HID lights
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
HID lights
I found a set of HIDs on ebay for $30. i was wondering if they were bright enough or should i spend more money. the brands are Xenon,OPT7, Xentec and Autovision. are these any good and has anyone tried these out? any help would be greatly appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,168
Likes: 21
From: Sunniest city on Earth
They will all be plenty bright enough, but you'll be the jackass that blinds everybody coming towards you if you don't retrofit appropriate projectors for HID bulbs. If you're not going to spend the time or money to do that, just get the PIAA halogens and call it a day.
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 agree with above, The HID lights in a stock housing won't work well, The reflectors in the stock are not made for HID and the light will scatter everywhere, There is no way to aim them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 4
From: Asheville NC
The Xentec are pretty good. However, I am currently running these 55w versions on my daily driver 03 Subaru WRX and I'm planning on running them on my C5 Z06 for the lows and highs. The stock C5 headlights SUCK!!
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
[QUOTE=GenerationX1;1585731947]The Xentec are pretty good. However, I am currently running these 55w versions on my daily driver 03 Subaru WRX and I'm planning on running them on my C5 Z06 for the lows and highs. The stock C5 headlights SUCK!!
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W[/QUOTE
I HID'S and put them in the stock housings in my 04', they are 8k color and are plenty bright, I disagree with the stock housings not being bright enough and scattering the light.
I do advise getting the resistors so you don't have problems with your head light buckets sometimes not wanting to close unless they are on high beams . Be real careful where you put the resistors cause they will melt anything plastic. I got a strip of heat shielding and mounted mine on the ballasts themselves.
Also as far as HID's being to bright to oncoming traffic, it says in almost all states drivers manuals that if you see bright lights approaching not to stare into them, look at the fog line on your right instead. I have never been pulled over because my HID's that are too bright.
The only regrets I have with HID's is the fact that if you put them on hi beams also is you have to wait for the hi's to charge to come to full brightness, then you have to wait for the lows to charge when you switch back. I never installed them because of that. Although there is kits you can buy to have all 4 on at once...
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W[/QUOTE
I HID'S and put them in the stock housings in my 04', they are 8k color and are plenty bright, I disagree with the stock housings not being bright enough and scattering the light.
I do advise getting the resistors so you don't have problems with your head light buckets sometimes not wanting to close unless they are on high beams . Be real careful where you put the resistors cause they will melt anything plastic. I got a strip of heat shielding and mounted mine on the ballasts themselves.
Also as far as HID's being to bright to oncoming traffic, it says in almost all states drivers manuals that if you see bright lights approaching not to stare into them, look at the fog line on your right instead. I have never been pulled over because my HID's that are too bright.
The only regrets I have with HID's is the fact that if you put them on hi beams also is you have to wait for the hi's to charge to come to full brightness, then you have to wait for the lows to charge when you switch back. I never installed them because of that. Although there is kits you can buy to have all 4 on at once...
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
[QUOTE=Shane Haywood;1585732620]
Someone needs to do their homework on factory housings and HID lights, I know first hand that it isn't the best option and with 8K bulbs to boot. Be prepared to get flashed.
Your car do as you wish.
Mr.Bill
The Xentec are pretty good. However, I am currently running these 55w versions on my daily driver 03 Subaru WRX and I'm planning on running them on my C5 Z06 for the lows and highs. The stock C5 headlights SUCK!!
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W[/QUOTE
I HID'S and put them in the stock housings in my 04', they are 8k color and are plenty bright, I disagree with the stock housings not being bright enough and scattering the light.
I do advise getting the resistors so you don't have problems with your head light buckets sometimes not wanting to close unless they are on high beams . Be real careful where you put the resistors cause they will melt anything plastic. I got a strip of heat shielding and mounted mine on the ballasts themselves.
Also as far as HID's being to bright to oncoming traffic, it says in almost all states drivers manuals that if you see bright lights approaching not to stare into them, look at the fog line on your right instead. I have never been pulled over because my HID's that are too bright.
The only regrets I have with HID's is the fact that if you put them on hi beams also is you have to wait for the hi's to charge to come to full brightness, then you have to wait for the lows to charge when you switch back. I never installed them because of that. Although there is kits you can buy to have all 4 on at once...
