Autooptiks Conversion Kit: RESULTS!

[AmericanZ28]

Well, after about two weeks of anticipation, I finally received my Autooptiks Sealed Beam Conversion Kit. I had already bought a pair of MTEC 4X Xenon Bulbs for the housings, so I got right to installing them. I cant believe how dull and orange/yellow the original headlamps look compared to the MTEC's (one of the best next to PIAA & Silvania) I didnt really get to try them out tonight, but will do so soon. Heres a pic of the difference......

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Oh wow! That will be next on my list after I recover from Christmas. What did you think about the quality of the Auto Optics housings?

(Since I have the same car as you minus a bunch of mods )

[Injuneer]

AuotOptiks must have improved their act..... 1-2 years ago they were one of the most trash-talked suppliers for F-Body light kits.... no one would buy what turned out to be unbranded "Made in India" junk parts from them.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Here are install pictures of the the Auto Optic lights in a 93-97 Camaro. http://members.fbody.com/jcobz28/blue.html

I also ran across this http://www.wraithscar.homestead.com/lighting.html

[wolfdogs]

i have a good excuse not to spend the money on em.

i dont drive my Comp at night.........


muuuahahahahahahaha

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I don't have a choice. It's either the Z or a 4 cylinder minivan which isn't a choice. (No I did not buy that thing. It's the wifes.)

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

Conversion kit for $50? The price seems right....I think I'll give it a shot too. Heck that's the same price as 2 replacement sealed beam lights!!

I've been fed up with my headlights for a long time. I keep my fogs on all the time at night now just to help.

[AmericanZ28]

With Shipping, its $60

Plus the cost of the Bulbs themselves ($24 w/shipping for the MTEC 4X (Ebay)) These bulbs have a higher Watt Rating (80W I beleive) which is about 25 over stock. The concern here of course is the wire harness melting, but apparently MTEC makes a special socket (not just plastic) that will keep the OE connector safe. The housings dont really look like much. On the inside it has what appears to be a black foam gasket to seal with the bulb, and on one of the housings, the bulb didnt sit flat on the surface, so I kinda had to bend the the clip so that it puts the pressure evenly on the bulb. I guess I shoulda taken more pics of the housings before putting em in, but I was too excited. The beam also appears to be more spread out compared to the OE beam, but i wont be sure till later on tonight.

[NJSpeed]

WOW what a difference i think ill try them on my 96 Camaro too Santas coming early this year

[LoudLT1]

americanZ28,
i'm for my convertion kit to do the same upgrade. are you changing you fog lights? does auto Autooptiks sell a kit for the fog lights???
ed

[AmericanZ28]

What is it exactly that you want to do to your fog lights? You can replace the bulb for a brighter one or a different colored one if youd like. The reason I opted for the Autooptiks was because it was the only choice I had if I wanted to be able to change the bulbs on the housing. Ive upgraded my fog light bulbs with whiter, brighter bulbs, but there wasnt much of a difference...

[LoudLT1]

american Z28,
i wasn't aware that the fog lamps were not sealed. so i can just get a brightter bulb. on your pic the fog lamps were still stock? they look very yellow not bright at all.
ed

[Mirroredshades]

Have you tried 'em at night yet?

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

I did some research and read several complaints. Have you run into any of these problems with your set aside from the bulb problem you already mentioned? Seems like it was an easy fix on that problem.

-stock metal housing bracket needs modifying to fit autoptiks light housing

-light housing bulb seal is subpar

-light housing doesn't hold bulb at correct angle

[AmericanZ28]

Drove em at night.....

and it wasnt quite what I expected. There isnt a concentrated beam of light being projected onto the stree anymore as with the stock lights. The light pattern seems to spread way too much and there isnt as much light on the road in front of you as I think there should be. Im not sure if its the reflector part of the housing or the angle at which its at. I tried lowering the beam a bit, and it seemed to help, but the pattern is too far spread. They do a heck of a good job of lighting signs though. Should I try adjusting the bulb in and out of the housing as to correct the angle? I didnt have any problem with installation, and everything fit good. If I find the time, im gonna go to a dark area and compare the difference between stock and the autooptiks. The bulbs are bright as hell, but the housings seem to be keeping them from their lighting potential. As for the fog lamps, yes those are the ones in the pic, but the angle makes them look dim, heres a pic of the difference.....