lighting Question and Wheel Question

First, I am a complete noob when it comes to HID lighting. I have done lots of research but still can't really figure out what it is I want to know.



What are my options for upgrading the headlights on my car. I am interest in fogs, low beams and hi beams. I love the bright blueish type of light. Do I need to install a kit of some sort or can I just replace the bulbs. I tried to search function but it still doesn't really answer my question. I'm sure a lot of you guys can just shoot from the hip more information then I really need on this.



Second is my wheels. I have RTX Rush Apex 18" x 8 wheels. Currently I am using 215/40R18 tires (I know should be wider, save it, lol)



What are the largest tires I can use without rubbing. I am not lowered and don't plan on it due to so much snow in my area. I would bottom out in my driveway everytime it snowed. Can I go with a 45 series tire on my wheel so it will fill the gap in the wheel well more? Also how wide could I go if I did use a 45 series tire. Anyone had experience with up-sizing the overall tire size and not just the wheel?



My main priority is to fill the wheel well more than it is now, second priority is how wide I can go, which I know will increase the height more as well. (I am not such a noob on wheels)



P.S. I know my speedo will be off but I am not worried about 5-6%.



Thanks guys!

Reply 1 : lighting Question and Wheel Question

After more research on the lighting I am thinking of doing this.. tell me what you think:



Some sort of super bright white bulb for the HBs.



A blueish tint bulb for the low beams, moreso for style but good for city use and when I dont need the extra light from HB's.



A blueish tint on my fogs. Would this hamper their use a lot? I don't even use them that often.



Also, what about the Daytime running lamps. Are they a different bulb again?

Reply 2 : lighting Question and Wheel Question

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradroche After more research on the lighting I am thinking of doing this.. tell me what you think: Some sort of super bright white bulb for the HBs. A blueish tint bulb for the low beams, moreso for style but good for city use and when I dont need the extra light from HB's. A blueish tint on my fogs. Would this hamper their use a lot? I don't even use them that often. Also, what about the Daytime running lamps. Are they a different bulb again?

I'm guessing you're going more for looks than for actual light output?



In any case, you can get 5000-6000k halogen lighting that will meet your needs for colour temp.



DRL are your high beams, so 9005 bulbs. Low beams are 9006, separate bulb.

Reply 3 : lighting Question and Wheel Question

You Tube

You Tube

that prety much sums up the install for the hids, its realy simple and if you go with 6k you'll get a nice buleish output

Reply 4 : lighting Question and Wheel Question

HID on our the corolla = fail, unless you have retrofit projector light housing. Otherwise with the stock reflector housing, it will cause alot of unwanted glare for you and other drivers on the road.



My setup:



Mtec super white low beam and nokya hyper yellow fog

Reply 5 : lighting Question and Wheel Question

Quote:

Originally Posted by thestone11 HID on our the corolla = fail, unless you have retrofit projector light housing. Otherwise with the stock reflector housing, it will cause alot of unwanted glare for you and other drivers on the road. My setup: Mtec super white low beam and nokya hyper yellow fog

That looks good. What are your high beams?



Also, anyone have any input on the wheel thing?

Reply 6 : lighting Question and Wheel Question

Play with some numbers with this. You will be able to see the diameter difference. Your setup now makes your speedo read fast so if you went with a 225/40R18 tire or even a 215/45R18 tire that would be a taller tire to fill the space better.



http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Reply 7 : lighting Question and Wheel Question

my setup is similar to thestones

except i have Philips instead of Mtec for my lowbeams



i also have Nokya 2500k yellow bulbs as my DRL's/highbeam

Reply 8 : lighting Question and Wheel Question

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperchargedMR2 Play with some numbers with this. You will be able to see the diameter difference. Your setup now makes your speedo read fast so if you went with a 225/40R18 tire or even a 215/45R18 tire that would be a taller tire to fill the space better. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

I have used this before and it is great. However my main concern is will my tires rub if I upsize too much. How much is safe before I start to rub? I am looking for real life experience with oversized tires to see if anyone can help me.

Reply 9 : lighting Question and Wheel Question

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradroche I have used this before and it is great. However my main concern is will my tires rub if I upsize too much. How much is safe before I start to rub? I am looking for real life experience with oversized tires to see if anyone can help me.

Part of that would depend on the wheel offset. Just play with some numbers & see how much bigger the diameter gets. A little bigger should be no issue since there is a lot of room in our wheel wells. I run 225/45R17's but I've seen people use as big as a 245/45R17 without any rubbing so use that size as a guide.

Reply 10 : lighting Question and Wheel Question

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperchargedMR2 Part of that would depend on the wheel offset. Just play with some numbers & see how much bigger the diameter gets. A little bigger should be no issue since there is a lot of room in our wheel wells. I run 225/45R17's but I've seen people use as big as a 245/45R17 without any rubbing so use that size as a guide.

OK. I put in 245/45-17 and compared to 225/45-18 and 235/45-18 and they are 1.1% and 2.5% bigger diameter. I think the 225s would be the safe bet. They should fill it out real nice too. As for the width thats 10mm wider than my current setup so it should feel grippy too with the right tire.



Any thoughts?



Edit. Or 225/40-19... hmmm LOL