HIDS and braided brake lines.
HIDS and braided brake lines.
Author
Discussion

john93t

Original Poster:

223 posts

180 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
Looking to improve the headlights with some HIDS from here, getting fed up of candle power.

http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/categories/hid-kits/h...

Am I right in thinking I need the H11 type and does it matter which kit I get? cheapest is 40quid , will these does the job?

Also, got options for 4300,5000,6000, what would you recommend for best light without blinding others.

Was also looking at HEL braided brake lines but is it a worthwhile mod on vxr brakes? I do have the performance pads from monkfish which are better but still fade out quickly. AP's would be ideal but not an option at the moment.

thanks in advance

MyM8V8

9,468 posts

223 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
The lower the number the brighter. 4500 should be OK. The higher numbers go more blue/purple.

I don't know whether the steel hoses will be an improvement on the R8's but are definitely worth it on VZ's back. You can get prices from US suppliers and MF.

Sohlman

590 posts

282 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
The numbers are a measure in Kelvins on HID's. It's not a case that higher or lower is brighter, but it does change the colour. The more colour the less bright in most cases.

The brightests is around 4100 kelvins as this is pure white light. Going up to 5000 is ok. Going beyond this to 6000k is becoming blue. Purple is 8000 and 12000 is red I believe. Likewise 2400 is quite yellow and is like a candle colour. This is the normal colour of a lightbulb in your house.

As for braided hoses they will not reduce brake fade, but they will increase brake feel. The rubber brake hoses expand slightly under braking and a stainless steel pipe will not. This gives a firmer feel to the pedal. Changing brake fluid to one with a higher boiling point will reduce fade to some degree and changing the pads to a pad that can handle higher temperatures will also help.

StefanVXR8

3,620 posts

226 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
Go for 4300K if you are looking for the best light, and H7 is the type you need.

The easiest ones to fit are the ones available from Oz with the built in ballast in the rear covers, no external mounting of the ballast or making holes in your covers.

Stef

Tattooboy

7,946 posts

206 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
StefanVXR8 said:
Go for 4300K if you are looking for the best light, and H7 is the type you need.

The easiest ones to fit are the ones available from Oz with the built in ballast in the rear covers, no external mounting of the ballast or making holes in your covers.

Stef
Hi Stef, do you know if the H7 also fit the E3 GTS? I have been looking for the kits with the built in ballast in the rear covers but not having much luck. Any chance you can PM me a price that you have seen them for?

Many Thanks

Ian

john93t

Original Poster:

223 posts

180 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
Sorry should of said its for a monaro vxr.

VinceM

1,906 posts

166 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
Sure I've got 4300k H11 in mine from the same supplier above. The bulb type is on the headlight itself. Massive improvement in light, really pleased with mine. Don't forget to upgrade the sidelight bulbs as well.

I've also got the Russell braided brake lines on mine although I've got the AP upgrade, a worthwhile mod in my view.

StefanVXR8

3,620 posts

226 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
Tattooboy said:
StefanVXR8 said:
Go for 4300K if you are looking for the best light, and H7 is the type you need.

The easiest ones to fit are the ones available from Oz with the built in ballast in the rear covers, no external mounting of the ballast or making holes in your covers.

Stef
Hi Stef, do you know if the H7 also fit the E3 GTS? I have been looking for the kits with the built in ballast in the rear covers but not having much luck. Any chance you can PM me a price that you have seen them for?

Many Thanks

Ian
Hi Ian, yes, as far as I can tell they will fit, the sellers here claim all VE derivatives to 2012 but not VF.

Have sent you some info, give me a shout if you get stuck getting them shipped direct to you and we can sort something out via me.

Stef

StefanVXR8

3,620 posts

226 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
john93t said:
Sorry should of said its for a monaro vxr.
No worries John, partly my fault for not asking, programmed brain in VXR8 mode!

Deffo go for the 4300k though, I noticed a difference in brightness over the 5000k ones. The 4300k look more OEM too so in the projector lens of your Monaro and the VXR8 they don't draw to much attention if you know what I mean.

By the way, I never had any issues at MOT time either with them fitted.

Not that I have that issue where I live now, now MOT annual test here!

wink

Regarding brake hoses, everyone I know who has upgraded (on various cars) have definitely felt improvements, firmer peddle, slightly less fade etc.

Stef

Edited by StefanVXR8 on Wednesday 14th January 11:46

Tattooboy

7,946 posts

206 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
StefanVXR8 said:
Tattooboy said:
StefanVXR8 said:
Go for 4300K if you are looking for the best light, and H7 is the type you need.

The easiest ones to fit are the ones available from Oz with the built in ballast in the rear covers, no external mounting of the ballast or making holes in your covers.

Stef
Hi Stef, do you know if the H7 also fit the E3 GTS? I have been looking for the kits with the built in ballast in the rear covers but not having much luck. Any chance you can PM me a price that you have seen them for?

Many Thanks

Ian
Hi Ian, yes, as far as I can tell they will fit, the sellers here claim all VE derivatives to 2012 but not VF.

Have sent you some info, give me a shout if you get stuck getting them shipped direct to you and we can sort something out via me.

Stef
Great stuff, thank you thumbup

007 VXR

64,187 posts

215 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
john93t said:
Sorry should of said its for a monaro vxr.
Worth doing the brake lines for better feel then wink

john93t

Original Poster:

223 posts

180 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies, think I will get the cheapest ones 35w 4300k.

