Forester Headlight Bulb Upgrade

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 3:07 am

Hey Suba-Dudes,

Looking to get a bit more light out of the forester's headlight setup. I think there are currently 60/55w H4's in it and I was looking at some 130/100w H4's in the auto shop today and was wondering if they would be a good swap? Could the fuse handle it? Are the headlights in the forester polycarbonate? Ie would these bulbs burn my car to the ground? Did have a large warning on the back of the packet. Don't want to upgrade to HID's, just want to do something simple and legal. Thanks for your thoughts.

Cheers,
Corax.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 9:42 am

There has been arguements - at the end of the day its your choice to run these globes in normal headlights which is a risk of melting something but you dont know unless you try them. I was going to for my car but i ended up getting HIDs. If HID wasnt available I wouldve done it a long time ago, and if the headlight melted i wouldve replaced it and do it again. It wont "catch on fire or burn your car to the ground" it MIGHT/might not burn the reflector, but the reflector plastic is designed to handle heat. The poly lens will be okay - wont melt - unlikely. Ive run 100watt behind plastic lenses and has been ok. People have said it'll turn to yellow or plastic will become brittle but it hasnt happened.
You could upgrade (you should) the wire loom which you should do. I can understand about HID upgrade but I swear it is the best upgrade.
Cheers
AP

lefty · Post by **lefty** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 1:31 am

a good easy replacement are Philips Xtreme power which you can buy from UK sellers on ebay for around $25 delivered. They are rated to be +80 over stock.
Still can't compare to HIDs but I'm happy with them plus they are legal.

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 10:59 pm

Thanks for input guys, given me something to think about. Know an auto electrician will have a talk to him and see what he thinks:)

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Fri Oct 01, 2010 5:53 pm

Had a quick look on pommie fleabay and the philips xtreme power bulbs seem be the way to go. Which ones did you get for your car lefty the xenon or the halogen ones?

Subyroo · Post by **Subyroo** » Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:51 pm

Higher wattage bulbs like you are looking at can melt the plastic wiring cup where the wires attach to the back of the light bulb especially on Subaru's, the wiring isn't heavy enough to handle the heat. As Alpine Raven said upgrade your wiring loom to both headlights otherwise stick with the +80 upgrade.

I use the Phillips Vision +50's in my 03 XS and I'm happy with them but I don't do a lot of night driving anymore .......... I'm too old.

lefty · Post by **lefty** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:27 am

Corax wrote:Had a quick look on pommie fleabay and the philips xtreme power bulbs seem be the way to go. Which ones did you get for your car lefty the xenon or the halogen ones?

There is only 1 type AFAIK. Philips website also has 1 type

this is the seller I got them from:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PHILIPS-EXTREME- ... 5889bd8b31

fredsub · Post by **fredsub** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 12:21 pm

Are those Phillips Xenon bulbs more bluish than white ?

Also I would question whether 130/100W are legal also ?

lefty · Post by **lefty** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 12:48 pm

fredsub wrote:Are those Phillips Xenon bulbs more bluish than white ?

they are almost the same colour as stock , not wanky blue

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Sun Oct 10, 2010 10:56 pm

Had a talk to my mate who is an auto sparky and he recommended 'Osram night breakers'. Anybody heard of these at all? If so are they any good?

wrxer · Post by **wrxer** » Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:35 pm

go the HID, in 4300k. they are awesome