Light output from E36's
 

Contemplating an E36 conversion over putting premium bulbs in the stock headlamps, how does the light output from e36's compare with stock?

i think my light output has improved tremendously. you could also upgrade the current headlights, i forget the light numbers 9007 maybe....but they make the output brighter.

I thought the output was great, but it seemed to lack a concentrated beam. I didn't like that so off they went :slant:

i got a great beam after i flush mounted and aimed them right.

A lit marshmellow is brighter than our headlights.

+10000000000 on that bro. Must be like 50 lumins! I had my left headlight out for I don't know how long. I only noticed it when I saw the headlight reflections off the car in front while stopped at a light!

Yea the stock headlamps are really dim i was thinking about doin a E36 conversion with a 9005-9006 Hid kit.. is it even possible?

Yessir..

I've got E36's with HID's (btw HID's only go on the low-beams)

I had wagner Brite-lites on my A/T and the light output was much better than the 9004s that it had originally

bulb quality will also affect light output.
a long time ago, we replaced one bulb on my parents subi because it was out, the replacement bulb (el cheapo type) was significantly dimmer than the bulb on the other side which was a few years old already.

in conclusion, try some good bulbs before gooing and swapping the E36s in

The 9007's dont fit in the housing properly. I actually tried it just a little while ago. i have sylvania silverstar 9004s right now but they still dont seem bright enough. I got a 9007 sylvania bluevision just to try it out but the bulb wont let the little locking ring catch the little edge. The difference between 9004 & 9007 is 10watts(45vs55) on the lowbeam and the base of the bulb is a little wider on the 9007.

I prefer these :D

http://www.digitalbeta.net/images/740i/Umnitza/3.jpg

Yayo, you can not swap the 9004 with 9007 directly. Look at the sticky in the 4th gen and see all the details and discussions. In general, 2 things you have to do. 1) File off two snubs on the housing at 8 and 5 o'clock positions (keep the one at 12). 2) Switch the ground wires. Many had done the converstion of the 4th gen and swear by it. Some one here mentioned it worked on 3rd also.

http://www.umnitza.com/product_info....f8aadda776c175

don't know if it will on the maxima but it is an upgrade for the e36 stock headlights. these are equipped with H1 (i recommend OSRAM Silverstars). Clean cut off. Depos make these for the e36 too but the quality is not as good as ZKWs.

http://www.umnitza.com/product_info....f8aadda776c175

I like these better. Good luck finding another just like it. But it's a perfect fit.

https://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/...016108NZtmblsI
https://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/...016108NZtmblsI

Aftermarket e36 with halo and h7 plasma projectors. H3 turn illumination and amber led corner marker. Frikn bright brights too.

....Just wish they were hid. If they were that would bump them up to costing $800.

just buy one of the cheaper kits, it's like $240 or something for them

Id buy those in a heartbeat...with or without hid's. WOW.

not bad I thought of trying that awhile back but just cant stop with the go fast mods

E36's + Silverstars gave me tons of light.

E38's + HID kit = teeheeheehee


http://www.digitalbeta.net/images/740i/cutoff.jpg

I decided to do the e36 conversion last summer, and fitted the Silvania Silverstars. You will get a brighter light with the e36 lights because the 9006 bulbs is 55W whereas the stock 9004s are only 45W.

Are the turning signals clearly visible on these during the day?

headlights, on the 2ed gen you cant see anything, im serious, so , i was thinking i might could try some 3 gen lights, can anyone give me the dementions of the whole assembly, it might somewhat fit, i just wont to beable to see, when its raining i really cant see and i have to pull over.

some one sell me some 3rd gen lights for cheep???

if a 3rd gen housing would fit decent, i would just go ahead and get some e36 or something


what do yall think??

what do yall think??[/QUOTE]

If i had a 2gen. I'd put in chevy truck lights. No joke. And you definetly do not want 3 gen lights.

OR I'd put in round dual headlights like the old rally vw's.

If i had a 2gen. I'd put in chevy truck lights. No joke. And you definetly do not want 3 gen lights.[/QUOTE]
chevy truck lights are horrible

chevy truck lights are horrible[/QUOTE]


The new ones are fine. The boxy dimensions would work though.

The new ones are fine. The boxy dimensions would work though.[/QUOTE]
for oncoming drivers....



I can tell when a GM is coming lol

you can also buy C/K projector lights pretty easily

Me too... there's always one little marker light out. :rofl:

watch the rear end of a quest and the left tail light will be out

dude, ever notice how many <2 year old GM's have burnt out lights?


The nice thing about BMW's.... they tell you which bulb is burnt out. That's probably why you never see BMWs with burnt out bulbs :lol:

my bonnie told me which bulb was burnt out too.
I haven't had any burn out on the montana yet, destroyed yes, burn out no :chuckle:

Those are the E36 from 92-98 right? Did you have to do any Mods to get the turn signal to fit?

It's not that simple.

It's e36 halo projector headlights molding into the stock corner housing. The illuminated corner was replaced with an h3 projection fog light. ANd th constant on marker was replaced with 4 leds. Then the whole thing is cover with a trimmed up Wade cover...

If you can search, there is another thread all about it.