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W[/QUOTE
I HID'S and put them in the stock housings in my 04', they are 8k color and are plenty bright, I disagree with the stock housings not being bright enough and scattering the light.
I do advise getting the resistors so you don't have problems with your head light buckets sometimes not wanting to close unless they are on high beams . Be real careful where you put the resistors cause they will melt anything plastic. I got a strip of heat shielding and mounted mine on the ballasts themselves.
Also as far as HID's being to bright to oncoming traffic, it says in almost all states drivers manuals that if you see bright lights approaching not to stare into them, look at the fog line on your right instead. I have never been pulled over because my HID's that are too bright.
The only regrets I have with HID's is the fact that if you put them on hi beams also is you have to wait for the hi's to charge to come to full brightness, then you have to wait for the lows to charge when you switch back. I never installed them because of that. Although there is kits you can buy to have all 4 on at once...
Your car do as you wish.
Mr.Bill
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
Do it right and grab a JWM projector kit. It takes a bit longer to install than a plug n play kit, but you won't blind oncoming traffic.
See more details here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...hts-today.html
See more details here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...hts-today.html
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,694
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
Do it right and grab a JWM projector kit. It takes a bit longer to install than a plug n play kit, but you won't blind oncoming traffic.
See more details here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...hts-today.html
See more details here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...hts-today.html
I agree that the stock 1997 C5 design halogen lights really do suck by today's standards, but the design is now close to 20 years old so it's understandable. If you do decide to upgrade, do it right with a projector kit from JWM. I purchased my HID and LED upgrades from him and I've enjoyed my night drives for the last three years.
Please don't be one of those selfish drivers who simply outfit their OEM halogen designed reflective housings with HID lights. You will simply be blasting light and basically accomplish the same effect as driving around with your high beams on.
I see a lot of older, lifted trucks with these type of setups and they blind you with their blue-ish HID blasts of light every time you pass them on the road. It's even worse if you are driving in front of them as you get to enjoy the light blast in your rear view and side mirrors. I just wish our local LEOs would crack down on these guys as much as they do the speeders as I think blasting light is more dangerous than speeding in most cases. Especially on 2-lane roads.
My JWM HID/LED setup:
Last edited by MSG C5; Dec 22, 2013 at 02:20 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
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
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,694
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
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Maybe you don't like the advice about going with a proper install, but I guess if you don't care about others, I 'm sure that one night some LEO will stop you and work at changing your mind, usually with a traffic ticket.
It's well know that the C5 headlamp assemblies suck. You can't independently adjust the low and high beams. In may cases, the headlamp housings are molded so far off that the high beams are unusable. My '02 was that way, the passenger side high beam when on was a good 6 FEET higher at 50 feet than the driver side high beam. And this was with the low beams adjusted for the best possible lighting.
I would at least suggest getting a set of the ACA headlamp housings from fleabay. You can get a set with low beam projectors. Then HID bulbs will work correctly. Or talk to JW Motoring or even Radioflyer Innovations about a set of properly designed and made HID lamps. Radioflyer has a nice HID package that uses HID on both high and low beams. BOth of these vendors are supporting vendors and they know how to properly set up HID lighting for our C5's.
Or as mentioned, just continue to be a jerk. You'll pay for that eventually.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,694
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
If you buy the $30 HID bulbs, you are going to get nothing but cheap $30 lighting.
Maybe you don't like the advice about going with a proper install, but I guess if you don't care about others, I 'm sure that one night some LEO will stop you and work at changing your mind, usually with a traffic ticket.
It's well know that the C5 headlamp assemblies suck. You can't independently adjust the low and high beams. In may cases, the headlamp housings are molded so far off that the high beams are unusable. My '02 was that way, the passenger side high beam when on was a good 6 FEET higher at 50 feet than the driver side high beam. And this was with the low beams adjusted for the best possible lighting.
I would at least suggest getting a set of the ACA headlamp housings from fleabay. You can get a set with low beam projectors. Then HID bulbs will work correctly. Or talk to JW Motoring or even Radioflyer Innovations about a set of properly designed and made HID lamps. Radioflyer has a nice HID package that uses HID on both high and low beams. BOth of these vendors are supporting vendors and they know how to properly set up HID lighting for our C5's.
