Head Lights
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
If you plan on keeping the stock housings I suggest Silver Star Ultras or Toshiba HR bulbs.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: Richmond BC
In my opinion installing HID in stock housings is not a good idea, The light splatters all over the place because the reflectors in stock housings are not designed for the HID type bulb, I tried it for a while and it was not good.
If you plan on keeping the stock housings I suggest Silver Star Ultras or Toshiba HR bulbs.
If you plan on keeping the stock housings I suggest Silver Star Ultras or Toshiba HR bulbs.
oh well they were relatively inexpensive. Maybe my wife will buy me some nice radioflyer lights for Christmas NOT!!! I am sure I will get Old Spice. BTW is that your dog? He seems stressed!
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
Keep in mind when using HID in non Hid housings the light splatters the on coming cars.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: Richmond BC
Maybe to test the splatter from the HID lights, I will do some before and after shots on my garage door - if I get motivated enough to do it tomorrow.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,546
Likes: 895
From: Republic of Texas
We off the best performing bolt-on, plug-and-play headlights on the market:
http://shop.radioflyerinnovations.co...lights-015.htm
Our headlights include Bi-xenon projectors, LED high beam and a 70w HID main light source. This translates to three times the light output covering over 10 times the surface area as the factory lights.
Compare to factory using the same camera settings:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 149
From: chicago area IL.
i've been playing with HID's since over 8 years now, true stock housing are not the best but if you aim them correctly you wont blind on coming traffic and the light out put is better, the biggest problem is guys installing them and not re-aimming the headlights, I have a set in my SUV and work truck the only time I'll get some one flashing me there lights is when I'm towing or weighted down (nose up in the air) but use to get flashed with stock lights under those conditions since the lights are basically pointed at the driver eyes
I just installed a set on my 03 z I can finally see at night, other thing is the corvette headlights are low so thats a plus! i have not had any one flash there lights at me or any thing, after I installed a 35w kit my headlights would not go down (same as a bulb out) I swapped to a 55w kunsun kit and have no problems
I have not had any luck with Xentek HID kits the output was poor, lights flickered and did not last long 4 set all went bad with in a few months, its a good idea to keep extra ballast on hand (if its a daily driver) and DO NOT touch the bulbs
I just installed a set on my 03 z I can finally see at night, other thing is the corvette headlights are low so thats a plus! i have not had any one flash there lights at me or any thing, after I installed a 35w kit my headlights would not go down (same as a bulb out) I swapped to a 55w kunsun kit and have no problems
I have not had any luck with Xentek HID kits the output was poor, lights flickered and did not last long 4 set all went bad with in a few months, its a good idea to keep extra ballast on hand (if its a daily driver) and DO NOT touch the bulbs
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 13
From: SoCal CA
If you want to stay with the stock housings, the Phillips 9011/9012 HIR bulbs are a big improvement over stock bulbs or Silverstars.
http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html
http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 5
From: Germantown, TN
As most have said just changing the bulbs will offer a slight improvement but not great. That's what I initially had on my car.
I then went to an ACA set-up with HID bulbs/ballast (55W). I got mine from JW Motoring a vendor on here. These are projectors are the different is night & day.....pun intended
If you have the $$$, I highly recommend the kit from JW Motoring or Radioflyer. Both are very reputable vendors. To date this IS one of the best mods I've done. Good luck!
I then went to an ACA set-up with HID bulbs/ballast (55W). I got mine from JW Motoring a vendor on here. These are projectors are the different is night & day.....pun intended
If you have the $$$, I highly recommend the kit from JW Motoring or Radioflyer. Both are very reputable vendors. To date this IS one of the best mods I've done. Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 149
From: chicago area IL.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: Richmond BC
Now for the test, I turned them on. . . nothing . . . checked the wiring, it is so simple even I can't screw it up and I'm an electrical engineer.
Second, when I go to turn the lights off, the headlights stay up, they do not lower. Maybe I shorted something - no - all fuses OK. So, out they come! I reinstalled the original bulbs and they work fine, the headlight lowers and all is well. I suppose that the model I got was not compatible with the 'Vette? Who cares, they are in the garbage now! On to something new - I have a se of TI mufflers in the garage that need installing... next weekend if I can find some time around Christmas shopping.
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
Well I have some advice - Do not go with the Xentec. I just finished installing/removing them. First, they are a pain to install, the back of the light does not have the angled fitting to give you enough leverage to turn the thing when they are WAAAY back there behind the headlight. After struggling they did turn and go in.
Now for the test, I turned them on. . . nothing . . . checked the wiring, it is so simple even I can't screw it up and I'm an electrical engineer.
Second, when I go to turn the lights off, the headlights stay up, they do not lower. Maybe I shorted something - no - all fuses OK. So, out they come! I reinstalled the original bulbs and they work fine, the headlight lowers and all is well. I suppose that the model I got was not compatible with the 'Vette? Who cares, they are in the garbage now! On to something new - I have a se of TI mufflers in the garage that need installing... next weekend if I can find some time around Christmas shopping.
Now for the test, I turned them on. . . nothing . . . checked the wiring, it is so simple even I can't screw it up and I'm an electrical engineer.
Second, when I go to turn the lights off, the headlights stay up, they do not lower. Maybe I shorted something - no - all fuses OK. So, out they come! I reinstalled the original bulbs and they work fine, the headlight lowers and all is well. I suppose that the model I got was not compatible with the 'Vette? Who cares, they are in the garbage now! On to something new - I have a se of TI mufflers in the garage that need installing... next weekend if I can find some time around Christmas shopping.
