| GSRpilot |
I just replaced my rear turn signals with red APC LED 1157 bulbs. I also replaced the door courtesy lights with PIAA Extreme White 168 bulbs. Here are a few pictures.
Stock with the light off:
APC with the light off. Take note of the absence of the yellow tint from the amber bulb. This is the main reason I replaced them; I love the clean look of red and clear tail lights:
Stock blinking:
APC blinking. It wasn't very bright in this picture, it was still bright outside but it was actually "blinding" when viewed directly behind the vehicle:
Here's a link to the small mpeg file of the hazard lights blinking. I'm not sure if this will work; this is the first time that I linked to a video file from my album. Click the Download button:
http://www.imagestation.com/video/p...l?id=4237122672
Stock courtesy lights. The front is an old PIAA Super White and the rear is stock:
PIAA Extreme White 168 bulbs:
I also replaced the interior lights. I wasn't able to take any decent pictures of them but I know you all have seen them before from other MDXs. For comparison, here's a picture from my Integra:
Another shot with the lens cover on. Both bulbs are PIAAs:
I'm extremely satisfied with the outcome. Though, I'm concerned that the bulbs might burn the plastic lens after extended use. I've seen it before where the spot next to the bulb turned brown and cracked. The stock bulbs are rated 3-5 watts while the PIAAs are 8-10 watts. Any of you run into this potential problem before?
GSRpilot |
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| tnguyenmdc |
Very nice!! Can you please tell me what bulbs are you using for the dome light? Is it also the PIAA 168 bulbs? Also, where are you getting these bulbs from?
Thanks, |
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| GSRpilot |
Thanks for the compliment!
The front and midlle row dome lights for the MDX are 168s. The trunk and tail gate lights are T6s. The tail gate lights are actually smaller in diameter but the T6s fit just fine. The Integra's are all T6s.
I got them from autosupermart.com for about $11 a pair. But you can find them from other places; they just happen to carry the relay I need for my fog lights. To save on shipping, I went ahead and order all of them at the same time. And their prices weren't bad at all either. (No endorsement intended)
GSRpilot |
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| xcel |
Hi GSRpilot:
___I really like your PIAA’s in the doors and map positions. Please keep us updated on the longer term prognosis on the off-chance the bulbs burn the plastic coverings. That would make this mod a no go but I am glad someone was willing to risk it. The results clearly show that you have created a better lighting solution.
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| swfongdds |
| I have replaced my door light bulbs with PIAA super white LED wedge bulbs (168). The ceiling bulbs were replaced with regular PIAA super white bulbs too. So that my back up camera had better lighting with the car in reverse, I replace my rear back up bulbs with PIAA xtreme white bulbs. It is a noticeable difference. |
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| GSRpilot |
swfongdds, how are the 168 LEDs compared to the Extreme and Super Whites?
I also bought a pair of APC amber 168 and 1157 LEDs and tried it on my Integra but it didn't come out the way I expected it to be. I might be hooking them up incorrectly, but both were significantly dimmer than the Super White PIAAs I currently have. I guess I could use them on the X if I decide to change back to "amber theme" on my doors and turn signals.
xcel, I'll keep you posted if anything goes wrong with my lens covers.
GSRpilot |
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| laborlitigator |
| Nice install. . . |
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| tnguyenmdc |
| Can someone please shine some light into the differences between PIAA LED, Xtreme white, Super White and White bulbs? I went up to their web site, but very poor description was written. TIA. |
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| 2002 Acura MDX! |
| Hi GSRpilot, For the rear turn signal bulbs, is it also available with orange color or is it just red only??? |
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| GSRpilot |
2002 Acura MDX, APC has the amber 1157 LEDs also. I just preferred the red to be different and also to match my Integra's all red tail. :)
tnguyenmdc, the Extreme is brighter and whiter than the Super Whites as you can see on the (door) pictures I posted. But I have not seen the LEDs yet.
GSRpilot |
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| 2002 Acura MDX! |
| Do you think the APC LED 1157 lights would fit in the front blinkers???:confused: |
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| GSRpilot |
According to Sylvania website, the MDX's front blinker requires a 3497 bulb. I have not removed the bulb from the socket yet so I don't know if they're the same as the 1157. I wasn't planning on replacing them since they're covered with amber lens anyway. Based on previous experience, I didn't gain any significant difference in brightness after I replaced the stock bulb with an aftermarket one. It was both on 1157 and 168 bulbs in a colored housing.
GSRpilot |
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| 2002 Acura MDX! |
quote:
Originally posted by GSRpilot
According to Sylvania website, the MDX's front blinker requires a 3497 bulb. I have not removed the bulb from the socket yet so I don't know if they're the same as the 1157. I wasn't planning on replacing them since they're covered with amber lens anyway. Based on previous experience, I didn't gain any significant difference in brightness after I replaced the stock bulb with an aftermarket one. It was both on 1157 and 168 bulbs in a colored housing.
