Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Lighting question...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 01:05 PM
  #1  
darbn's Avatar
darbn
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 843
Likes: 3
From: IL
Default Lighting question...

What headlight bulbs can I purchase for that clean blue or white look? Not really interested in an HID conversion. I really cant find what I am looking for. Any suggestions?
Anyone have license plate LED bulbs? Worth purchasing?

Last edited by darbn; Mar 10, 2011 at 01:09 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 01:37 PM
  #2  
Vettmann17's Avatar
Vettmann17
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
Default

If you don't want to go the HID route then try the Silverstar Ultra's, they are brighter than the stock but not as white or bright as HID's and they have a shorter lifespan than stock. As far as LED's for the license plates I have them and like them very much and are pretty cheap, I also replaced all the interior lights with LED's as well. For that White/Blue bright look your going for there is no better way to go than with HID's, the difference is dramatic over halogens.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 02:00 PM
  #3  
killain's Avatar
killain
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,115
Likes: 669
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Default Better than stock !

Originally Posted by Vettmann17
If you don't want to go the HID route then try the Silverstar Ultra's, they are brighter than the stock but not as white or bright as HID's and they have a shorter lifespan than stock. As far as LED's for the license plates I have them and like them very much and are pretty cheap, I also replaced all the interior lights with LED's as well. For that White/Blue bright look your going for there is no better way to go than with HID's, the difference is dramatic over halogens.
These are worth the price, but if you need flamthrowers, ya gotta go with HID's. I have the Sylvania Silverstars in my upper and lower beams and they are much better than stock.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 02:46 PM
  #4  
Mr.Bill's Avatar
Mr.Bill
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Default

Toshiba HIR bulbs for the win....
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 03:14 PM
  #5  
TheRadioFlyer's Avatar
TheRadioFlyer
Supporting Vendor
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,541
Likes: 888
From: Republic of Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Mr.Bill
Toshiba HIR bulbs for the win....
these are the brightest stock-wattage halogen bulbs you can get.

.... I use them in my reverse lights
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 09:31 PM
  #6  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,781
Likes: 24,683
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by Mr.Bill
Toshiba HIR bulbs for the win....
Thanks for the recomendation.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 10:46 PM
  #7  
darbn's Avatar
darbn
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 843
Likes: 3
From: IL
Default

You guys are great. Thanks
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2011 | 12:42 AM
  #8  
JMc's Avatar
JMc
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Default

Originally Posted by Mr.Bill
Toshiba HIR bulbs for the win....
They were my best option before going with Light Cannons. For God's sakes, whatever you do, don't put "bluish" tint bulbs in your stock housing. Blacktop sucks up part of the light in that spectrum and with stock reflectors, you can't see at night already! You'll go blind! (or at least need glasses).
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 11, 2011 | 12:46 AM
  #9  
darbn's Avatar
darbn
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 843
Likes: 3
From: IL
Default

Will any 9011 or 9012 toshiba/ phillips bulb work? All the sights that sell HIR's are saying the 9005 and 9006 bulbs are the bulbs for the C5's.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2011 | 10:20 AM
  #10  
Toque's Avatar
Toque
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Default

I have Silverstars in my high beam's. They look like **** compared to my HID's...

I am eventually going to put in HID's in my high beams.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2011 | 10:27 AM
  #11  
MSG C5's Avatar
MSG C5
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,744
Likes: 3,671
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by Toque
I have Silverstars in my high beam's. They look like **** compared to my HID's...

I am eventually going to put in HID's in my high beams.
I was considering the same thing, however since the ACA housings have the reflective lens for the non HID highs and since the HID projector lows stay on when the halogen highs are turned on, that would be an amazingly bright flash of light. (Not even considering if the HID fogs and LED white switchbacks are also on).
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2011 | 10:45 AM
  #12  
Toque's Avatar
Toque
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Default

Originally Posted by MSG C5
I was considering the same thing, however since the ACA housings have the reflective lens for the non HID highs and since the HID projector lows stay on when the halogen highs are turned on, that would be an amazingly bright flash of light. (Not even considering if the HID fogs and LED white switchbacks are also on).
Flashing my high beams at someone (with HID highs) will not be too bright since it takes time to warm up the HID bulb.

Toque
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2011 | 10:57 AM
  #13  
JW Motorsports's Avatar
JW Motorsports
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
Default

License plate leds http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/produ...0&categoryId=4

or if you want to get fancy

http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/produ...6&categoryId=4

I'm a firm believer in HIDS. IMO the other options are just a waste of money.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2011 | 11:27 AM
  #14  
JMc's Avatar
JMc
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Default

Originally Posted by Toque
I have Silverstars in my high beam's. They look like **** compared to my HID's...

