H11 to H9 conversion?

[BleuM&M]

I found a set of Sylvania H9s at the local auto parts store for less than $15/ea. Very noticeable improvement after swapping out the H11s.

[evilmonkey]

Order placed on Amazon, waiting for shipping confirmations.

[Markus]

Once you get them installed let us know what you think of them.

[evilmonkey]

Originally Posted by Markus

Once you get them installed let us know what you think of them.

Will do.

[Silverstreak]

Originally Posted by evilmonkey

Will do.

Did you ever get to install these?

[evilmonkey]

Originally Posted by Silverstreak

Did you ever get to install these?

Nope not yet; after trying it several times without success, I've decided to install the deck lid spoiler and moding my Homelink first.

When I tried to do it on several occasions, it seemed that the bulb (on the driver's side) cannot be easily accessed by only taking off the two plastic clips holding the inner fender. I was only able to make enough room to fit one hand in, and it's def not sufficient to complete the job.

I've just got a new camera and I will try to take some pictures when I give it another try, maybe I'm not removing (peeling away) the inner fender properly.

[Aramas]

Can always go with removing the bumper for easier access. Takes about 5 minutes to remove the two screws, the clips, and the bumper. A second pair of hands helps when removing the bumper and replacing it. At most, shouldn't take more than 10-20 minutes if you're taking time. The clips can break, but cheap to replace and you should be fine to drive to AutoZone or a dealership for some.

If you do remove the bumper, I'd plan to do other mods while you're at it such as installing a lower homemade grille while you have easy access to secure it to help protect the radiator.

[evilmonkey]

Originally Posted by Aramas

Can always go with removing the bumper for easier access. Takes about 5 minutes to remove the two screws, the clips, and the bumper. A second pair of hands helps when removing the bumper and replacing it. At most, shouldn't take more than 10-20 minutes if you're taking time. The clips can break, but cheap to replace and you should be fine to drive to AutoZone or a dealership for some.

If you do remove the bumper, I'd plan to do other mods while you're at it such as installing a lower homemade grille while you have easy access to secure it to help protect the radiator.

Yeah thought about doing that, but I felt that removing the bumper for a light bulb is a bit too "drastic" and my garage doesn't really allow me to do that. I'll try to follow the manual again and see what happens.

[xJoeMama78]

Originally Posted by evilmonkey

Yeah thought about doing that, but I felt that removing the bumper for a light bulb is a bit too "drastic" and my garage doesn't really allow me to do that. I'll try to follow the manual again and see what happens.

For the drivers side turn the wheel to the right, remove the clips the owner's manual tells you and also remove the clip on the inner part of the fenderwell (where the front, inner portion of the tire is). The more clips you remove the more you can peel back the liner. There's not a lot of room but it's doable. And I wouldn't remove the bumper for it, you won't really gain any room.

[evilmonkey]

So I've decided to give this simple proj another try and I still seem to be having trouble reaching the light bulb.

Per the user manual, I first removed the two clips (see below) on the edge of the fender.


which had allow me to peel away the fender by this much:


the space was so tight that I couldn't even get a shot of the headlamp (the bulb with the white ring is the side marker)


I've also tried removing the clip seen at the center of the pic below, which didn't really help much


so I was wondering if removing this clip would help (tried to remove it, was able to pop it out slightly but it was impossible to pull the whole clip out)


Any suggestions/helps would be appreciated.

[xJoeMama78]

You can start pulling clips out of the bottom that attach the bumper to the fender liner like you were removing the bumper cover. I did it by removing the clip on the right you circled in the second picture. It's a blind install, reach in and do it by feel. Not sure if it would help but you could remove the battery and it's box.

[primetime]

These the ones?

Amazon

Amazon

Which are brighter? H9 or the Phillips 9012 HIR2?

[calbearz24]

Originally Posted by primetime

These the ones?

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Standa...-1&keywords=H9


Which are brighter? H9 or the Phillips 9012 HIR2?

The Philips you linked are the H9s I used.

H9 is the upgrade for coupe, 9012 for sedan.

[primetime]

Originally Posted by calbearz24

The Philips you linked are the H9s I used.

H9 is the upgrade for coupe, 9012 for sedan.

Thanks! I didn't know that the housings were different between the coupe and sedan in-terms of bulb fitment.

[calbearz24]

Originally Posted by primetime

Thanks! I didn't know that the housings were different between the coupe and sedan in-terms of bulb fitment.

You're welcome. I suppose the difference is due to the coupe having projectors, unlike the sedan. Remember that you'll have to cut some of the plastic on the H9's base to make it fit. This page has pics of what to cut.