AaronDoud

What brand headlights are the best? I don't want to change the system over so ones that will plug in normal.

Churchkey

Hella E code. H4 bulbs are available + 100 watts.

AaronDoud

Best place to buy?

And should I do 80/100 or can I do soemthing like a 100/130?

Midnight 85

I've used the 80/100's now for 3 years with no wiring problems and they throw plenty of light. Any heavier will most likely cause problems with the stock wiring.

Churchkey

Tip on adjusting E code lights.

Set the left/right beam adjustments on high beam. Use low beam for the elevation set.

Agree with Midnight 85. Anything over 100 watts suggest powering with relays .

c4cruiser

Both Hella and CIBIE make glass replacement lamp housings to replace the stock 6054 lamp. And they are not so heavy as to cause problems with the headlamp motors or gears as long as they are in decent shape.

The bulb style is H4 and there is a wide variety of bulbs available by wattage or color. Look at the Sylvania SilverStar lamps to start. You can find those at just about any parts store.

The neat thing about the Euro style lamps is that they are designed to keep glare down on the low beam side. The lens pattern gives a flat top to the beam so driving in rain at night is much improved. The pattern also provides additional light towards the shoulder of the road and downwards

80W/100W is the best choice for bulbs; there won't be any problems with excessive load on the wiring or relays.

AaronDoud

Thanks for all the advice. Right now I hate driving at night outside the city lighting as the headlights are too dim. And I've always been a fan of late night driving under the stars with the top off. Beautiful way to see the backroads of america.

Chuck Tribolet

+1 for Hella E codes.

The Sylvania SilverStars have a relatively short life, and given the pain
to replace a headlight bulb in a C4, I've stayed with the normal
bulb.


Chuck

96 Vette CE

I went with the Silverstars from Sylvania, plenty bright enough. I've had mine for 2 years now with no problems at all.

blr33439

Hella projectors with 5000k HIDs.


There are also HID retrofits for the original bulb design if you are partial to the flips.

blkzr1

hi, i have used the hella and the cibie light housings with the hella 55\100 watt and have found that the cibie has the best light beam pattern. i do alot of night driving in my 1995 and have had no headlight gear problems with the extra housing weight. the part number of the cibie is 082462. once in a while you can find these on another site. see ya

Cliff Harris

You're going to SEE the backroads of America in the dark?

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Reminds me of a story... I was driving across the desert on I-10 in Arizona at about 3:00 AM and the girl who was with me was looking out the window at... dark nothing. I asked her if she was enjoying the scenery.

I've got Silverstars in my car. I would love to have HIDs but I can't justify the cost.

gerardvg

Hi i have upgraded my 100w low 140w high H4 lights to 55w 4300K hi/lo H4 HID type. They are fantastic double the brightness for half the watts .
The conversion kit cost $89. I fitted the Ballasts and relay in the headlight bucket. Just the 12 volt fused supply from the battery and a ground wire to the frame are required all needed was in the kit. (note if you use the neutral from the headlight harness it can keep your lights on due to some back feed so go straight to the frame)
Has been on my vette a few months and i love the extreme white light Just remember to get your headlight aim checked afterwards.

CorvetteArchives

I also use the H4 silverstars but rather than pay for the overpriced hella/cibie I replaced mine with units from autozone that were $30 for the PAIR and have had excellent results.
They also have plastic lenses to keep down the weight so the gel bushings don't stress (I did the 88 upgrade on my 84--much quieter than the 84-87 gears)

JrRifleCoach

What is so important or cool about having headlights that blind on coming drivers?

This a generation thing, or ricer imitators?

Just sayin'.

PLRX

Hid

CorvetteArchives

You may be right... it may be a Generation thing since the only people who ever complain seem to be old people...just sayin' :-P

All kidding aside...Properly aimed headlights don't blind drivers. The stock halogen headlights are too yellow and poorly illuminate at distance. Drive a new Audi or similar with HID headlights (they self level so not to blind and flash others) and going back to halogen is akin to driving with just your fog/driving lights on...

BTW, Its kind alike living in Cali and being a gun guy...some things/places are just "better"....no way on God's green earth would I EVER even visit let alone live there....come to a state like PA where you can be FREE! Gun guys especially vette drivers are ALWAYS welcome!

96 Vette CE

I really didn't find it much of a pain at all, pretty much the easiest thing i've done to the vette so far.

Chuck Tribolet

Changing a head light bulb in the Pathfinder or Passat: Five minutes.
'87 'vette, a couple of hours. I'd call that a pain.

Chuck

96 Vette CE

A couple of hours? Why so long? Had both mine changed out in less than an hour.