Elipsoids

[619E30]

Can I put elipsoids on my 1990 325i w/ stock sealed beams, if not what would I need to do to swap them?

[DÌEGØ]

I wanna know too!

(subscribed)

[stumble_t]

Look guys,
Click on the "LIGHTING" sub-forum where this thread is, and click "search this forum" for: "sealed beam ellipsoids"
The search feature is very useful and informative.

[DÌEGØ]

got it!

[Mo Brighta]

swapping out sealed beams

Can I put elipsoids on my 1990 325i w/ stock sealed beams, if not what would I need to do to swap them?

You might be alot happier with better lights, not necessarily elipsoids. I get lots of questions from folks *with* elipsoids that want better light output, and I would be happy to suggest you look at some Hella upgrade units such as the Bi-Focus Low beams. Ever since the Cibie/Valeo CSR went out of production these are considered the best 5.75" low beam replacement.

Anyone with sealed beams is likely to want better lights up front, I understand completely.

The Bi-Focus was a joint development effort between BMW and Hella back in the early 80's and is a far superior light to the elipsoids, with more even spread, better output, and WWWAAAAYYYYY less expensive. They use a standard H1 bulb, and have NO high beam, they are optimized just for low beam. As with any compromise design (think 'all-season' tires), there is no substitute for pure design principles.

I have data on this light's output photometrics, and of the light itself (see below). It reportedly works very well with stock wattage bulbs (55W), and is metal so it can accept higher wattages as desired.

I also have several on order at this moment for a couple of guys here and on the E28 board, so I will be able to report my personal impressions very soon, and may even be able to do a 'road test' with a set. I will be comparing them to my Cibie CSR lows, so it will be a very high standard to meet, I assure you.

I'll report back later with results when I have them, meanwhile I invite any further questions, or emails, for more info.

Andy, the tail light (& headlight) guy

[taiden]

Ran into this thread and decided to search for the lights that Mo Brighta suggests.

Here is what I found.

Hella p/n

002850811
002425811

[Vivek]

So will this be a direct fit into the sealed beam housings?

[bmwman91]

I absolutely agree that a new pair of Hella H4 units (that replace the sealed low beams) are the best lighting option for those not wishing to embark upon a huge, expensive project. All of the used ellipsoid lights out there have 20+ years of heat & oxidation damage on their reflector dishes & the light output is really not very good. If you are OK with shelling out $500+ on new ellipsoid lights, then you'll get good lighting. Otherwise, drop a lot less money, avoid cutting connectors and get great light output with an H4 conversion!

The full set: http://classicgarage.com/53hehekit.html
Low beams: http://classicgarage.com/he-71156b.html

I bought a set from these guys like 7 years ago & was very happy. Later on I installed some used Euro ellipsoid lights, and I have to say that the light output was disappointing in comparison. If I wasn't converting to Infiniti FX-R HID projectors, I would just go back to the H4's.

[klavender1]

For the sake of assuming I'm stupid.
I will need this:

http://classicgarage.com/53hehekit.html

And this in the H4 55w 4500k kit:

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-HID-Kit-Slim-Ballast-35W-or-55W

And I'm good? I appreciate all constructive comments but I understand this might not be the "greatest" (ie most expensive) option for the lighting purist crowd. I also already have the pigtails from an E34 that I assume should work.

[taiden]

drop in hid bulbs are junk. spend your money on a good halogen bulb and a heavy duty headlight harness. See my website for more details as to why drop in bulbs are useless. http://brightnightcustoms.com/technical/

[Grand525]

Look it up on eBay using this keyword : 5 3/4" H4
A lot more to choose from.

[bmwman91]

For the sake of assuming I'm stupid.
I will need this:

http://classicgarage.com/53hehekit.html

And this in the H4 55w 4500k kit:

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-HID-Kit-Slim-Ballast-35W-or-55W

And I'm good? I appreciate all constructive comments but I understand this might not be the "greatest" (ie most expensive) option for the lighting purist crowd. I also already have the pigtails from an E34 that I assume should work.

You can't run HID bulbs in the H4 housings. They will blind everyone in front of you. The only correct way to run HIDs is in a projector housing (such as the E30 ellipsoid ones). Just run some quality Halogen bulbs in the H4 housings and all will be well. The Euro-spec Osram Silverstar bulbs are a good choice as they have NO coatings on them for maximum light output. The US ones do have a slight bluish coating, IIRC. I know that they don't look as awesome as HIDs, but HIDs in a reflector dish housing (like the Hella H4 ones) will just piss off everyone else on the road.

drop in hid bulbs are junk. spend your money on a good halogen bulb and a heavy duty headlight harness. See my website for more details as to why drop in bulbs are useless. http://brightnightcustoms.com/technical/

Good link!

Look it up on eBay using this keyword : 5 3/4" H4
A lot more to choose from.

Maybe. I would avoid no-name brands like the plague though. Hella makes a quality product, and unless you can find some new-ish Cibie units, I wouldn't run a "bargain" set of no-name ones.

[klavender1]

Ok, I understand what you're saying. Classic garage seems like a good deal. So basically, this: http://dtmfiberwerkz.com/access/euro...hts-p-473.html plus HID or the drop in H4 kit from Classic garage. Was just trying to decide if I want to go HID down the road. I'm not doing it for looks. I drive the back way to work now (dark country roads) and need something brighter.

[Robert]

yes, just cut and splice. there is a thread out there somewhere.

[taiden]

The other thing about getting really good housings, like the Hellas or Cibies, is you can rock overwattage bulbs without damaging anything. I would only run overwattage bulbs in your high beams though, as you do NOT want to blind people. At least with overwatt highs you can turn them off when there is traffic.

And do not forget high gauge headlight harnesses. A 12g harness will make a big difference.