I am eventually going to put in HID's in my high beams.
I've got HID high beams - not great. Blinding? Yes. So much so that the reflections off road signs will decrease your own night vision. Plus, useless for flashing. Too slow to warm up. I have RadioFlyer's Light Cannons on my Vette and based on my own personal experience, I think the best solution for HID high beams at this juncture are to install bi-xenon lamps so when you flick on the high beams, you get instantaneous output. The ONLY place HID high beams would be any good are on desolate roads where there is no chance of blinding oncoming drivers. I had 55w 5000k HID's in my high beams and quickly came to discover that they were damaging to my own night vision. They are scary (not useful) bright. I went back to 35w HID's in the high beams, but rarely ever use them. HID's need to be directed with projectors and stepped cutoffs.

Last edited by JMc; Mar 11, 2011 at 11:30 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2011 | 11:33 AM
  #15  
Toque's Avatar
Toque
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Default

Originally Posted by JMc
I've got HID high beams - not great. Blinding? Yes. So much so that the reflections off road signs will decrease your own night vision. Plus, useless for flashing. Too slow to warm up. I have RadioFlyer's Light Cannons on my Vette and based on my own personal experience, I think the best solution for HID high beams at this juncture are to install bi-xenon lamps so when you flick on the high beams, you get instantaneous output. The ONLY place HID high beams would be any good are on desolate roads where there is no chance of blinding oncoming drivers. I had 55w 5000k HID's in my high beams and quickly came to discover that they were damaging to my own night vision. They are scary (not useful) bright. I went back to 35w HID's in the high beams, but rarely ever use them. HID's need to be directed with projectors and stepped cutoffs.
Maybe I'll keep my crappy Silverstar high beams. Luckily I don't need to use them in Dallas anyway because the street lights light everything up. My ACA low beam HID's stay on when my high beams come on. The high beams are completely useless anyways. They add NO light output when on.

Toque
Reply
Old May 2, 2011 | 09:06 PM
  #16  
SCM_Crash's Avatar
SCM_Crash
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Default

Flashing HIDs is not a good idea. HIDs as your low beams and Halogen for your high beams are the best way to go. HIDs require a warm up and cool down time. Flashing them is bad for the bulbs and ballasts.

I've had friends with HIDs in every place he could put them and when he flashed his high beams like crazy it would cause all the lights except the low beams to flicker like crazy. Eventually he blew out the fogs and high beams. (Smart)

Personally, I don't see a reason to have fogs and high beams as HIDs. I'd say that if you need all 3 sets of HIDs on, it's time for you to stop driving because you can't see at night. LOL

I just installed HIRs in my highs and lows today. So tonight I'll show comparisons. I had the Silverstars in it which is likely why I didn't get why so many people hated OEM. I got the car with those so I thought they were OEM bulbs in the car. The HIRs should prove to be a lot better, though.

If the HIRs don't prove to be good enough for me, I'll be changing the low beams to HIDs. Hopefully at some point when JW's lower opening projectors I'll put those in before I buy HIDs.
Reply
Old May 2, 2011 | 09:19 PM
  #17  
MSG C5's Avatar
MSG C5
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,744
Likes: 3,671
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by Mr.Bill
Toshiba HIR bulbs for the win....
Bill,

Do you use these for your ACA highs or did you go with HIDs?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Lighting question...

Old May 2, 2011 | 09:33 PM
  #18  
Mr.Bill's Avatar
Mr.Bill
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Default

Originally Posted by MSG C5
Bill,

Do you use these for your ACA highs or did you go with HIDs?
In my ACA's I went with HID lows and Highs, No issues at all, I also have HID in my fogs and that made a big difference. But when talking non hid's I feel that the HIR bulbs are the way to go.
Reply
Old May 2, 2011 | 10:59 PM
  #19  
gwalker's Avatar
gwalker
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 281
Likes: 1
From: Springfield MO
Default

Originally Posted by darbn
Will any 9011 or 9012 toshiba/ phillips bulb work? All the sights that sell HIR's are saying the 9005 and 9006 bulbs are the bulbs for the C5's.
I just installed the Phillips 9011 and 9012 on Sunday. It took 30 minutes including the modifications to the bulbs. If you have a dremel tool, small file and a small hand you will have no problems.

They are not HID's but are brighter than stock.

Greg
Reply
Old May 2, 2011 | 11:04 PM
  #20  
jrprich's Avatar
jrprich
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Default

Originally Posted by theradioflyer
these are the brightest stock-wattage halogen bulbs you can get.

.... I use them in my reverse lights
I thought you had HIDs in your backup lights
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:14 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE