Can I do the 9005 Conversion?

[rwindleyme02]

I've been reading and know that you can only do the 9005 conversion if you have US ellipsoids. What are mine?

http://images.cardomain.com/member_img_a/413000-413999/413161_6_full.jpg

[shragon]

yours are us ellipsoids (aka projectors).

do the mod. it's cheap, and it'll make your headlights function so much better.

[rwindleyme02]

Great, I'm going to try and do it today.

I've read the write-up on e34.net but have one question... If my low beams are currently aimed correctly, should I need to adjust them after I do the conversion?

[shragon]

you might have the adjust them. i know i did at the time, and i beleive the majority of the people had to as well.

[rwindleyme02]

Ok, thanks Rob. I'm going to be driving tonight so I'll be able to give feedback.

[rwindleyme02]

Oh yeah, one more question: Any brand of bulbs that you would recommend. As of right now I'm just going to get the regular sylvania halogens. I've heard that other "brighter/whiter" bulbs don't last as long.

Thanks again.

[shragon]

the blue tinted bulbs will give a hid/xenon illusion, however, you are absolutely right, they burn out quick. plus that actual light you put to the ground (lumens) isn't as good.

for maximum brightness and useable light, just go for the regular clear bulbs. those sylvania 9005's will work fine.

[Chazz]

Along the same lines here.. Will these work?

Also, where are you reading the information about the "9005 conversion"?


http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=33710&item=2431453459

[rwindleyme02]

Chazz, those lights are the euro ellipsoids and produce better light than the standard US ellipsoids. Don't know if you can do the 9005 conversion on those. You can upgrade those to HIDs though, IIRC.

The 9005 conversion info can be found here:
9005 Conversion (http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/more_light.htm)

[rwindleyme02]

Also, I bought my tails from the ebay seller that that links goes to. He is an excellent seller.

[shragon]

the ebay auction is for euro spec ellipsoid headlights. they use h1 bulbs and work nice. oe is hella. these are either made by in.pro, depo, or djauto. you would have to contact to seller to see which brand it is. pm "riseosiris" for more info as he has a pair of depo's and is happy with them.

9005 conversion for us spec ellipsoids can be found here: http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/more_light.htm

[rwindleyme02]

Got in just before you Rob. How are the Axxis treating you? I've got some coming in this week to put on.

[shragon]

hahaha, yea i saw.

the axxis ultimates are working well so far, much better than the ebc crap pads i had on before it. still a little vibration, but not nearly like before, which was much much worst. it's most likely due to some ebc pad material that is still on the rotors. going to give it a few more days to see if it goes away. if not, kit from mpact motorsports, who installed them for me, said he's gonna use a wire brush to clean the rotors.

[rwindleyme02]

Yeah, luckily someone advised me against the EBC pads. I was leaning towards Hawks (got a great price) but couldn't justify it since most of my driving is standard street driving.

[shragon]

yea, i definitely advise against the ebc's. i didn't do my research, and i wound up screwing myself.

i heard ebc's are fine for light weight cars, however, not for heavy cars like bmw's.

[Rahul325]

Originally posted by shragon
you might have the adjust them. i know i did at the time, and i beleive the majority of the people had to as well.

is it just a E34 thing that u say u had to adjust, coz i have the 9005 bulbs on my car and i did not adjust(sotck headlights, not ellipsoid) ??

[shragon]

well, had to adjust the head lamp as the light on the ground didn't look quite right after doing it. i have since upgraded to euro's.

generally, the 9005 mod is not suggested for non-ellipsoid headlights as it will generate more glare to on-coming traffic.

[rwindleyme02]

Yeah, I'm going to have to adjust mine. The light doesn't look right. It kind of looks like (now that I can see the beam of light!) the lights were pointed down too far. That could be the reason why my lights sucked so much.

Anyway, this is MUCH better. I did all my "filling" of the lights with a soldering iron. Worked great. I'll adjust them tomorrow. I'm worn out - Replaced my fuel door hinge, microfilter, air filter did the 9005 thing & did and oil change. whew! Only a radiator, thermostat, pads and rotors to go! :) And yes, the microfilter was a bitch.

Shameless Plug: All my parts came from BMA. They have by far the best prices and customer service. I dealt with Patrick Bright.

[shragon]

yea, pat @ bma kicks ass!

[rwindleyme02]

All adjusted and looks great. I won't really be able to tell how good the light is until I go to Athens again, where there's nothing. Sometimes I drive around Atlanta at night w/o my lights on and don't even realize it.

Everyone should do this if you're able.