Ok guys I am a total noob in the corvette world and this is my first post in this forum so this is also me saying hi. I have had my 1999 for about 3 weeks and the stock headlights totaly sucked. Ive used the search function and found a lot of info from dealers on here. Here is my question: I can get the HID conversion on ebay for about 135 bucks when I see other kits from 300-1200. Other than not including the 9005 highbeams, why is this deal so much cheaper? do they not include balasts or something Im missing? If they are legit I am going to buy them. Thanks in advance!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FITS-97-04-CHEVY-CORVETTE-C5-HALO-PROJECTOR-HEADLIGHTS-LIGHTS-LAMPS-PAIR-SETS/360945247134?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27538%26meid%3D5f40c42509aa4ce78d2f22ac87d2da70%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D11353%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D351191857220&rt=nc

 

There is an existing fairly new discussion about this here:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-w-o-hid.html
And a link to HID bulb kit here from same post:
http://www.corvettemods.com/Corvette...it_p_5530.html
Welcome aboard from another fairly new member.

 

I am going to go out on a limb and say, "you get what you pay for".

 

I'm pretty sure those are just projector housings with/without halogen bulbs. No HID bulbs or ballasts, etc. Contact the seller if you're looking for HIDs and ask if they are included (with ballasts). Cheapest I've seen for true ACA style housing w/ HID replacements is around $300.

The other thing is I am positive you will get no support from the seller to hookup and install these housings and they likely come with a harness that needs to be installed.

 

[QUOTE=kajones2;1588298922]Ok guys I am a total noob in the corvette world and this is my first post in this forum so this is also me saying hi. I have had my 1999 for about 3 weeks and the stock headlights totaly sucked. Ive used the search function and found a lot of info from dealers on here. Here is my question: I can get the HID conversion on ebay for about 135 bucks when I see other kits from 300-1200. Other than not including the 9005 highbeams, why is this deal so much cheaper? do they not include balasts or something Im missing? If they are legit I am going to buy them. Thanks in advance!

If OME lights are a bother, just avoid driving at night since no one can admire that great car you are driving.

 

thanks for the replies, helps a lot.

 

It looks to me those cheaper HID kits do not change the headlight lens.

The problem with having a stock lens and a HID bulb is that the lens doesn't spread the light correctly for an HID light. Ever notice that cars with factory HID lighting have clear lens. That is not a fashion statement. The clear lens spreads the light differently than a faceted lens.

There is an article about this in one of the vendors websites. I forget which one it is.

 

You don't get the proper cutoff focus for HIDs with those, just big round beams and the high beam is lower than the low beam!
May as well run them backwards.
Also the Angel Eye halo ring casts a round yellowish addition to the beam
if you run it.

 

This is correct. There are 2 distinct types of housings like what you're seeing. The cheaper versions with the angel eyes or the flat-faced chrome trim on the projector are made in china.

1) The plastic used in the lens of the Chinese version creates an optical distortion in the pattern which blurs the cutoff. The center of the pattern is more of a "blob" of light and this requires aiming the headlights much lower to reduce glare to other drivers. This defeats the purpose of having projector optics of any kind and causes you to loose a significant amount of vision.

2) The Housing material is significantly weaker in the Chinese version with several customers reporting that the mounting points broke during installation despite suggestions to be extra gentle when mounting.

The other style of lights (with the textured chrome trim ring) is a direct copy of the original ACA headlights made in Taiwan with an H9 bulb in the projector. These housings are far more durable and optically clear. These kits are rarely sold with the HID kit.

With both types of headlights, the projector low beam and high beam are NOT correctly oriented with each other. This means your high beam may be pointing either in the clouds or in the dirt when you low beam is properly aimed.


The Bi-xenon Headlights offered by Radioflyer Innovations are the top-shelf variant of these headlights. We use the high quality Taiwan housings with Bi-xenon projectors (these projector have a low and high beam mode using the same bulb) We use a Cree 16-LED High beam bulb in the high beam location. This gives instant color-matched high beam to match the low beam.

Our system also solves the alignment issue with the high beam since the LED bulb projects a flood pattern instead of a spot pattern.

In addition, with most HID systems, the headlights will not lower automatically when turned off. Our kit includes a plug-and-play HID system designed to mimic the current draw of the factory bulbs resulting in the correct function without the need for headlight resistors.

Yes, our system is the most expensive, but it also is the best-performing, easy-to-install system available for the C5 and offers more light output than any other pop up headlight kit.

http://shop.radioflyerinnovations.co...lights-015.htm

 

As someone mentioned earlier you get what you pay for. Last summer I installed the Bi-xenon Radioflyer ACA Projector Headlights. The difference from the stock headlights is startling.

 

I have the same setup on my car from RadioFlyer Innovations along with the clear corners. I also added HID fog lights to mine since my car didn't have them.

 

Not to hijack the thread. I didn't know Radioflyer made headlight kits other than for fixed ones. Where the f**k have I been?

Nonetheless, they look great on your car laurent, I'm sure it was a worthwhile upgrade. Something I will look into as well. Thanks for posting.

 

Here's the link.

http://shop.radioflyerinnovations.co...lights-015.htm

 

Our Bi-xenon ACA headlights (pop up version) use the same Bi-xenon projector and HID kit as the Stealth light Cannons (fixed version)

We will also soon be adding the LED high beam bulb as standard on the SLC V3 base kit.

 

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I installed these too, & I've really enjoyed the improvement. The install is straightforward with easy to follow instructions and RadioFlyer's customer service is great. Not cheap, but definitely worth the cost.

 

While i have no doubt the Radioflyer setups are the best by far, some of us cannot afford them, I have the Corvettemods units with 55w Hids. A bit over $300 w/lifetime warranty, and the light output and cutoff are 1000% better then the stock headlights were. I have ZKW Projectors with old Bosch Ballasts on my '95M3 and I find these just a good if not better. Wife owns a '08 Audi TTq V6 with steering Zenon's, they are the best in our Family (5 of our 6 cars have HIDs) but not by much. With the stock Vette lighting I felt I was over driving them, I no longer ever feel that way. The output is fantastic, I have never had anyone flash me for lights...

If you can afford RadioFlyer, by all means go for it. You will not be disappointed.

 

Thank you
I thank you for the info. Well, now that I am informed of this option, I'll place your headlights at the top of the list.

 

So,, should we wait unit the change to LED?

 

come on pay day! thanks guys, love the forum.

 

Before you ditch the stock headlights try some high efficiency replacement headlight bulbs that I have been led to believe are every bit as good as HID's Big plus the stock lens and light dispersed is correct (only much brighter). Stock headlight bulbs have a best before date and if you are still using factory bulbs they are getting real dim by now. A real good set will be about $70- (leaves you lots of beer money and time to drink 'em) Rob