New headlights question
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 57
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From: Saint louis Missouri
New headlights question
I've read a few threads on here about upgrading headlights and a lot of people seem to have had rewire and switch relays. My question is are they good options that simply involve removing the old light and putting a new one in without messing with wiring.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kingman AZ
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Your headlight motors and gears will last much longer if you buy new ones that are listed for the 95/96 Corvettes. They are plastic and weigh considerably less than your glass units. See if you can get Silver Stars in plastic as they are much brighter.
No wiring changes needed. Plug and play.
No wiring changes needed. Plug and play.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,674
Likes: 751
From: NEwhere Ohio
my problem with these 'plastic units' is they are still the same crappy 'i cant see when driving the vette fast at night' headlight.
i personally think the heavy headlight cAusing gear wear problem is either
a. overblown
b. was fixed by my model year (93)
i cant speak for the silverstars (or newer ge nighthawk led's) but ...
i have never had any headlight issues and use heavy glass optics 'cibie' h4 conversions from daniel stern which allow me to see the road clearly vs. the stock POS headlight units.
is their better and lighter technology out there now? yes and i dont know what it is...
i advise against stock plastic headlights As the lighting from them 'stinks'
i personally think the heavy headlight cAusing gear wear problem is either
a. overblown
b. was fixed by my model year (93)
i cant speak for the silverstars (or newer ge nighthawk led's) but ...
i have never had any headlight issues and use heavy glass optics 'cibie' h4 conversions from daniel stern which allow me to see the road clearly vs. the stock POS headlight units.
is their better and lighter technology out there now? yes and i dont know what it is...
i advise against stock plastic headlights As the lighting from them 'stinks'
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
my problem with these 'plastic units' is they are still the same crappy 'i cant see when driving the vette fast at night' headlight.
i personally think the heavy headlight cAusing gear wear problem is either
a. overblown
b. was fixed by my model year (93)
i cant speak for the silverstars (or newer ge nighthawk led's) but ...
i have never had any headlight issues and use heavy glass optics 'cibie' h4 conversions from daniel stern which allow me to see the road clearly vs. the stock POS headlight units.
is their better and lighter technology out there now? yes and i dont know what it is...
i advise against stock plastic headlights As the lighting from them 'stinks'
i personally think the heavy headlight cAusing gear wear problem is either
a. overblown
b. was fixed by my model year (93)
i cant speak for the silverstars (or newer ge nighthawk led's) but ...
i have never had any headlight issues and use heavy glass optics 'cibie' h4 conversions from daniel stern which allow me to see the road clearly vs. the stock POS headlight units.
is their better and lighter technology out there now? yes and i dont know what it is...
i advise against stock plastic headlights As the lighting from them 'stinks'
I had used the Hella glass conversion lamps in my old '92 and never had a problem with the motors or gears. I also used a Xenon H4-style bulb (100W/90W) and never had an issue with the wiring or OEM relays. A separate relay could be added so you could use a dedicated 12v power source that would provide more amperage, but I didn't seen the need for it at the time. One thing I really liked about the Hella lamps was the beam pattern. More light to the right side and a very sharp horizontal cut-off so glare from rain or fog was pretty much eliminated. CIBIE lamps would be an equal.
Lamp assemblies like the Hella or CIBIE units can be pricey, but IMHO, they do a better job than lamps like the SilverStar or other similar lamps. These lights have pretty much the same wattage as stock light; the only real difference is the bulb color temp (3500k for stock, 4000k for the SilverStar and similar)
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
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Likes: 579
I had used the Hella glass conversion lamps in my old '92 and never had a problem with the motors or gears. I also used a Xenon H4-style bulb (100W/90W) and never had an issue with the wiring or OEM relays. A separate relay could be added so you could use a dedicated 12v power source that would provide more amperage, but I didn't seen the need for it at the time. One thing I really liked about the Hella lamps was the beam pattern. More light to the right side and a very sharp horizontal cut-off so glare from rain or fog was pretty much eliminated. CIBIE lamps would be an equal.
