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We all agree the headlights could be much better. I already wired my lights to be on a relay and are wire for low/high on at the same time. However I wanted better...their are a ton of different ways to go about this... Here is mine, all said cost $140 all in and about 2 hrs of time. I don't love the look, but I'm not on the outside looking at the lights with them off so whatever...
Getting the lights is really simple, you just need to cut the housing and file the rest down slightly, the rest is literally plug and play.
Nice work- so those are (4) HI/Low and are you just running one pair on low?
I'm guessing you have ditched the fiberoptics?
AND do you have the light's dimensions- as the ones I have looked at just look a lot deeper...BTW - I'm not afraid to cut either!!!
****Are they the Cree ones that are DOT approved?
Richard
Yes - they are Hi/Low, I run one (the outers for the low) and HI all four kick on. I might change the wiring so the low is used on all four (the top part of the light is the low)
Fiber optics are long gone, these are DOT approved. They are not too deep that they don't fit, but as I posted in the photo you will need to grind down the "tabs" if thats what they are called.
Here is a link the lights. HTH I know we suffer from the same modding medical condition
I don't care how they look....I want to know how well they work. Do they 'blind' approaching drivers? Is the light placed on the road where it is needed? Also, how much power (amps) do they pull when the engine is off? I'm all for converting to LED's....IF they are functionally [and significantly] better than the T-3's.
They work good enough for me and are way better than the old sealed ones, not even close. Do they blind drivers - I want to say no, I haven't gotten the double flash from anyone but even new cars I have had people flash me with stock lights. The cut off is correct and if you stand in front the light isn't all over the place. They don't pull anything with the engine off, nor should they. Again my lights are wired with two SPDT 40amp weatherproof relays.
Those look great, that's the kind I wanted to install on my car as well. All you had to do was grind down that tab? did you have to drill out the black bulb holder cup thing that the stock bulbs mounts to? Did you use a separate relay harness with its own switch or is it still run off the factory headlight switch?
Those look great, that's the kind I wanted to install on my car as well. All you had to do was grind down that tab? did you have to drill out the black bulb holder cup thing that the stock bulbs mounts to? Did you use a separate relay harness with its own switch or is it still run off the factory headlight switch?
They pull LESS power- so running them on the stock switch/wiring is no problem-they'll plug right in -but the fiberoptics won't work without modding the bulb
You have to cut up the headlight bulb retainer quite a bit-
the piece circled in red is whats left- HOWEVER you can buy replacements for $15/each and cut them up if you feel saving the originals is a big deal....
They pull LESS power- so running them on the stock switch/wiring is no problem-they'll plug right in -but the fiberoptics won't work without modding the bulb
You have to cut up the headlight bulb retainer quite a bit-
the piece circled in red is whats left- HOWEVER you can buy replacements for $15/each and cut them up if you feel saving the originals is a big deal....
I don't care about saving the originals, I just wanted to see how much you have to cut in order to get the led unit to seat properly. Did you just Dremel the center part out? I don't have fibre optics now so that doesn't matter to me either.
I'll stay with my relay powered halogens. I just don't like the look of these LED headlights. I know I'll never see them but just knowing I don't like the look would bother me.
The weight difference between stock and these are ounces at best, it's not costing you any HP.
I didn't use a dremel, I am sure you could I just put a slice with a cut off wheel then cut it with an air saw. You just need the outer ring of the cup, cut as much as possible and grind down the two tabs the top and side one (the one holding the spring on my car didn't need to be touched). Thats all folks...
They are 100% plug and play into the factory harness, I run two relays on my headlights but thats because I have a lot of electronics in my car and it's far from stock. And to be honest I run most things through relays where there is any large draw. You don't have to.
I'll stay with my relay powered halogens. I just don't like the look of these LED headlights. I know I'll never see them but just knowing I don't like the look would bother me.
Their are a ton of options as long as they are 5.75 you can make them fit, but hey if you just want that stock look then I get it, its not for everyone but I like to see better and farther at night
Here are some photos of the lights on the car... YES I know the car is very dusty...and the lower part of the lights are NOT on thats the camera angle. ONLY the three top light up on low.
Here is high beam..
Here is low...you can see the cut off is mid body of the C5, and nothing is hitting the glass or roof line.
Thanks for the great info! Very timely for me. That is on the list for this winter.
A couple of quick questions for you or Richard454:
1. Why did you choose to add relays?
2. Any idea if we COULD modify the bulbs for fiber optics?
3. Where did you get that sweet air dam in the first picture?
PS I think you need a few more Corvettes. I only see 3 in that picture!
Thanks for the great info! Very timely for me. That is on the list for this winter.
A couple of quick questions for you or Richard454:
1. Why did you choose to add relays?
2. Any idea if we COULD modify the bulbs for fiber optics?
3. Where did you get that sweet air dam in the first picture?
PS I think you need a few more Corvettes. I only see 3 in that picture!
I always add relays since they have high draw. I hate when you roll windows up and see your headlights dim, so I add relays to anything withh draw. (I.e power windows, fans, etc.)
I highly doubt you can mod them for optics they are completely sealed.
That air dam is available from ecklers I believe, I have to double check don't remember.
Yeah I have a vette problem, funny enough I have only owned and liked the odd number vettes...lol. I like the 8 but no manual so their goes that..
My C3 LED headlight upgrade.
