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1990-96 Headlamp Identifier

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Old Dec 16, 2013 | 10:44 AM
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Default 1990-96 Headlamp Identifier

Doing some research on the types of headlamps furnished in the 1990-96 Corvette. From what I have learned they were originally glass, but they seemed to be weighty and caused the headlamp motor to burn out. Then the glass ones.

I am interested in knowing what type of headlamp you have in you 1990-96. Also if they were Wagner or Sylvania.

Thanks for any help.
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Old Dec 16, 2013 | 11:04 AM
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When I bought my '92 'vert back in the late part of 1995, the headlamps were Wagner plastic-lens units. I upgraded to a set of Hella euro-type glass headlights. I never had a problem with the gears or the motors. I owned that car for 10 years.

My '87 has a set of Sylvania SilverStar's that are glass and the original motors and gears are also working great.

If you weigh the plastic lamp and the glass lamp, you'll find there really isn't a huge difference. Constant use of the headlights will do more to wear out the motors and the gears than the weight of the lamp.

Some C4 owners have upgraded the gears in the motors to the bronze style. but if everything is working fine, there should be no real reason to worry about glass vs. plastic.
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Old Dec 16, 2013 | 02:49 PM
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Default 90-96 headlamps

Thanks for your response and I hope more members also send in their comments. About the different weight of the two glass/plastic I really don't know from first hand experience if the heavier glass caused problems.

Also appreciate the comments on your 87.
I have a 95 and never had any problems with my motors.

Again, thanks for your comments and I do appreciate them.
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Old Dec 16, 2013 | 03:46 PM
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I recall seeing comments that '91+ in NCRS documentation mentions plastic BUT I seem to recall comments that maybe '91 might have been a rolling change. Not that you can rely on the NCRS documentation I believe it would be where I'd maybe direct the questions. C4 members who have either had their cars "Top Flighted" or perhaps have the manuals for the specific years.


The FSM I believe always listed both for service numbers H6054 for glass and HP6054 for the plastic.

I don't believe Sylvania would ever have been "production".

In a '90 FSM there's no mention of HP6054 "only" the H6054, in '91 the FSM references "both"!

Last edited by WVZR-1; Dec 16, 2013 at 03:57 PM.
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Old Dec 16, 2013 | 07:04 PM
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My 1991 was a early build #1581 on 09/05/90 and it has it's GLASS lens still in it.
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Old Dec 18, 2013 | 02:48 PM
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Default 1990-96 Headlamps

Still looking for some input from the 1990 ZR1 group and also the 1992 LT1 Group. Need some help here.

Thanks in advance.
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Old Dec 18, 2013 | 03:08 PM
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My 96 LT1 has Wagner. Last year, I had to replace one of the plastic ones with glass as that was the only option at the time. So on the passenger side, one is plastic and the driver side is now glass.
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Old Dec 18, 2013 | 05:47 PM
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My '96 had the plastic Wagner headlights when I got it last year. I replaced them with Sylvania Silver Stars and the headlights have worked fine since then with regular use.
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Old Dec 22, 2013 | 09:42 AM
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Default 1990-1996 Headlamps

Have narrowed down our search to the 1990 ZR1 for Headlamp Identification.
From our results it appears that the early 1990 ZR1's had Guide Glass Headlamps then switched over the Wagner Plastic.
Looking for any 1990 ZR1 owners for help in this survey.
Need type of headlamp-Glass/Plastic-Manufacturer and a build date to determine change over date.
If you know of any 1990 ZR1's please make a visit and try to obtain this information.
Thanks in advance for your time.
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