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Mazda RX-8

3616 messages,  Last post on Apr 22, 2009 at 5:06 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda RX-8, Coupe


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#3551 of 3616
Bike rack for rx8 by jimary
Dec 29, 2007 (6:47 pm)
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Thnks for your help with the Walmart rack. I've made it work well on my trunk using most of your ideas.
#3552 of 3616
RX8 Headlight Bulbs by lagniappe1
Jan 11, 2008 (7:34 am)
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Can anyone tell me what the best automotive bulbs out there that are available for my Mazda RX8 vehicles? I have night vision problems. Someone told me that SilverStar Ultras were good. Does anyone have any suggestions?
#3553 of 3616
Re: RX8 Headlight Bulbs [lagniappe1] by dwynne
Jan 15, 2008 (11:23 am)
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Replying to: lagniappe1 (Jan 11, 2008 7:34 am)

The best is to use the OEM HID lights that are standard on sports pack and up RX-8s. If you have a base model, you may can retrofit the OEM HID lights to them, but it will not be cheap.
 
None of the aftermarket "xenon" bulbs will really produce more light than new, OEM style halogen capsules. The only way to get more light is to use higher wattage bulbs (but this would fry the wiring if you don't use relays) or install an aftermarket HID kit. Both of these options are probably not legal.
 
You could add aftermarket driving lights, that would probably be your best, cheapest, and most legal method for getting more light when you are out on the open road.
 
Dennis
#3554 of 3616
Re: RX8 Headlight Bulbs [dwynne] by plekto
Jan 15, 2008 (1:06 pm)
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Replying to: dwynne (Jan 15, 2008 11:23 am)

A small 10W or so increase is safe, but most of the aftermarket bulbs use visual trickery to make them appear brighter by coloring the light to be bluer. IIRC, there is a ~10W or so bit of leeway. So while OEM usually are 55W, you can go up to 60 or 65W(see below though)
 
Tests done in France have shown that visibility is actually best with slightly yellow tinted light and despite the apparent brightness of blueish light, it scatters and projects far worse than longer wavelengths. So it turns out the old sealed beams and OEM lights are best.*
 
*99% of cars come from the factory with substandard wiring harnesses. Upgrading the wiring to your lights is a good weekend project and will increase your light output greatly. A headlamp operating at 11V can literally be half as bright as 12V, especially with HID designs. People spend all sorts of money on higher output bulbs when the wiring is most likely at fault.
#3555 of 3616
Re: RX8 Headlight Bulbs [plekto] by maltb
Jan 16, 2008 (9:06 am)
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Replying to: plekto (Jan 15, 2008 1:06 pm)

"*99% of cars come from the factory with substandard wiring harnesses. Upgrading the wiring to your lights is a good weekend project and will increase your light output greatly. A headlamp operating at 11V can literally be half as bright as 12V, especially with HID designs. People spend all sorts of money on higher output bulbs when the wiring is most likely at fault."
 
That's an interesting premise, but do you have some data to support that claim? It would seem that if the wire were substandard, the heat generated by the wire's resistance could create a safety issue. I'd be surprised that automotive electrical engineers would over-look this.
#3556 of 3616
Re: RX8 Headlight Bulbs [maltb] by aviboy97
Jan 17, 2008 (3:12 pm)
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Replying to: maltb (Jan 16, 2008 9:06 am)

When you put hotter burning bulbs, like aftermarket HIDs, in your vehicle, and don't change the wiring harnesses, you stand the chance to melt the harness, and then have to get it replaced. I see it quite often.
#3557 of 3616
Re: RX8 Headlight Bulbs [maltb] by plekto
Jan 17, 2008 (3:17 pm)
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Replying to: maltb (Jan 16, 2008 9:06 am)

The wiring isn't substandard from a safety standpoint, it's just that they use the smallest gauge that gets the job done(bigger wires cost more money). As a result, you often get situations where the lights need X amps and you get 80% of that. It's within specs for the U.S. market, so they do it to save some money.
 
Add in after-market bulbs in an attempt to compensate and things start pushing the limits. The wires themselves would need 2-3 times the current to actually fail/catch on fire - it's the relays and such that blow first.
#3558 of 3616
Re: RX8 Headlight Bulbs [aviboy97] by maltb
Jan 18, 2008 (3:29 pm)
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Jan 17, 2008 3:12 pm)

I wasn't talking about hotter bulbs; neither was he.
#3559 of 3616
Re: RX8 Headlight Bulbs [plekto] by maltb
Jan 18, 2008 (3:40 pm)
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Replying to: plekto (Jan 17, 2008 3:17 pm)

I understand that larger wire costs more and that they will use what is adequate, but I disagree that the bulb is being supplied with 80% of its demand.
 
I'm familiar enough with the business to know that this would not be the case and, in fact, a margin of over-specification is added.
 
Of course, if you have a roll of 12 guage wire and an ammeter, you could always test it and post your results of OE spec vs. Monster Cable (headlight wire of course).

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