Helps supply the 55 watts needed to keep your headlights opening and closing when using HID lights. Works for our kits and most aftermarket HID kits. We can't guarantee they will work with all kits. These are not returnable
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 149
From: chicago area IL.
Voodoo13 some time you need to flip the power plug 180 degree's if they do not go on (car side plug)
another thing is if you have a problem getting the bulb in try to swap the o ring from the headlight you took out I had to do this a number of times, a lot of times the onse on the HID lights are to thick
I stated before I have not had any luck with Xentec, my current kit is a kensun and no problems with the light going up or down, I herd a lot of good about VVME kit but there is knock off's so its hard to tell witch is the real kits
another thing is if you have a problem getting the bulb in try to swap the o ring from the headlight you took out I had to do this a number of times, a lot of times the onse on the HID lights are to thick
I stated before I have not had any luck with Xentec, my current kit is a kensun and no problems with the light going up or down, I herd a lot of good about VVME kit but there is knock off's so its hard to tell witch is the real kits
Last edited by Stroker87; Dec 8, 2014 at 09:34 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 10
I installed led headlights in the stock housing. I had them in both high beans and low beams. They are 3200 lumens each bulb. They were awesome. Never got flashed by any oncoming traffic. I am not a fan of hid's
Because of an accident i just replaced my flip tops with spectre werks fixed projectors. I reused my led headlights 9005/9006 led head lights (again each bulb is rated at 3200 lumens) i added yellow hallos around the projectors and it looks sick.
Just as an fyi, installing those lights in the stock housing was way better than stock halogens. I choose 6500 color temp and i didnt get any error messages. They were a simply plug and play installation
Because of an accident i just replaced my flip tops with spectre werks fixed projectors. I reused my led headlights 9005/9006 led head lights (again each bulb is rated at 3200 lumens) i added yellow hallos around the projectors and it looks sick.
Just as an fyi, installing those lights in the stock housing was way better than stock halogens. I choose 6500 color temp and i didnt get any error messages. They were a simply plug and play installation
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 569
Likes: 19
From: South Shore, KY
I had some Xentec HIDs in my car this past summer for a month or two.
They are ****.. They are not built of quality and the low beams burned out after about 3 hours of total burn time. I just ripped them all out (fogs too) not too long ago and put regular bulbs back in. They were the biggest waste of money of the summer for me.
IMO just leave them like they are and avoid the hassle.
They are ****.. They are not built of quality and the low beams burned out after about 3 hours of total burn time. I just ripped them all out (fogs too) not too long ago and put regular bulbs back in. They were the biggest waste of money of the summer for me.
IMO just leave them like they are and avoid the hassle.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
I had some Xentec HIDs in my car this past summer for a month or two.
They are ****.. They are not built of quality and the low beams burned out after about 3 hours of total burn time. I just ripped them all out (fogs too) not too long ago and put regular bulbs back in. They were the biggest waste of money of the summer for me.
IMO just leave them like they are and avoid the hassle.
They are ****.. They are not built of quality and the low beams burned out after about 3 hours of total burn time. I just ripped them all out (fogs too) not too long ago and put regular bulbs back in. They were the biggest waste of money of the summer for me.
IMO just leave them like they are and avoid the hassle.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 355
Likes: 7
From: Cherry Hill New Jersey
I too have a 2 x Xentec 55W, and I installed them for the fogs and the low beams, And they are in stock housing, re-aimed the headlights, and no cars flashing me, I know most say it scatters light, but I bought ACA Replicas and they were horrible (Cheap Quality) ripped them out and put the stock back in, so far have had them in for a year and no issues with the bulbs or the ballasts. I even tried modifying high beam bulbs to use as low beans before I went HID, but sorry nothing compares to HID so far.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 149
From: chicago area IL.
if you guys dont drive in the rain the Xentec might last but in a daily driver they dont last very long like I said 4 kit and every one was a hassle either the lights flickered, poor output, ballast burned up or the bulb blew out
also i learned to buy off amazon you can read the feedback so it makes it a little easier to buy a good kit
also i learned to buy off amazon you can read the feedback so it makes it a little easier to buy a good kit
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 190
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Ohio
i've been playing with HID's since over 8 years now, true stock housing are not the best but if you aim them correctly you wont blind on coming traffic and the light out put is better, the biggest problem is guys installing them and not re-aimming the headlights, I have a set in my SUV and work truck the only time I'll get some one flashing me there lights is when I'm towing or weighted down (nose up in the air) but use to get flashed with stock lights under those conditions since the lights are basically pointed at the driver eyes
I just installed a set on my 03 z I can finally see at night, other thing is the corvette headlights are low so thats a plus! i have not had any one flash there lights at me or any thing, after I installed a 35w kit my headlights would not go down (same as a bulb out) I swapped to a 55w kunsun kit and have no problems
I have not had any luck with Xentek HID kits the output was poor, lights flickered and did not last long 4 set all went bad with in a few months, its a good idea to keep extra ballast on hand (if its a daily driver) and DO NOT touch the bulbs
I just installed a set on my 03 z I can finally see at night, other thing is the corvette headlights are low so thats a plus! i have not had any one flash there lights at me or any thing, after I installed a 35w kit my headlights would not go down (same as a bulb out) I swapped to a 55w kunsun kit and have no problems
I have not had any luck with Xentek HID kits the output was poor, lights flickered and did not last long 4 set all went bad with in a few months, its a good idea to keep extra ballast on hand (if its a daily driver) and DO NOT touch the bulbs
I have done the same thing and never get flashed. Like mentioned, the car is so low to the ground. I have HID's for my fogs too.