C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

SpeedDirect headlight upgrade

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 30, 2005 | 12:02 PM
  #1  
shafrs3's Avatar
shafrs3
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
Default SpeedDirect headlight upgrade

Has anyone tried SpeedDirect's xenon headlight upgrade?
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2005 | 12:24 PM
  #2  
Twin_Turbo's Avatar
Twin_Turbo
Race Director
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Default

I don't see a xenon setup, all I see is halogen lights running directly off the alternator through a set of relays. Sort of like what almost everyone here is running because of the E requirement. I have that also, 2 hi and 2hi/lo beams running directly off the alternator through relays. The blue lamps look a lot like the philips blue vision ones, they emit a blueish light like xenons but they are halogen. True xenon lights use an ignitor to ignite the arc (HID)
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2005 | 12:44 PM
  #3  
shafrs3's Avatar
shafrs3
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
I don't see a xenon setup, all I see is halogen lights running directly off the alternator through a set of relays. Sort of like what almost everyone here is running because of the E requirement. I have that also, 2 hi and 2hi/lo beams running directly off the alternator through relays. The blue lamps look a lot like the philips blue vision ones, they emit a blueish light like xenons but they are halogen. True xenon lights use an ignitor to ignite the arc (HID)
TT,
SpeedDirect calls them xenon. I bought the kit and the supplied lenses don't fit the headlight buckets without major hacking.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2005 | 03:02 PM
  #4  
Twin_Turbo's Avatar
Twin_Turbo
Race Director
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Default

Same here, I have hella lenses and they require a little reworking of the notches in the headlight buckets. The bulb itself is just a H4 halogen that has a bajonet locking system to lock it in the back of the lens. Calling something xenon while it's halogen is deceptive IMO, xenon, as most know is a gas, and this is the gas used in the HID automotive systems. Like I said these systems are sort of plasma torches requiring a burner/starter. Some street lamps have the same system but they use different gasses (different colors), the xenon is used to get a quick ignition/startup and next to no heat up like some street lamps.

Last edited by Twin_Turbo; Dec 30, 2005 at 04:40 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2005 | 04:23 PM
  #5  
shafrs3's Avatar
shafrs3
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
Default

These will require opening up the headlight frame, as well as the buckets. The lenses are deeper that usual and the protective rubber boots on the back of the lenses are much bigger in circumference, so much so that I'm not willing to hack away that much material. I'm afraid it could compromise the strength of the frame that the headlight buckets mount to.

I guess I’ll have to send them back. Anyway, let this be an FYI to all.

TT,
Perhaps the bulbs still have an element and are filled with xenon, instead of halogen. Why, so they can sell them as xenon lights?

Last edited by shafrs3; Dec 30, 2005 at 04:33 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2005 | 04:45 PM
  #6  
Twin_Turbo's Avatar
Twin_Turbo
Race Director
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Default

These bulbs are just regular run of the mill filament type. The real Xenon HID headlights are not, they are plasma type and that's why they have the big and $$$$ high voltage unit that comes with them

Why they sell them as xenon lights? Maybe because they have the blue bulbs that sort of mimic the real Xenon lights

Another thing, Real Xenon lights come with clear lenses and have mirrors to create the desired light pattern, because dirt will increase the amount of stray (blinding) light, they legally require a headlight washer setup (well at least they do here).
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2005 | 06:41 PM
  #7  
shafrs3's Avatar
shafrs3
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
Default

FYI All,
In spite of the lenses that don't fit, I will say that the harness is a real nice. I know that I could have made it up much cheaper myself but I've already done the frame-off on this car, so I'm going to splurge a little and let someone else do this for me, for once.

TT, Thanks for your input.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To SpeedDirect headlight upgrade





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:46 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE