Another HID thread... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

awfarley · 11-28-2012, 05:49 PM

So I bought a DDM tuning kit for my wife's Envoy and it provides an amazing difference in visibility. I adjusted her headlights lower than normal to avoid burning other people's retinas.

I am about to buy a kit for my car now and was looking for some advice. I want to go with a 55w kit vs. a 35w kit just for kicks. I know the 55w will be brighter and I was wondering what the real difference was. I've heard that due to the brighter output the 55w 8000k looks more like a 35w 6000k bulb. Does anyone else have any experience with the 55w kits or have any advice?

Also I don't want to harm the SMD halos inside my headlights either. Do you think a 55w HID would melt or otherwise damage the halos?

Thanks!

(I am aware that HID kits may be illegal and all so I don't really need a lecture about that

)

lscamaro · 11-28-2012, 06:09 PM

The 55W kit runs a lot hotter so although I've never tested them, I'd be a little careful with those next to the leds.

Any particular reason to do a 55w over a 35w?

Hamilton2400 · 11-28-2012, 07:49 PM

55w cuts the life of your bulbs. I wouldn't do it

puertoricanfont · 11-28-2012, 08:34 PM

Had them in my 09 lancer for about 2 years and worked even after trading in. During that time I had no problems buty they do warn you that they burn hotter. Now for the color temp I had 5000k and it was pure white and super bright.

awfarley · 11-28-2012, 10:02 PM

Well, the reason I wanna go with 55 vs 35 is just the light output. I want them to be BRIGHT. If the bulbs last for two years that would be plenty of time for me. I see kits online for cheap and it seems like everything is coming out of China anyway so why not lol.

puertoricanfont, I've heard the 55w burn much brighter making the kelvin rating seem a little off. Someone told me that a 35w 6000k (white w/ hint of blue) would be similiar to a 55w 8000k look. I don't know if this is true but my goal is to have the look of the 35w 6000k bulb but to have it in a 55w kit.

If I buy the 55w 8000k and it's super blue like some cars I see, I'll hate them. Advice?

Hamilton2400 · 11-29-2012, 07:34 AM

Go to theretrofitsource.com hands down the best hid kits period. Don't buy Chinese kits. I made that horrible mistake once. Theretrofitsource can't be beat!

eggydoo · 11-29-2012, 02:51 PM

when i had my pontiac G8 i bought the 35w kit cause everyone that got the 55w kit said they were too bright (whatever that means) lol

but imo the 35w kit was already insanely bright, i can't imagine how bright the 55w kit is.

puertoricanfont · 11-29-2012, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awfarley

Well, the reason I wanna go with 55 vs 35 is just the light output. I want them to be BRIGHT. If the bulbs last for two years that would be plenty of time for me. I see kits online for cheap and it seems like everything is coming out of China anyway so why not lol.

puertoricanfont, I've heard the 55w burn much brighter making the kelvin rating seem a little off. Someone told me that a 35w 6000k (white w/ hint of blue) would be similiar to a 55w 8000k look. I don't know if this is true but my goal is to have the look of the 35w 6000k bulb but to have it in a 55w kit.

If I buy the 55w 8000k and it's super blue like some cars I see, I'll hate them. Advice?

yup I would go with 8k. And for god sake please afjust your headlights. the 55 w kit is really really bright. And even tho the 55w is hotter than the 35w kit remeber that hids burn cooler than halogen.

puertoricanfont · 11-29-2012, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamilton2400

Go to theretrofitsource.com hands down the best hid kits period. Don't buy Chinese kits. I made that horrible mistake once. Theretrofitsource can't be beat!

I agree but I'm guessing he's on a budget and I had no problem with my ddm kit.

awfarley · 11-29-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puertoricanfont

I agree but I'm guessing he's on a budget and I had no problem with my ddm kit.

Bingo. I could technically afford the cost of the true retro fit when it comes to money I just don't have the time to install them in my old headlights and pull the bumper and all that goes with it.

I'm looking to increase output the quickest way. The Envoy's headlights can be removed literally within seconds. I wish the Camaro was so simple.

11-28-2012, 05:49 PM	#1
awfarley Drives: 2011 5.7L Tundra Double-Cab X-SP Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,031	Another HID thread... So I bought a DDM tuning kit for my wife's Envoy and it provides an amazing difference in visibility. I adjusted her headlights lower than normal to avoid burning other people's retinas. I am about to buy a kit for my car now and was looking for some advice. I want to go with a 55w kit vs. a 35w kit just for kicks. I know the 55w will be brighter and I was wondering what the real difference was. I've heard that due to the brighter output the 55w 8000k looks more like a 35w 6000k bulb. Does anyone else have any experience with the 55w kits or have any advice? Also I don't want to harm the SMD halos inside my headlights either. Do you think a 55w HID would melt or otherwise damage the halos? Thanks! (I am aware that HID kits may be illegal and all so I don't really need a lecture about that )

11-28-2012, 06:09 PM	#2
lscamaro Drives: 2011 CGM Camaro LS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,305	The 55W kit runs a lot hotter so although I've never tested them, I'd be a little careful with those next to the leds. Any particular reason to do a 55w over a 35w? __________________ Click Picture for Build Thread

11-28-2012, 08:34 PM	#4
puertoricanfont Drives: 2016 Camaro 2ss Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,623	Had them in my 09 lancer for about 2 years and worked even after trading in. During that time I had no problems buty they do warn you that they burn hotter. Now for the color temp I had 5000k and it was pure white and super bright. __________________

11-28-2012, 07:49 PM	#3
Hamilton2400 Drives: 2014 GMC Sierra/2015 GMC Acadia Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cookeville TN Posts: 722 View My Garage	55w cuts the life of your bulbs. I wouldn't do it

11-28-2012, 10:02 PM	#5
awfarley Drives: 2011 5.7L Tundra Double-Cab X-SP Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,031	Well, the reason I wanna go with 55 vs 35 is just the light output. I want them to be BRIGHT. If the bulbs last for two years that would be plenty of time for me. I see kits online for cheap and it seems like everything is coming out of China anyway so why not lol. puertoricanfont, I've heard the 55w burn much brighter making the kelvin rating seem a little off. Someone told me that a 35w 6000k (white w/ hint of blue) would be similiar to a 55w 8000k look. I don't know if this is true but my goal is to have the look of the 35w 6000k bulb but to have it in a 55w kit. If I buy the 55w 8000k and it's super blue like some cars I see, I'll hate them. Advice?

11-29-2012, 07:34 AM	#6
Hamilton2400 Drives: 2014 GMC Sierra/2015 GMC Acadia Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cookeville TN Posts: 722 View My Garage	Go to theretrofitsource.com hands down the best hid kits period. Don't buy Chinese kits. I made that horrible mistake once. Theretrofitsource can't be beat!

11-29-2012, 02:51 PM	#7
eggydoo Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 629	when i had my pontiac G8 i bought the 35w kit cause everyone that got the 55w kit said they were too bright (whatever that means) lol but imo the 35w kit was already insanely bright, i can't imagine how bright the 55w kit is.