1993 C4 Headlights
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Fishers Indiana
1993 C4 Headlights
Can anyone confirm the type of headlight lenses that were "factory" for this year C4? Mine has plastic lenses (I believe they've never been replaced) and, in talking with other owners of original cars, some of theirs are glass and some are plastic. Which is correct?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The factory lights for my 95 were the plastic lenses. Thus its most likely for your 93. In fact the entire shell and reflector are plastic. This enabled them to use gears made of softer lightweight material.
Most owners replace them with better performing glass shell and lenses and some of them experience premature gear failure due to the triple in weight and they complain about poor manufacturing design. I've always run the plastic ones in my 95 and had driven over 100K daily driving use them all the time ... but I understand their performance limitations and drive accordingly.
If you decide to change yours out they may be worth some $$ to someone who is restoring a C4 as they are no longer available. I bought the last two on the west coast (that I know of available commercially ) 5 years ago when one of mine went out.
Most owners replace them with better performing glass shell and lenses and some of them experience premature gear failure due to the triple in weight and they complain about poor manufacturing design. I've always run the plastic ones in my 95 and had driven over 100K daily driving use them all the time ... but I understand their performance limitations and drive accordingly.
If you decide to change yours out they may be worth some $$ to someone who is restoring a C4 as they are no longer available. I bought the last two on the west coast (that I know of available commercially ) 5 years ago when one of mine went out.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 16,872
Likes: 4
From: Owings Mills, MD 21117
OE Wagner HP Plastic Headlights on my Ruby 'Vert. The '93 video states that GM used them since they would not shatter if a rock hit them at high speeds like glass but we know better. The lighter the weight the less wear and tear on the headlight gears.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,680
Likes: 752
From: NEwhere Ohio
i replaced my 93's poor performing plastic sealed headlights with heavy glass bosch housings and 130/100w clear replaceable narva bulbs so i could see the road at high speeds.
that was in 2003
no problems with headlight motors.
LED technology exists now in lightweight plastic housings and this is what i would go to if i wanted to upgrade
that was in 2003
no problems with headlight motors.
LED technology exists now in lightweight plastic housings and this is what i would go to if i wanted to upgrade
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