Links for good lighting upgrades

[thebanker]

Sube newb here. Just picked up a 2013 WRX Base hatchback and I'm looking for ideas to upgrade the headlights.

OK so I've done some research. I've searched here and NASIOC. I've read Daniel Stern's site, and looked at the options. At this point, I'm looking for a good plug-and-play headlight bulb swap that requires as little modification as possible. The blue HID look isn't a necessity for me, but if it is a cooler color temperature, that would be a plus. What's the verdict for the best bang-for-your-buck halogen headlight upgrade? The Narva bulbs? HIR's? Does anyone have pics comparing the spread and color rendition of each bulb?

If you have done a bulb swap and have good pics, post up a picture. Also, if this post is way out of line, and been covered ad infinitum, please kindly smack me on the nose with a newspaper.

Thanks!

[thebanker]

I found this list which is helpful for looking around online:

2011-2013 Subaru WRX Light Bulb Sizing Chart

Low Beam Headlight Bulb Size: H11
High Beam Headlamp Light Bulb Size: 9005
Parking Light Bulb Size: 1157A
Front Turn Signal Light Bulb Size: 1157A
Rear Turn Signal Light Bulb Size: 992 (7440A)
Tail Light Bulb Size: 7443 or LED
Stop Light Bulb Size: 7443 or LED
High Mount Stop Light Bulb Size: 7506 or LED
Fog/Driving Light Bulb Size: 9006
License Plate Light Bulb Size: 168
Back Up Light Bulb Size: 7440 or 921
Cornering Light Bulb Size: 921
Front Side Marker Light Bulb Size: 1157A
Rear Side Marker Light Bulb Size: 168 or 7443
Map Light Bulb Size: DE3175
Dome Light Bulb Size: DE3175
Trunk/Cargo Area Light Bulb Size: 2825

[thebanker]

Second question: BESIDES Daniel Stern, who I'm sure is a nice man, is there a preferred aftermarket vendor for buying replacement bulbs, LED's, etc for any of the above list?

[EJ257]

Daniel Stern had me buy bulbs that he didn't sell (over ones he did) because he felt they best suited my needs; customer service, at its finest.

There's a reason everyone tells you to go to him...

[mdkflip]

I went with the H9 conversion and used these bulbs:

Philips H9 Standard Headlight Bulb, Pack of 1 : Amazon.com : Automotive

They are definitely brighter, which is what I wanted. All you have to do is file down a tab in the connector. Look around the forum and you will find the procedure with pictures. If you are interested in the conversion it shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes to do. Well worth it.

[Rambo]

Daniel Stern had me buy bulbs that he didn't sell (over ones he did) because he felt they best suited my needs;
There's a reason everyone tells you to go to him...

Same here. He pointed me to a specific model that he didn't carry, and I ended up getting them on Amazon, I believe. I got my interior LEDs from SuperBrightLEDs.com as their website had the most information available for ensuring compatiblity with my car, and prices were reasonable.

NOTE: If you intend to replace any interior LEDs, I highly recommend looking at the beam dispersion ratings SuperBrightLEDs posts for all their bulbs. When replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs, you can end up with "hotspots" depending on application since incandescents have a wide beam spread and LEDs typically are more of a point light source. Choosing the wide-angle LEDs will help prevent this problem. I don't see any hotspots after my LED conversion.

[thebanker]

I went with the H9 conversion and used these bulbs:

Philips H9 Standard Headlight Bulb, Pack of 1 : Amazon.com : Automotive

They are definitely brighter, which is what I wanted. All you have to do is file down a tab in the connector. Look around the forum and you will find the procedure with pictures. If you are interested in the conversion it shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes to do. Well worth it.

I saw a DIY on this, to be clear, the modification is done to the connector on the bulb, not the car, right? Looks fairly simple, just shave off that one inner tab on the bulb's connector? (Not the connector on the wiring harness on the car)

[Rodman]

I saw a DIY on this, to be clear, the modification is done to the connector on the bulb, not the car, right? Looks fairly simple, just shave off that one inner tab on the bulb's connector? (Not the connector on the wiring harness on the car)

Correct, modification is done to the connector on the bulb, not your new shinny Rex.. This was my 1st mod. I like it

[thebanker]

Same here. He pointed me to a specific model that he didn't carry, and I ended up getting them on Amazon, I believe. I got my interior LEDs from SuperBrightLEDs.com as their website had the most information available for ensuring compatiblity with my car, and prices were reasonable.

NOTE: If you intend to replace any interior LEDs, I highly recommend looking at the beam dispersion ratings SuperBrightLEDs posts for all their bulbs. When replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs, you can end up with "hotspots" depending on application since incandescents have a wide beam spread and LEDs typically are more of a point light source. Choosing the wide-angle LEDs will help prevent this problem. I don't see any hotspots after my LED conversion.

Thanks, and I don't plan on doing any LED swaps in the interior. The LED look tends to be too harsh, since most interior swaps create a cool white light.

[thebanker]

Correct, modification is done to the connector on the bulb, not your new shinny Rex.. This was my 1st mod. I like it

Ok cool. I'll get my hands on some Philips H9's and check it out.