VE Headlights

[SSV8pilot]

Would be interested in other peoples opinions.

I have an SSV and my son has a VX (S Pac). In the past I have owned a VY SS series 1.

The SSV has projector headlamps which I think may have come out on the VZ series for some of the more common models. Not too sure what the advantages or projector lamps is (presume some form of technological advance).

I think however the lighting on normal and high beam is wider are better at illuminating dark roads on the VX and VY series as compared with the VE. Has anyone noticed a significant difference between the models - either way?

[spanks]

Cant say about th VE but my VY and my wifes BA XR8 both have excellent lights.Neither are projector/HID lights.Would be a shame if lighting technologies are going backwards

[CalaisOwner]

Would be interested in other peoples opinions.

I have an SSV and my son has a VX (S Pac). In the past I have owned a VY SS series 1.

The SSV has projector headlamps which I think may have come out on the VZ series for some of the more common models. Not too sure what the advantages or projector lamps is (presume some form of technological advance).

I think however the lighting on normal and high beam is wider are better at illuminating dark roads on the VX and VY series as compared with the VE. Has anyone noticed a significant difference between the models - either way?

Check out the link below. It has everything you need to know about headlamps.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlight#Tungsten-halogen_light_sources

[blackduck]

Night driving to date has been on pitch black country roads, and the VE SSV high beam does not compare with the old VYII SS.
I agree that the VE tends to have a wider beam, but IMO it doesn't light up what's ahead as well as the VY did.
The initial setup also had me spotlighting possums, not foxes and kangaroos at road level. After adjustment, still not as good as the VYII.

[CalaisRider]

Check out the link below. It has everything you need to know about headlamps.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlight#Tungsten-halogen_light_sources

Thanks for the good info CalaisOwner. In my case I was expecting the VE lights to be seriously better but... - IMHO this is not the case at all, and seems pretty average; I have had my wife following in the VE as well and nothing outstanding from my perspective from this angle either..

Hopefully they improve with future versions..

[planetdavo]

There are ADR requirements to consider when comparing old cars to new cars, that no one seems to have considered....

[SICK SS]

i hav no issues with the ve lights low beams are alot better then my vu ss and when im on country roads traveling i always hav my fog lights on aswell

[Wonky]

Do Seldo's H9/H11 conversion for $50 or so will make a significant difference (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=34619) or get a set of HID Xenons (about $250 from Gerald Mok) (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=53616) will make a HUGE difference. I did both on my VZ SS (H9/H11 conversion first, then replaced with HIDs) because the standard projectors were ordinary (as you found) and HIDs will be the first mod my SSV gets when it arrives! :yup:

[Y2kGoofball]

I believe certain ADR's have changed recently but Im not too sure what they affect

[Wingnut]

I thought all projector headlights in the SSV were Xenon discharge types, or has the dealer fed me BS?

[Wonky]

Sounds to me like you were fed BS...... :( AFAIK only Caprice has Xenons, SSV just has projectors and judging by the original poster's comments that would be correct as if he had Xenons he is very unlikely to be complaining about poor lighting as the ones I put in my VZ SS were brilliant!

[Alex(AUS)]

I just looked up the spec and only Caprice gets Xenons ... others are projector only.

Edit: Wonky beat me to the punch ...

I wonder how hard it would be to integrate the Xenon power unit from the Caprice ... anyone?

Alex

[Quark]

I just looked up the spec and only Caprice gets Xenons ... others are projector only.

Edit: Wonky beat me to the punch ...

I wonder how hard it would be to integrate the Xenon power unit from the Caprice ... anyone?

Alex

Yes, I would also be interested to know if anyone has installed the Caprice xenons for that factory look.

[EddieVE06]

Has anyone noticed the headlamp beam adjust when you open the bonnet on the right hand side up the front. Does anyone know what that is for?

[Wingnut]

Ok, now that's sorted, Do we need to change the lenses/covers, or can we just integrate the Xenon discharge into what we have got? I recall hearing somewhere that Xenon is hotter, and tends to melt things. (as you can tell, i know sweet FA about lighting :D )

[VZSS250]

The xenons in my WM Caprice are fantastic, a nice improvement over my VZ SS, with the added bonus of giving off nice white light instead of yellow.

[R8VX2]

Xenon HID's run cooler and draw less power than standard globes (35W compared with 55W), but produce alot more light. They're not legal though without a headlight self-levelling system and washer system.

[VZSS250]

Xenon HID's run cooler and draw less power than standard globes (35W compared with 55W), but produce alot more light. They're not legal though without a headlight self-levelling system and washer system.

