I agree with john that the 6000K color is pretty tame. But we have completely different setups than skizot. His is AMAZING. So much more light output than the hid bulb in a reflector housing. But the way John, myself, and most others have done, is just put the HID bulb into the stock reflector housing... You don't get near as much output, but there is a big difference from stock halogens. The only reason to go the route we all did is because it's cheaper and a hell of a lot easier. Skkizot's process will yield the BEST possible quality light output, but it is a LOT more involved, and you'd probably need a second car to drive while you're doing all the fabrication.
Yes, you will get more light output by going with something closer to 4300K, but when doing the HID into reflector housing, I don't think there is a huge output difference between 4300 and 6000. At least not enough for it to be a deal breaker. From what I've read, everything over 6000 is when you start seeing the decrease in output.
Hope this helps...
pektel, thanks for the kind words about my setup.
I know it's a lot of work to retrofit projectors, but it's definitely worth the effort. I know it all just depends on what you feel like doing with your LS. A lot of guys spend quite a bit of time, and invest quite a bit of money (ILLS, QuickLS, camthman), on engine performance and many probably wouldn't dare go down that path. So, I'm sure the same is true as far as performance lighting goes.
I'm not trying to go on a rant here, but there is a decent difference between 4300K and 6000K light output, regardless of whether you're using a kit with halogen reflectors, or a OEM projector set up. The lumen rating for your average 4300K bulb is 3200 lm, and the lumen rating for your average 6000K bulb is 2600 lm. Now, multiply the output together since you're using two bulbs, and you're putting out 5200 lm with the 6000K vs. 6400 lm with the 4300K. A difference of 1200 lm is most definitely noticeable. We won't even talk about the numbers on the bulbs rated at over 6000K, because if you go that route, might as well just use your parking lights as your main beams.
Here's a definition of lumen (again, not trying to be a smart-ass, just trying to provide information):
The lumen (symbol: lm) is the SI unit of luminous flux, a measure of the perceived power of light.
So, to say that there's not going to be a big difference between 4300K and 6000K, even when using a kit in reflectors, is not an accurate statement. Another thing to keep in mind, is that HID bulbs will color shift, and kit bulbs color shift much quicker than OEM bulbs. What this means is that they will start looking bluer as their age increases. As this happens, the light output (lm) starts to drop as well, but not dramatically. So, if you get the 4300K and they aren't quite white/blue enough for you, just give them a little bit of time. They're worth it for the higher lumen.
And again, the reason I bring all of this up, is because I assume most people are upgrading to HIDs - whether it be a kit into a halogen reflector (you all know my opinion on that route already
), or a custom retrofit of OEM projectors - to improve their ability to see while driving at night. So, you will be the most happy going with the 4300K bulbs if that's your goal. If you don't care about seeing at night, and all you care about is color, then why not just go with the 10000K bulbs? :shifty:
I know a lot of people are all about the color (referred to as "flicker"), and most think they're achieving that by using 8000K bulbs, but that's not really where that blue/purple comes from as you see a BMW heading towards you at night. That flicker has to do with the colorband at the cutoff from a projector.
xarruda89x, by the way, you could always get a pair of 4300K and a pair 6000K bulbs and try them both out for yourself. You could definitely get rid of the pair you didn't like on ebay, or even here on LVC. I'm pretty sure you'll end up putting the 6000K up for sale.
Keep us updated with what you decide to do.
