Bigger wattage in ellipsoids?

[The Barvarian]

My low beams are lacking in output. I am used to my e46 Xeons. I am curious as to what wattage folks are running in the ellipsoids?

[Julien]

i've modified e46 xenons to fit in the e30 ellipsoid housing.. works like a charm :-)

[e34john]

You can do the 9005 mod if your running US lights.

[The Barvarian]

Is there a write up on the e46 xenon conversion?

What is a 9005 mod? How can I confirm that my ellipsoids are US?

[e30Matt]

Is there a write up on the e46 xenon conversion?

What is a 9005 mod? How can I confirm that my ellipsoids are US?

You just modify the 9005 bulb a little bit (your high beam bulb) by cutting out the ribs in the connector that keep you from plugging it into your low beam harness, and removing a little material from one of the tabs IIRC. Then you put it in your low beam and voila, a little more light.

[e34john]

Check out your bulbs if they are 9006 then you can do the mod. Look at the bulb and base if it looks like an L then you have the 9006 bulbs while the Euros are like two metal tabs. Pull your high and low beam bulbs and you will see the difference in the connector and basically get another pair of 9005s and make the base look like the ones for your lows as mentioned, you will get some more light, not much but for 15 bucks or so not too bad; just clean the reflectors and the inside of the lens while your at it.

[The Barvarian]

THanks!!

[smonkbmw]

why not purchase a HID kit? good 55watt prolumens are round $205 shipped over on Bimmerforums.

[Bimmerman325i]

If cops in your area are particularly keen to pull you over, skip the HID's and buy some 9012 and 9011 bulbs for your US ellips. It is essentially the same as the 9005 mod but the bulb is located properly in the housing so you get the right light distribution plus more lumens than you would with the 9005 mod. The 9011 in the highs is ridiculously awesome. I have the 9011/12 mod and I love it. You can get them from rallylights.com.

[The Barvarian]

checking

If cops in your area are particularly keen to pull you over, skip the HID's and buy some 9012 and 9011 bulbs for your US ellips. It is essentially the same as the 9005 mod but the bulb is located properly in the housing so you get the right light distribution plus more lumens than you would with the 9005 mod. The 9011 in the highs is ridiculously awesome. I have the 9011/12 mod and I love it. You can get them from rallylights.com.

Are these the right ones?
CP9011 9011-HIR1 Bulb, 12V, 65W, Toshiba$29.75$59.50
CP9012 9012-HIR2 Bulb, 12V, 55W, Toshiba
$29.75$59.50

[smonkbmw]

If cops in your area are particularly keen to pull you over, skip the HID's and buy some 9012 and 9011 bulbs for your US ellips. It is essentially the same as the 9005 mod but the bulb is located properly in the housing so you get the right light distribution plus more lumens than you would with the 9005 mod. The 9011 in the highs is ridiculously awesome. I have the 9011/12 mod and I love it. You can get them from rallylights.com.

this is cheaper option true. but i dont see what cops have to do with anything unless your running 7k+ on your temp. 5k-0r 4300 is pure white. ive been running them for years and never had a issue. and im positive the output of a hid kit is way more than a standard bulb.

[Van Westervelt]

How can I confirm that my ellipsoids are US?

If it says anywhere on the housing, "DOT"

[nmlss2006]

I will second the HIR headlight suggestion. It is DOT legal, fits in the headlights with no mods, will not give you overdraw problems and it REALLY makes a difference.

[smonkbmw]

ok. i see the point on cost savings. but according to the site rallylights.com the 9012 bulb is outputting 1700 lumens at $30 a bulb. even the cheaper ApexCone HID kit in a 4300k temp is out putting 5000 lumens at $145-$205 per kit. and im sure there are GBs on bimmerforums for cheaper.

there is no modifying to be done to get a kit to fit. as far as DOT legal im sure if the headlights are legal, something else on the car is not i.e. suspension, exhaust modification. DOT legality is kind of a lame point. Overdraw problems? if thats what i think you're describing ive never had a issue with that ever. new digital kits "step" up voltage progressively until full output is achieved.

i dunno i guess id rather pay more to get that much more output. to each his own i suppose.

[Julien]

Is there a write up on the e46 xenon conversion?

What is a 9005 mod? How can I confirm that my ellipsoids are US?

Nope.. but i didn't just do a bulb swap, i changed the lense and the reflector core (to keep the appropriate focal length) from the e46 light and put them in the e30 housing.

Julien