Headlights for a 2003 C5
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I went with the Euro Headlights. You can fit a high wattage kit which comes with a harness and relays. Not as good as HIDs but a lot cheaper if thats a factor.
http://www.pfyc.com/store/merchant.m...ory_Code=VTEXT
http://www.pfyc.com/store/merchant.m...ory_Code=VTEXT
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 0
From: TN
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by DeeGee
I went with the Euro Headlights. You can fit a high wattage kit which comes with a harness and relays. Not as good as HIDs but a lot cheaper if thats a factor.
My euro Ecode lights are a great alternative to expensive HIDs
(about $300 or less). However, if you want best and brightest lights, there is no replacement for HID's with the proper lenses!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
The Toshiba HIR 9011 bulb in the low beam socket is a great upgrade. It is a lot brighter then the Silverstars. You do have to do the 9005 modification by trimming the tabs to get it to fit into the low beam side. They can be found on the popular auction site fairly cheap.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 929
Likes: 1
From: Norman Oklahoma
Originally Posted by waupachino
The Toshiba HIR 9011 bulb in the low beam socket is a great upgrade. It is a lot brighter then the Silverstars. You do have to do the 9005 modification by trimming the tabs to get it to fit into the low beam side. They can be found on the popular auction site fairly cheap.
Do you have pics?
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,721
Likes: 4,557
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
in order from crap to awesome:
stock low beam 9006 = 1000 lumen output ea. ---> modded hi beam 9005 silverstars = 1700 lumen output ea. ---> stock low beam 9006 HIR = 1700 lumen output ea. ---> modded hi beam 9005 HIR = 2300 lumen output ea. ---> ACA XGL HID = 3200 lumen output ea.
These are the ACA HIDs on my car, certianly not the cheapest but definately the best. These lights also come with HIR 9005 bulbs as the "brights".
As for bang for the buck, the HIR bulbs have the most lumen output of any stock-type bulb so they should definately be a great alternative.
I also have no firsthand knowledge of the retro-HID kits that you put in your factory housings, so I left them off my list.
Info on the HIR lights can be found here:
http://hirheadlights.com/
stock low beam 9006 = 1000 lumen output ea. ---> modded hi beam 9005 silverstars = 1700 lumen output ea. ---> stock low beam 9006 HIR = 1700 lumen output ea. ---> modded hi beam 9005 HIR = 2300 lumen output ea. ---> ACA XGL HID = 3200 lumen output ea.
These are the ACA HIDs on my car, certianly not the cheapest but definately the best. These lights also come with HIR 9005 bulbs as the "brights".
As for bang for the buck, the HIR bulbs have the most lumen output of any stock-type bulb so they should definately be a great alternative.
I also have no firsthand knowledge of the retro-HID kits that you put in your factory housings, so I left them off my list.
Info on the HIR lights can be found here:
http://hirheadlights.com/
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Bel Air Maryland
Headlights for a 2003 C5
Hey Larry, i've got a better solution, take off your sunglasses and stop going to Sean Bolen's Irish Pub on Wednesday nights! 
Last edited by rogaljr; Sep 10, 2006 at 05:32 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
Originally Posted by LowFlight
I trimmed the tabs on SIlverstars 9004 (or6) BRIGHTS and put them in the low beam. Works much better...although I would liove to have some HID
This is the most cost-efficient means to greatly improve the amount of light. Easy and quick.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 9
From: "Philly" Pennsylvania
Originally Posted by waupachino
The Toshiba HIR 9011 bulb in the low beam socket is a great upgrade. It is a lot brighter then the Silverstars. You do have to do the 9005 modification by trimming the tabs to get it to fit into the low beam side. They can be found on the popular auction site fairly cheap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
Here is a link on how to do the modification http://www.angelfire.com/d20/hcivic8...onversion.html. It is fairly simple. This is for the 9005, but it works the same for the Toshiba HIR 9011. I do not have any pictures of the lights at night. Sorry. They are definitely an improvement.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 81
From: Bel Air MD
Larry,
Here is where you can get the complete Euro headlight set up that I have. You only need the factory wattage option. Cost is $245
http://www.pfyc.com/store/merchant.m...ode=VTLIGHTING
I also recommend removing the sunglasses and staying out of Sean Bolens!
Here is where you can get the complete Euro headlight set up that I have. You only need the factory wattage option. Cost is $245
http://www.pfyc.com/store/merchant.m...ode=VTLIGHTING
I also recommend removing the sunglasses and staying out of Sean Bolens!
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by rwlc5
Larry,
Here is where you can get the complete Euro headlight set up that I have. You only need the factory wattage option. Cost is $245
http://www.pfyc.com/store/merchant.m...ode=VTLIGHTING
I also recommend removing the sunglasses and staying out of Sean Bolens!
Here is where you can get the complete Euro headlight set up that I have. You only need the factory wattage option. Cost is $245
http://www.pfyc.com/store/merchant.m...ode=VTLIGHTING
I also recommend removing the sunglasses and staying out of Sean Bolens!
Thanks Larry LeMoine
email is racevette2003@comcast.net U can reply to me direct.
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: Grace Valley: A small, peaceful & beautiful valley in the Volunteer State
Originally Posted by waupachino
Here is a link on how to do the modification http://www.angelfire.com/d20/hcivic8...onversion.html. It is fairly simple. This is for the 9005, but it works the same for the Toshiba HIR 9011. I do not have any pictures of the lights at night. Sorry. They are definitely an improvement.
When you do the conversion, do you have BOTH o-rings on the modified bulb, or just the replacement from the original 9006? The picture in the link shows both (yellow and red) on the final modified bulb, but I guess this is just to emphasize the need to exchange the o-rings?
