ACA's Getting Ready to Pull the Trigger
Thread Starter
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
ACA's Getting Ready to Pull the Trigger
See a number of posts from folks installing ACA's with positive results. I'm getting ready to purchase and would appreciate input as follows:
1. Anyone install who was initially happy but had problems down the road? (no pun intended
)
2. Any overall performance issues, install issues I need to be aware of?
3. Good alternatives, within price point?
Thanks for the input.
1. Anyone install who was initially happy but had problems down the road? (no pun intended
)2. Any overall performance issues, install issues I need to be aware of?
3. Good alternatives, within price point?
Thanks for the input.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
See a number of posts from folks installing ACA's with positive results. I'm getting ready to purchase and would appreciate input as follows:
1. Anyone install who was initially happy but had problems down the road? (no pun intended )
2. Any overall performance issues, install issues I need to be aware of?
3. Good alternatives, within price point?
Thanks for the input.
1. Anyone install who was initially happy but had problems down the road? (no pun intended
)2. Any overall performance issues, install issues I need to be aware of?
3. Good alternatives, within price point?
Thanks for the input.
Peace
Chip
__________________
..................Click for
..................Click for
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,753
Likes: 3,688
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
Very happy with my ACAs/HIDs. I matched my 4300 temp up with similar temp fog lights and I have great road coverage. I kept my highs halogen (Silverstar) because I pretty much use them as flash to pass only.
One suggestion is to keep the headlight bezels off until after you aim your lights. Odds are you will need to aim them and the fogs (if you also upgrade those to HIDs). The OEM Halogens, especially the fogs, are so weak you probably never realized that they weren't aimed correctly. Also, make sure you lube up the golden aiming rods as well as possible before hand.
One suggestion is to keep the headlight bezels off until after you aim your lights. Odds are you will need to aim them and the fogs (if you also upgrade those to HIDs). The OEM Halogens, especially the fogs, are so weak you probably never realized that they weren't aimed correctly. Also, make sure you lube up the golden aiming rods as well as possible before hand.
Last edited by MSG C5; Jun 16, 2011 at 08:26 PM.
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
I am very happy with mine, Install was easy, There is one thing that you have to do and that is to remove a rib from each mounting bracket, If you don't you will run into issues when you go to adjust your lights.
Mr.Bill
Mr.Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
when you go to remove that one rib Bill is talking about, if you put the bracket in a vise, be real careful not to crack the bracket while you are removing material...ask me how I know about this one! $80 for a replacement.....
Also, when you are all done, aim your beams a little lower than recommended to avoid getting flashed, or even worse, having an oncoming blinded driver come into your lane...had that happen too!
$80 for a replacement.....Also, when you are all done, aim your beams a little lower than recommended to avoid getting flashed, or even worse, having an oncoming blinded driver come into your lane...had that happen too!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 70
From: san diego CA
good to hear so many postive reviews (strangely not a single bad one)! Considering I will be ordering some soon.
One question though, do they go by a different name now? I see ones that look exactly like other users' aca's but are branded as something like "MC"
One question though, do they go by a different name now? I see ones that look exactly like other users' aca's but are branded as something like "MC"
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
Pull the trigger and don't look back. Take your time with the install, and be carefule with the manual adjustment *****. These can be frozen up over time and made need some penetrating lube to get them to turn. Gently get them turning if they feel stuck, you don't want to break them off. They are the long brass rods which turn to aim the headlights.
Good luck
Just a tip but not necessary. I mounted the ballasts under the headlights against the inner wheel well with the self tapping screws and double sided tape that were provided, however I didn't like the fact the screws were penetrating into the wheel well, and decided to replace them with a threaded stainless screw and nut for a cleaner look. They aren't visible from looking into the wheel well. If you need a beter explanation or don't have the slightest clue what I'm talking about when you get the kit pm me.
Good luck
Just a tip but not necessary. I mounted the ballasts under the headlights against the inner wheel well with the self tapping screws and double sided tape that were provided, however I didn't like the fact the screws were penetrating into the wheel well, and decided to replace them with a threaded stainless screw and nut for a cleaner look. They aren't visible from looking into the wheel well. If you need a beter explanation or don't have the slightest clue what I'm talking about when you get the kit pm me.
Last edited by MG RED 99; Jun 17, 2011 at 09:39 AM.