Upgraded Light bulbs - 9011?

[radmanGTO]

I just ordered from Dan Stern the 9005 upgrade to 9011 HIR1 and H11 upgrade to H9 bulbs.

Has anyone done either or both of these?

If so, I'd appreciate your feedback .... I drive, like many, in dark mornings to work and now will be doing it in some windy hilly terrain here at the base of the Smokies near Knoxville, TN. Extra bright lows and highs with more extension will be a pleasant change.

Thanks,
Radman

[philosophicaljt]

lol. yeah, I've dont these. No problems what so ever. Significantly more light, without adding glare.

[Gadgetjq]

I just ordered from Dan Stern the 9005 upgrade to 9011 HIR1 and H11 upgrade to H9 bulbs.

Radman,

If you don't mind, what was the total cost of your lighting upgrade?

Cheers

[radmanGTO]

I installed the bulbs last night. With the short connect wire leads behind the rad support, etc., they are a PAIN to install.

Initial review this morning is that the High beam change is dramatically brighter and reach out significantly farther; as the number of oncoming flashing their lights to me can attest ... :>))

I am not quite sold on the Low's just yet ... not as dramatic ... but, the reported Lumen between bulbs is not quite the same for the H9/H11 switch as the 9005/9011 switch.

I don't mind share the costs ....
- 9011 > $23.95 ea
- H9 > $13.90 ea
S&H > $6.37 to TN.

Regards,
Radman

[cklinh]

Radman,

Can you let us know how the high beams look when used as daytime running lights? (i.e. during the day, when the headlights are set to auto)...

Is it still an amber color? More white than stock?

[radmanGTO]

Well ... never thought about that ... it will take tomorrow for me to see as it is already dusk here in Knoxville.

Will let you know tomorrow ..
Radman

[r0w]

HID! the way to go

[radmanGTO]

HID MAY be the way to go, but considering I paid $48 for the 9011's, that, my friend, IS THE WAY TO GO ... !!!! :>))

OK ... since I have rarely looked at my day-time driving lights, I did so today ... they are NOT anything by white light ... nothing to compare to, but certainly quite accepable to me ...

Sorry I can't be of more help ....

Second morning with these puppies and I'm quite happy with my investment .....

Regards,
Radman

[philosophicaljt]

sweetness.

[philosophicaljt]

again, the Gen 2.5 solaras come with these from the factory.

glad you are happy with them. I am guessing that the 9011 bulb has a shorter life span though. just to warn you and other readers.

[radmanGTO]

Actually, the information on the web compared both of the bulbs. Besides having a significant increase in lumens, the life expectency of the 2011's were the same as the 9005 bulb.

As an update, I am absolutely pleased with the night-time driving with these bulbs. It is amazing how much is illuminated by both the upgraded low (H11's) and high beams.

I only wish I could tweek the low's up a bit to get more distance use of the extra H11 lumens. Getting to the adjustment seems almost impossible. The high adjustment is quite accessible.

I would do it again if I had it to do over again.

Radman

[gnegroni]

I'm getting ready to buy the same combo H11-->H9 and 9005-->9011. What H9s did you buy? The website says the 9011s are a bit whiter 3750k color, will the H9s be 3400k like the stock H11s? Did you consider using the 9011s on the foglamps?

[radmanGTO]

Sorry ... I'm in the midst of a house move so the bulb pack (with the replacement bulbs in them) is somewhere in boxes at this moment ... :>)) I'm quite sure they are quality bulbs; especially from the site I bought them from ... along with the 2011's ....

The site I bought them from frowns on anything but the stock bulbs for the foglights...

I'm more on the functional side with dark morning drives and some with interesting curves .... so, I'd be more interested in how to tweek the low beams up a bit. With the reasonable coverage of the fogs in front of the Solara, a bit higher low pattern would be superb ...

Anything you do I think you will be happy with the outcome. The 9011's do seem to be a wee bit whiter than the stock color ... although, not close to HID's ....
Regards,
RadmanGTO

[Gadgetjq]

I'd be more interested in how to tweek the low beams up a bit. With the reasonable coverage of the fogs in front of the Solara, a bit higher low pattern would be superb ...

Radman,

Just a caution. There are good reasons headlights are aimed a certain way. Aiming them higher (especially with higher output bulbs) could result in your blinding oncoming drivers at best, a citation from the local gendarmes or failure of an annual safety check (if your state has them) at worst.

Properly aimed headlights might 'look' like they're shooting too low but if you're overdriving that line it's time for high beams, a brighter road or lower speeds. I know none of that sounds the least bit reasonable to anyone age 30 or under but those of us over that age have usually 'been there done that' so sometimes posts on forums are the result of life experiences (good and bad) as much as specific skill or education.

Cheers

[radmanGTO]

Gadget .... I'm quite a bit over "30 and done that" ... I understand headlight glare ... As I wrote below, I was only suggesting a tweek ... a degree or so ... there is a "grey" or dead area between the high beam coverage and low ... maybe your's is different ... I was not suggesting raising the highs ... a little closer read of my post would tell you that.

I like your link to your upgrades. I differ on the air filter though ... my previous LS1, 2001 TransAm RamAir, did not produce more power with the upgraded filter. In fact, there was data available, that when the filter was "washed", that it did not flow better than an off the shelf new paper filter. I believe that may also be the case with the 3.3 .... although, air velosity noise is louder when unhimbered ... that maybe the true butt feel. I can remember the surge I got when I opened up my tri-carbs on my first new 4sp GTO .... man, what a sound ... !!
Regards,
Radman