oilyLS400

Our first child was born Monday! I haven't owned any car for years, and my wife insisted on getting something with an automatic transmission.

Almost on a whim, I bought a 1990 LS 400 in fair condition tonight. I gave up finding a 2000 with a clean ownership history, so why not spend less and at least know what I'm getting? Also there was something charming about the old 1990. It's character reminds me of the gentle riding 69 Mercedes I once had.

It didn't seem all that fast off the line for all the hype I've heard.

Some things I want to fix: gaskets leaking oil, steering wheel tilt adjustment stuck in a high position (I could live with it stuck in the lowest position), one rear door makes annoying "click" sound when halfway opened/closed, radiator idiot light is on, and the headlights don't seem all that bright to me.

The last issue seems the least routine. Any tips for this? Are there headlight mods you'd recommend?

--Michael

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

If you do not want to spend hassle and money to convert to HID put the sylvania silverstars in.

http://www.brandsport.com/sylautlig.html#SilverStar

The other thing I did was to get rid of the orange glass over the fog lights and I leave the fog lights on.

Both of these made a big difference.

If you want to go all out do the HID conversion

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

As far as acceleration. You need to get a 98 for that.

Kansas

I owned a 90 LS from new to 183.5K and tried about lots of different bulbs in its pathetic headlights. The only good solution I've seen are the Eagle Eyes aftermarket headlight units. They are dirt cheap on eBay. Here's a thread about them: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...agle-eyes.html

oilyLS400

I couldn't find the Eagle Eyes on eBay so I'm guessing it's worth giving the Sylvania Silverstars a shot? I probably wouldn't mind paying for a HID conversion (if it's really effective), but I don't have time myself and don't know where to take it.

Any tips on getting stuff done in the Seattle area?

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

Once u go HIDs u don't go back.

oilyLS400

My wife and I both have poor night vision. I'd go HIDs if the installation is simple or I could just pay someone to handle it. I have no garage, few tools, limited skills, no time (with the baby). Is there a particular kit you'd recommend?

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

I'd recommend getting a 4300k kit it's the brightest output. I bought mine off eBay but was a hassle due to stupid customer service alll the way in China. There are vendors here that sell kits.

Hid kits are very simple, it's like changing a light bulb with the plug and play kits.

Also try searching for "ls400 headlight" on eBay. I was looking at them last week and there were a couple sets.

python

iTrader: (4)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-94...item1e575cd4fa
thats a link to the eagle eyes
i have a set of hids that will work in ur car, 5000k with the brightlight option....75 dollars plus shipping. my mom lives in battle ground btw

oilyLS400

OK, but I have a 1990.

python

iTrader: (4)

u want hids? or those?

avalon42

iTrader: (1)

+1. I tried those Silverstars and it was BAD. I don't see the improvement. I fixed my HID ballast and threw it back in after one day downtime.

BTW, to the OP, if you got HID, get the slim ballast version. You'll have better luck fitting them into the cramped engine bay. Also, make sure to check that the ballast is water-proof. My HID kit had some sort of electrical coating over the entire bottom. Then the California El Nino happened with 6-7 inches of rain daily. Some water got in and nearly fried it. So I removed it, cleaned it, checked it, re-sealed it using some black rubber sealant (at any auto store), and she hasn't given me grief since.

oilyLS400

To summarize a discussion on the candlepower forum: blue-filtered bulbs (e.g. Sylvania Silverstars), aftermarket HID kits, and Eagle Eyes are not well engineered solutions for making more usable light. I do understand wanting to use them for customized appearance, but I'm too old and married for that stuff and really just want to see the road better.

The 93-94 model LS400 had an improved headlight assembly that used the H4 (9003) and should fit in the same space with some rewiring (just as people are doing to fit the Eagle Eyes that uses the same bulb). The H4 was better than the Ford-designed 9004, and there are aftermarket upgrades such as the Philips Xtreme Power, which actually do produce more usable light.

So now I guess I'm looking for 93-94 LS400 headlight assemblies in good shape.

--Michael

Kansas

Don't bother. The H4 bulbs are of slightly higher wattage than the 9004 bulbs used on the 90-92 LS400 but the big problem is the beam pattern cast into the glass headlight lens of both the 90-92 and 93-94 LS400 headlight lenses.

As you may have discovered, Eagle Eyes headlight units have been available for many makes and models. While those made for some makes and models have not proved to work as well as OEM, the ones for the gen 1 LS400 have been documented to work much better than OEM.

Over the 13 1/2 years I owned a 1990 LS400, I tried many aftermarket bulbs and considered the same "solution" you are considering -- installing 93-94 LS400 headlights with H4 bulbs. When I compared the 93-94 LS400 headlights side-by-side with my 1990 LS400 headlights, I could see little difference -- the 93-94 LS headlights might have been slightly brighter but the beam pattern was just as bad as my 90 LS headlights.

I sold my 90 LS in 2003 but I might have kept it even longer than 13 1/2 years if Eagle Eyes headlights had been available back then. If you think you are "too old and married", looking at my signature below might give you an idea of how old I am!

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

I think you guys are exagerating things a bit. I have a 92 with silverstar ultra and I can see just fine. Maybe you guys are getting older and need glasses not better headlights. Yeah HID will help but I do not think the stock lights with a good bulb are all that bad. When I was a teenager I had a datsun pickup you talk about bad. Might as well not have lights.

Here is a good link that compares some light bulbs. Its a honda forum

http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2694520