Awesome Headlight upgrade - Not HID
11-08-2009, 06:09 PM
#21
Your local airport pilot shop.
Or order them from http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/...inglights.html
Or order them from http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/...inglights.html
11-08-2009, 06:19 PM
#22
Race Director
Google 'GE 4537 bulbs' for more information and sources....I had listed information on previous headlight improvement issues in threads complaining on how poor the early systems are as compared to Halogens and others with modern headlights...They are not a drop in bulb but then again not a hard conversion...The aircraft bulb has brass screws for a positive connection on its two terminals as a aircraft safety fracture unlike a automotive plug for spade terminals...But that's about the only thing different...
except,...4537`s are 13 volt bulbs and it does not matter one iota...there just instant daylight
except,...4537`s are 13 volt bulbs and it does not matter one iota...there just instant daylight
11-08-2009, 06:23 PM
#23
Drifting
thanks!
I used to work on fighter jets, and all the ones we used were 24-28v, so were other acft I worked with. Thanks again!
Google 'GE 4537 bulbs' for more information and sources....I had listed information on previous headlight improvement issues in threads complaining on how poor the early systems are as compared to Halogens and others with modern headlights...They are not a drop in bulb but then again not a hard conversion...The aircraft bulb has brass screws for a positive connection on its two terminals as a aircraft safety fracture unlike a automotive plug for spade terminals...But that's about the only thing different...
except,...4537`s are 13 volt bulbs and it does not matter one iota...there just instant daylight
except,...4537`s are 13 volt bulbs and it does not matter one iota...there just instant daylight
Last edited by eagle275; 11-08-2009 at 06:25 PM.
11-08-2009, 07:50 PM
#25
Burning Brakes
Google 'GE 4537 bulbs' for more information and sources....I had listed information on previous headlight improvement issues in threads complaining on how poor the early systems are as compared to Halogens and others with modern headlights...They are not a drop in bulb but then again not a hard conversion...The aircraft bulb has brass screws for a positive connection on its two terminals as a aircraft safety fracture unlike a automotive plug for spade terminals...But that's about the only thing different...
except,...4537`s are 13 volt bulbs and it does not matter one iota...there just instant daylight
except,...4537`s are 13 volt bulbs and it does not matter one iota...there just instant daylight
http://www.bulbconnection.com/ViewSI...bulb_item.html
11-08-2009, 08:09 PM
#26
Melting Slicks
Ironcross,
I have some questions please.
I purchased a set of these GE landing lights and the modification to fit the factory lamp wiring socket was easy but I am wondering how yours have held up over the years.
The GE advertising says they only last 25 hours and my real worry, which is why I did not install them yet in the high beam sockets, is that I read several posts that said relays and special wiring were required to prevent frying the wiring harnesses in our old cars.
Did you make any modifications to your wiring?
How often do you use them?
Have the bulbs burned out after 25 + hours and required replacement?
I would like to install mine but I have owned my 68 since 1972 and do not want a fire and I also do not want to start hacking up my original wiring harness.
Any input you have will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Kurt
I have some questions please.
I purchased a set of these GE landing lights and the modification to fit the factory lamp wiring socket was easy but I am wondering how yours have held up over the years.
The GE advertising says they only last 25 hours and my real worry, which is why I did not install them yet in the high beam sockets, is that I read several posts that said relays and special wiring were required to prevent frying the wiring harnesses in our old cars.
Did you make any modifications to your wiring?
How often do you use them?
Have the bulbs burned out after 25 + hours and required replacement?
I would like to install mine but I have owned my 68 since 1972 and do not want a fire and I also do not want to start hacking up my original wiring harness.
Any input you have will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Kurt
11-09-2009, 01:52 AM
#29
Burning Brakes
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11-09-2009, 08:59 AM
#30
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '09
I can't speak for pre 1980 vettes but I just upgraded my lights without having to re-wire, run relays or carve up head light bucks. Had been thinking about upgrading and found out that HID conversions in Halogen housings are illegal. Was at DC Trucks DCTRUCKS.NET here in Vancouver buying a fuel tank float for and old RV when I noticed he had light housings, the housings are made by United Pacific 5.75” and are being marketed for Semi trucks. These are nice housings Metal instead of Plastic with a Glass lens, look like they are quality and are about $35 a piece and come with Sylvannia Halogens. The housings go right into the buck for 80-82 on the low beam side and a little notch has to be dremmeled in the high beam bucket. Housing are 9007 and come with a H4 pig tail. For bulbs I initially put some Vision X Blue bulbs in, while they looked cool they suck for light output when compared to a real bulb after doing a lot of research and throwing out the Vision X Blue bulbs I settled on GE NightHawk Sports, which put out a lot of White light and are supposed to last around 1100 hours of use (unlike Silver Stars). As the bulbs are 65/55 watts no special wiring is necessary. Conversion cost about $180 and takes about an hour. Put the old low beam halogen in tonight on one side and drove down a dark rainy road with Black Tape on the new light and then over the Old yeller and OMG what a difference, could easily drive all night on the single new light, kind of scary just on one old halogen though. Have not been flashed yet and conversion is ALL DOT approved, if I am being flashed I will adjust lights down a little, lot of bright lights out there though. Did a little test on a dark dead end road last night where I put on the high beams walked forward about 1/8 mile and turned around, it was like looking at the SUN! Sorry about the long write up felt I should share this easy and affordable upgrade with the other C3 folk. BTW just rolled 242k in the Vette, original motor no overdrive, so much for legendary Japanese Quality, take care of your Chevy (Valvoline Max life) and it will got the distance too. If you are thinking about going with this upgrade DC Trucks in on the Web and could use the business as things are so bad he is going to sell Christmas Trees in front to keep the doors open.
If you are thinking about going with this upgrade DC Trucks in on the Web and could use the business as things are so bad he is going to sell Christmas Trees in front to keep the doors open.http://www.unitedpacificind.com/view.asp?id=MjA0OQ
Am assuming it is probably this one since it includes the pigtail?
http://www.unitedpacificind.com/view.asp?id=ODQz
Thanks
11-09-2009, 09:54 AM
#31
Drifting
Which one of these two did you get?
http://www.unitedpacificind.com/view.asp?id=MjA0OQ
Am assuming it is probably this one since it includes the pigtail?
http://www.unitedpacificind.com/view.asp?id=ODQz
Thanks
http://www.unitedpacificind.com/view.asp?id=MjA0OQ
Am assuming it is probably this one since it includes the pigtail?
http://www.unitedpacificind.com/view.asp?id=ODQz
Thanks
11-09-2009, 10:56 AM
#32
Race Director
Years ago I switched my '71 over to E-code H4 halogens made by Hella. The housing is metal and the lens is glass (not plastic). I'm still on the original bulbs. Didn't have to change any wiring as I stuck to 55/60W bulbs. Lights are better than most modern cars except some that use Xenons.
11-09-2009, 06:03 PM
#34
Race Director
I like them for numerous reasons
Ironcross,
I have some questions please.
I purchased a set of these GE landing lights and the modification to fit the factory lamp wiring socket was easy but I am wondering how yours have held up over the years.
The GE advertising says they only last 25 hours and my real worry, which is why I did not install them yet in the high beam sockets, is that I read several posts that said relays and special wiring were required to prevent frying the wiring harnesses in our old cars.
Did you make any modifications to your wiring?
How often do you use them?
Have the bulbs burned out after 25 + hours and required replacement?
I would like to install mine but I have owned my 68 since 1972 and do not want a fire and I also do not want to start hacking up my original wiring harness.
Any input you have will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Kurt
I have some questions please.
I purchased a set of these GE landing lights and the modification to fit the factory lamp wiring socket was easy but I am wondering how yours have held up over the years.
The GE advertising says they only last 25 hours and my real worry, which is why I did not install them yet in the high beam sockets, is that I read several posts that said relays and special wiring were required to prevent frying the wiring harnesses in our old cars.
Did you make any modifications to your wiring?
How often do you use them?
Have the bulbs burned out after 25 + hours and required replacement?
I would like to install mine but I have owned my 68 since 1972 and do not want a fire and I also do not want to start hacking up my original wiring harness.
Any input you have will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Kurt
I got creative with the Vettes and unsolder-ed the contacts on both stock beams and soldered them to the aircraft beams, that way I could use my Vettes harnesses with plug in ends instead of adding or cutting anything.....I used a high beam pigtail plug to hold the spade terminals to get it right...A word of caution they are extremenly brite and could make an on coming car uncomfortable but used wisely there great...oh, I have never burned one out and are a topic for others to guess what they are......
great for influlencing motorists to move over to make a pass too...sometimes they get mad and jump quickly behind and turn on there high beam candells ..I just press on the gas and they quickly dissapear from sight and out of mind.....and your welcome
WJK..
11-09-2009, 07:45 PM
#35
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Oct 2006
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If you are going to bring up lights, someone should bring up Daniel Stern... You can see my picture to the left. These are the Cibie CSR headlights. They are $111/a piece. I have the upgraded Nightbreaker bulbs (65/55). The next step up is illegal for the road as it will turn signs into pure white - literally. I have yellow high beams on the way (10,000 ft / 2 mile range). Daniel thinks they have stopped making clear ones.
11-09-2009, 08:09 PM
#36
Instructor
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Bear with as I am still trying to figure out how to upload my pics, my headlight conversion was a lot easier and took less time then trying to get pics on the forum, should be able to just cut and paste!
11-09-2009, 08:15 PM
#37
Instructor
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[IMG]<a href="http://s481.photobucket.com/albums/rr174/blfastvette/?action=view¤t=vettepics022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr174/blfastvette/vettepics022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG] I used 9007's High and low beam for all four lights.
![](http://s481.photobucket.com/albums/rr174/blfastvette/?action=view¤t=vettepics022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr174/blfastvette/vettepics022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>)
2nd try