that is a little odd, maybe yours are smoked a lot more than mine are

but the main reason mine got brighter is the cone that the bulb goes in, inside the headlight. on the old stock ones the inside is all black, and the new ones they are niiice and shiny. i couldnt beleive ANY light was coming off that cone no wonder i was having lighting problems

 

I mounted to the actual bumper bar, not the bumper cover, that way they are protected from everything.

 

Do you mind showing us pictures of your HIDs on during day and night and where you bought your HIDs from, please? Would appreciate it.