View Poll Results: Factory vs. Aftermarket Headlights
Factory headlights and bulbs
39
35.78%
Factory headlights but installed different bulbs/LEDS
32
29.36%
Changed completely to aftermarket setup
38
34.86%
Voters: 109. You may not vote on this poll
Headlights Questions
#21
Burning Brakes
I don't drive at night much anymore but I leave on trips before daylight.
I don't have a problem with the brightness of the stock lights on my 03 vert. If they burn out I will go back with stock.
I don't have a problem with the brightness of the stock lights on my 03 vert. If they burn out I will go back with stock.
#22
Instructor
#23
Melting Slicks
I went with the HIR bulbs in the low beams and a Hi4 harness from Radio Flyer. The lighting is much improved over the stock setup.
Last edited by zachaeous; 10-10-2017 at 11:17 PM.
#24
Le Mans Master
I installed the Speedbuilt Euro Headlight Upgrade over 10 years ago. I run the High Wattage 135/90 H4 bulbs.
Purchased here: http://www.pfyc.com/VT1003.html
Totally satisfied. Glass & Metal housing and lenses used in Euro C5s - not plastic like in U.S. Also lenses have beam focus to avoid bothering oncoming traffic.
Purchased here: http://www.pfyc.com/VT1003.html
Totally satisfied. Glass & Metal housing and lenses used in Euro C5s - not plastic like in U.S. Also lenses have beam focus to avoid bothering oncoming traffic.
#25
Le Mans Master
I installed an original set of HID ACAs over a decade ago in my 99 when they were still available. All Phillips components. They were great lights. Ran them with no issues until I sold the 99 removed the ACAs and installed them in my new to me 03 but modified the stops to get a nice "sleepy eye" look. But then I had a chance to get a set of SunGuns with dual Hella projectors, 55w HIDs. Sold the ACAs after installing the SunGuns.
GREAT lights, but no longer available as far as I can tell.
ACAs modified and stock on my 99
SunGuns
GREAT lights, but no longer available as far as I can tell.
ACAs modified and stock on my 99
SunGuns
Last edited by jrprich; 10-11-2017 at 09:30 AM.
#26
Melting Slicks
Seems that's not at all true, but these are the days of not caring about blinding other drivers, at least in SoCal. At least Vettes are not the worst. Once upon a time, inspections ensured that lights were aimed properly, even more critical with the increased directionaliuty of the new lights.
Last edited by whalepirot; 10-11-2017 at 09:57 AM.
#27
Le Mans Master
The pricing of those items on their website has always been impossible to figure out from that drop-down list! I finally had to call them to place my order as none of their website options covered what I needed, total was over $600 as I recall.
#28
Drifting
I upgraded first to HIR bulbs, low and high, then went up to HID lows (JWR) and kept the HIR highs. No problems, big improvement. Just get used to the few sec. warm up time for the HID bulbs and make sure you aim them right after installation. They look better too.
#29
Melting Slicks
Drove stock for a few years. Changed to Sylvia superstars. Not much better.
Not having any other cars with HIDs, didnt really know what I was missing.
Once I got the C7, I knew.
changed to to Radioflyer bi-xenon earlier this year.
Now I wonder why I didnt make that change way before now.
Not having any other cars with HIDs, didnt really know what I was missing.
Once I got the C7, I knew.
changed to to Radioflyer bi-xenon earlier this year.
Now I wonder why I didnt make that change way before now.
Last edited by aj98; 10-11-2017 at 08:10 PM.
#31
Le Mans Master
Seems that's not at all true, but these are the days of not caring about blinding other drivers, at least in SoCal. At least Vettes are not the worst. Once upon a time, inspections ensured that lights were aimed properly, even more critical with the increased directionaliuty of the new lights.
Can't speak for others, but my HIDs have always been carefully aimed and I have never been flashed by other drivers. But I would not install HIDs in a stock housing that was not designed for them as the beam pattern of a HID is not supported in our C5 OEM lamp housings.
#32
Le Mans Master
I do a lot of night time driving and changed to Gen 5 LED's some time ago. I use four LED's in the headlights. As bright as my wifes HID's in the Lexus.
Last edited by runner140*; 10-12-2017 at 08:08 AM. Reason: add
#33
Debating Radio Flyer or JWM setup.
In the mean time, I thew in a quick set of MostPlus LED bulbs for both high and low beams. Nice improvement over stock and may be all I need.
In the mean time, I thew in a quick set of MostPlus LED bulbs for both high and low beams. Nice improvement over stock and may be all I need.
#34
Drifting
If you wanted to upgrade to ACAs, I would do neitherof the above. I would get the ACAs from FIPerformance, the C5 retrofit brackets from Lightwerkz, and Morimoto Mini H1 7.0 projectors. With the sales that come up on Lughtwerkz every holiday, overall cost will be similar to Radioflyer, with you just needing to put in some work swapping out the projectors.
#35
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2017
Location: Hickory NC
Posts: 10,211
Received 863 Likes
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2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
MostPlus 9012/9011 HIR Bulbs which are an improvement over stock. Still considering conversion to either the Euro from PFYC; the Radioflyer or the JWM.
#36
Drifting
For pricing on that website, choose the desired item and click it; the top dollar line will add sums and keep track of your selections. Joe_A also did this mod. If you search his name he found better prices than I did, and I'd found better prices than PFYC. Also, if anyone's interested, just a couple weeks ago someone was trying to sell his E-code package for $400. He never installed it and wanted to sell it in the For Sale forum. I don't remember if it included a high-wattage harness and 90/100w bulbs. Even without, it's a pretty good deal.
Here's Joe's post: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ights-t84.html
Last edited by dork; 10-12-2017 at 12:48 PM.
#38
Burning Brakes
When I bought my first ever corvette in 2016, I bought this style of HID head light from an Ebay seller. One of the best upgrades to any stock system on the car. HID bulbs (Xenon) outperform standard Halogen or LED bulbs by orders of magnitude. The low beam side are projector housings which are perfect for HIDs and much more directional than LEDs. Highly recommended upgrade. Drop in installation. Buy HID bulbs and ballasts. The HID ballasts use the existing headlight wire connections, so you will not need the included wire harness.
Aside from the much improved night time driving experience with these headlights, these have helped my car win car show awards. I pop-up the headlights at the show and it is likely that no other C5 at the show will have these installed.
Aside from the much improved night time driving experience with these headlights, these have helped my car win car show awards. I pop-up the headlights at the show and it is likely that no other C5 at the show will have these installed.
#39
Le Mans Master
but all HID installs should use a battery-based relay harness like what was included in your kit. If you rely on the small gauge OEM headlight wiring you may have many unwelcome issues. Common issues can be that the headlight will not close or open as designed. The battery-based relay wiring harness is easy to install and will ensure that proper voltage reaches your HID ballasts.
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#40
Drifting
JMO,
but all HID installs should use a battery-based relay harness like what was included in your kit. If you rely on the small gauge OEM headlight wiring you may have many unwelcome issues. Common issues can be that the headlight will not close or open as designed. The battery-based relay wiring harness is easy to install and will ensure that proper voltage reaches your HID ballasts.
but all HID installs should use a battery-based relay harness like what was included in your kit. If you rely on the small gauge OEM headlight wiring you may have many unwelcome issues. Common issues can be that the headlight will not close or open as designed. The battery-based relay wiring harness is easy to install and will ensure that proper voltage reaches your HID ballasts.