Good point. They cant easily be fitted to Commodores because there is no easy way to fit the washing system and the self-levelling system to make the conversion ADR compliant as per the Caprice. I'd think not having the self-levelling system would get a lot of other road users very annoyed.

[Wonky]

I had Xenons in my VZ SS for months before I sold it and never got flashed for them.

[xploit]

Would be interested in other peoples opinions.

I have an SSV and my son has a VX (S Pac). In the past I have owned a VY SS series 1.

The SSV has projector headlamps which I think may have come out on the VZ series for some of the more common models. Not too sure what the advantages or projector lamps is (presume some form of technological advance).

I think however the lighting on normal and high beam is wider are better at illuminating dark roads on the VX and VY series as compared with the VE. Has anyone noticed a significant difference between the models - either way?

I currently have a VE SV6 sedan, but previously i had VY S pack, and your right, the VY was much better for seeing in 'general' with the high beams on for peripheral vision, but the VE's are much more concentrated for length, i notice this especially night country driving which i do a fair amount of.

The vy couldnt see as far as the ve, but the vy saw further to each side and better 'general' lighting, i prefer the ve 'concentrated' lights though i reckon you can see much further :)

Considering a HID conversion, they look great and will let you know once again the difference.

My two cents.

Cheers.

Dave

[pemier]

yes have to agree I think the light on my vy2 X8 are better in general than than one on the ve calais, just different I guess

[AussieTone]

Does anyone know if the SSV headlights will work in an SS. I know they fit but need to know if they would be a direct 'plug and play' swap or would I need to mod things like the harness etc.

Anyone done this to their VE SS at all?

[Alex(AUS)]

Does anyone know if the SSV headlights will work in an SS. I know they fit but need to know if they would be a direct 'plug and play' swap or would I need to mod things like the harness etc.

Anyone done this to their VE SS at all?

The projector headlamps arent particularly biright ... they are pretty cool ... but they need to be stronger (i guess legalities may play a part with the factory globes/setup) ...

Alex

[Wonky]

Does anyone know if the SSV headlights will work in an SS. I know they fit but need to know if they would be a direct 'plug and play' swap or would I need to mod things like the harness etc.

Anyone done this to their VE SS at all?

Total guess but I'm betting they'll work fine - can't see anything about the projectors that would require different electronics/harness etc. or in these days of Holden trying to save every buck they can that they would go to the trouble of using different harnesses. They basically draw similar amounts of current etc. Someone on eBay has a pair of SSV headlights at $650 (Buy It Now), currently no bids at $500 starting price so you could even get them for $500 if nobody else bids. He claims RRP is over $500 each - no idea how true that is.

[katlad]

The projector headlamps arent particularly biright ... they are pretty cool ... but they need to be stronger (i guess legalities may play a part with the factory globes/setup) ...

Alex

Totally agree with that, I am very disapointed with the lights on my SSV, the lights on my VYSS11 beat it hands down, but if its the look you after then thats different I spose.

Paul

[Wonky]

Ok, now that's sorted, Do we need to change the lenses/covers, or can we just integrate the Xenon discharge into what we have got? I recall hearing somewhere that Xenon is hotter, and tends to melt things. (as you can tell, i know sweet FA about lighting :D )

I've now got xenon HIDs in both low and high beam - HUGE improvement, particularly low beam.

See http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=73896&page=4 post #53. At $200 per set now (+ about $20 next day delivery shipping) they're a bargain! Didn't need to change lenses or anything as supposedly they draw less current and run cooler. See www.gadgetmaster.com.au to purchase.

[Alex(AUS)]

I've now got xenon HIDs in both low and high beam - HUGE improvement, particularly low beam.

See http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=73896&page=4 post #53. At $200 per set now (+ about $20 next day delivery shipping) they're a bargain! Didn't need to change lenses or anything as supposedly they draw less current and run cooler. See www.gadgetmaster.com.au to purchase.

How is the wiring Wonky? Do you have some pics ... ?

Thanks,

Alex

[Wonky]

How is the wiring Wonky? Do you have some pics ... ?

Thanks,

Alex
I can get some if you like but due to my disabilities (hence Wonky) I just got my friendly local auto elec to fit them (he's great to me - had him do plenty of stuff including fit my CAI etc and will get him to fit JKGMH's gauges when they arrive). Or depending where you are in Melbourne you are welcome to come and look at them.

Took a bit longer than they did on my VZ as I think getting to the headlights is a bit harder but they didn't comment on anything being a particular issue or difficulty as I expect they would if anything was a bit nasty to do.

