I finally made the lighting bulb improvements as suggested by Daniel Stern. I had added his module earlier that makes the side markers act as turn signals. He recommends changing to Honda bulbs for an increase in brightness. I just completed this and think that there is a noticeable improvement in brightness and therefore safety. The bulbs can be ordered from Honda, as follows:
SINGLE FILAMENT: 34903-SF1-A01
DUAL FILAMENT: 34906-SL0-A01
On my 80 FI the (qty 2) dual filaments are for the front bumper turn signals, the (qty 6) single filaments are for the rear lights, 3 per each module.
(Note that Daniel Stern sells the brighter side marker bulbs (2 front, 2 rear) and I had already installed them. He doesn't sell the Honda bulbs for the front bumper turn signals or the rear modules).
Here are some videos of the result, you can judge for yourselves if it is worth the cost for safety improvement. The bulbs are roughly $7.75 each
http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/RRoll ... 2698092406
This little wire brush is a really good tool for cleaning out the sockets, and I bent the retention tabs in a little to make the bulbs sit more tightly in the socket.
LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS
- RRoller123
- Patron 2020
- Posts: 8179
- Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
- Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA
LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
-
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 294
- Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:40 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 spider [carb]
- Location: Hamilton. MA
Re: LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS
Pete, You've already installed headlight relays, right? Now, the next big step up in lighting is to get a pair of E-code headlights, also available from D Stern.
Before xenon lighting and before the automotive stylists got involved in headlight design, these were standard on European cars and were vastly superior to the DOT restricted headlights we in North America were stuck with at the time. They throw a much more usable beam pattern and as long as they're aimed properly, will not bother oncoming drivers. A bit pricey but well worth it if you do much night time driving.
Those Honda bulbs? I assume you can pick them up at any Honda dealer?
Before xenon lighting and before the automotive stylists got involved in headlight design, these were standard on European cars and were vastly superior to the DOT restricted headlights we in North America were stuck with at the time. They throw a much more usable beam pattern and as long as they're aimed properly, will not bother oncoming drivers. A bit pricey but well worth it if you do much night time driving.
Those Honda bulbs? I assume you can pick them up at any Honda dealer?
1979 Spider
2001Saab SW
2004 Saab Aero
Life's too short to drive boring cars
2001Saab SW
2004 Saab Aero
Life's too short to drive boring cars
- RRoller123
- Patron 2020
- Posts: 8179
- Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
- Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA
Re: LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS
Hi Don:
Yes I did the headlight relays, and installed a new set of sealed beams and they are just fine. Bright enough for me, and just about as bright as any modern car, (with the relays and cleaned grounds), so I don't plan to do the E-code lights.
But yes, the marker bulbs are available from any Honda dealer, I ordered mine from Norwood. They are definitely brighter!
Let me know if you want to do Millis again! Art was there last week with his Shelby GT350 and a good time was had by all. But at any rate we will see you at Tutto Italiano?
Pete
Yes I did the headlight relays, and installed a new set of sealed beams and they are just fine. Bright enough for me, and just about as bright as any modern car, (with the relays and cleaned grounds), so I don't plan to do the E-code lights.
But yes, the marker bulbs are available from any Honda dealer, I ordered mine from Norwood. They are definitely brighter!
Let me know if you want to do Millis again! Art was there last week with his Shelby GT350 and a good time was had by all. But at any rate we will see you at Tutto Italiano?
Pete
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
-
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 294
- Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:40 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 spider [carb]
- Location: Hamilton. MA
Re: LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS
Looking forward to it. I think there will be some other folks on this board going, too.
1979 Spider
2001Saab SW
2004 Saab Aero
Life's too short to drive boring cars
2001Saab SW
2004 Saab Aero
Life's too short to drive boring cars
- RRoller123
- Patron 2020
- Posts: 8179
- Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
- Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA
Re: LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS
Last year I think we got about 8 or 10 Spiders?
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle