Daniel Stern Lighting Upg Install Tips
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland OH
Daniel Stern Lighting Upg Install Tips
Hey everyone,
I am in the planning phases of the DS Lighting Upgrades as some of you are already running. Haven't finalized the exact lights that I will go with, but in all likelihood it will be something as follows:
Bosch E-spec
NARVA 100/130 w bulbs
relay kit with 10 gauge wiring to bulbs.
For those who have already done this upgrade. Can you provide any install tips or gotchas that you ran into with this setup. I'm more interested in installation issues/tips as most who have or have seen this setup seem to think it's pretty darn good.
Some things that I am interested in (but feel free to add to them) are how much splicing was needed to do the wiring upgrade. Where did you hide all of the relays/wiring in your install? Did you have to replace anything from the dash switch to the initial HL relay? Did you acquire everything from Daniel Stern for the wiring upgrade, or did your source from somewhere else? After all of the work, do you actually like it? :-)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Ron
I am in the planning phases of the DS Lighting Upgrades as some of you are already running. Haven't finalized the exact lights that I will go with, but in all likelihood it will be something as follows:
Bosch E-spec
NARVA 100/130 w bulbs
relay kit with 10 gauge wiring to bulbs.
For those who have already done this upgrade. Can you provide any install tips or gotchas that you ran into with this setup. I'm more interested in installation issues/tips as most who have or have seen this setup seem to think it's pretty darn good.
Some things that I am interested in (but feel free to add to them) are how much splicing was needed to do the wiring upgrade. Where did you hide all of the relays/wiring in your install? Did you have to replace anything from the dash switch to the initial HL relay? Did you acquire everything from Daniel Stern for the wiring upgrade, or did your source from somewhere else? After all of the work, do you actually like it? :-)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Ron
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,298
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
I am running Hella E-spec with Hella 110/80 bulbs. Awsome lighting compared to stock. I did not use any relays, just plug and play, as others here have also done.
Almost 2 years and not a hint of a problem.
Almost 2 years and not a hint of a problem.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,664
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
Hey everyone,
I am in the planning phases of the DS Lighting Upgrades as some of you are already running. Haven't finalized the exact lights that I will go with, but in all likelihood it will be something as follows:
Bosch E-spec
NARVA 100/130 w bulbs
relay kit with 10 gauge wiring to bulbs.
For those who have already done this upgrade. Can you provide any install tips or gotchas that you ran into with this setup. I'm more interested in installation issues/tips as most who have or have seen this setup seem to think it's pretty darn good.
Some things that I am interested in (but feel free to add to them) are how much splicing was needed to do the wiring upgrade. Where did you hide all of the relays/wiring in your install? Did you have to replace anything from the dash switch to the initial HL relay? Did you acquire everything from Daniel Stern for the wiring upgrade, or did your source from somewhere else? After all of the work, do you actually like it? :-)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Ron
I am in the planning phases of the DS Lighting Upgrades as some of you are already running. Haven't finalized the exact lights that I will go with, but in all likelihood it will be something as follows:
Bosch E-spec
NARVA 100/130 w bulbs
relay kit with 10 gauge wiring to bulbs.
For those who have already done this upgrade. Can you provide any install tips or gotchas that you ran into with this setup. I'm more interested in installation issues/tips as most who have or have seen this setup seem to think it's pretty darn good.
Some things that I am interested in (but feel free to add to them) are how much splicing was needed to do the wiring upgrade. Where did you hide all of the relays/wiring in your install? Did you have to replace anything from the dash switch to the initial HL relay? Did you acquire everything from Daniel Stern for the wiring upgrade, or did your source from somewhere else? After all of the work, do you actually like it? :-)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Ron
As for mounting the relays, its really up to you. Id 'hang' them off a bolt or something. Mount t hem upright, so if they get splashed with water it wont get inside the relay housing.
good luck.
Im really happy with my setup.
I tried the Hella E-spec setup and was happy with it too - with one exception. The Hella E-spec setup I tried was designed for use with higher ride height vehicles. So, you can either adjust your low beams to illuminate the road (and your high beam is pointed skyward), or you can adjust your highbeam so that it illuminates the road and your low beam is pointed into the ground). Other than that complaint, it is a good setup that is better than stock.
Maybe Hella has changed their E-specs to b etter accomodate low ride height vehicles. I had the Hellas on 6 years ago.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 621
Likes: 37
From: Texas
I tried the Hella E-spec setup and was happy with it too - with one exception. The Hella E-spec setup I tried was designed for use with higher ride height vehicles. So, you can either adjust your low beams to illuminate the road (and your high beam is pointed skyward), or you can adjust your highbeam so that it illuminates the road and your low beam is pointed into the ground). Other than that complaint, it is a good setup that is better than stock.
Maybe Hella has changed their E-specs to b etter accomodate low ride height vehicles. I had the Hellas on 6 years ago.
I just ordered some "E" spec Hella's for my Malibu which uses the same 6054 light that the vette does. I was going to try them out in the Malibu first before I bought a set for the vette. I need them in the Malibu more anyway. It is my driver car right now and I need more light out here on these rural roads going to and from work. I hope I don't have the same problem you had. Does anyone know if Hella makes more than one style of euro "E" spec housing ?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by RonRed89
Some things that I am interested in (but feel free to add to them) are 1. how much splicing was needed to do the wiring upgrade. 2. Where did you hide all of the relays/wiring in your install? 3. Did you have to replace anything from the dash switch to the initial HL relay?
Thanks!
Ron
Thanks!
Ron
Relays seem to be a good idea, even if you aren't having problems without them. As Daniel Stern notes on his web site, the brightness of a bulb varies considerably depending on the voltage. Especially with the higher amp draw (wattage) of the aftermarket halogen bulbs, the voltage drop to the head light connector can reduce the light output you just paid to get.
1. Zero.
2. The relays can go in the wells, up front, just to the outside of the head lights. The wires can be routed in the stock loom or additional loom, if needed, is available at any parts store and is inexpensive.
3. No connections at or even near the head light switch. There is no stock "initial HL relay" for illumination. Since the wires that now power the stock head lights will only be used to trigger the primary side on the relay, no alterations to that wiring is needed. That is one of the big reasons for relays.
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland OH
I tried the Hella E-spec setup and was happy with it too - with one exception. The Hella E-spec setup I tried was designed for use with higher ride height vehicles. So, you can either adjust your low beams to illuminate the road (and your high beam is pointed skyward), or you can adjust your highbeam so that it illuminates the road and your low beam is pointed into the ground). Other than that complaint, it is a good setup that is better than stock.
Ron
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
I have cibie lamps a relay kit and the upwatt bulbs. I got 12ga wiring into the bulbs. Look for some of the fine stranded wire with teflon insulation and it will go in without much trouble. just spray a little wd40 on the wires when you push them in.
I mounted the relays and fuse blocks on the front of the left inner fender.
You just use the stock headlight wires to power the relay, it doesn't affect anything inside the car.
Don't expect the bulbs to last forever, I've replaced a socket to. Those bulbs draw 18 amps on low beam. So nobody try and run them with stock wiring.
If you drive at night it is the best mod you can do! You can see stuff in time to drive around it instead of just run over it...
I have some pictures somewhere, I'll look for them.
I did the mod about 3 years ago.
I mounted the relays and fuse blocks on the front of the left inner fender.
You just use the stock headlight wires to power the relay, it doesn't affect anything inside the car.
Don't expect the bulbs to last forever, I've replaced a socket to. Those bulbs draw 18 amps on low beam. So nobody try and run them with stock wiring.
If you drive at night it is the best mod you can do! You can see stuff in time to drive around it instead of just run over it...
I have some pictures somewhere, I'll look for them.
I did the mod about 3 years ago.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland OH
We're talking about a setup from this place here called Daniel Stern Lighting:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/
The site has good writeups (not so much Corvette Specific) about upgrading your headlights and the proper wiring upgrades that need to be done in order to safely run the higher wattage bulbs in place of the less bright stock units. Most of the "kits" involve a H4 replacement housing in which you put your own bulb for the C4 headlights.
Hope that helps.
Ron
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/
The site has good writeups (not so much Corvette Specific) about upgrading your headlights and the proper wiring upgrades that need to be done in order to safely run the higher wattage bulbs in place of the less bright stock units. Most of the "kits" involve a H4 replacement housing in which you put your own bulb for the C4 headlights.
Hope that helps.
Ron
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland OH
I have cibie lamps a relay kit and the upwatt bulbs. I got 12ga wiring into the bulbs. Look for some of the fine stranded wire with teflon insulation and it will go in without much trouble. just spray a little wd40 on the wires when you push them in.
I mounted the relays and fuse blocks on the front of the left inner fender.
You just use the stock headlight wires to power the relay, it doesn't affect anything inside the car.
Don't expect the bulbs to last forever, I've replaced a socket to. Those bulbs draw 18 amps on low beam. So nobody try and run them with stock wiring.
If you drive at night it is the best mod you can do! You can see stuff in time to drive around it instead of just run over it...
I have some pictures somewhere, I'll look for them.
I did the mod about 3 years ago.
I mounted the relays and fuse blocks on the front of the left inner fender.
You just use the stock headlight wires to power the relay, it doesn't affect anything inside the car.
Don't expect the bulbs to last forever, I've replaced a socket to. Those bulbs draw 18 amps on low beam. So nobody try and run them with stock wiring.
If you drive at night it is the best mod you can do! You can see stuff in time to drive around it instead of just run over it...
I have some pictures somewhere, I'll look for them.
I did the mod about 3 years ago.
Do you happen to know what the stockers draw amp wise to compare with the 18 amp draw you're seeing in your setup?
Ron
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
stock bulbs low beam is 45w ea the NARVA 100/130 are 100w ea. Just a rough guess a factory setup draws @ 9amps total on low.
The big deal with the relay kit, your bulbs will burn brighter no matter what you have since the lamps will get more voltage. Do the check Daniel Sterns suggests. Put your voltmeter on the positive battery post and the hot side of your lights. Your meter reading is the voltage drop through your system. Bet if you check you'll find near .5vdc, that your lights are putting out about 80% of their potential light.
JS
The big deal with the relay kit, your bulbs will burn brighter no matter what you have since the lamps will get more voltage. Do the check Daniel Sterns suggests. Put your voltmeter on the positive battery post and the hot side of your lights. Your meter reading is the voltage drop through your system. Bet if you check you'll find near .5vdc, that your lights are putting out about 80% of their potential light.
JS
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,664
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
The Hella e-specs work better than stock, but note the aiming issues I had.
Im completely happy with the Bosch E-specs under all circumstances.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
Divide watts by 12 and you have approximate amp draw.
stock bulbs low beam is 45w ea the NARVA 100/130 are 100w ea. Just a rough guess a factory setup draws @ 9amps total on low.
The big deal with the relay kit, your bulbs will burn brighter no matter what you have since the lamps will get more voltage. Do the check Daniel Sterns suggests. Put your voltmeter on the positive battery post and the hot side of your lights. Your meter reading is the voltage drop through your system. Bet if you check you'll find near .5vdc, that your lights are putting out about 80% of their potential light.
JS
The big deal with the relay kit, your bulbs will burn brighter no matter what you have since the lamps will get more voltage. Do the check Daniel Sterns suggests. Put your voltmeter on the positive battery post and the hot side of your lights. Your meter reading is the voltage drop through your system. Bet if you check you'll find near .5vdc, that your lights are putting out about 80% of their potential light.
JS
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 621
Likes: 37
From: Texas
Hella E spec
I just got my Hella E's installed and I absolutely love them. I just have the standard 60/55 bulbs for now but its amazing how much better the E lenses disperse the light. With the sharp light beam cut off's and light beam control they are much easier to aim also. I am not experiencing any problems with the high and low beam aiming and it is amazing how much better these light up the road in front of the car on low beam. This is a very worth while upgrade even with the standard 60/55 bulbs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
I bought these years ago, and with silverstar bulbs. They are definitely better than stock.
With the lenses, would Daniel Stern higher watt bulsb and wiring upgrades make a difference?
Anyone have a good email for daniel stern, as the one on his site was sent back to me.
With the lenses, would Daniel Stern higher watt bulsb and wiring upgrades make a difference?
Anyone have a good email for daniel stern, as the one on his site was sent back to me.
Last edited by steve40th; Jan 11, 2009 at 11:12 AM.
