NA replacement headlights

Archives of Posts to the NZ MX5 List back in 2006
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rachaelsharpe

NA replacement headlights

Post by rachaelsharpe » Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:51 pm

Hi Guys,

My NA has blown a headlight.

I want to upgrade the original selaed units to lamps where I can put new
white-ish bluey coloured bulbs into.

Does anyone know if this is possible.

If so is there a simple bolt in Hella or similar product available and
would any wiring mods be required?

If I posted this more than once, sorry.

Look forward to the replies,

Cheers
Jamie

(Jamie - you subscribed the wrong email address - e-admin)

Grant
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Posts: 175
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 9:41 pm
Location: Sunny Blenheim

NA replacement headlights

Post by Grant » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:12 pm

You can buy Hella standard 7" size headlamps to fit. These have separately
replaceable (H4) bulbs. I did this on my NA and the performance with high
output 55 watt H4 bulbs was much better than the original sealed beam units.
As the MX5 mounting is standard for these lights, the Hellas will fit in
with no mechanical or electrical modification.
I wouldn't choose the blue tinted bulbs though as their light output is
somewhat lower than the plain clear glass types. Amount of light is much
more important to me than appearance to oncoming traffic!

Grant.
Red 2006 NC Tiptronic
FIX A PC

poison
Keep calm, Forum Moderator here.
Keep calm, Forum Moderator here.
Posts: 530
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:47 pm
Location: JAFA Land

NA replacement headlights

Post by poison » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:38 pm

Hi Jamie

I also did mine last year and wow what a difference. I bought some 7" Semi
Sealed Beams from Repco (part No. 7019ss) for $73.98 the pair, I also
bought some artic blue (very bright with a mild blue tinge, like in all the
new Audi's) they were $44.99 a pair. But I should have gone to Supercheap in
Albany for those (I think they were about $33... maybe). Some people have
said the Arctic Blue have not been as good as normal halogens, but they sure
look better.

Piece of cake to install, really just need a screw driver.

Cheers

Gazza
"PO1SON"
:twisted: Gazda in the white HOT Mazda :twisted:

Euen
I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
Posts: 619
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:42 am
Location: North Shore

NA replacement headlights

Post by Euen » Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:42 pm

Hi Jamie

As Grant and Gazza have said, replacement is easy and a good set of halogens will be a vast improvement over the old sealed beams however the biggest limitation to good headlights on the NA is the wiring.

Having recently ripped apart an NA harness, I discovered that, in their wisdom, Mazda have used the minimum spec cable they could find and then routed it all over the car before it gets to the healight. The power feed to the lights actually goes through the pop-up controllers and then back to the dip switch before it goes to the lights. The cable size, particularly for dipped beam is totally inadequate and I hate to think what the voltage drop across the wiring is when the lights are on.

Regards
Euen
TG Sports, classic roadster - modern technology. NA1800, 99 head, 11:1 +2mm Wiseco pistons, Link LEM, Alloy f/wheel, JR headers.

Grant
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Posts: 175
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 9:41 pm
Location: Sunny Blenheim

NA replacement headlights

Post by Grant » Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:37 am

I measured the voltage drop on mine when I installed them and was surprised
to find it was less then 0.5 volts. I was going to rewire them and install
relays but decided it wasn't worth the effort. If you were going to install
higher powered bulbs then you will definitely need to install better wiring
and relays to protect the dip switch etc.

Grant.
Red 2006 NC Tiptronic
FIX A PC

DBM58
Keep calm, Forum Moderator here.
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Posts: 139
Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 12:59 pm
Location: Auckland

NA replacement headlights

Post by DBM58 » Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:06 am

I also have a fe cents to add here. I changed my lights a couple of years ago, as follows:

I felt the same way and after a discussion with a representative from Hella, I fit new semi-sealed lights and bulbs - the existing lights were fully sealed. Below is a copy of the information from Hella:

There are two semi sealed inserts that you can use.

1/ Without the front position park globe holder part number 1056
Recommended retail $70.40 each +GST,
it also comes in a kit form Part number 5604 Recommended retail
$150.70 +GST which includes
the two bulbs, but they are not cool blue.

2/ With the front position globe holder Part number 1058 Recommended retail
$63.80 each +GST

3/ The cool blue bulbs are Part number XD1260/55CB Recommended retail
$23.98 each +GST

Regards

David Moughtin
David

Simon Lord
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See my 5 and raise you.
Posts: 98
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:09 pm
Location: Albany

NA replacement headlights

Post by Simon Lord » Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:56 am

HI Jamie

When one of my sealed beam units failed a couple of years ago I fitted Hella
non-sealed units with the Xenon Ultra H4's and they are excellent. I am no
mechanic but was able to do it myself very easily and no further alignment
was needed. Cost back then was $230 inc GST.

Simon Lord
97 SR Ltd (sparkle green)
Email: simon@franchise.co.nz

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