Can you get this stuff at the local auto store? Instead of Ecklers and MAD? :confused:

I am taling about the brighter bulbs, anyone done this already?


[Modified by ld85, 9:55 AM 6/26/2002]

 

:yesnod: :yesnod:

Got my 50 watt bulbs from MID America :cheers:

and yes they do make a difference

 

Yes, I've seen 50watt halogen replacement 1156 bulbs at several auto parts chains... I've upgraded all my 1156 bulbs... backup as well as the front and rear cornering lights. Also replaced the 880 fog lights with the 50 watt 885's...
Had to cut the wire on the fog lights that was running through the headlight high beam filiments and connect it directly to chassis ground and also had to change my "TAIL" fuse from 10 amps to 15 amps...

 

Yeah,I got the back up lights from MAD but ive seen them in some stores as well.
(I got a big discount when I went to MAD to pick up a few things and got a good price)
I have to say they make a noticeable difference when backing up at night in dark areas.Real bright.

Also,clean your back up lamp lens.Shine them up and remove the haze and theyll shine brighter.Crest Toothpaste works well and so does polishes like wenol and blue magic,even though made for metal,does a nice job on the lens.
:)

 

Thanks Bill, my BU lenses are really hazy and I thougth they had to be replaced. I'll try to cleaning tip and look for the bulbs locally.!

 

By the way.... you can change your 1156 rear 'cornering lights' to 50 watt bulbs also!!!...

 

According to a bulb manufacturer's guide I downloaded a while back there is a relatively cheap upgrade available for the 1156 backup lights.
It is an increase from 26.88 to 37.50 watts and not not 50 watts like the MAD units, but it is a boost in candle power for relatively cheap.

The bulb ratings are:
Id # Volts Amps Watts MSDd Hrs
1156 12.8 2.10 26.88 32.00 1200
1295 12.5 3.0 37.50 50.00 300

The 1295 bulbs are available at Pep Boys fairly cheap. With a Mean Spherical Candela (MSCd) or candle power of 50 vs the 32 of the 1156, the 1295 should be a little over 50% brighter. I haven't tried this myself, but I'm looking into it.

 

Mike.... By chance, could you pass along the site where you found the bulb guide?... I've been looking for a listing such as that!! I created a 'cheat sheet' that shows all the bulbs used on my car, inside and out, and the fuse that each one is associated with. There is a column that lists the wattage or the stock bulbs and another column that shows the upgraded values, but I wasn't able to find all of the information to fill out the sheet, especially for the interior lights.

I have all of my cornering lights upgraded to 50 watt halogens as well as my fog lights and backup lights... the Halogens were a bit pricey, around $8 a bulb average, but I'm very happy with the results!!

 

Thanks for the bulb info. The 55-watts are halogen with the 1156 base on it. I can’t find these anywhere.

I'll try the 1295 bulbs and see what the cost is. If this close to the 55watt bulbs then I will order those. I just hoped to get them locally instead of having to order them.

Thanks again.

 

I found them (50 watts) at Pep boys and Advanced Auto parts here in Austin...
(They were $1 cheaper at Pep Boys, but they only had 2 in stock)

 

LD85,
I've seen the 55 watts advertised and as you said they were about $8 each due to the halogen gas. Being cheap and not wanting to push the wiring harness to the limit I was searching for an alternative. The 1295 bulbs are standard auto bulbs like the 1156, but with 50% more output (and not as hot as halogens I would expect) because they are not halogen bulbs. They are only 37 watts as opposed to the 55 watt halogens, but that still is an improvement over the 27.8 watt 1156 units. I believe the 1295 bulbs are about $4 a pair at Pep Boys. (I used to live in Indiana years ago. Still have friends in Circle City and Terre Haute.)

88-L98-Z52
It sounds good that you have had success with the 55 watt halogens in all 4 corners of the vette. No problems with the wiring harness overheating or the lenses warping due to heat?

I cannot give you the URL to the bulb manufacturer where I got the resource files because I lost it somehow. I originally found it looking for Photographic bulbs for studio lights and downloaded the automotive section as a bonus. I'll be glad to email you the files themselves.
It's a series of Adobe PDF files with all kinds of bulb info. Send an email to mike_88z51@yahoo.com and I'll reply with the PDF files as attachments. I'll trade for your list of the C4 bulbs and associated fuse info.

 

No problems due to heat since the bulbs are not on that often or for that long when they are... The front cornering lights are only on when the turn signals are on and the rears only on when the car is in reverse... so unless someone is one of those people who ride down the highway with their turn signal blinking.... ha!!! :lol: I did have to replace the 10 amp 'TAIL' fuse with a 15 amp fuse because the 10 amp would blow if I had ALL the upgraded lights in that circuit on at the same time (Tail lights, fog lights and front corners)... since circuits (wiring, switches) are usually designed to handle double the fuse value, 15 amps should be no problem, but 20 would be asking for trouble. I have blackouts on my taillights so I also upgraded to 2 outer 1157 tail bulbs to halogens. I did'nt upgrade the 2 inner tails because i didn't want to risk stressing the 15 amp level... and it actually looks pretty cool set up that way. So far, they don't appear to be damaging the lenses either.

I'll be glad to send you my 'cheat sheet'... it is specific to my car, so there may be some differences between models, but since you also have an '88, they should be minor. It's a 'microsoft word' document, so it won't be hard to edit. Thanks for taking the time to reply and for sharing your list!!! I appreciate it!!