VinceM said:
Don't forget to upgrade the sidelight bulbs as well.
any recommendation on what ones to go for?
http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/mtec-3-led-501-w5w-t1...
will these be ok?

interested in how maccavvy is getting on with the AM monoblock brakes. Could be a way forward with cheaper discs too.

arh1a

97 posts

155 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
007 VXR said:
john93t said:
Sorry should of said its for a monaro vxr.
Worth doing the brake lines for better feel then wink
Definitely worth changing to braided hoses and there are 6 rubber hoses altogether on the Monaro VXR so will notice a better feeling peddle like I did. Also change the brake fluid, I went for ATE blue brake fluid which also makes flushing the whole system out a lot easier.

Regarding the HIDs with the built in ballast in the rear covers are these available for the Monaro VXR as would be like a factory fit which I always aim for with modifications.

john93t

Original Poster:

223 posts

180 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
StefanVXR8 said:
No worries John, partly my fault for not asking, programmed brain in VXR8 mode!

Deffo go for the 4300k though, I noticed a difference in brightness over the 5000k ones. The 4300k look more OEM too so in the projector lens of your Monaro and the VXR8 they don't draw to much attention if you know what I mean.

By the way, I never had any issues at MOT time either with them fitted.

Not that I have that issue where I live now, now MOT annual test here!

wink

Regarding brake hoses, everyone I know who has upgraded (on various cars) have definitely felt improvements, firmer peddle, slightly less fade etc.

Stef

Edited by StefanVXR8 on Wednesday 14th January 11:46
lucky for some but the MOT guy mentioned doing it,or is that a set-up scratchchinhehe

VinceM

1,906 posts

166 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
john93t said:
any recommendation on what ones to go for?
http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/mtec-3-led-501-w5w-t1...
will these be ok?

interested in how maccavvy is getting on with the AM monoblock brakes. Could be a way forward with cheaper discs too.
I think they will be ok but not used them so can't be usre. Mine were cheapo ebay specials, although they have worked ok in the year or so they've been in there.

maccavvy

660 posts

192 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
I fitted cheapish from uk though HID a while back I went for 5k iirc. nice bright white light .
had to drill a hole in the rear cover for wires to go through. definatley better than oe

I have HEL lines on the front set up. took about a week from order to deliver. fit perfect .

As far as the brakes go. better feel, better stopping and less fade. and cheaper to boot.

New discs approx. 120 each new pads 40 the set. pagid brand in case you were going to ask ;-)

jelevents

494 posts

177 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
john93t said:
Looking to improve the headlights with some HIDS from here, getting fed up of candle power.

http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/categories/hid-kits/h...

Am I right in thinking I need the H11 type and does it matter which kit I get? cheapest is 40quid , will these does the job?

Also, got options for 4300,5000,6000, what would you recommend for best light without blinding others.

Was also looking at HEL braided brake lines but is it a worthwhile mod on vxr brakes? I do have the performance pads from monkfish which are better but still fade out quickly. AP's would be ideal but not an option at the moment.

thanks in advance
Hi John
Recently bought some HEL braided hoses for my Monaro bit too cold to go out and fit them yet but have heard they give much better feel, and they shiney thumbup here's my kit



Not got my Hid's yet but will be going for 4300k and I believe they are no problems on mot with projector headlamps

jelevents

494 posts

177 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
john93t said:
Looking to improve the headlights with some HIDS from here, getting fed up of candle power.

http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/categories/hid-kits/h...

Am I right in thinking I need the H11 type and does it matter which kit I get? cheapest is 40quid , will these does the job?

Also, got options for 4300,5000,6000, what would you recommend for best light without blinding others.

Was also looking at HEL braided brake lines but is it a worthwhile mod on vxr brakes? I do have the performance pads from monkfish which are better but still fade out quickly. AP's would be ideal but not an option at the moment.

thanks in advance
Hi John
Recently bought some HEL braided hoses for my Monaro bit too cold to go out and fit them yet but have heard they give much better feel, and they shiney thumbup here's my kit



Not got my Hid's yet but will be going for 4300k and I believe they are no problems on mot with projector headlamps

StefanVXR8

3,620 posts

226 months

Thursday 15th January 2015
quotequote all
arh1a said:
Definitely worth changing to braided hoses and there are 6 rubber hoses altogether on the Monaro VXR so will notice a better feeling peddle like I did. Also change the brake fluid, I went for ATE blue brake fluid which also makes flushing the whole system out a lot easier.

Regarding the HIDs with the built in ballast in the rear covers are these available for the Monaro VXR as would be like a factory fit which I always aim for with modifications.
I'm assuming the Monaro has different covers as I've not seen the built in ballast mentioned at all for them?

Stef

alfienoakes

296 posts

262 months

Thursday 15th January 2015
quotequote all
jelevents said:
Hi John
Recently bought some HEL braided hoses for my Monaro bit too cold to go out and fit them yet but have heard they give much better feel, and they shiney thumbup here's my kit



Not got my Hid's yet but will be going for 4300k and I believe they are no problems on mot with projector headlamps
I did have some discussions with HEL about some stainless hoses for my AP'ed CV8, but they weren't able to supply the brackets that the front's use. Are they expecting you to make your own ?

I went with a Russels set from Monkfish in the end, but they aren't completely stainless frown