Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Headlight Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 03:26 AM
  #1  
z06Don's Avatar
z06Don
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 46
From: Winder GA
Default Headlight Question

I am about to replace my low beams in my 04 Z06....I am thinking of using Philips 9006 X-treme Power. I know they arent HID or anything but when going on ebay to get them it says they are not compatible with my car....am I looking at something wrong?
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 08:18 AM
  #2  
MAC5's Avatar
MAC5
Drifting
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
Default

Any of the Phillips 9006 bulbs (Crystal Vision, Extreme Vision) should fit the OEM C5 low and high beam light sockets. I run the extreme vision (9006 XPS2) in my Jeep both hi/lo beams and they fit perfectly. Hint: turn you lights on the garage door or wall and mark the low beam location of both lights on the wall with some tape. Replace the bulbs with the new ones and check to ensure they are focused exactly where the old bulbs were. Its important to get all 3 of the bulbs tabs properly seated in the C5 lens sockets.

Last edited by MAC5; Dec 20, 2014 at 08:24 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 12:08 PM
  #3  
c4cruiser's Avatar
c4cruiser
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default

Originally Posted by z06Don
I am about to replace my low beams in my 04 Z06....I am thinking of using Philips 9006 X-treme Power. I know they arent HID or anything but when going on ebay to get them it says they are not compatible with my car....am I looking at something wrong?
I've run across flea-bay items that said they were not compatible for a C5. But the 9006 type of bulb is the correct type for the low-beam lamps on a C5. So the Phillips or even Sylvania high-wattage bulbs will work fine. And the wiring will handle the increased draw from the bulbs.

Use 9005 bulbs on the high-beam side. The 9006 bulb will work, but you do have to slightly modify the tabs on the 9006 bulb to fit the high beam side.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 12:47 PM
  #4  
scottieg74's Avatar
scottieg74
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 10
Default

If you want to see vetter than stock. Replace those 9006 with 9006 led's they sell a set thats 6400 lumens which is brighter than hids

I did when i had pop ups. I didnt get any error messages and my buckets opened and closed with no problems
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 04:28 PM
  #5  
john8642's Avatar
john8642
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 13
From: SoCal CA
Default

Originally Posted by scottieg74
If you want to see vetter than stock. Replace those 9006 with 9006 led's they sell a set thats 6400 lumens which is brighter than hids

I did when i had pop ups. I didnt get any error messages and my buckets opened and closed with no problems
Do you have a link to the LED bulbs? I haven't seen any with that high of lumen rating. I have the Phillips 9012HIR bulbs in mine. They're brighter than the Silverstar bulbs, you just need to trim the mounting tabs a little.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 04:36 PM
  #6  
scottieg74's Avatar
scottieg74
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 10
Default

Originally Posted by john8642
Do you have a link to the LED bulbs? I haven't seen any with that high of lumen rating. I have the Phillips 9012HIR bulbs in mine. They're brighter than the Silverstar bulbs, you just need to trim the mounting tabs a little.

These bulbs are awesome. I have them on my car currently. They are 6500k light frequency range. The color pattern is awesome especially compared to those yellow tinted loght given off by the hir bulbs and these are much much brighter. Each bulb is rated at 3200 lumens (6400 for the set) heres the link to what i purchased and love them.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/131350422610?nav=SEARCH
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 06:16 PM
  #7  
frsr06's Avatar
frsr06
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 204
From: Calabash, NC
Default

Originally Posted by c4cruiser
I've run across flea-bay items that said they were not compatible for a C5. But the 9006 type of bulb is the correct type for the low-beam lamps on a C5. So the Phillips or even Sylvania high-wattage bulbs will work fine. And the wiring will handle the increased draw from the bulbs.

Use 9005 bulbs on the high-beam side. The 9006 bulb will work, but you do have to slightly modify the tabs on the 9006 bulb to fit the high beam side.
Ironically, I went through the same thing last weekend when trying to buy 9011/9012HIR bulbs. Three auto part stores refused to believe they fit a C5 - and I got the response that they did not carry them. Finally went to a NAPA store and they were willing to listen to what I was trying to do - and they had the bulbs. I'm guessing that most stores believe they have a risk if they sell you a part number that does not match the OEM cross reference.

Last edited by frsr06; Dec 20, 2014 at 06:17 PM. Reason: fixed typo
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 06:28 PM
  #8  
scottieg74's Avatar
scottieg74
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 10
Default

Originally Posted by frsr06
Ironically, I went through the same thing last weekend when trying to buy 9011/9012HIR bulbs. Three auto part stores refused to believe they fit a C5 - and I got the response that they did not carry them. Finally went to a NAPA store and they were willing to listen to what I was trying to do - and they had the bulbs. I'm guessing that most stores believe they have a risk if they sell you a part number that does not match the OEM cross reference.

