Headlight Recommendations...
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Headlight Recommendations...
I just recently purchased a 95 Vette... Driving at nite is like driving with my eyes closed... What can I do that won't break the bank to change these out.. I see alot of talk but its all on the 97 and up. From what I gather I need a conversion kit... thats about all I know. All the people that post on this forum all know what each is talkin about... so there if little info for someone like me..its all french.. Just point me in the right direction... Thanks for all your anticipated help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I agree; altho I haven't seen a whole lot of lighting threads (maybe it's just me not looking too carefully) other than fixing the motors, slow revolving, etc.
I do get a little worried about taxing the alternator/wiring system too much even though the lighting is a bit poor even by '96 standards. I have a pair of supposedly light weight used lights coming to me. I'll see if these "halogens" make any difference, output-wise.
If not, I'll back up your thread, or start a new one with "ANYONe know how to convert the lights to light weight AND plug in bulbs like Silverstars?"
I do get a little worried about taxing the alternator/wiring system too much even though the lighting is a bit poor even by '96 standards. I have a pair of supposedly light weight used lights coming to me. I'll see if these "halogens" make any difference, output-wise.
If not, I'll back up your thread, or start a new one with "ANYONe know how to convert the lights to light weight AND plug in bulbs like Silverstars?"
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse Utah
I just recently converted to AutoPal H4s. Although they are not as good as I hoped, they are an improvement. Being an H4 setup, it also allows me a lot more choises on bulbs.
I don't feel the weight of the light has anything to do with motor failure. The gear in there don't wear out faster just because they have to twist an extra 5 ozs. for one second. They wear out because of other issues (construction materials, full blast stops on both sides, etc.) so I went with glass and metal bulb housings. That eliminates problems with overheating, warping, and fogging. I hate fogging, every car I own (except the vette) has fogged headlights. I wash them, I wax them, I polish them; nothing helps. It's something in the plastic and the heat that causes the problem.
Whew, okay, I'm all right now.
I current run 90w ultra brights which is okay because my lenses are European, very sharp cutoff and good focus so no blinded oncoming traffic. I've never had anyone high-beam me.
Good luck.
I don't feel the weight of the light has anything to do with motor failure. The gear in there don't wear out faster just because they have to twist an extra 5 ozs. for one second. They wear out because of other issues (construction materials, full blast stops on both sides, etc.) so I went with glass and metal bulb housings. That eliminates problems with overheating, warping, and fogging. I hate fogging, every car I own (except the vette) has fogged headlights. I wash them, I wax them, I polish them; nothing helps. It's something in the plastic and the heat that causes the problem.
Whew, okay, I'm all right now.
I current run 90w ultra brights which is okay because my lenses are European, very sharp cutoff and good focus so no blinded oncoming traffic. I've never had anyone high-beam me.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,172
Likes: 672
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
I switched to Hella's with the legal bulbs. Lots of light the is more properly directed. And don't need to buy the retna burner bulbs these have everyone (even the blue bulb ricers) trying to flash me down.
100 bucks
100 bucks
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
You might want to look into the H4-> HID conversion. There was a thread a while back about a guy with a GS doing it. His night shots looked awesome. He said it ran about $700.
Or you can just pop in Silverstars(~$20 each), they make the entire sealed unit that we have....
Ron
Or you can just pop in Silverstars(~$20 each), they make the entire sealed unit that we have....
Ron
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Ah, one of my favorite subjects!
Converting to non-sealed beams is easy; just take out the old units, then bolt and plug in the new H4's.
I've have the best luck with Hella's and 80/100W standard H4 bulbs (not the super-whites or the blue-white's). Figure a hundred bucks to markedly improve your night driving.
Larry
code5coupe
Converting to non-sealed beams is easy; just take out the old units, then bolt and plug in the new H4's.
I've have the best luck with Hella's and 80/100W standard H4 bulbs (not the super-whites or the blue-white's). Figure a hundred bucks to markedly improve your night driving.
Larry
code5coupe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Sylvania Silverstars made a big difference for me.Makes me squint around relector signs.Best bang for the buck IMHO.Try em and if you don't like em put them up for sale in the parts forum but I bet you keep them.
Last edited by Redeasysport; Aug 29, 2005 at 05:35 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