Dean (EXCESSV) has some pics of his HID install in his thread in My Ride (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=74295&page=12 post #168). The only difference is as on my VZ they siliconed my ballasts under the lights themselves so you can't see them in the engine bay.

I did have a problem with low beam not always coming on after the high beam HIDs were fitted but today they just replaced the low beam relay for me with a Bosch one and all seems fine, so looks like it was just a dodgy relay.

[Alex(AUS)]

I can get some if you like but due to my disabilities (hence Wonky) I just got my friendly local auto elec to fit them (he's great to me - had him do plenty of stuff including fit my CAI etc and will get him to fit JKGMH's gauges when they arrive). Or depending where you are in Melbourne you are welcome to come and look at them.

Took a bit longer than they did on my VZ as I think getting to the headlights is a bit harder but they didn't comment on anything being a particular issue or difficulty as I expect they would if anything was a bit nasty to do.

Dean (EXCESSV) has some pics of his HID install in his thread in My Ride (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=74295&page=12 post #168). The only difference is as on my VZ they siliconed my ballasts under the lights themselves so you can't see them in the engine bay.

I did have a problem with low beam not always coming on after the high beam HIDs were fitted but today they just replaced the low beam relay for me with a Bosch one and all seems fine, so looks like it was just a dodgy relay.

Thanks for pulling that up Wonky ... I hadnt seen Dean's info ... the light they throw out is much better! I dont like the little aftermarket boxes but I do like that you cant really see them under the shroud ... I might give it a go ...

Thanks,

Alex

[EXCESSV]

yeah they are great and are soooo much better than standard.
and like gary (wonky) i dont like the yellow high beams so i am gonna order some high beam HIDs soon too.

[ABG]

I reckon the standard headlights on the VE are great, but then again my last car was a Rexxie. You may as well have 2 candles at the front of your car compared to the headlights on the Subie.

[AussieTone]

My friendly parts guy says they will fit and the SS and SSV even use the same bulbs.

I spoke to the guy on e-bay who is selling a set and he tells me that he had the SSV lights in his SS and is only selling them as he sold the car. Then again he also states on his add that they have a RRP of $500 ea from Holden.

Maybe he made a mistake as my discounted GST exempt price is $331 each :confused:

Interesting what you have done with your lights Wonky. Maybe the way to go but I am also after the looks of the SSV lights over the SS ones. Same with the tail lights.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions guys, sounds like they will be a straight swap

[EXCESSV]

Tony its a straight swap from SS to SSV headlights and tailights.
then throw some HIDs as Wonky, The_Senator and I have done and you wont look back...the light they emit is awesome and so clear.
makes driving at night a great experience

[T_Kiwi]

sorry to hijack thread but how do i turn my fog lights on in my VE SSV

[Wonky]

Pull the switch out towards you (comes out a few mm). Push back in to turn off.

[T_Kiwi]

wat switch wonky, i looked everywhere, oh my god i must be in dumb mode lol

[mac06]

The headlight switch doubles as the fog light switch. On the bottom of the vertical part of the switch you'll see a fog light symbol. Just pull the switch out and the fog light work.

[T_Kiwi]

ok thanks guys, all is good

[Jman]

Have to disagree with most poeple regarding the quality and brightness of the VE headlights. I think they are fantastic. Previous 2 cars have been VX SS and the headlights in that were poor, both high and low beam. The VE headlights also PEE all over my most recent car, a 380. They were absolute shyzen.

The high beam on the VE R8 also activates the driving lights in the bumper just above the smaller fog lights. These, I believe make the differerence when on high beam.

Not sure if the VE SS and SSV have fogs or driving lights??

:cheers:

[Wonky]

Not sure if the VE SS and SSV have fogs or driving lights??

I've hardly ever turned mine on but I'm sure they're foggies. If they were driving lights I'd be converting them to HID and using them!!

[ssv402]

Sorry for the thread dig people, but I am seeing if anyone knows how to adjust the beam on the ve foglights? :) This was the closest thread I could find in search.

[Wonky]

From what I can remember when my W427 bar was being repaired and I bought an el-cheapo SS bar from eBay there is no built in adjustment??? :confused:

[ssv402]

Oh fair enough, its a bit disappointing because I just had the front repaired after some wallaby hunting, the new fog light points very low and was hoping for something, but im sure it will be okay as is :) .

Thanks Wonky!

[Wonky]

If I have remembered correctly the black plastic inserts the fog lights sit in just clip into the bar, but I'd be pretty sure you could shim/bodge stuff somehow to lift where the lights aim.