C5 Performance: Headlights up Vs. down
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Drop down sections in the front to expose recessed lights would also work (probably the best option at this point).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,280
Likes: 1
From: PALM COAST Flordia
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
. the only reason i would ever want fixed lights is if i was racing in the dark... and i dont plan on racing in any 24-hour events 
.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 3
From: Bonney Lake, Washington
This is a mute point for me... the only time my pop up headlights are up is when I'm going so fast that I need the aid of the windbreaks to help slow me down!!!
For me, I don't drive fast at night anyways so performance is not an issue. If traveling at night, I just set the cruise control and sit back and relax.
What little effects on the gas mileage probably is very small to worry about it.
My vette is usually a garage queen, sunny day cruiser, weekend warrior driven during the daylight hours 99% of the time.
For me, I don't drive fast at night anyways so performance is not an issue. If traveling at night, I just set the cruise control and sit back and relax.
What little effects on the gas mileage probably is very small to worry about it. My vette is usually a garage queen, sunny day cruiser, weekend warrior driven during the daylight hours 99% of the time.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 14
From: Gig Harbor WA
It's all a matter of taste and preference. In my case, having a choice between a C5 or C6, I chose the C5 because, to my eye, it's a nicer looking design. I don't care for the open lights of the C6, but I also find the C5 front reminds me of an old Ford Probe GT. (The Tiger Shark front facia solves that minor issue.) The comments about a sliding cover for C7 lights might be feasible, but for icy climates, they historically have posed problems on other car designs -- unless one thinks ahead and opens them up before ice seals them shut. (My old '66 Dodge Charger comes to mind, but the list could includes RS Cameros, Buick Riviera, Mercury Couger, and many others.) However, now that Corvette is part of Government Motors, it will be interesting to see how the bean counters will influence C7 design -- if there is one. In the meantime, I'll enjoy my C5 until I croak, knowing it'll be passed on to my son.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,371
Likes: 5
From: Mission Viejo, CA
St. Jude Donor '10, '15-'16
They are requiring increased amount of space between the hood and the engine so that when a car its a pedestrian there is a crumple zone. As far as I know these laws only apply in the EU but obviously any car sold around the world will have to comply with them. And I'm sure the US isn't too far behind.
I think it has to do more with running into 20 lbs of metal brackets and hinges instead of a piece of plastic. 
PS: not saying I agree with the laws.
your right. the enclosed built in lighted vehicle when a pedestrian hits the car, that person will fly right over and not get caught on something like a POP up head light.
PS: not saying I agree with the laws.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis MD
The headlamps definitely cause drag at higher speeds. I know from my trip to Monaco for the GP two weekends ago that above 130mph, the lights felt like they were getting ripped off when they popped up, and were very difficult to lower (even with perfectly functioning electronics and gears)...
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater FL
I have no problem testing this next time I'm at the track, but that might not be until the end of October, and I'm sure this thread will be long forgotten about by then! lol
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Yep, I think this is already law in most of Europe and soon in the US.......this is the reason for no more pop ups.
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
I can't believe they made a law where it's supposed to be more safe to hit someone in a vehicle!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
What's this crap about pedestrian impapct regulations?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
I think that would be my first preference, but would probably take the most engineering to get right. If not, perhaps an axial-roll back to a flush position (rotating 180-degrees along the length of the car) and depending on the body design, maybe drop-down body panels that reveal fixed lights (like you might see on some sci-fi starship artillery). Lots of possibilities. Anything would be better than the pop-ups - the only reason I am a fan of the pop-up (vs the C6) is because they are completely hidden during the daytime. Fortunately, we only need headlights at night instead of day.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater FL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: N E area of state Kansas
I love the pop ups. One other issue that I heard a long time ago is that high enough speeds, which are capable in the z cars and a modded c5, the covers have been ripped off. Don't know if it is true, but something I have heard
I also heard that the change on the c6 was due to racing and requirements about how close to the production the race car had to be. It had to have fixe lights to race fixed lights. Any mileage loss and aero loss would be worse at higher speeds, whcih the race car would be doing. So they went to fixed to help solve that issue. Again, could be hersey, but who knows?
I also heard that the change on the c6 was due to racing and requirements about how close to the production the race car had to be. It had to have fixe lights to race fixed lights. Any mileage loss and aero loss would be worse at higher speeds, whcih the race car would be doing. So they went to fixed to help solve that issue. Again, could be hersey, but who knows?