Electric Light Popups
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,258
Likes: 7,847
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Me, fairly big cam for the street. 11.5 inches of vacuum. Headlights work fine with the vacuum system. Super easy system to repair if it does act up.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
now that the bug debris is out of my vac lines, i can raise or lower one headlight by sucking on the hose. (no chrome off trailer hitch jokes please.) surprised me. i was checking to see it it leaked and up it came! that is not but about 3 inches of vacuum tops. the control relays require a bit more, but not much.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 939
From: Georgetown, Tx
I will be moving to an LS generation engine soon. And during this build I will upgrade the headlight actuation system to electric, and the brake system to hydroboost.
For me, it is not about the money. My reasons for newer systems are simple. 1) To improve the drivability and reliability of the Corvette. 2) To eliminate ECM control problems by eliminating vacuum leak sources. 3) To minimize the necessary components, hoses and wires.
For me, it is not about the money. My reasons for newer systems are simple. 1) To improve the drivability and reliability of the Corvette. 2) To eliminate ECM control problems by eliminating vacuum leak sources. 3) To minimize the necessary components, hoses and wires.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
now that the bug debris is out of my vac lines, i can raise or lower one headlight by sucking on the hose. (no chrome off trailer hitch jokes please.) surprised me. i was checking to see it it leaked and up it came! that is not but about 3 inches of vacuum tops. the control relays require a bit more, but not much.
I could have just run a single rubber hose up to the drivers seat to keep the headlights up and saved some $$$.
Now you tell me!
Highway Man
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 445
Likes: 188
From: Ca
My 71 coupe was ridden hard and put away wet and was literally sitting in a barn for ~20 years till I rescued it. My instincts told me to run like hell but it was so cheap, had very little rust, a no hit body and I was looking for a new project. I have old Triumph motorcycles that are original and one of the three has the factory paint. I respect and enjoy bone stock classics but this one was a base model with a million things wrong with it so it wasn’t going back together stock other than the look.
Most of the vacuum hoses, actuators, switches, etc. were broken and or rotted and I was thinking performance motor that might not have much vacuum. Removing it all reduced weight and to me, unsightly look of the hoses draping around the engine bay. I went HydraBoost for brakes as well.
The only vacuum that I need now is for the vacuum referenced fuel regulator for my EFI and my charcoal canister for fuel tank venting.
Cheers,
Richard
Most of the vacuum hoses, actuators, switches, etc. were broken and or rotted and I was thinking performance motor that might not have much vacuum. Removing it all reduced weight and to me, unsightly look of the hoses draping around the engine bay. I went HydraBoost for brakes as well.
The only vacuum that I need now is for the vacuum referenced fuel regulator for my EFI and my charcoal canister for fuel tank venting.
Cheers,
Richard
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 363
From: Lubbock Texas
Apparently you think any modification someone wants to do to their car is a waste of time, money and effort, UNLESS it's a modification you've made yourself. You continue to show your disdain for people who want to modify their cars. Just remember this: NEED has nothing to do with it.
He asked for input on electric conversion kits, not a diatribe on why you think he is stupid for wanting to modify his car.
DC
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4,888
Likes: 202
From: Jackson MS
Apparently you think any modification someone wants to do to their car is a waste of time, money and effort, UNLESS it's a modification you've made yourself. You continue to show your disdain for people who want to modify their cars. Just remember this: NEED has nothing to do with it.
He asked for input on electric conversion kits, not a diatribe on why you think he is stupid for wanting to modify his car.
DC
He asked for input on electric conversion kits, not a diatribe on why you think he is stupid for wanting to modify his car.
DC
However, there are many members here that frown upon most anything that departs from OEM condition.
In the context of the original post "Red Dick" is dealing with a 1975 model that has been sitting for years.
The unknown condition of the vacuum system and the potential time / expense of rehabilitation could be driving his interest in electrification.
To me, there seems to be far fewer potential failure points in the electric conversion.
To name a few:
No more dry, cracked vacuum hoses.
No more dry, cracked diaphragms in the relays or actuators.
No more pinholes in the vacuum tank.
I'm all for any owner doing whatever they think they can in order to keep another one of these cars on the road and out of a barn.
If he's more comfortable with wiring than vacuum hoses, its no skin off my nose.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Actually, he asked what we thought about converting to electric actuators on the headlamps. And I wrote what I thought about doing so. And my thinking has nothing to do with making modifications on the car. I just don't like modifications that cost more money, take more effort, and achieve nothing over the stock system already in place. 
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 6
From: Louisiana
Update, I went with Richard454’s latest electric kit. It’s as much plug n play as u can get. American made with superior parts. Can’t wait to get it on. Thanks everyone for the input.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Although always intrigued to convert my headlights and wiper door to electric my vacuum system works very good so I just don't have the desire to do the conversion and I can use that money for other projects.
Since your car has been sitting for a while I'm sure it would take just as much work getting the vacuum system working as it would just installing the electric kit. Not to mention all the new vac relays and actuators are probably made in China and will only work for a while. You made the right choice. While your messing with your headlights you might want to consider putting relays to control the lamps themselves. Richard can help with that as well and it gets the high current draw out of the headlight switch which to me is a fire hazard.
Since your car has been sitting for a while I'm sure it would take just as much work getting the vacuum system working as it would just installing the electric kit. Not to mention all the new vac relays and actuators are probably made in China and will only work for a while. You made the right choice. While your messing with your headlights you might want to consider putting relays to control the lamps themselves. Richard can help with that as well and it gets the high current draw out of the headlight switch which to me is a fire hazard.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California