C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Projector headlamps

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 6, 2008 | 11:18 PM
  #1  
EyeLuvCorvettes's Avatar
EyeLuvCorvettes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 1
From: Mass
Default Projector headlamps

I have been thinking about making my own projector headlight set-up to get rid of the vacuum system and the very dim lights. Has anyone done this on their car? I've looked at other headlight kits such as the one with square lights, but i'd rather the look of projectors. So if you have projectors in your car, post them up
Reply
Old May 7, 2008 | 07:53 AM
  #2  
Durango_Boy's Avatar
Durango_Boy
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Default

When I get around to paint and body work I plan on making some fixed headlights, small rounds, maybe projectors, kind of like this.

Reply
Old May 7, 2008 | 05:57 PM
  #3  
EyeLuvCorvettes's Avatar
EyeLuvCorvettes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 1
From: Mass
Default

I remember a chrome bumper c3 race car on here or DC that had single projector headlights. I just love the look the projector headlights give a c6, pretty sinister
Reply
Old May 7, 2008 | 05:58 PM
  #4  
EyeLuvCorvettes's Avatar
EyeLuvCorvettes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 1
From: Mass
Default

I think that would look good, were you thinking about putting it where the current headlights are, or glassing them more into the fenders coming in at an angle?

Originally Posted by Durango_boy
When I get around to paint and body work I plan on making some fixed headlights, small rounds, maybe projectors, kind of like this.

Reply
Old May 7, 2008 | 06:46 PM
  #5  
EyeLuvCorvettes's Avatar
EyeLuvCorvettes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 1
From: Mass
Default

This is a basic idea of what I wanted to do - played around with paint (No photo shop on my computer) I would use two projectors of varying sizes on each side


Reply
Old May 7, 2008 | 09:11 PM
  #6  
Durango_Boy's Avatar
Durango_Boy
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by EyeLuvCorvettes
I think that would look good, were you thinking about putting it where the current headlights are, or glassing them more into the fenders coming in at an angle?

I would put them wide, in the places of the current light pop ups. I think aiming them would be too hard if they were moved up into the fenders.
Reply
Old May 8, 2008 | 02:19 AM
  #7  
I'm Batman's Avatar
I'm Batman
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Default

Originally Posted by EyeLuvCorvettes
I have been thinking about making my own projector headlight set-up to get rid of the vacuum system and the very dim lights.
If you're still running the original incandescent lights, it's very possible that they're worn out. Halogen sealed beams are a world of improvement, the H4/H1 style halogens are even better. Make sure your wiring and grounds are in good shape, those can also lead to dim lights.
Reply
Old May 8, 2008 | 01:44 PM
  #8  
EyeLuvCorvettes's Avatar
EyeLuvCorvettes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 1
From: Mass
Default

Yah, i'm going to check that as well, i'm just a little tired of the vacuum system. I have a friend who has a couple projectors that he may get rid of cheap, so I'm merely contemplating making projector headlamps. I just don't want to go through the hassel of aiming and making sure their cool since it would be sealed. Plus i've never worked with fiberglass so this is merely an idea of what i'd do if I had the skills.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 8, 2008 | 02:13 PM
  #9  
Saint's Shark's Avatar
Saint's Shark
Racer
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
Default

Here's an idea for you - Have you ever thought of going to a junkyard or auto recycling yard to look for the headlight system off of either the old Dodge Stealths or Mitsubishi 3000GTs? I know that from 1993 on up on the Mitsu's came with the projector style headlamps. I also know that they're a bucket assembly. Depending on which year the donor is, there is a glass or plastic lense that is held on by clips and adhesive. You simply remove the retainer clips, heat it up with a heat gun and separate the lense from the light bucket assembly. You did mention you wanted two different sizes. These projectors are the same diameter (high/low beam) however. Here's something even better. I believe that the last year Mitsu's made actually have the FIA style covers on them. I'll try to post some pics...
Reply
Old May 8, 2008 | 02:28 PM
  #10  
Saint's Shark's Avatar
Saint's Shark
Racer
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
Default

Here are some pictures fo the front projector headlights on the 3000GT's. Both are the 1999 models, with something that resembles the FIA "bumps". Also, so you know, the side lights/directionals are not part of the headlight assembly.




Reply
Old May 8, 2008 | 05:12 PM
  #11  
mod81's Avatar
mod81
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles MO.
Default

Originally Posted by Saint's Shark
Here are some pictures fo the front projector headlights on the 3000GT's. Both are the 1999 models, with something that resembles the FIA "bumps". Also, so you know, the side lights/directionals are not part of the headlight assembly.





Ot but damn that's a nice red vr4!!!!! old school 240sx projectors would look cool too. time to hit up ebay everybody!
Reply
Old May 8, 2008 | 05:32 PM
  #12  
EyeLuvCorvettes's Avatar
EyeLuvCorvettes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 1
From: Mass
Default

I hadn't thought of going to a junkyard. It doesn't matter if i get two different sizes or not. I was thinking about doing an eyelid on the cover (to make it look meaner). That vr4 is really nice, I like the viper like hood scoop.

Originally Posted by Saint's Shark
Here are some pictures fo the front projector headlights on the 3000GT's. Both are the 1999 models, with something that resembles the FIA "bumps". Also, so you know, the side lights/directionals are not part of the headlight assembly.




Reply
Old May 8, 2008 | 05:37 PM
  #13  
V-Twin's Avatar
V-Twin
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 1
Default

I'm fitting these:


to this:


Reply
Old May 8, 2008 | 08:58 PM
  #14  
Saint's Shark's Avatar
Saint's Shark
Racer
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
Default

Someone's been busy on CAD! What program did you use? AutoCAD? ProE? Solid Works? CATIA? Just curious. Great job on the design. Did you have a sheet metal house do the fabrication or did you DIY? You have to post pictures of the final results!
Reply
Old May 8, 2008 | 09:35 PM
  #15  
EyeLuvCorvettes's Avatar
EyeLuvCorvettes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 1
From: Mass
Default

that's exactly what i am thinking, looks great, I take it you made the entire base for the headlights.


Originally Posted by V-Twin
I'm fitting these:


to this:


Reply
Old May 8, 2008 | 11:53 PM
  #16  
Rolling Thunder's Avatar
Rolling Thunder
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 0
From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Default

Those look like the fixtures I need. Do you have the details on them? Vendors?

Thanks,
Dave
Reply
Old May 9, 2008 | 04:51 AM
  #17  
V-Twin's Avatar
V-Twin
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 1
Default

I didn't do the CADd rawing or the buckets. Marck did those, he used Solidworks. The template he made is accessible on vettemod.com but you have to register to access it.

Last edited by V-Twin; May 11, 2008 at 05:41 PM.
Reply
Old May 11, 2008 | 02:27 PM
  #18  
EyeLuvCorvettes's Avatar
EyeLuvCorvettes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 1
From: Mass
Default

There isn't anyone who is selling these, is there?
Reply
Old May 11, 2008 | 03:16 PM
  #19  
V-Twin's Avatar
V-Twin
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 1
Default

Nope but if I get mine fiished I may end up selling these ready made
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Projector headlamps





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:03 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE