HID question: 35w or 50/55w?
 

I'm looking to pick up a HID kit and couldn't really find any good information on what wattage kit to get.

I have seen a couple of posts steering others toward the 35w kits, but without explanation. :iono:

It seems the 50/55w kits put out much more light than the 35w and still run cooler than stock halogens.

Is it safe for the harness to run the higher wattage kits?
Are there any additional parts needed to run them?
Any drawbacks other than more light?

Help would be appreciated. Thanks!

35w if its HID

high wattage will be too bright, it gets offensive to other drivers

35w on a non HID projectors is enough.

It already emits so much glare.

Anything above 35 will blind incoming traffic and it is not safe

Stay with 35 or convert to proper projectors

i recommend 35W. most of HID owners here are using 35w, that includes me.

if any case u push thru using 50/55w. bulb temperature color change. for 35w 6000k bulb, to get a exact matching color for 50/55w get a 8000k.

hope it helps.

Thanks for the reply! The light output from the higher wattage kits sure is attractive!
I understand that bulb life may suffer, though...

My major concern is if there are any harmful effects to the stock harness or headlight housing.

EDIT:

Guess the major consensus is that 50/55w is too bright to an offensive level?
Wow, that bad, huh?!

Thanks for all the quick replies! I will look at the 35w kits!

Is there any real difference in performance quality/longevity between the cheap DDM kits and the higher end ones (like from Morimoto)?

I dont really recommend going on DDM, lots of member here has a bad experience with their HIDs. i suggest get it from HID_powerhouse @KI_ZN6, mensgta motorsports @Mengsta, or automationLED @jjdrivesajazz. they'll all vendors here.

I went with 55w 6000k setup from DDM Tuning. I like my setup, and haven't had anyone flash me cause they are too bright.

Stay clear of these jokers at www.retro-solutions.com . I purchased a kit from them and the ballast was dead on arrival, and the bulbs they sent me were super cheap quality. I sent them back for replacement, and they charged me both times to ship them back and forth. It was well over $250 for the kit. TOTAL CRAP!

35w 5000k bulb for plug and play

Tsx/s2k retrofit if you want to spend 500+

Imo plug and play in a car with factory projectors ( like the frs) are fine for 99% of us....but if you have money burning a hole in your pocket then the options are limitless

Stay at 5000K or less if you want to avoid the ridiculous colors (that may get you pulled over or flashed).

35w is enough. 55w is more for off roading. 55w will also make u stick out like a sore thumb at night and like others said its really not cool to the person you're following.

We would recommend 35W as well. At least from what we've seen, its a lot more reliable than 55W. Runs cooler, lower energy consumption, yet still multiple times brighter than halogens.

I have used ddm since I have had hids . Never had a problem I must hav good luck

I used 55s on my tC for a while and they are too bright, I got flashed everywhere.

This posts helps me out for upcoming mods. Yes, I had DDM for 2 years on my 09 Cobalt SS/TC and never ran into any issues. They have been very solid. Just need to know the bulb size for the halogen and the one for leds.