GSRpilot
Maybe you're right :) |
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| GSRpilot |
I just checked the front turn signal bulb. It looks like a 1156 bulb. APC lists their LED bulb as a replacement for OEM part numbers: 1156, 3497, 1073, 1141, 12498, 7506, 12496. I'm assuming they are all interchangeable.
I hope this helps...
GSRpilot |
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| swfongdds |
| The PIAA 168 led's that I put in my doors are the white led's. They still have a bluish hue to them. The xtreme whites definitely have more light output than the led's and are more of a pure white with only a slight blue hue. Xtreme whites usually are around 4150k. I actually used 3 different PIAA bulbs. I will check exactly which ones I used in each location and post another reply. For my fog and high beams, I used the PIAA Spark Blue 8000k bulbs from Japan. |
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| GSRpilot |
| Thanks for the response, swfongdds. Where did you get the Spark Blue? I haven't seen them from any internet retailers I've visited. |
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| swfongdds |
| Hi GSRpilot, I picked up two sets of the PIAA Spark Blue bulbs off of e-bay for about $85 per set. They are presently only available in Japan and not sold in the US. They come in either 7500k or 8000k, a real intense white blue color. For the MDX, get the HB size which comes with 2 o-rings so they fit either a 9006 or 9005 application. The person, miller@po.harenet.ne.jp(786), ships to the US for about $10 and is very prompt and careful in shipping the bulbs. If you do an internet search, there are US companies that have the PIAA Spark Blue bulbs, but not the HB size unfortunately. |
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| joelusa |
| I hoping to replaced mine next month...tnx for the pic!:2: :2: :2: |
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| GSRpilot |
Thanks, swfongdds! I'll check ebay and I'll check with my former coworkers who are currently in Japan, too. I'll let you guys know if I could get a better deal.
joelusa, no problem. Good luck on your future install. |
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| Piaa 2001 |
Try optauto.com and sigmaautomotive.com
They both carry Piaa Spark Blue in various bulb sizes:eek:
:4: :4: |
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| nyc |
| Hey how many sets of lights did you have to purchase for the interior upgrade? |
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| xcel |
Hi GSRpilot:
___I think I am going to bite the bullet and experiment a bit myself with the PIAA 168 Extreme White Wedge Bulbs (part #: 19172) for the doors and interior lights now that you have some time with yours. Please let me know if the above link is the correct bulbs for the swap or not?
___For everyone else, I contacted the online merchant about the shipping charge. Adding 2 than 3 than 4 pair of bulbs increased the shipping by the same multiplier. If they can ship 3 pair for just $5.00, I should have them by next week. I just want to make sure they are the correct ones before he replies to my request on the shipping is all.
___Thanks in advance for any and all replies.
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| xcel |
Hi All:
___Improv Motorsports came through on the $11.00 per pair and the $5.00 shipping on the (3) or more twin packs. Now all I need to verify is that the PIAA 168’s I linked above and attached below are the proper ones? Anyone? The reason I ask is that in many of the PIAA bulb descriptions, the various sites listed in this thread talk about color from white to purple and I would hate like hell to get the wrong ones.
___Thanks again.
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| kishino |
(2)PIAA T-6 Xtreme Super White (Twin Pack) 27.90
(2)PIAA 168 Super White Wedge Bulb (Twin Pack) 27.90
(2)PIAA 168 Super Plasma (Twin Pack) 27.90
Hello Xcel, the list above is for all the interior PIAA lights that I got for the MDX. They include the back tailgate light (interior), all the door lights and the interior dome lights. I got them all from autobarn.com, the shipping was only $6.95 for all the items. IMO, the lights really do brigthen up the interior greatly. Also there really isn't much of a difference between the super white and xtrem white as they are only interior light and the wattage is not that much of a difference. The super plasma you can tell alitte. With all the interior lights changed, the inside of the vehicle is now very bright with a tint of blue. |
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| xcel |
Hi Kishino:
___Are you using the 168 Super Whites in the doors, 168 Super Plasma’s in the map and front interior lights, and the T6’s for the rear interior lighting? I want to go with the 168 Extreme’s for the doors and map lights but may order the T6’s if I knew exactly how many and where they went in the interior lighting scheme. Lighting swaps and improvements for automobile interior and exteriors is very new to me as you can tell ;)
___Thanks again.
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| xcel |
Hi Kishino:
___I attached a screen shot of the T6 Extreme White’s for a possible exact match as well?
___Thanks again.
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| kishino |
I am using the T6 xtreme super white for the rear interior lights. That is the tailgate light and the dome light in the rear tailgate area. The tailgate light uses 2 T6 bulbs and the rear dome tailgate dome light uses one. They come in two per pack so I ordered two. For the door lights I used the 168 super whites, there is a total of four bulbs needs, two bulbs in the front doors and two in the back. The 168 super plasma are used in the interior dome lights. There is two bulbs needed for the front dome light and two for the back.
So the total needed is 2packs 168(PIA19169) superwhite for the doors, 2packs 168(PIA19170) super plasma blue for the interior dome lights and 2packs T6 (PIA19223) for the rear tailgate lights.
