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

Headlights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 27, 2016 | 12:38 PM
  #1  
808EB03Z06's Avatar
808EB03Z06
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
Default Headlights

I am about to make a cross country trip and have no trust in the stock headlights. does radioflyer still make the ACA projectors, or is there another option that increases light output?
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2016 | 03:58 PM
  #2  
MAC5's Avatar
MAC5
Drifting
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
Default

George just posted availablity of ACA kits last week, see the link

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...adioflyer.html

Last edited by MAC5; Jan 27, 2016 at 03:58 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2016 | 05:54 PM
  #3  
Sam Handwich's Avatar
Sam Handwich
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 120
Default

Originally Posted by 808EB03Z06
I am about to make a cross country trip and have no trust in the stock headlights. does radioflyer still make the ACA projectors, or is there another option that increases light output?
you are making a smart move if you get those ACA bi-xenon lights. You will feel very safe driving your vette at night
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2016 | 08:22 PM
  #4  
Clancy209's Avatar
Clancy209
Burning Brakes
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 969
Likes: 141
From: Staten island NY
Default

U can get a 2-4 harness (hope I got that right) when u use the bright lights all four lights come on. I believe radio flyer sells the harness. May not be the best solution but it helps
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 06:24 AM
  #5  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 243
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by Clancy209
U can get a 2-4 harness (hope I got that right) when u use the bright lights all four lights come on. I believe radio flyer sells the harness. May not be the best solution but it helps
Hi-4 harness.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 07:59 AM
  #6  
MSG C5's Avatar
MSG C5
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,732
Likes: 3,657
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
Default

I just upgraded my original ACA HID kit to Radioflyer's Bi-Xenon kit. I thought my originals were very good, but the Bi-Xenon are even better.

My original set will be posted in the For Sale section soon.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 08:02 AM
  #7  
Velocity_Vette's Avatar
Velocity_Vette
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Default

http://blog.brianmoses.net/2013/11/addressing-the-terrible-headlights-of-the-c5-corvette.html


This is a good blog post about converting over to an HIR bulb. This is becoming a very common application now that HIRs are somewhat coming down in price.

9011 HIRs and 9012 HIRs are very similar in construction and application other than minor variances in the set tabs on the bulb's base, which can be trimmed to fit the C5s housings that typically accept a 9005 and 9006 bulb. The HIRs pull no additional power than the stock 9005s and 9006s while providing brighter light output. While your resultant light output will not be on par with a projector setup, it will be an improvement.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 12:27 PM
  #8  
oh1vette's Avatar
oh1vette
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,753
Likes: 167
From: Youngsville North Carolina
Default

^^^^^
and probably $600 less expensive
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 01:16 PM
  #9  
El original's Avatar
El original
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Default

I like the idea of the Hi-4 harness and some high output stock fit halogen bulbs have to do the trick and save you lots of $$$$ for you trip ahead.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 02:42 PM
  #10  
808EB03Z06's Avatar
808EB03Z06
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
Default

Thanks for all the input everybody. I may look into the 9011/9012 idea to at least see the improvement.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 02:45 PM
  #11  
Sam Handwich's Avatar
Sam Handwich
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 120
Default

great.
please report back on what you do and how it works
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 03:18 PM
  #12  
Toque's Avatar
Toque
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Default

Originally Posted by MSG C5
I just upgraded my original ACA HID kit to Radioflyer's Bi-Xenon kit. I thought my originals were very good, but the Bi-Xenon are even better.
I second that notion....

Toque
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 03:20 PM
  #13  
Sam Handwich's Avatar
Sam Handwich
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 120
Default

Originally Posted by Toque
I second that notion....

Toque
me too. Or is it mee three?

Why pay twice, when you can do it right the first time?
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 04:04 PM
  #14  
pups's Avatar
pups
Advanced
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 9
Default

Originally Posted by Velocity_Vette

9011 HIRs and 9012 HIRs are very similar in construction and application other than minor variances in the set tabs on the bulb's base, which can be trimmed to fit the C5s housings that typically accept a 9005 and 9006 bulb. The HIRs pull no additional power than the stock 9005s and 9006s while providing brighter light output. While your resultant light output will not be on par with a projector setup, it will be an improvement.
i did this on my 90 GMC, the bulbs are only about $25 a pc, so nothing crazy

Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 04:23 PM
  #15  
808EB03Z06's Avatar
808EB03Z06
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
Default

Originally Posted by Sam Handwich
great.
please report back on what you do and how it works
I most certainly will. Hell I may just try it tonight.
Originally Posted by Sam Handwich
me too. Or is it mee three?

Why pay twice, when you can do it right the first time?
I will go with the ACAs if doing the 9012/9011 switch doesn't satisfy me.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 04:27 PM
  #16  
808EB03Z06's Avatar
808EB03Z06
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
Default

Originally Posted by pups
i did this on my 90 GMC, the bulbs are only about $25 a pc, so nothing crazy

I would take a gander that the light output looks better in person than it does in the picture?
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 04:46 PM
  #17  
pups's Avatar
pups
Advanced
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 9
Default

Originally Posted by 808EB03Z06
I would take a gander that the light output looks better in person than it does in the picture?
yea, can hardly tell in the pics, but it is noticeably brighter in person. Not HID bright, but an improvement over stock.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Headlights

Old Jan 29, 2016 | 12:33 PM
  #18  
TheRadioFlyer's Avatar
TheRadioFlyer
Supporting Vendor
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,533
Likes: 881
From: Republic of Texas
Default

our Bi-xenon ACA (before/after)

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





Factory Low beam




Bi-xenon ACA low beam


Which would you rather have at night?
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2016 | 03:30 PM
  #19  
ND2GOFASTER's Avatar
ND2GOFASTER
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 290
Likes: 8
From: FRANKSTON Texas
Default

Any complaints on other drivers flashing because they're blinded by the Bi-Xenon lights. How much adjusting needs to be done?
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2016 | 03:44 PM
  #20  
TheRadioFlyer's Avatar
TheRadioFlyer
Supporting Vendor
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,533
Likes: 881
From: Republic of Texas
Default

Originally Posted by ND2GOFASTER
Any complaints on other drivers flashing because they're blinded by the Bi-Xenon lights. How much adjusting needs to be done?
If aimed correctly the only time oncoming traffic will have issues is on hills, but that happens with all but auto-leveling headlights.

Adjusting mostly needs to be done on the driver's side to bring it UP and LEFT. Because of the sharp cutoff on the low beam, you can aim the headlight much higher than with a traditional reflector headlight without risking glare to oncoming traffic.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:52 PM.

story-0
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-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
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
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE