Clear vs. OEM headlamp lens

TipTopTommyT · Post by **TipTopTommyT** » 21 Aug 2010, 18:28

Folks - - I need to purchase new headlamps and am tempted to go with the clear plastic to achieve a better projection of light...but then I got to thinking that maybe the etchings in the OEM glass might disperse the light more effectively than the clear plastic.

Does anyone have any experience with the comparison?

Warren561 · Post by **Warren561** » 21 Aug 2010, 19:21

I can't quote the years right off the top of my head, but the 1999 and below XC70's, S70 (all models), and the 2004 and below C70's all share the same headlight assemblies.

The difference is that in 2003 & 2004 the C70 featured "clear" (aka jewel) headlights. These utilize a fancy reflector behind the bulb to focus and disperse the light. Therefore the glass lenses (on the exterior) seem clear.

Compared with the 1999 and below XC70's and the S70's which simply have a "shiny" reflector and a "fluted" glass lens (on the exterior). The reflector does nothing but reflect light. The "fluted" glass disburses and focus the light.

There's currently FOUR different types of lights available.
1) E-Code (aka european) "jewel" lights
2) DOT (aka US Department of Transportation approved) "jewel" lights
3) E-Code "fluted" lights
4) DOT "fluted" lights.

There's a great write-up comparing the four on swedespeed.com
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread ... Projectors

The consensus is that, for the budget-minded, the E-Code "fluted" lenses sold by FCP Groton are better than the DOT "fluted." This is just a lens replacement. You keep the existing reflector and headlight assembly. DOT lenses are required to diffuse up to (IIRC) 20% of the light up-ward to light signs. This reduces the "usable" light on the road and causes some glare. E-Code lenses do not do this. They put 100% of the light on the road and have a very sharp vertical cut-off to prevent glare. IIRC, this is because in Europe all signs are required to be lighted, so headlights don't need to diffuse upward to light signs

This swedespeed.com posting lists all the applicable part numbers
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread ... Parts-list

If money no factor, the "jewel" upgrade is supposedly the best. You get a whole new headlight assembly (new lens, new housing, and new reflector). The E-Code "jewels" are the better than the DOT "jewels" not only because of the beam pattern (see my summary above), but the E-Codes use H7 bulbs for High and Low Beams, while the DOT uses H11 Low Beams and H7 High Beams. The H11 bulb has a lower lumen output than the H7 (1200 lumens for the H11 vs. 1450 for the H7) See this website for information about bulbs and lumens (light output). http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech ... types.html

TipTopTommyT · Post by **TipTopTommyT** » 21 Aug 2010, 20:37

Thanks Warren for your thorough reply. I see just one retailer for the "Jewel" style headlamps: vivaperformance.com and the entire set runs about $750...yikes! Couldn't find a competing retailer.

You mentioned that if I had the stock lens, I would need to just replace the lens with an E-code version. However, I notice the reflectors have little-to-no chrome. They have almost a "matte" finish. So I'm thinking that's part of the problem that makes me nervous to drive at night....the lighting is VERY dim.

FCP tells me their units are definitely chrome so I'm hoping that will solve the problem. The only thing I'm a little wary of with the E-codes is there may not be enough upward directed light to read signs.

Thanks for your help.

Warren561 · Post by **Warren561** » 21 Aug 2010, 23:18

TipTopTommyT wrote:I see just one retailer for the "Jewel" style headlamps: vivaperformance.com and the entire set runs about $750...yikes! Couldn't find a competing retailer.

Keep in mind that the $750 price that vivaperformance.com quotes includes the front turn signal assemblies as well.

I did a quick search from myvolvoparts.com (mostly because you can search part numbers and get an actual price)

For the "Jewels" myvolvoparts.com (aka Turner Volvo) quotes-
9467892 Left Headlight Assembly $263.24
9467893 Right Headlight Assembly $263.24
9467896 Left Turn Signal Assembly $52.22
9467897 Right Turn Signal Assembly $52.22
$630.90 total for all parts (plus bulbs).

Just saying that its best to shop around...

TipTopTommyT wrote:You mentioned that if I had the stock lens, I would need to just replace the lens with an E-code version. However, I notice the reflectors have little-to-no chrome. They have almost a "matte" finish. So I'm thinking that's part of the problem that makes me nervous to drive at night....the lighting is VERY dim.

FCP tells me their units are definitely chrome so I'm hoping that will solve the problem. The only thing I'm a little wary of with the E-codes is there may not be enough upward directed light to read signs.

If you think your reflectors are shot, just changing the lens isn't going to help at all. You are on the right track with changing the whole assembly.

Here's the P/N's for the assemblies that came with the car:
9483192 Left (Driver side) $235.78
9483193 Right (Passenger side) $235.78

There's the part numbers, now go shop around.

crh · Post by **crh** » 22 Aug 2010, 09:33

On my 1998 V70 XC, the lenses reach quite far, even by the 2001-2002 P2 XC's I've borrowed over the last year, both in HB and LB... on my 1998 XC, they *look* OEM in all respects, except they each read : 'Hella' on the center on the lens... did Hella supply Volvo in and perhaps before/after 1998 with headlight lenses/assemblies? Just wondering... also, the IPD 'Halo' headlight assemblies seem pretty reasonably priced, considering their design, construction and vendor source (IPD.... need I say more?).

I've seen these, they were being installed into a 2000 V70 R AWD last week at my mechanic's shop... they looked pretty tasty!

peacock · Post by **peacock** » 22 Aug 2010, 13:07

Go with the $50 E-code lenses they update your look just enough and they are the most cost effective option over all. plus they area 30min change out. if you were going to go with new sidemarkers as well they i would put my money into the $60 ones from latvia or w/e with the clean plastic instead of the yellow bits on the sides.

$0.02 added

TipTopTommyT · Post by **TipTopTommyT** » 22 Aug 2010, 18:44

Thanks Warren (and others)....Turner Volvo lists a $330 price per "Jewel" headlamp unit....but myvolvoparts.com is indeed much cheaper @ $267.

I hope that all I'd have to do is simply swap my headlamps out for these with no modifications.

Still leaning toward the E-code assembly (fluted) since it's a lot cheaper...but if I find some used Jewels, that'll work too.

Again, my only concern with any E-code is that enough light is thrown upward to read signs out here on the hot, hazy, humid east coast.

TipTopTommyT · Post by **TipTopTommyT** » 22 Aug 2010, 19:20

Update....tascaparts.com....Jewel headlamps for $211....signals for $46....not bad!

peacock · Post by **peacock** » 22 Aug 2010, 23:04

i have no problem reading the signs at night or whatever the weather. you have to not see very well at all to find highway signs too dark. unless you like to go to garage sales in the dead of night then your set

TipTopTommyT · Post by **TipTopTommyT** » 23 Aug 2010, 11:13

LOL, thanks Peacock...that's good to know.