I'm just curious as to why anyone would want to go through all the trouble of the hir bulbs. They need to be modifed to fit im most cases. Especially when some people are trying to modify the hi beam, higher wattage bulb for low beams. The color of the light produced is in the yellow spectrum just like halogens.

Why not leds? They last more than 10 times longer than hir and halogen bulbs. They are much much brighter They are direct fit plug and play. No modifications needed. You can also choose what color spectrum you like. Yellow tint, Hyper white, white with bluish or purplish tint.

Is there something im missing or not understanding? Im not knocking anyones choice im asking to understand what the advantage is here

Last edited by scottieg74; Dec 20, 2014 at 06:32 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 06:38 PM
  #9  
frsr06's Avatar
frsr06
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 204
From: Calabash, NC
Default

I did it because the bulb mod was very simple and the cost for the improvement was not significant to get he results. (Every time I look something else is added to my mod list). Not ready to take the HID step and don't know a lot about LEDs. The other thing is that it is easily reversible.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 06:55 PM
  #10  
scottieg74's Avatar
scottieg74
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 10
Default

Originally Posted by frsr06
I did it because the bulb mod was very simple and the cost for the improvement was not significant to get he results. (Every time I look something else is added to my mod list). Not ready to take the HID step and don't know a lot about LEDs. The other thing is that it is easily reversible.

Ok that makes some sense. The led mod i did cost about $80 shipped. its totally reversible since a simple plug and play but there are much cheaper versions available. But i choose the brightest bulbs i could find. Cheers to mods bro :-)
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 08:37 PM
  #11  
frsr06's Avatar
frsr06
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 204
From: Calabash, NC
Default

Originally Posted by scottieg74
Ok that makes some sense. The led mod i did cost about $80 shipped. its totally reversible since a simple plug and play but there are much cheaper versions available. But i choose the brightest bulbs i could find. Cheers to mods bro :-)
Would you mind PM-ing me on what you bought.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 08:58 PM
  #12  
john8642's Avatar
john8642
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 13
From: SoCal CA
Default

Originally Posted by frsr06
Would you mind PM-ing me on what you bought.
There's a link in post #6.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 09:01 PM
  #13  
frsr06's Avatar
frsr06
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 204
From: Calabash, NC
Default

Originally Posted by john8642
There's a link in post #6.
Got it - did not notice.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 12:24 AM
  #14  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,774
Likes: 24,683
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Thanks for the info on the LED replacement bulbs.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 04:31 AM
  #15  
scottieg74's Avatar
scottieg74
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 10
Default

Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
Thanks for the info on the LED replacement bulbs.

Its my pleasure glad to be able to help and offer something back to the forum community. I get so much from this forum so im glad to be able to give a tiny bit back :-)
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 03:05 PM
  #16  
mrlmd's Avatar
mrlmd
Drifting
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 342
From: Shell Point (Crawfordville) Florida
Default

scottieg - Did those LED bulbs fit right in, plug and play? The website you posted for the bulbs say that they are incompatible with my 2000 C5.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2014 | 01:17 AM
  #17  
AngelDeath's Avatar
AngelDeath
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 355
Likes: 7
From: Cherry Hill New Jersey
Default

I'd like to see a night shot of these bulbs in action if at all possible,
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2014 | 03:26 AM
  #18  
scottieg74's Avatar
scottieg74
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 10
Default

Originally Posted by mrlmd
scottieg - Did those LED bulbs fit right in, plug and play? The website you posted for the bulbs say that they are incompatible with my 2000 C5.

Yes it took about an an extra minute or so (to get the right angle) if that to install them over a halogen then the bulb. Then they twist right into the socket just like any other 9006 low beam bulb. I dont know why they say they dont fit. But they fit just gine and thry are bright as hell. Plug and play. Only thing i did was use a zip ties to attach the small little voltage regular (small little black box) to the headlight assembly bracket to keep it out of the way of the buckets as they go up and down.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2014 | 03:29 AM
  #19  
scottieg74's Avatar
scottieg74
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 10
Default

Originally Posted by AngelDeath
I'd like to see a night shot of these bulbs in action if at all possible,

If i post a picture of these bulbs at night it wouldn't be accurate of how it would look. I have since replaced my pop ups with fixed headlights. So these bulbs are now being shot through projectors
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Headlight Question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:55 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE