Better headlights?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Durant Oklahoma
Better headlights?
I've searched but didn't come up with what I was looking for. What options are there for improving night visiblity without spending hundreds of dollars. I was driving on the highway last night and without the high beams on it's pretty scary, not much visiblity at all and these sit so low I really worry about not seeing something in time and running over it. I really don't want to spend a lot of money to replace them, looking for something under $100 really. I've seen different looking setups inside the light housing but have no idea who makes them. Is there just a good bulb out there that will improve the visibility? I see the forum store sells the hyper white bulbs that claim will improve the lighting. I had some kinda like this in my Camaro but got pulled over and told they had a blue tint to them so I had to remove them, I don't want that either.
Last edited by matt03Z06; Sep 29, 2008 at 07:03 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 20
From: Liberty Hill Texas
Well.. for less then $100 you can get HID Fogs (from that internet site) or get new (better) bulbs for the stock head lights.
If you can go up to $300 or so you can get HIDs to replace the bulbs you have and hook up to the stock wiring. They have balast so you will need to install/mount that as well.
You can got to ACA and get (probably) the best HID on the market for the C5. But they be pricy compared to the rest...
For real cheap - you can probably just put a couple zippo lighters up there and get more lighting then the stockers...
If you can go up to $300 or so you can get HIDs to replace the bulbs you have and hook up to the stock wiring. They have balast so you will need to install/mount that as well.
You can got to ACA and get (probably) the best HID on the market for the C5. But they be pricy compared to the rest...
For real cheap - you can probably just put a couple zippo lighters up there and get more lighting then the stockers...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
Throw some HIDs in your low-beam sockets and call it a day. You'll never use your high-beams again.
Also, a lot of people will say get a 6000K kit, but I find that the 4300K bulbs throw out a noticeable increase in light. In fact, most OEM HID lights are 4300K.
Also, a lot of people will say get a 6000K kit, but I find that the 4300K bulbs throw out a noticeable increase in light. In fact, most OEM HID lights are 4300K.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,195
Likes: 2
From: ATL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Can you just replace the bulbs?
I thought there was more to it than that.
Not trying to be smart, but I was looking at a "kit" from a forum member.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I installed Silvania Ultras in my car, It was a big difference and cheap, If you look at them make sure it is the Silverstars Ultras and not just the silverstars, Also have heard good things about the Toshibas.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 167
Likes: 2
From: Scotch Plains NJ
Matt,
IMHO, HID bulbs are clearly the way to go. After trying numerous replacement halogen bulbs there is no comparison to brightness and color. Installation was not difficult and you will get immediate gradification. If you check the big auction site you will have no trouble loccating the kits.
Good luck.
IMHO, HID bulbs are clearly the way to go. After trying numerous replacement halogen bulbs there is no comparison to brightness and color. Installation was not difficult and you will get immediate gradification. If you check the big auction site you will have no trouble loccating the kits.
Good luck.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 6
From: hagerstown md
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Matt,
IMHO, HID bulbs are clearly the way to go. After trying numerous replacement halogen bulbs there is no comparison to brightness and color. Installation was not difficult and you will get immediate gradification. If you check the big auction site you will have no trouble loccating the kits.
Good luck.
IMHO, HID bulbs are clearly the way to go. After trying numerous replacement halogen bulbs there is no comparison to brightness and color. Installation was not difficult and you will get immediate gradification. If you check the big auction site you will have no trouble loccating the kits.
Good luck.
100% HIDs are the only way to go. Auction site prices are about 80 bucks. I got fogs and low beam kits for less the 150 bucks shipped. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
Take a look at the following URL. PFYC has GM OEM European headlamps with PIAA 90w/135w bulbs for $389.99. This is about half the price of the ACA HIDs and they are great lights.
http://www.pfyc.com/pc/VT1003/VTLIGH...+Corvette.html
http://www.pfyc.com/pc/VT1003/VTLIGH...+Corvette.html
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
Likes: 267
From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
HIDs for sure. I have a GP for them for $95 a kit with 1 year warranty and support. Something you won't get from ebay for sure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
I'd suggest using the Supporting Vendor (above) rather than ebay -- some of the cheap ebay kits can sting you with a bad ballast, so having good, accountable support is worth a few extra dollars.
Last edited by rcs128; Sep 30, 2008 at 07:34 AM.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 656
Likes: 38
From: Midwest
St. Jude Donor '08
Take a look at the following URL. PFYC has GM OEM European headlamps with PIAA 90w/135w bulbs for $389.99. This is about half the price of the ACA HIDs and they are great lights.
http://www.pfyc.com/pc/VT1003/VTLIGH...+Corvette.html
http://www.pfyc.com/pc/VT1003/VTLIGH...+Corvette.html
I did try the silverstar ultra bulbs in the factory housings and was disapointed in the results
I then went with the Euro set up with the bulb upgrade listed above. Low beams provide great bright pattern. Highbeams are amazing (reflective road signs make me squint). Couldn't be happier with the Euro's.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
Likes: 267
From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
You replace the bulbs and put two small ballasts in the car. The ballasts can fit nicely in a number of places up front. I have mine mounted to the insides of the frame rails. As others have said, it's very easy.
I'd suggest using the Supporting Vendor (above) rather than ebay -- some of the cheap ebay kits can sting you with a bad ballast, so having good, accountable support is worth a few extra dollars.
I'd suggest using the Supporting Vendor (above) rather than ebay -- some of the cheap ebay kits can sting you with a bad ballast, so having good, accountable support is worth a few extra dollars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,383
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From: hagerstown md
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: "Philly" Pennsylvania