Lamp assemblies like the Hella or CIBIE units can be pricey, but IMHO, they do a better job than lamps like the SilverStar or other similar lamps. These lights have pretty much the same wattage as stock light; the only real difference is the bulb color temp (3500k for stock, 4000k for the SilverStar and similar)
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 47
From: Denver Colorado
I had used the Hella glass conversion lamps in my old '92 and never had a problem with the motors or gears. I also used a Xenon H4-style bulb (100W/90W) and never had an issue with the wiring or OEM relays. A separate relay could be added so you could use a dedicated 12v power source that would provide more amperage, but I didn't seen the need for it at the time. One thing I really liked about the Hella lamps was the beam pattern. More light to the right side and a very sharp horizontal cut-off so glare from rain or fog was pretty much eliminated. CIBIE lamps would be an equal.
Lamp assemblies like the Hella or CIBIE units can be pricey, but IMHO, they do a better job than lamps like the SilverStar or other similar lamps. These lights have pretty much the same wattage as stock light; the only real difference is the bulb color temp (3500k for stock, 4000k for the SilverStar and similar)
I have used Hella conversions with the "stock 55/60" watt H4 bulbs that come with them for years and been happy with the results. They are euro standard with the sharp beam cut off and right hand kick up and do a good job at legal speeds. If you need more light the higher wattage H4 bulbs will do it but, you really should then add lighting relays and heavy duty plugs and heavy/dedicated wire to protect the switch and stock headlight circuit.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 451
Likes: 14
From: Okehampton Devon
my problem with these 'plastic units' is they are still the same crappy 'i cant see when driving the vette fast at night' headlight.
i personally think the heavy headlight cAusing gear wear problem is either
a. overblown
b. was fixed by my model year (93)
i cant speak for the silverstars (or newer ge nighthawk led's) but ...
i have never had any headlight issues and use heavy glass optics 'cibie' h4 conversions from daniel stern which allow me to see the road clearly vs. the stock POS headlight units.
is their better and lighter technology out there now? yes and i dont know what it is...
i advise against stock plastic headlights As the lighting from
them 'stinks'
i personally think the heavy headlight cAusing gear wear problem is either
a. overblown
b. was fixed by my model year (93)
i cant speak for the silverstars (or newer ge nighthawk led's) but ...
i have never had any headlight issues and use heavy glass optics 'cibie' h4 conversions from daniel stern which allow me to see the road clearly vs. the stock POS headlight units.
is their better and lighter technology out there now? yes and i dont know what it is...
i advise against stock plastic headlights As the lighting from
them 'stinks'
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,674
Likes: 751
From: NEwhere Ohio
my lighting is amazing, but there is likely better less alternator power robbing technology out there now.
my clear halogen Narva headlight bulbs are both 100 low/ 130 watts on high.
so that means 260 watts to operate my high beams!!!!
Last edited by dizwiz24; Jan 3, 2016 at 04:26 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 527
Likes: 23
From: Mishawaka Indiana
This s what I bought. Cheap, easy install, has a glass lens, no special wiring and much brighter than the factory headlights.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130962776125?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130962776125?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,674
Likes: 751
From: NEwhere Ohio
This s what I bought. Cheap, easy install, has a glass lens, no special wiring and much brighter than the factory headlights.
7x6 H6054 H6052 H6014 Head Light Housing Lamp Conversion Chrome Diamond Cut T | eBay
7x6 H6054 H6052 H6014 Head Light Housing Lamp Conversion Chrome Diamond Cut T | eBay
beware the reflector optics arent same quality as bosch, cibie, or hella.
though i need to say the bosch and cibie are superior to hella (for low ride height cars).
the issue i had was if you adjust low beams to see the road, then the high beams are up in the trees and not on the road.
the bosch and cibie housings, bought thru daniel stern lighting, font have this issue
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
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i tried a similar brand 'diamond cut' headlight kit and returned them. the kit i bought looked just like that - with that dish over the bulb end
beware the reflector optics arent same quality as bosch, cibie, or hella.
though i need to say the bosch and cibie are superior to hella (for low ride height cars).
the issue i had was if you adjust low beams to see the road, then the high beams are up in the trees and not on the road.
the bosch and cibie housings, bought thru daniel stern lighting, font have this issue
beware the reflector optics arent same quality as bosch, cibie, or hella.
though i need to say the bosch and cibie are superior to hella (for low ride height cars).
the issue i had was if you adjust low beams to see the road, then the high beams are up in the trees and not on the road.
the bosch and cibie housings, bought thru daniel stern lighting, font have this issue
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 527
Likes: 23
From: Mishawaka Indiana
What ever came with them, but need to check because although they are bright enough I thought about going with something even brighter. Bought a ceramic pigtail and thought about putting them on a relay so I don't burn up the headlight module.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
