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Headlight replacement - Cibie ?

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Stingraynut:
I'm planning to upgrade the poor quality sealed beam headlights on my 88

Judging by my activity on this forum you'd think my car is a heapa but actually it's my dream car and has to live up to those high standards. ha

My research indicates that the Cibie 200x142 rectangular lense is v good but I haven't located an Aussie supplier yet - so just posting here to get any help or advice.

Maybe this is of interest - I first began my research when I discovered the name of the new type of car headlights -xenon headlights - I've been raving about these new car headlights for a while, the lense is so crystal clear, the light so white.

I discovered that they need an 800 volt shock to start up then run at maybe half the amp draw of standard lights for almost twice the brightness, with less heat. So they have a ballast and electronics to run them.

Oh, I want some.

(Anything that doesn't need the electronics is a fake or a mix of Halogen and Xenon which is only halfway there.)

Then I discovered we were looking at about $1500 - just for the bulbs and electronics.

So.......back to the Cibie's -  anyone ?

S'nut

Vette Obsessed:
Hi Stingraynut,

I replaced my lousy stock headlights (55w/55w) with some semi sealed H4 headlights in the OEM size from my local car parts store.  I installed brighter bulbs in them (I think 90w/100w - I can't recall) bulbs and the difference is huge.  I angled the lights down a touch so as to not startle oncoming drivers with the brighter bulbs and so far so good.

I did this at least two years ago so I can't recall the exact cost but I think all the hardware owed me something like $120.  Installation was free because I did it myself.

They aren't Xenon's or Cibie's but they are a huge improvement over stock.  Before changing the lights, they were useless (and dangerous) at 80km/h - now adequate light isn't an issue.

I can check the exact cost and brightness if it helps.

Stingraynut:
Hi Vette Obsessed,

thanks for the info, I reckon anything will be better than the sealed beams I have now.

Last week Repco reckoned they could supply something if I told them the size, then I discovered the 'Cibie' comments from many places.

I related to a comment I found on Corvette Forum that stated that the Cibie's have a good high and low beam angle - the thread said that Hella and other makes (in Corvette size) have a large angle so that if low beam is good, high beam lights up the skies (slight exageration to show the point). Mine are like that now, making things worse.

So, if I can, I'll get Cibie's

European Auto Imports have replied to an email query today -"HI
THANKS FOR YOUR ENQUIREY
WE CAN SELL YOU 142  X  20    H4 GLOBE  WITHOUT PARK LIGHT AT $44.65
 
REGARDS

JOHN"

which looks very hopeful, as I asked about Cibie, but I will have to get them to confirm the brand and also the mis print size, I'm assuming that 142x200 is our size, it's a standard and mine measure that on the outside.

I still have to get globes after that, I'm looking for "Narva xenon 60/55 plus 30" which has got several good comments. I think they are a xenon/halogen mixture so don't need all the complicated electronics, maybe will draw usual amps but be bright.

I don't want to burn the paint of the car in front - blisters will do.

(I've sent you an Air Pump update email)

S'nut

ddd:
I'm interested in the air pump saga- is this something we all should know about?

Stingraynut:
Hi DD, re the Air Pump. My Air Pump story takes up 3 posts - beginning here -
http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=721
then -
http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=791
and almost finally - (I hope)
http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=830

My re-engineered , re-engineered pump is not back on the car yet so I can't finish the story although I'm confident this time it's FIXED. There really should be no problem if the job is done right the first time.

S'nut

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