Hope this helps.
quote:
Originally posted by xcel
Hi Kishino:
___Are you using the 168 Super Whites in the doors, 168 Super Plasma’s in the map and front interior lights, and the T6’s for the rear interior lighting? I want to go with the 168 Extreme’s for the doors and map lights but may order the T6’s if I knew exactly how many and where they went in the interior lighting scheme. Lighting swaps and improvements for automobile interior and exteriors is very new to me as you can tell ;)
___Thanks again.
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net
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| xcel |
Hi Kishino:
___Thanks for the exact numbers … I will need to order (4) twin packs of the PIAA 168 Extreme White Wedge’s for the (4) doors and Front and Middle row domes and (2) twin packs of the PIAA T6 Xtreme White’s for the Tailgate (interior light) and Rear dome to complete the swap. I just went into the garage and matched it your description.
___Was there a particular reason you went with the 168 Super Plasma’s for the interior domes? More light? Less chance to burn the covers? Less wattage?
___Thanks again for answering the dumb questions for me.
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| kishino |
I went with the superplasma 168 for the interior dome lights as I just wanted a tinge of blue for the interior. The xtrema white just produce really white light and very little blue. But still there really isn't much difference and the price is the same. IMO, try them both as they are interchangeable between the doors and dome.
The biggest help is the T6 for the tailgate lights and dome light. The wattage is higher 10W instead of the standard 5W. Now the back really lights up when I open the tailgate, (the older 5W bulbs just weren't bright enogh). I am not too worried about the higher wattage as the lights really do not stay on long enough for it to melt the housing, unless you forget to close the tailgate for hours. :D |
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| 02SSmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by GSRpilot
I just replaced my rear turn signals with red APC LED 1157 bulbs. I also replaced the door courtesy lights with PIAA Extreme White 168 bulbs. Here are a few pictures.
GSRpilot
Hey GSRpilot,
I love the clean look the LED's provide the rear turn signals. I ur post says u installed APC LED 1157 bulbs, but when I check the sylvania website for bulb application, it says that the rear turn signal uses 1156A.
Can you clarify which bulb your using?
Thanks |
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| GSRpilot |
I checked that out too. But when I checked the actual bulb they were 1157
GSRpilot |
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| nyc |
Is it legal for turn signals to be red?..
Also, how did you adjust the speed of the signals? thanks |
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| jeych |
| sweet. What next replace the moonroof with a tanning light and the seatwamers with toaster coils? |
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| lilypad |
I've been cruising ebay and notice several xenon headlights, and foglights for MDX's, that are just the bulbs and cost around $10. The adverts claim you can just replace the OEM bulbs with these, with no additional wiring, housing replacement, etc., and that they will work, and not cause damage to stock wiring and parts.
Now, I know I recall reading somewhere in this forum that people purchased HID systems for around $400 plus....and apparently there's a reason for that, as opposed to just purchasing the bulbs mentioned above. I just don't quite understand the reason. Any explanations would be greatly appreciated! Those $10 bulbs are awfully tempting!!
BTW, I did find, and purchase on ebay, HID xenon blue lic plate bulbs for the X. At $5.99 I couldn't resist, and figure the lic plate bulb replacement can't cause tooooo much damage! Hopefully!!:eek:
lilypad |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by lilypad
I've been cruising ebay and notice several xenon headlights, and foglights for MDX's, that are just the bulbs and cost around $10. The adverts claim you can just replace the OEM bulbs with these, with no additional wiring, housing replacement, etc., and that they will work, and not cause damage to stock wiring and parts.
Now, I know I recall reading somewhere in this forum that people purchased HID systems for around $400 plus....and apparently there's a reason for that, as opposed to just purchasing the bulbs mentioned above. I just don't quite understand the reason. Any explanations would be greatly appreciated! Those $10 bulbs are awfully tempting!!
BTW, I did find, and purchase on ebay, HID xenon blue lic plate bulbs for the X. At $5.99 I couldn't resist, and figure the lic plate bulb replacement can't cause tooooo much damage! Hopefully!!:eek:
lilypad
While they are not likely to cause damage, in fact if they draw more than average current to develop more light output, that is not a good thing.
Many times these lights will give you less light output because of the tint.
Real HIDs actually draw much less power than stock bulbs. Besides they provide a brighter light as well as better field of light that nicely fills the area of illuminaton. It would be foolish to spend $400 on lilghts just because you like the color. But if the color is secondary to seeing better, go for HIDS! |
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| GSRpilot |
quote:
Originally posted by nyc
Is it legal for turn signals to be red?..
Also, how did you adjust the speed of the signals? thanks
Yes, it is legal to have red turn signals at the rear. My Integra, as well as other vehicles have stock red turn signals. Upfront I know it has to be amber.
I didn't adjust the speed of the bulbs. I notice that it blinks much faster than stock. I think it is controlled by the LED bulbs themselves. (If someone knows this is untrue, please correct me)
By the way, I apologize for the delayed response.
GSRpilot |
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