Smoked Lenses and Light Output

If this topic is better suited to another sub-forum, please move it at your discretion.

I want to upgrade the look of my car by adding a set of aftermarket headlights. I haven't committed to a set yet, but I know there are "smoked" options that seem to be popular.

My question for people who are or have run them is whether/how much they reduce the headlight output? This is definitely a concern. I plan to add one of those custom harnesses from Gary (?) with the relays to increase output since I absolutely cannot stand how pathetic my lights are and how much driving at night sucks because of it.

Thanks for any input.

I ran them for a little while. I can say that the output is diminished. However the light pattern is better.
I ran silverstars and it was back to ok. I changed to a clear set of lights and the light output is much better.

Gary's harness and silverstars is the best combo I have used so far. I am currently running his kit in my LAB daily driver with stock headlights and silverstars. The light output is ok. I may just switch to a set of clear lenses in the future. Not 100% sure what I want to do yet. I will say that after having the relay kit the light output is improved. I just cannot quantify how much it is actually improved by.

I may try the 9007 mod for even brighter output. Not 100% sure about this though.

I had thought, based on some things I read on the Impala board, that the headlight harness provided a "shah-zam!" type of improvement, but it sounds like your gains were more modest?

I plan on trying the 9007 mod sometime next week. Just need a day off to go to the yard and get some bulbs. Not going to shell out for new ones quite yet...

i did the 9007 mod about two months ago. light output is soooo much better now, i cant believe the difference and my headlights could still use a better alignment. i would definitely recommend doing that mod, cheap, easy and makes a hell of a difference over the OEM bulbs for these cars.

If I use the search function and type "9007" I get no results for threads or posts. Is there a how-to for this mod to show me what it is and how to do it?

here you go: https://gmlongroof.4umer.com/t8820-junkyard-headlight-upgrade

The clear housings, with casper shields, using high/low HIDs. Properly aimed. I've never been flashed, or pulled over, and have used HIDs for three years. I know there are plenty of HID haters, but if you are looking for better lighting, this is the way to go.

I run the smoked lenses with 6K HID's and have excellent light output and have never been flashed. 30 bucks for good HID's on eBay now! How can you go wrong?

I also ran those lights with Silverstars and an upgraded harness. Output was horrible. If you're not going to run HID's, DO NOT get the tinted lenses.

Here are a couple pics of mine I took while trying to get aimed at wallyworld. I use 4300k HID's and have for the last 2.5 years. I had a ebay setup until recently when a ballast died and I got a better setup from the retrofit source which has a much better light pattern.