5 mpg (Imp)


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    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    The best results I've ever seen are from people butchering their OEM headlights with other OEM LED projectors. Aftermarket bulbs give much varying success with rarely a good beam pattern. I do think HID kits seem to do okay though.
    Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block

    Current project: DIY Nitrous oxide setup for ~$100

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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)


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    Moderator Eggman's Avatar
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    Alex1a1f has detailed his work modifying his headlights. It's a great write-up with detailed photos.
    DIY: HID Projector Retrofit

    alex16 has replaced his factory headlamps and detailed his work in this thread:
    New headlight bulbs! (Halogen upgrade)

    Tinker1980 details an LED headlamp install:
    LED headlight install


    A sticky thread lists various DIY modifications.
    Mirage Modifications, Customizations, and DIY list
    Various exterior light modifications can be found under Body & Exterior Modifications.

    Sorry for not posting this for you sooner. I hope this helps you find what you are looking for.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 49.6 mpg (US) ... 21.1 km/L ... 4.7 L/100 km ... 59.5 mpg (Imp)


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    Buy the LEDs with that have glare shield built underneath the low beam chips. Remove glare cuppies from your headlights for a more uniform pattern on the road. Thats what I did and I am much happier with my LEDs. Your life on sea to sky wouldd become a little bit easier lol

    https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Pair-Car-H4-....c100505.m3226

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    Senior Member Cobrajet's Avatar
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    To be honest, I always thought the headlights in these cars were pretty good from the factory.

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    Moderator Eggman's Avatar
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    Cobrajet, I agree. What's sometimes forgotten is that lights serve two functions - to see and be seen. Projector assemblies may be brighter but without the benefit of the reflector, it makes being seen by others much worse.

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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 49.6 mpg (US) ... 21.1 km/L ... 4.7 L/100 km ... 59.5 mpg (Imp)


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    Senior Member Alex1a1f's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cobrajet View Post
    To be honest, I always thought the headlights in these cars were pretty good from the factory.
    They are great compared to many other cars I've owned, probably the best as far as reflector go.

    Quote Originally Posted by Eggman View Post
    Cobrajet, I agree. What's sometimes forgotten is that lights serve two functions - to see and be seen. Projector assemblies may be brighter but without the benefit of the reflector, it makes being seen by others much worse.
    This confuses me. There is a difference in the stock halogen reflector assemblies and stock GT projector assemblies in your 'see and be seen' example. If a projector is aimed correctly, you will see better and should produce less glare for on - coming vehicles. The only time projectors will be worse then reflectors for others is improper aiming, that's it. I have experienced glare from reflector housing headlights as from projector headlights, especially when people just flop LEDs or HIDs into a reflector housing thinking it's OK. No, since those types of light weren't designed to reflect in the housing like halogen do, it will lead to brighter misplaced light with unfortunate and wrong glare for oncoming traffic. However, a projector properly designed as OEM or a retrofit properly fit will not do the mentioned unless, again, something is installed incorrectly or aimed incorrectly.

    Now, I didn't retrofit and eventually GT assemblies just because I wanted brighter, but I like the way the projector headlights look aesthetically.
    (blank signature)

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    Moderator Eggman's Avatar
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    Just don't blacken the reflector with spray paint. If the reflector is a problem with new lamps, the problem isn't the reflector. The reflector provides a big shiny surface that makes it easy for others to spot the vehicle.

    I use bicycle lighting as my point of reference, with safety and visibility in mind.


        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 49.6 mpg (US) ... 21.1 km/L ... 4.7 L/100 km ... 59.5 mpg (Imp)


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