Or as mentioned, just continue to be a jerk. You'll pay for that eventually.
Maybe you don't like the advice about going with a proper install, but I guess if you don't care about others, I 'm sure that one night some LEO will stop you and work at changing your mind, usually with a traffic ticket.
It's well know that the C5 headlamp assemblies suck. You can't independently adjust the low and high beams. In may cases, the headlamp housings are molded so far off that the high beams are unusable. My '02 was that way, the passenger side high beam when on was a good 6 FEET higher at 50 feet than the driver side high beam. And this was with the low beams adjusted for the best possible lighting.
I would at least suggest getting a set of the ACA headlamp housings from fleabay. You can get a set with low beam projectors. Then HID bulbs will work correctly. Or talk to JW Motoring or even Radioflyer Innovations about a set of properly designed and made HID lamps. Radioflyer has a nice HID package that uses HID on both high and low beams. BOth of these vendors are supporting vendors and they know how to properly set up HID lighting for our C5's.
Or as mentioned, just continue to be a jerk. You'll pay for that eventually.
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
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,550
Likes: 902
From: Republic of Texas
HIDs in stock housings do little to improve your night vision, This is because they light up the same area as the factory lights (which are designed to illuminate a narrow area mabye 50 feet in front of the car). Making this area brighter with HID bulbs won't help you see further and may in fact cause so much glare that you have a harder time seeing further.
Here is a good example of just how good a Projector-based HID can be. These are photos of the SLC V2 headlights taken on a pitch-black night.....and this is LOW BEAM!!
Further Reading
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...at-doesnt.html
Here is a good example of just how good a Projector-based HID can be. These are photos of the SLC V2 headlights taken on a pitch-black night.....and this is LOW BEAM!!
Further Reading
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...at-doesnt.html
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,694
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
Is he a Corvette owner or just some idiot living in his parent's basement trolling the net in 3-day stale underwear? So many tough guys on-line these days, I can't keep track any more...
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
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Too much online conflict. Some posts have been removed.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/foru...conflicts.html
Online Conflicts
For the most part, the CF community remains a friendly place where ideas, thoughts, and assistance can be found. Unfortunately, there are times when members forget that this is an Internet forum and issues between members can get out of hand. This includes members turning to the forum to air a personal offline/on-line problem which results in sides being drawn by participating members.
In these situations, it is the forum's role to expeditiously end any conflict for the good of the forum and its membership. The forum's goal is not only to remain family, work, and corporate server safe, it also will not serve as a battleground where offline/on-line personal matters and drama are permitted to be played out in front of other members.
Any thread(s) that contain open bickering, name calling, subtle derogatory messages, "digs," personal attacks, or anything negative in nature will be closed/edited or deleted, and any participating members who post in violation of this rule, will jeopardize their posting privileges.
If any member is being harassed on-line in a thread or privately via PM, they should avoid a confrontation with the offending member and immediately report the problem to a section Moderator via PM, or by clicking on the "report post," icon under their user name.
The Moderator will evaluate the issue and take appropriate action to rectify the situation.
For the most part, the CF community remains a friendly place where ideas, thoughts, and assistance can be found. Unfortunately, there are times when members forget that this is an Internet forum and issues between members can get out of hand. This includes members turning to the forum to air a personal offline/on-line problem which results in sides being drawn by participating members.
In these situations, it is the forum's role to expeditiously end any conflict for the good of the forum and its membership. The forum's goal is not only to remain family, work, and corporate server safe, it also will not serve as a battleground where offline/on-line personal matters and drama are permitted to be played out in front of other members.
Any thread(s) that contain open bickering, name calling, subtle derogatory messages, "digs," personal attacks, or anything negative in nature will be closed/edited or deleted, and any participating members who post in violation of this rule, will jeopardize their posting privileges.
If any member is being harassed on-line in a thread or privately via PM, they should avoid a confrontation with the offending member and immediately report the problem to a section Moderator via PM, or by clicking on the "report post," icon under their user name.
The Moderator will evaluate the issue and take appropriate action to rectify the situation.