Cheaper Electric Headlight Kit
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
Cheaper Electric Headlight Kit
I want to switch to the Electric headlight kit. But just saw that it costs $1k on Ecklers. I don't know why but this seems pretty expensive to me 
. Is there a cheaper version out there somewhere, or is this one just so top notch that I shouldn't even bother with another product? Has anyone used this kit off of Ecklers?
Any info would be useful
Dose
. Is there a cheaper version out there somewhere, or is this one just so top notch that I shouldn't even bother with another product? Has anyone used this kit off of Ecklers?Any info would be useful
Dose
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
There is a company called Retro-Electro that makes a different kit. I personally like the design and looks of it better, but it appears you have to cut the original actuator brackets to install it. It is cheaper . . . at $990.
I built my own system for about 1/3 that cost, but I spent a lot of time in the machine shop. I'm sure that's what drives up the cost of these, as they're not manufactured in high volume.
I built my own system for about 1/3 that cost, but I spent a lot of time in the machine shop. I'm sure that's what drives up the cost of these, as they're not manufactured in high volume.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
I will go to Google...thanks for...well...nothing
Edit: I hope you were not talking about the thread from 2009, that people recently commented on. I know how to use search, and Google. I read that thread months ago. Smh
Last edited by Dose11; May 1, 2012 at 12:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
Yeah I have read on it...but some say that the firebird parts aren't that good to use. Guess I am looking for something more current, in a kit...etc...that would be a little more reliable.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I've never even considered an electric headlight actuation conversion. What are the advantages of doing this mod? The stock vacuum actuated system on my '80 'vette works just fine, and was relatively inexpensive to get it working that way. It moves the headlights up and down, what more could you want? Can you make the headlights do weird tricks or something with the electric actuation?
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
I can seethe point in electric. Especially if you are going to be added a bigger cam or other engine mods that reduce vacuum output. Also the brakes on these cars an wipers on some years need vacuum. I think reducin the amount of function that rely solely on the engine vacuum makes sense. That said for me it is far too expensive to be worth it. I would rather spend $1,000 on many other things for my vette
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
I can seethe point in electric. Especially if you are going to be added a bigger cam or other engine mods that reduce vacuum output. Also the brakes on these cars an wipers on some years need vacuum. I think reducin the amount of function that rely solely on the engine vacuum makes sense. That said for me it is far too expensive to be worth it. I would rather spend $1,000 on many other things for my vette
The car I am getting does have a bigger cam in it, nothing too special. I also wan't to kind of just get rid of a lot of stuff that requires the vacuum. But not for $1,000, thus I am asking if there are cheaper kits around. Doesn't seem like it though.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I've never even considered an electric headlight actuation conversion. What are the advantages of doing this mod? The stock vacuum actuated system on my '80 'vette works just fine, and was relatively inexpensive to get it working that way. It moves the headlights up and down, what more could you want? Can you make the headlights do weird tricks or something with the electric actuation?
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
The only thing you'll here negative about the Firebird motors is the nylon gears, they're a problem in ANY GM with pop-up lights (including C4/C5 Corvettes), and they're easily fixable for less than $100 for the pair with new metal gears.
Mine loves to do things like poking up the lights when I shut off the car, or even raising one if I hit the gas hard. Stupid vacuum system...
Mine loves to do things like poking up the lights when I shut off the car, or even raising one if I hit the gas hard. Stupid vacuum system...
I hate when they raise when you step on the gas!!!Just convince yourself that you are going so fast that they raise up because of the wind force!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
The only thing you'll here negative about the Firebird motors is the nylon gears, they're a problem in ANY GM with pop-up lights (including C4/C5 Corvettes), and they're easily fixable for less than $100 for the pair with new metal gears.
Mine loves to do things like poking up the lights when I shut off the car, or even raising one if I hit the gas hard. Stupid vacuum system...
Mine loves to do things like poking up the lights when I shut off the car, or even raising one if I hit the gas hard. Stupid vacuum system...
I have been thinking about going in the opposite direction with my headlights, actually. A small propane-powered steam engine that actuates the headlights. Might take a couple minutes to build up some steam pressure, though. Or maybe something solar......solar powered headlights, anyone? Maybe a small wind turbine right under the front bumper to provide electricity that will boil water to make steam to open the headlights..........
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
Scotty, you make a valid point. But.... The C3 was the Only corvette era to use vacuum headlight actuation. To completely overhaul the stock system will cost $$$$. In addition to all the other points made regarding the vacuum system, I personally find all those vacuum lines unsightly. Extra clutter when trying to make a more sanitary looking engine bay. If you desire a stock NCRS type of car, fine stock would be the only way to go. For those of us who are slightly customizing then alternatives are available and desired. Different strokes for different folks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I hit a deer one night in '98 wiped out both front lights, as in shattered the metal...so I went the Ecklers sugar scoop trays for fixed lights, but over the years they looked more and more antiquated...so I updated the over large holes, reduced size fore/aft by 50% and so mounted later Camaro bulbs on my own mounts with stock parts further forward, lending a much more sleek look, opened the back of the scoops up for better air flow,
see shutterfly below....
see shutterfly below....
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 18
From: NorthEast
Why don't you just fix it? The vacuum headlights on a C3 are just like most other things. They work pretty good if they are not broken, but if they are broken, they don't work so good. I think the electrics work that way, too.
I have been thinking about going in the opposite direction with my headlights, actually. A small propane-powered steam engine that actuates the headlights. Might take a couple minutes to build up some steam pressure, though. Or maybe something solar......solar powered headlights, anyone? Maybe a small wind turbine right under the front bumper to provide electricity that will boil water to make steam to open the headlights..........
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
I have been thinking about going in the opposite direction with my headlights, actually. A small propane-powered steam engine that actuates the headlights. Might take a couple minutes to build up some steam pressure, though. Or maybe something solar......solar powered headlights, anyone? Maybe a small wind turbine right under the front bumper to provide electricity that will boil water to make steam to open the headlights..........
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
A buddy of mine has the electric and his lamps snap up and down like nobody's business. Pretty cool to see.
But, like someone else said I would rather spend $1K somewhere else on the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
The vacuum system is a highly over-complicated Rube Goldberg-ish mess, IMHO. I'd love to see the weight comparison between the electric setup and the original vacuum system - including the weight of that huge vacuum tank up front. There must be a reason why the C4 and C5 Vettes went back to electric headlight motors...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
The vacuum system is a highly over-complicated Rube Goldberg-ish mess, IMHO. I'd love to see the weight comparison between the electric setup and the original vacuum system - including the weight of that huge vacuum tank up front. There must be a reason why the C4 and C5 Vettes went back to electric headlight motors...
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 205
Likes: 3
From: Sneads Ferry NC
I got rid of the headlights all together, molded the front up and put some HIDs in the grill, way brighter than stock and I don't have to worry about any flip up headlights, electric or vacuum 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
