OK I know from previous experience the dip beam output on the headlights is pretty crap

 

But to be honest the ones on this Zed seem even worse than the ones on my previous Zed. To the point where the car is no fun at all to drive after dark! In fact on a few occassions I would have to say it is downright dangerous.

 

Half the problem seems to be the beam spends much of it's output lighting the bottom part of the light unit itself!

 

I'm in two minds to fit these Front fibreglass headlights that Zcentre have

 

http://www.zcentre.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.tpl&product_id=213&category_id=61&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=7

 

However is there anything I can consider to get some decent amount of light out of the existing ones?

 

More powerful bulbs?

 

HID kit?

 

Stick a candle to each wing and forget about the lights?

 

I guess this has been discussed on here many times, I did try a forum search but there were too many hits for 'headlights'.

 

So whats the way forward.... does anyone use these zcentre fibreglass lights and are they much much better? Can I stick HID kits in those?

 

 

Rich

HID kit and you'll see the light.....lol

HID kit and you'll see the light.....lol

 

And a HiD kit is cheaper than those light too:scared:

plus they make the car at night look sexier with white light than that horrible faded yellow look the OEM ones give

And a HiD kit is cheaper than those light too:scared:

 

Have you ever fitted HID's to a Zed Keith?

Have you ever fitted HID's to a Zed Keith?

 

not yet but I've got 2 to do lol

not yet but I've got 2 to do lol

 

3 you mean, I'll let you practice on mine if you want.....lol

not yet but I've got 2 to do lol

 

easy plug and play afare, real issue is what you do with the power box :)

HID FTW............

 

35W has excellent light output, if you want more go for the 55W output. As Ian said, very easy install, just plug and play. Many various priced one's on the bay.

 

Plus, the standard 300zx headlight unit has the much loved "projector" which holds the beam very well.

 

Alz.

lol... yeah the standard Z lights are crap... but with HID's a whole new world opens up... :)

take the lights out, split them, give the lenses a good cleaning, if the adjusters don't work then replace the gears with Tamiya 50602 (one set for each adjuster, there's 4 in total, probably won't need to mess with high beam though). Fit HID system, set up the alignment accurately, see the road.

Honestly though, I've done all that and the beam still isn't as good as the boggo H4 reflector lights in my shonky old Colt, I'm sure you will see a huge improvement though. Next job on my list is to experiment with the bulb position to see if maybe the light source (which is not in the same position in an HID bulb as a standard H3) can be moved closer to the normal focal point and get a better beam dispersal.

Yep, cleaning the insides is a must if fitting hids, otherwise, your kinda pissing into the wind...

HID + Clean Insides = WIN.

 

Edited November 26, 201114 yr by Yowser

But remember. Hid's are great, but you wont pass a mot with them anymore.

But remember. Hid's are great, but you wont pass a mot with them anymore.

 

do you know someone who has failed with them?

 

and if so,keep a set of standard ones with you, just disconnect the HIDs, take out the bulbs and put in the set of standards...

That's a fallicy apparently. A rumour went around that HID lights were going to be banned as an aftermarket part, but it's bull. Basically if you have HID lights AND you have self levelling and cleaning lights, then the self levelling and cleaning bit has to work. So this only applies to cars from like 2007 onwards or something. Besides that the new MOT rules don't come in until January.

That's a fallicy apparently. A rumour went around that HID lights were going to be banned as an aftermarket part, but it's bull. Basically if you have HID lights AND you have self levelling and cleaning lights, then the self levelling and cleaning bit has to work. So this only applies to cars from like 2007 onwards or something. Besides that the new MOT rules don't come in until January.

 

From many many discussions on here, that is exactly as I understand it to be :cool3: Good post sir :yes:

OK sounds like a possible plan

 

This may be a dumb question, but how do I get the original light units off? I didn't notice any obvious fitting method when I was trying to check if the bulbs were the right type yesterday, but then it was getting a bit dark.

 

Just as an aside, as I am thinking about fitting those fibreglass lights for cosmetic reasons as I am gradually kitting the kar (I already have the 6pot round LED ones for the back, just getting them sprayed now)... does anyone here have those type fitted to a kitted zed and are they any good?

Removing the light units is not for the faint hearted, now the below is from memory so not a complete guide:

 

Remove nose panel

Remove front bumper

Loosen piping from re-circs

Remove the plastic ducting that is supposed to direct air from the side ducts into the OEM airbox

Undo the four nuts that bolt each light unit down to the body

 

Pick self up off floor......

 

Clean/change light unit, repeat above in reverse

 

Go to bed (This may occur in the middle of the second set of processes anyway)

 

EDIT: Be aware of rusty bolts in this process, any and many of them can/will/most likely snap/shear/not go back on, etc.

Edited November 26, 201114 yr by HollowPoint

I think you exaggerate just a touch... it is a crap job and takes patience but it isn't that bad...

 

I've done mine couple of times and you can get way with:

the nose panel off

the air filter and y pipe off

the inside front wheel arch cover undone

the indicator removed

 

this is a link to the Oz forum where it show how to do it...

 

type in "headlight removal" in the search field...

 

http://tech.aus300zx.com/

And if your really lucky someone has already had the lights out and "forgotten" to fit the awkward bolt when refitting them.

I cut a git in the end of the 'awkward bolts' so I could screw in or out from the top in future :)

I cut a bit (slit) in the end of the 'awkward bolts' so I could screw in or out from the top in future :)

 

good idea.. i was also looking for a replacement that could be put in from above... some kind of toggle bolt or fixing that would be easy to remove...

Yeh, I cut a slot in one of mine then got the small handed wife to offer it from underneath in the impossible threaded hole as I was poised, then as soon as it was visible I got hold of it and up it came with the screwdriver, also I might add that all my bolts are smothered in grease and oil ready for next time :thumbup:

Yeh, I cut a slot in one of mine then got the small handed wife to offer it from underneath in the impossible threaded hole as I was poised, then as soon as it was visible I got hold of it and up it came with the screwdriver, also I might add that all my bolts are smothered in grease and oil ready for next time :thumbup:

 

Damn we're good eh mate? :punk:

not *that* hard to do, I was swearing at it quite a bit until I realised the second bolt on the recirc is down the back and you need to remove the AC fan to get at it, after that it's fairly plain sailing. Airbox is a bit of a swine to get out, looks like it would be easy with the bumper removed though.