# Head lamp upgrade electrically safe? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [December 7, 2007, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935 "2007-12-07T18:53:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![E.Roy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/e.roy/32/5073_2.png) [@E.Roy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/E.Roy)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/1 "2007-12-07T18:53:02Z")
My wife drives a 2007 Yaris and I wanted to upgrade the Head lamp bulbs to some much whiter and brighter bulbs, but this might cause extra heat as well. Is there anyone who has _real experience_ and not just off the cuff opinions about this? I don’t want to overheat wires or melt the plastic housing How realiable are Hella and PIAA h4/9003 bulbs? I had silver stars in my 92 G20 and they kept burning out ---
**Author:** ![ieatpaint](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ieatpaint/32/7311_2.png) [@ieatpaint](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ieatpaint)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 6:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/2 "2007-12-07T18:58:31Z")
Lots of people have silverstars burn out on them like you said. I really liked my sylvania cool blues, they were almost as white as the silverstar. I’m going to use the new silverstar next year, something like siverstar extreme or some crap…suppose to be much longer beam . piaa’s are nice, longer life than silverstars, but lots more money. just buy silverstars from wal-mart and when they burn out just exchange them. ---
**Author:** ![Adictd2b00st](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/adictd2b00st/32/7625_2.png) [@Adictd2b00st](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Adictd2b00st)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 7:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/3 "2007-12-07T19:30:09Z")
i’ve used the PIAA’s before with good results, altho i’ve also had silverstars that didn’t burn out on me so i guess its based a lil on luck ---
**Author:** ![kansei](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kansei/32/3107_2.png) [@kansei](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/kansei)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 7:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/4 "2007-12-07T19:41:40Z")
silverstars (Sylvania branded) aren’t brighter… they’re just painted. Granted they aren’t as bad as the seriously ricey bulbs, but anything with non-clear glass = the bulb is hotter. You can try some Osram silverstars (not the same as sylvania branded even though it’s one company) from [www.powerbulbs.com](http://www.powerbulbs.com) (UK company, they are pretty fast about shipping though). They have more light output without overwattage because they use higher quality materials. I’ve heard really great things about the new Osram nightbreaker but haven’t been in a car with them myself yet. There’s all the information you could ever want about automotive lighting over at [http://www.danielsternlighting.com/](http://www.danielsternlighting.com/) \<–bookmark that site, you’ll find yourself going back to it over and over. ---
**Author:** ![Violator](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/violator/32/7278_2.png) [@Violator](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Violator)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/5 "2007-12-07T20:26:16Z")
If you install bulbs with the same Wattage as the stock ones you wont have to worry about melting any wires… since current draw will be the same. PIAA makes a quality aftermarket bulb. I have used several types with good results and reliability. ---
**Author:** ![Violator](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/violator/32/7278_2.png) [@Violator](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Violator)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/6 "2007-12-07T20:28:25Z")
[quote=“Violator,post:5,topic:39935"”] If you install bulbs with the same Wattage as the stock ones you wont have to worry about melting any wires… since current draw will be the same. PIAA makes a quality aftermarket bulb. I have used several types with good results and reliability. [/quote] You can also use high wattage bulbs if you install a relay in the harness. Personally I would get aftermarket projector housings and put a HID kit in them. More work but a great result. What is the brightest halogen bulb? For the 55W marked segment, sorted in order of brightness: +50%: Philips Vision Plus (achieves its extra performance by increased luminance, not lumens. See this article: [http://www.eur.lighting.philips.com/press/automotive/resultsVision.shtml](http://www.eur.lighting.philips.com/press/automotive/resultsVision.shtml)) +30%: Philips Premium, Osram Silverstar (European marked only - see note below) +20%: Osram/Sylvania Xtra Vision, Osram/Sylvania Silverstar (North american marked only - see note below) +0%: Philips Bluevison, Osram/Sylvania Cool Blue, Osram/Sylvania Halogen Plus, and OEM bulbs like GE. -10%: PIAA Superwite > **[Carpassion.com - Europas große Sportwagen-Community](https://www.carpassion.com/)** > > Europas großes Sportwagen Forum - Die Community für Sportwagen-Eigentümer und Fans von Corvette, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Porsche und Co. ---
**Author:** ![ZOMGVTEK](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zomgvtek/32/5063_2.png) [@ZOMGVTEK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ZOMGVTEK)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 9:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/7 "2007-12-07T21:05:34Z")
If you want a real upgrade on a budget, look into HIR bulbs… Theyre whiter, and brighter. But i dont know if they make ones that fit your application. Or just do a retro… ---
**Author:** ![kansei](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kansei/32/3107_2.png) [@kansei](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/kansei)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 9:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/8 "2007-12-07T21:40:30Z")
the Yaris uses a 9003 --so HIR isn’t an option sadly. They’re a great option if your car uses 9005 or 9006. ---
**Author:** ![ZOMGVTEK](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zomgvtek/32/5063_2.png) [@ZOMGVTEK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ZOMGVTEK)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 11:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/9 "2007-12-07T23:10:10Z")
Hmmm… Throw some 30K ebay hids in there and blind oncoming drivers? ---
**Author:** ![E.Roy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/e.roy/32/5073_2.png) [@E.Roy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/E.Roy)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2007, 5:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/10 "2007-12-08T05:18:44Z")
thanks for the help guys ---
**Author:** ![layzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/layzie/32/7599_2.png) [@layzie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/layzie)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2007, 8:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/11 "2007-12-08T08:34:55Z")
i know a few people that took the 9005 bulbs and put them as there low beams, you need to buy the harness clips and just cut and splice. the 9005 are a lot brighter then the 9006. poor mans hid setup also Hella makes great stuff. There HID setups are used in most oem HID equipped cars or just buy these, they are at harbor freight i cant see them being expensive. :tup: to blinding others [http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=96640&CategoryName=AUTOMOTIVE&SubCategoryName=AFTERMARKET%20AUTO%20PARTS](http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=96640&CategoryName=AUTOMOTIVE&SubCategoryName=AFTERMARKET%20AUTO%20PARTS) ---
**Author:** ![MaximaSE98](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/maximase98/32/7600_2.png) [@MaximaSE98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MaximaSE98)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2007, 8:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/12 "2007-12-08T08:50:13Z")
i upgraded my 9004s to 9007s in my maxima never had an issue ---
**Author:** ![kansei](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kansei/32/3107_2.png) [@kansei](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/kansei)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2007, 10:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/13 "2007-12-08T10:46:53Z")
[quote=“layzie,post:11,topic:39935"”] also Hella makes great stuff. There HID setups are used in most oem HID equipped cars [/quote] I hope you aren’t suggesting putting HIDs in a 900x headlight car… that would definitely cause accidents. [quote=“MaximaSE98,post:12,topic:39935"”] i upgraded my 9004s to 9007s in my maxima never had an issue [/quote] I haven’t looked up the filament position and other bulb specs but… are you sure you aren’t just creating a ton of glare with that setup? ---
**Author:** ![reliant\_turbo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/reliant_turbo/32/7189_2.png) [@reliant\_turbo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/reliant_turbo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2007, 11:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/head-lamp-upgrade-electrically-safe/39935/14 "2007-12-08T11:03:28Z")
just bolt some KC daylighters on the front… 130w quartz halogen and they have a 26 year warranty… even the bulbs. you wont know how you drove without them before. so INSANELY bright. 🙂 Brian PS yes this is a silly idea… but they do work well.