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Think I may be finally biting the bullet and upgrading the lights on my C5Z this weekend. Looking to get some projector housing headlights/HIDs and some clear corners with LEDs.
I'm pretty much set on 5000k temp for the HIDs, used them in the past... just how I like them.
Now for the LEDs in the clear corner, those switchbacks caught my eye. I am looking at the 'kit' on JWM- I am curious how well the white on the switchback LEDs will match 5000k or other temp HIDs?
Any experience/feedback on this? I see out on the rest of the interwebs there are a whole slew of other switchback LEDs, some with temp specs etc etc. What have you all used/what are your experiences?
Think I may be finally biting the bullet and upgrading the lights on my C5Z this weekend. Looking to get some projector housing headlights/HIDs and some clear corners with LEDs.
I'm pretty much set on 5000k temp for the HIDs, used them in the past... just how I like them.
Now for the LEDs in the clear corner, those switchbacks caught my eye. I am looking at the 'kit' on JWM- I am curious how well the white on the switchback LEDs will match 5000k or other temp HIDs?
Any experience/feedback on this? I see out on the rest of the interwebs there are a whole slew of other switchback LEDs, some with temp specs etc etc. What have you all used/what are your experiences?
Thanks and hope you all had a good Thanksgiving!
-aaronc7
I used forum vendor JW Motoring for my complete exterior HID/LED upgrades. However, I wouldn't consider improving my ability to see or be seen as "ricing out my ride" as I pretty much picked up where GM left off and modernized the car with today's lighting technology. Lighting standards have changed a lot since 1997.
I like the Sun Guns from JWM. The reason is because the sun guns do not open up as far as the rest of the new lights. The lower headlight flap decrease wind resistance when they are up and I think they look cooler than the others. They're about 8 or 9 hundred. Be sure to get the resistance circuit and the other little circuit that keeps the lows on when you go to the high beams. They put out a lot of light and it's good lighting.
Its been a while, but whatever the pure white ones are (possibly 4300?) match the white in the switchbacks. If you are going with the 5000s because you like them, not sure if you are going to find drls/turnsignals in that color (or if you would want to).
I used forum vendor JW Motoring for my complete exterior HID/LED upgrades. However, I wouldn't consider improving my ability to see or be seen as "ricing out my ride" as I pretty much picked up where GM left off and modernized the car with today's lighting technology. Lighting standards have changed a lot since 1997.
Good luck with your project.
Thread title was just an attention grabber. Since day 1 with the car I knew I was going to have to upgrade the lighting.
For a reply from JWM... They say the LEDs are closer to a 6000k temp. I've always liked 5000k as it is a pure white color. 6000k usually has a hint of blue and you only lose a little light output.
I guess my options now are to get 6000k hids with JWM LEDs or 5000k hids and look elsewhere for done 5000k LEDs. Vleds.com has some that look nice, lot of light output.
Thread title was just an attention grabber. Since day 1 with the car I knew I was going to have to upgrade the lighting.
For a reply from JWM... They say the LEDs are closer to a 6000k temp. I've always liked 5000k as it is a pure white color. 6000k usually has a hint of blue and you only lose a little light output.
I guess my options now are to get 6000k hids with JWM LEDs or 5000k hids and look elsewhere for done 5000k LEDs. Vleds.com has some that look nice, lot of light output.
Decisions decisions.
Thanks for the feedback so far.
For comparisons, I went with 4300 temp per my pics above. I wanted the purest white light I could get because I live in remote area with dark roads. I feel the color matches up pretty well with the LED switchback corners which are also white when I turn on the lights. In fact, the switchbacks are so bright that I use them as secondary driving lights with my HID fogs. I only turn on/up my pop-ups when it is completely dark outside.
Went with 6000k HIDs with the switchback LEDs thru JWM. Since the HID kit is 55w (I've only used 35w kits in the past)... that should counteract the slight reduction in lumens I'll get with 6000k vs 4300k. Got some license plate LEDs as well. Slowly but surely going to convert over to help 'modernize' the look. Headlights are just so I can see at night, lol.
Went with 6000k HIDs with the switchback LEDs thru JWM. Since the HID kit is 55w (I've only used 35w kits in the past)... that should counteract the slight reduction in lumens I'll get with 6000k vs 4300k. Got some license plate LEDs as well. Slowly but surely going to convert over to help 'modernize' the look. Headlights are just so I can see at night, lol.
Make sure you install a hyperflash harness underneath the dash (lower driver's side knee bolster) due to all of the new LEDs. If not, the C5 brain will think the OEM halogen bulbs are burnt out due to the lower electric draw of the LEDs.
I've wanted to do new headlights too. I've been looking for awhile now and I think I'd buy my lights from Radioflyer. He puts a lot of thought and engineering to make a very high quality light from what I see. I'd really like his fixed dual projector lights but they are little pricey so I've been holding off, if not I'll buy his ACA type conversions with the hi-lo projectors. I am hoping to get rid of the flip-ups. I like the way they look but I'm having problems a second time with the same light, even after putting in the brass gear. He's having some good sales right now but this is always a bad time of the year for me, spending-wise.
i used forum vendor jw motoring for my complete exterior hid/led upgrades. However, i wouldn't consider improving my ability to see or be seen as "ricing out my ride" as i pretty much picked up where gm left off and modernized the car with today's lighting technology. Lighting standards have changed a lot since 1997.
I purchased clear corners with the LED strip. I use straight amber bulbs for turn signals, and driving lights. With the LED strip no need for a side light bulb. Think I got them from Radio Flyer.
Our Complete DRL package comes with the housing, LED bulb upgrades and hyperflash harness at a package price. Our Gen 5 switchback bulbs match the 5000K HID bulbs very nicely. You can also get the LED strip modifications at a discount with this kit:
11-28-2014, 10:29 AM
Help me rice out my ride
